The encrypted radio crackled to life in the strategy room beneath the Pyrenees stronghold, its steel walls humming with quiet tension. Vulture adjusted the dial, narrowing his eyes as the FBI’s voice came through, garbled but clear enough to send chills.Bain stood beside him, arms folded. Petrov leaned against the wall, face carved from stone. Sokolov tapped his fingers slowly against the steel table. Liang stood motionless in the shadows, unreadable as always.“We’ve managed to secure most of the girls,” the voice from the other end said. “Some were reunited with their families already. Others are under our protection—surveillance detail, social workers, clean documentation. We’ve kept them safe.”Everyone in the room felt the invisible exhale of relief.“But there’s more,” the FBI agent continued, voice hardening. “We found a body this morning. Young. Fifteen, maybe. Fished from the Tiber. Her hands were bound, her ribs shattered. There was a message carved into her skin.”The room
The call had been days in the making—encrypted, untraceable, set on a secure satellite frequency only known to the oldest survivors of past wars. It wasn’t a call made lightly. Not to a man like —Valeria’s father, once a general feared across Eastern Europe. A ghost who rarely emerged from the shadows of old power.Now, his weathered face appeared on the screen, lit by the dim yellow light of some hidden estate. Lines carved deep into his skin. Eyes sharp as broken glass.Vulture leaned forward into the camera. The same steel threaded through him. Age hadn’t dulled him either.They stared at each other for a moment. Not as enemies. Not yet. Just as two old wolves measuring the distance between instincts and ruin.“She’s not well,” Vulture began, voice low. “And I’m not just talking about ambition or vengeance. I’m talking about cruelty for pleasure. About butchered girls, stolen infants, and soldiers she’s trained like war dogs since they were children.”He didn’t flinch. “I’ve heard…
The night air in the Pyrenees was crisp and silent, blanketing the stronghold like a second skin. Snow clung to the high peaks beyond, a deceptive quiet before the next wave of violence.Inside the war room, Viktor—Bain’s right-hand man, sharp as a blade and loyal beyond question—entered with a satchel full of sealed folders and encrypted drives. His eyes, always cold with calculation, softened briefly when he locked eyes with Bain.“Intel from the Montenegro vaults,” Viktor said, handing over the satchel. “Valeria’s logistics. Weapon routes. Hidden accounts. Communications trails. All verified.”Bain took the satchel, nodding once. “You went dark for four days. That wasn’t part of the plan.”“She has eyes in France,” Viktor muttered. “Two of my contacts are dead. One screamed her name before he died.”Cassie, who had just entered to feed Cassian, paused at the doorway, holding the baby close to her chest. Her eyes met Viktor’s. Wary. Respectful.“You okay?” she asked quietly.“I will
The storm outside the Pyrenees stronghold had eased to a cold, eerie stillness, but within the war room, tension was rising by the minute.Vulture stood near the window, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. The conversation with General Arturo de la Cruz lingered in the air like smoke—both men had been soldiers, commanders, survivors of bloodied decades. But even Arturo couldn’t deny what his daughter had become.“He said he just wanted to see Elias one last time,” Vulture muttered, facing the others. “And he did. But he also said something else… that Valeria always hid her worst obsessions behind the ones people could see.”Bain’s jaw tensed. “Meaning?”Liang stepped forward. He’d been quiet through most of the night, eyes sharp, watchful. But now, he unfolded a paper-thin map from his coat and smoothed it across the table.“It means this isn’t just about your son. Or Cassie. Or even you,” Liang said. His tone was calm, but his gaze was hard as stone. “I’ve been watching her patt
Cassiopeia Thompson’s life wasn't that of a princess, if anything it was more like a pauper's.But it was about to get worse.If only she knew..The evening began like every other charity gala she’d been dragged to; a parade of fake smiles, empty compliments, and overpriced champagne not to mention her nose gettingbombarded by the scents from hundreds of perfumes, it always made her dizzy.This time, she wasn't dizzy. If anything her hair was standing. She didn't know why but this particular evening had a different chill. Cassie couldn't quite point what it was but she was sure something was different.There was desperation in the air as socialites clung to their status with manicured nails and designer dresses that probably cost more than her college tuition.This was more than just a charity event. Something was happening, and at the back of her mind, she feared she was part of it.She’d only agreed to attend because Elijah, her stepfather, had insisted, and Ryder, her stepbrother, h
Cassie was at her wedding. It was a seaside wedding as she always wanted.Lilies and yellow hibiscus flowers adorned the walkway and the makeshift altar the silhouette of her husband and the priest stood on.She was in her mother's refurbished yellow wedding gown as opposed to the customary white gown.It had a slit up to her lower thigh with curls and curls of fabric flowing gracefully behind her.Her lone walk to the altar was one of bliss, fulfillment and pure joy. She was about to get married to the love of her life. She was the love of his life too.There would be laughter, tears of joy, and a promise of forever that meant something.As she walked to the altar, she heard someone call her name. She paused and looked behind; there was no one.She was about to continue her honorable walk to her groom when she heard her name again, this time she felt someone tapping her.Before she could make sense of it all, her eyes popped open.She was staring at the annoying hairdresser.Reality d
Life With BainCassie woke up every morning in a bed that was too big, too soft, and too cold.Alone.Bain was never there. She was grateful for it. She slept before he came to bed and by the time she woke up in the morning, he was gone.His sandalwood scent and rumpled bedside was proof that he had lain there.But every time she stepped into the dining hall, there he was, with a newspaper in his hand, almost as if he was waiting for her before he had breakfast.She was still at loss as to why they had to stay in the same room. They could pretend to be the perfect couple to outsiders, but why did they have to stay in the same room?It had been weeks since the wedding, and she was still adjusting to her new reality.Bain had laid down rules from the day of the wedding. He had strictly reminded her of her place in his world; his wife in name only, and his possession in every other sense of the word.Her existence had given "trophy wife" a new meaning, a perfect face for the public and a
Shadows of ThreatsDays turn into weeks and weeks turn into months, and Cassie began to see the Blackwood estate as home. She was never mistreated, never taken for granted or disrespected.She even began to have nice conversations with some of the staff. She became close to Mrs. Persephone the housekeeper and her personal maid, Tyler.Bane still maintained a different attitude with bouts of niceness once in a while.Though the Blackwood estate was a new development in her life, it was better than home.It was better than the torture, the insults, hunger and the abuse from Ryder and Elijah.Now she could move more freely within the house and even had the password to some areas.The Blackwood estate was beautiful, almost too perfect from the manicured lawns to the towering walls and iron gates designed to keep outsiders at bay.And yet, Ryder and Elijah could still get in.It started with calls. They came at least an hour after breakfast, almost as if whoever was at the other end of the
The storm outside the Pyrenees stronghold had eased to a cold, eerie stillness, but within the war room, tension was rising by the minute.Vulture stood near the window, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. The conversation with General Arturo de la Cruz lingered in the air like smoke—both men had been soldiers, commanders, survivors of bloodied decades. But even Arturo couldn’t deny what his daughter had become.“He said he just wanted to see Elias one last time,” Vulture muttered, facing the others. “And he did. But he also said something else… that Valeria always hid her worst obsessions behind the ones people could see.”Bain’s jaw tensed. “Meaning?”Liang stepped forward. He’d been quiet through most of the night, eyes sharp, watchful. But now, he unfolded a paper-thin map from his coat and smoothed it across the table.“It means this isn’t just about your son. Or Cassie. Or even you,” Liang said. His tone was calm, but his gaze was hard as stone. “I’ve been watching her patt
The night air in the Pyrenees was crisp and silent, blanketing the stronghold like a second skin. Snow clung to the high peaks beyond, a deceptive quiet before the next wave of violence.Inside the war room, Viktor—Bain’s right-hand man, sharp as a blade and loyal beyond question—entered with a satchel full of sealed folders and encrypted drives. His eyes, always cold with calculation, softened briefly when he locked eyes with Bain.“Intel from the Montenegro vaults,” Viktor said, handing over the satchel. “Valeria’s logistics. Weapon routes. Hidden accounts. Communications trails. All verified.”Bain took the satchel, nodding once. “You went dark for four days. That wasn’t part of the plan.”“She has eyes in France,” Viktor muttered. “Two of my contacts are dead. One screamed her name before he died.”Cassie, who had just entered to feed Cassian, paused at the doorway, holding the baby close to her chest. Her eyes met Viktor’s. Wary. Respectful.“You okay?” she asked quietly.“I will
The call had been days in the making—encrypted, untraceable, set on a secure satellite frequency only known to the oldest survivors of past wars. It wasn’t a call made lightly. Not to a man like —Valeria’s father, once a general feared across Eastern Europe. A ghost who rarely emerged from the shadows of old power.Now, his weathered face appeared on the screen, lit by the dim yellow light of some hidden estate. Lines carved deep into his skin. Eyes sharp as broken glass.Vulture leaned forward into the camera. The same steel threaded through him. Age hadn’t dulled him either.They stared at each other for a moment. Not as enemies. Not yet. Just as two old wolves measuring the distance between instincts and ruin.“She’s not well,” Vulture began, voice low. “And I’m not just talking about ambition or vengeance. I’m talking about cruelty for pleasure. About butchered girls, stolen infants, and soldiers she’s trained like war dogs since they were children.”He didn’t flinch. “I’ve heard…
The encrypted radio crackled to life in the strategy room beneath the Pyrenees stronghold, its steel walls humming with quiet tension. Vulture adjusted the dial, narrowing his eyes as the FBI’s voice came through, garbled but clear enough to send chills.Bain stood beside him, arms folded. Petrov leaned against the wall, face carved from stone. Sokolov tapped his fingers slowly against the steel table. Liang stood motionless in the shadows, unreadable as always.“We’ve managed to secure most of the girls,” the voice from the other end said. “Some were reunited with their families already. Others are under our protection—surveillance detail, social workers, clean documentation. We’ve kept them safe.”Everyone in the room felt the invisible exhale of relief.“But there’s more,” the FBI agent continued, voice hardening. “We found a body this morning. Young. Fifteen, maybe. Fished from the Tiber. Her hands were bound, her ribs shattered. There was a message carved into her skin.”The room
The sound of fists hitting sandbags echoed through the Pyrenees stronghold. The air smelled of sweat, oil, and sharpened steel. Bain was relentless—sweat glistened on his brow, his fists red from impact. He wasn’t just training—he was preparing for war.Outside the training ring, Cassie walked into the courtyard with purpose. Her hair was pulled into a loose braid, a soft smile tugging at her lips as she approached Vulture, who was lounging in a shaded corner, baby Cassian resting comfortably in his arms like a tiny warlord.“I came to feed him,” Cassie said, hands on her hips.Vulture looked at her and grinned, raising a brow. “Oh, now you remember you have a son? He’s been ruling the courtyard for an hour. Everyone bowed twice.”Cassie chuckled, stepping closer and scooping Cassian gently into her arms. “Don’t fill his head with lies.”“He prefers my beard,” Vulture added with a mock sigh. “Yours doesn’t tickle the same.”She rolled her eyes but smiled wide. As she settled in to fee
The box arrived in silence.No return label. No markings. Just a single white ribbon tied in a perfect bow.Vulture had seen enough war to know: when evil sends a gift, it’s never empty.He opened the box in the war room. Inside were two small, bloodied hands—clearly from a young girl. They were nailed to a crude wooden stake, with a note pinned beneath them.“If you will not give me back my son, I will take children from the world and burn their names into your hearts. —V.”Cassie gagged. Elias looked away, face pale.Bain’s jaw clenched as he grabbed the table edge so hard his knuckles went white. “She’s using children. Again.”Vulture nodded grimly. “She trained those assassins since they were twelve. She’s unleashing them now—Bone Circle’s final litter.”As if on cue, Bain’s encrypted line buzzed. It was Agent Ramirez from the FBI.“Vulture,” the agent said immediately, voice sharp. “We have to work together. Valeria just crossed into sovereign red territory. We intercepted one of
The Bone Circle’s hideout stank of decay and blood. Valeria stood at the head of a long, steel table, where a map of the Pyrenees was spread out—covered not in markers or pins, but in dried blood smears and jagged carvings. Around her stood her most trusted killers, the Bone Circle. Dressed in bone-white uniforms, they looked more like reapers than assassins.Beside Valeria stood a row of girls, barely women, scarred, emotionless, their eyes dead from years of training and torment. She had raised them since adolescence—trained them to be shadows, to kill silently, beautifully. They were her legacy. Her wrath made flesh.“This time,” she whispered, “we don’t strike with force. We slice their hope. Piece by piece.”One of the girls approached, carrying a wooden pole. At the top of it hung a severed hand—small, delicate—belonging to one of the trafficked girls Vulture’s forces had recently freed. A brutal message. Valeria smiled coldly.“Deliver this to the edge of the Pyrenees. Let Bain
The war room inside First Choice’s Pyrenees stronghold was dim, atmospheric, and alive with quiet tension. Surveillance monitors cast a bluish glow across the dark wooden panels, and a large tactical table sat pulsing at the center, marked with glowing zones and encrypted flags.Bain stood at one side of the table, arms folded, eyes sharp. Across from him was Liang, the Triad’s commander—slender, severe, immaculately dressed in charcoal silk with a dragon pin glinting at his collar. His demeanor was unreadable, but his presence was felt like an unsheathed blade.“Five of my best men are already positioned along the outer ridge,” Liang said calmly. “Two are specialists. You will not see them unless they want you to.”“I like ghosts,” Vulture muttered from his lounge chair beside the fireplace, Cassian nestled on his chest like a tiny prince. “So long as they don’t try to touch my bourbon.”Liang ignored him. “Another team will establish blind zones in your satellite perimeter, so nothi
The Pyrenees fortress stood silent under a veil of mist, its stone walls blending seamlessly with the rugged mountainside. Inside, the atmosphere was tense, the air thick with anticipation.Vulture sat in the command room, eyes fixed on the surveillance monitors. A soft chime signaled an incoming encrypted transmission. He tapped the console, and Petrov’s stern face appeared.“We’re approaching the designated coordinates,” Petrov announced. “The Triad operatives are with me. Five, as discussed.”Vulture nodded. “Ensure they follow the safe passages. The mountain watches every step.”Petrov smirked. “They know the drill. No missteps.”Moments later, the fortress’s outer sensors detected movement. Vulture switched views, observing five figures navigating the treacherous terrain with practiced ease. Their movements were precise, almost choreographed—a testament to their training.Inside the fortress, Bain and Cassie stood by the entrance, awaiting their arrival. As the group entered, the