Adrian stood, panting and bruised, in the center of the candlelit room. Blood trickled from his temple. Evelyn, still trembling from the ropes that had held her, clung to him with wide, fearful eyes. Leona’s silhouette was motionless as a shadow behind the glowing candelabra. Her black dress billowed slightly with the wind sneaking through the broken windows, her cold gaze now filled with an unreadable storm.
“I won’t kill you…” Leona finally whispered, stepping toward them.
Adrian tensed. Evelyn winced.
“…but not without a price.”
Adrian’s arms protectively shielded Evelyn. “What do you want?”
She walked slowly, circling them like a panther. “Damien’s throne. You help me take it, or…”
She dropped a small silver dagger onto the floor, the blade clinking as it spun.
“…I take your chi
