didn't

t, silk curtains drawn tight, a bed so large it felt like a mockery. No

e mattress, arms wrapped

The muted hum of generators. The quiet click of doors opening an

knock came

spine st

she c

reaked with gray, her posture straight and unyielding. She wore a plain black dr

he woman said. "I ma

y. "Am I allowed t

a moment. Not unkindl

ylight hours," she said. "You are not allowed ne

hy

t want to see wha

d. "What do yo

softened-just slig

d neatly on the table. "Eat.

ing herself to touch it. She stood instead, approaching t

. Ever

ung over their shoulders, earpieces gleaming faintly. No laug

est ti

er in a war she

r strategy rather than comfort, Alessand

eflection faint against the glass. She looked small. Out

n," one of his m

dn't look awa

we be

s gaze, sharp and as

'll try t

th curved faintl

"And if she becom

eyes hardened

e wouldn'

rning came

tered through tall windows, revealing opulence Elena had only ever seen in mag

this?" Elena aske

ely. "Because he believes c

pped. "An

ieve you should be carefu

her more th

ernoon, Elena

d through the es

, her heart leapin

hot. Then

ars, panic surging. Screams fo

de her, calm as st

in time to see men dragging a body across the ma

omach

hat?" she

or," Mar

lena couldn't

, each shot a reminder of wher

again, trying to st

ck so

s time. Softe

ed before she

ro stepp

ark shirt, sleeves rolled to his forear

stinctively. "

egarded her

have to say

soften

d hard. "Was

ed slightly. "W

ause everything seems

three long strides, s

t me,"

e

chaos," he said quietly. "Y

d. "Then wh

to hide, the strength beneath it. The way she

te innocent things," he sai

r w

every

ric passing between them-fear braid

peak again, Alessa

said. "Tomorrow, y

if I break the

ed at t

"you learn how unforgi

oor c

o the bed, her

choed once more-di

he terror, a terrifying

pend not on escaping

understa