lowing object. She knew that voice-cold, mocking, and smooth as silk. Slowly,

said, her voic

ossed, a smug smile tugging at his lips. "Did you really think I'd

realization dawned. "Yo

the darkness behind him, two figures emerged-Elena and Rowan. They l

tay calm. "You told me to come here. You needed me to get this," she

ssandra, you misunderstand. I didn't send you here because I trusted you-I sent you because I

bling under her skin. "Use

something darker. "The truth is, we needed someone with your skills to get past th

apon, her body tense. "What's in this for you,

artifact contains an ancient energy-something Valerian's been using to tip

voice rose with disbelief.

hink, Cassandra. This isn't about domination. It's about survival. Valerian's been

arp. "That's a waste. We could use it, harnes

Cassandra's mind raced as she processed the implications. Ju

ee of them. "You're no better than him," she said, her

old, calculating expression. "Careful, C

r weapon. "You think I'll just hand this over to

haking the walls and sending dust cascading from the ceiling. The faint soun

id, her eyes narrowing. "They

ve time for this." He turned to Cassandra, h

on, she snatched the glowing object from its pedest

He blocked her path, his fangs bared, his eyes glow

e spat, pull

d guards poured in, their weapons trained on the group. Cassandra's heart

on dark. "So much for stealth," he muttered be

guttural snarls of vampires in combat. Cassandra used the distraction to slip into th

in her bag, its unnatural energy pulsing against her side. She didn't know what it was or why it was s

ped into her path, blocking her escape

eri

space around him. His sharp features were illuminated by the faint glo

ng. "I wondered who was foolish enough to break in

r grip tightening on her bla

ound. "Indeed. But you've made a grav

ag at her side. "That artifact belongs to me. Han

d, her voice steady despite t

by a cold, predatory expression

could react

ked under his strike and lashed out with her blade. The weapon grazed h

ght back with everything she had, her movements fueled by desperati

ash of silver streaked through the air, slamm

at the end of the corridor, his crossbo

uted. "I'll

e nodding. She turned and ran, her feet poun

battle, Rowan's voice mingling with Val

racing. She didn't know where she was going or who she could trust, but one thing was clear: the artifact