The air in the ruined subterranean vault was thick with acrid gunpowder, pulverized stone, and the iron tang of fresh blood.
emergency red lights strobed across the room, casting long, bloody shadows over the concrete floor. My heart hammered against my ribs like a caged beast, but my hand was lead-steady on the heavy ceramic blade held at my side.
Across the smoke-filled doorway, Valentina took a slow step forward. The sharp click of her red heels echoed like a death knell. She looked completely unbothered by the c*****e around her, her silenced pistol aimed squarely at the center of my chest.
"You really believe you're his equal, don't you?" Valentina sneered, her red lips twisting into a hideous, envious scowl. "You think because he put that ridiculous blood-diamond on your finger, y
