The morning light felt like a blade cutting through my curtains when I woke. My dreams had been filled with blood, broken glass, and Sophia's terrified eyes. The letter from last night lay crumpled on my nightstand, its words burned into my memory: "You'll choose between love and power soon."
I dressed in black – my father's color, the color of mourning and war. My hands trembled as I fastened the crucifix around my neck. The weight of it reminded me who I was fighting for.
Lucky was waiting in the corridor, his face grim. He had dark circles under his eyes, like he hadn't slept either. "Any word from the contacts at the docks?" I asked.
He shook his head. "Nothing. It's like they vanished into smoke."
Before I could respond, Matteo burst around the corner, his face pale as winter. "Ab
