THE PAKHAN'S STOLEN OMEGA
Nikolai led her through the mansion, down a different set of hallways to a set of French doors that opened onto the most beautiful garden Anya had ever seen.
It was early spring, the kind of soft, hopeful warmth that made the world feel new again. Along the winding stone path, cherry blossoms were just beginning to bloom, their petals drifting like confetti in the breeze. In the center of it all stood a fountain, water gently spilling over stone-carved wolves. A few benches were tucked into quiet corners, made for slow breaths and silent thoughts. The whole place felt like a pause in time.
"It's beautiful," she said.