The storm outside raged like a mirror to the chaos unfolding within Elena's heart. She stared at the black envelope Julia Monroe had handed her just moments ago—no words, no smile, just a hollow look and a quiet, "This is for you."
Adrian stood nearby, arms crossed, eyes burning into the envelope as if he could destroy it with a glance. Nathaniel, tense and silent, positioned himself near the door, ready for whatever bomb Julia had just dropped into their world.
Elena's fingers trembled as she peeled it open.
Inside was a single photograph… and a letter.
The photo fell into her hand. She gasped.
It was her—years ago. Younger. Blood on her hands. A man lying at her feet.
Adrian took a step forward, jaw tightening. "What the hell is this?"
Elena couldn't speak. Her legs gave way, and she sank onto the nearby couch. The memories—ones she had buried deep—rushed back like a tidal wave.
The letter was in Lucien's handwriting. Elegant. Cruel.
"Every queen hides a skeleton in her closet, Elena.
This one's yours.
But don't worry, I won't reveal it…
Not yet.
Consider this a preview.
I wonder what Adrian will think when he learns you've lied to him since the beginning."
Nathaniel read over her shoulder, expression darkening. "He's playing mind games."
Adrian remained silent, staring at Elena. "Is it true?"
Her voice was barely a whisper. "Yes. But it's not what it looks like."
He walked away from her, pacing. "You should've told me. About this. About your past."
"I was trying to forget," she said, standing. "That photo… that night—it was my first kill. I didn't know he was one of Lucien's men. I didn't even know who I truly was back then."
Nathaniel jumped in. "Lucien's manipulating this. He waited for the perfect moment to drop this and break your trust in each other."
Adrian turned back, eyes softer now but still conflicted. "You should've trusted me with this, Elena. I've risked everything to keep you safe. I need to know what we're fighting for."
Tears welled up in Elena's eyes. "You're what I'm fighting for, Adrian."
A tense silence followed. Then Adrian nodded once. "Then we don't let him win."
Nathaniel stepped forward. "What now?"
Adrian looked at the photo again, then at Elena. "Now we rewrite the rules. Lucien wants to drag up the past? Fine. We'll use it to bury him."
Outside, lightning flashed—an omen of the war to come.
But inside, the bond between Adrian and Elena had just taken another hit.
Whether it would break… or strengthen under fire, remained to be seen.
-----
The room was dimly lit, shadows clinging to the corners like secrets refusing to be exposed. Julia Monroe sat in the center, wrists bound to the steel chair, eyes fixed straight ahead. She wasn't trembling. She wasn't scared. She looked… ready.
Adrian stood across from her, arms folded, rage barely contained. Nathaniel leaned against the wall, gun holstered but hand twitching near it. Elena watched from a distance, eyes red-rimmed but burning with questions.
Adrian's voice was ice. "Start talking. Why did you deliver that envelope?"
Julia tilted her head. "Because Lucien asked me to."
Nathaniel's fist slammed against the table beside her. "Cut the crap. You and Lucien haven't spoken in years."
Julia's lips curled into a faint smirk. "You'd be surprised who reaches out when they need something… or someone."
Adrian took a step forward. "What did he promise you?"
Silence.
Elena moved closer, her voice low but firm. "Julia, whatever game you're playing—it ends now. Tell me the truth."
Julia looked at Elena, something flickering in her eyes. Guilt. Regret. Maybe even fear.
She inhaled sharply. "Lucien has leverage. On me… on my sister. He said if I didn't deliver that envelope, he'd make sure she didn't survive the week."
Nathaniel cursed under his breath.
Adrian's jaw tightened. "So you put Elena in danger to save your sister?"
"I didn't know what was in the envelope," Julia snapped. "I thought it was a message. A threat, maybe. But not that. Not her past."
Elena stepped closer, her voice trembling but firm. "What else is he planning?"
Julia hesitated. Then: "Lucien's gathering allies. Not just old enemies—but new ones. Corrupt politicians. Mercenaries. People who want Adrian Knight gone and the entire empire burned."
Adrian exchanged a glance with Nathaniel. "He's building an army."
Julia nodded. "And he's starting with you two. He wants to break you—before he ends you."
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Elena looked at Adrian. "We need to move. Now. Before he makes his next move."
Adrian's voice was low, decisive. "We will. But first—Julia stays here. Locked down. You're not walking out of this without proving which side you're really on."
Julia didn't resist. "Just… protect my sister. Please."
As they walked out of the room, Nathaniel muttered, "Lucien's not just playing chess anymore. He's flipping the whole board."
And Adrian, his eyes burning with a quiet fury, replied, "Then let's burn the board before he does."
--
The wind howled outside the Knight estate, shaking the glass windows as if the storm itself knew something was coming.
Inside Adrian's war room, maps were scattered, digital screens glowed with satellite feeds, and the silence was deafening—until Nathaniel's phone buzzed.
He picked it up, eyes narrowing. "We've got a breach."
Adrian's head snapped up. "Where?"
Nathaniel didn't hesitate. "Sector 9. Near the west wing. Julia's room."
Adrian was already moving. Elena followed without a word, heart pounding. The hallway echoed with their hurried steps, tension crackling like electricity in the air.
By the time they reached the security corridor, two guards were already down—unconscious, but alive.
Julia was gone.
"Damn it!" Adrian growled, scanning the feed. "Someone bypassed the internal grid."
Nathaniel's fingers flew across the console. "No digital footprints. This was a professional hit."
Elena's voice was low. "Lucien got to her."
"But how?" Nathaniel muttered. "This place is a fortress."
Adrian's eyes narrowed. "Because we let him in."
He turned to one of the guards, now regaining consciousness. "Who came through this hallway in the last thirty minutes?"
The man blinked, dazed. "Only... only Ava."
Silence. A cold, sharp silence.
Elena's voice broke it. "Ava? My assistant Ava?"
Adrian's tone was deadly. "No. Not your assistant. Lucien's spy."
Nathaniel cursed. "We should've seen this coming."
Adrian straightened, his entire demeanor shifting into ruthless mode. "She's been planted for months. Watching. Listening. Reporting back."
Elena looked shaken. "She knew everything. My schedule, your meetings… Julia's room location."
Nathaniel's jaw tightened. "And now Julia's with them."
Adrian turned away, grabbing his coat. "No more hiding. Lucien just declared war."
Elena stepped forward, her voice hard. "Then let's give him a war."
Nathaniel loaded his gun. "Where do we start?"
Adrian looked over his shoulder, his voice calm but lethal. "We find Ava. And we make her talk."
Outside, thunder rumbled across the city as the shadows crept closer. But this time, Adrian Knight wasn't waiting to be attacked.
He was going hunting.
---
See you in the next chapter.....