Vortiger Tower – Executive Penthouse, 6:12 P.M.
Cassien’s office felt smaller than it should have, the walls closing in as the sun dipped behind the city skyline, casting long, sinister shadows that seemed to stretch and curl around him like living fingers. The air was heavy, tainted with the faint scent of leather, old smoke, and the lingering tension of secrets too long buried. He stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, hands gripping the glass until his knuckles whitened. Outside, the city lights of Veyonne blinked lazily into existence, indifferent to the storm gathering in the room behind the glass.
Selene sat on the leather couch, arms wrapped around her knees, her mind replaying Leona’s words over and over. Every syllable echoed like a drumbeat in her chest: Bound to Veyra. She tri
