Lili’s hands were tight on the wheel, knuckles white with the force of her grip. Her body was tense, each muscle coiled as though she could snap at any second. Her mind was still racing with the anger and frustration that had been building up all evening. The evening air felt thick, oppressive, almost suffocating. She didn’t even notice how fast she was going, her foot pressing the accelerator harder with each passing second.
Goran was silent in the passenger seat, the stillness between them growing heavy. His eyes were fixed on the window, but Lili could feel him watching her. She hated it. Hated the way he seemed so calm, so damn certain. Like he had known exactly how this would unfold.
“Stop looking at me,” Lili growled, her voice barely contained, laced with the fury she could barely hold back. She flicked a glance at him, but quickly returned her focus to the road.
Goran didn’t flinch. “I’m not. You’re the one who can’t stop looking in the rearview mirror,” he said, his tone even, like he was talking about the weather.
The words struck like a slap. “You think I don’t know what I’m doing?” Lili snapped, the edge in her voice sharp and unforgiving.
“I think you’re trying to outrun something you can’t leave behind,” Goran said calmly. “And we both know that’s never worked out for you before.”
Her jaw clenched at his words. Her grip on the wheel tightened even more. The car’s engine roared as she pressed the accelerator harder, taking a sharp turn with a speed that would have made anyone else panic.
The tension in the car thickened, becoming almost unbearable. Lili could feel it creeping under her skin, making her pulse race even faster than the car’s engine. She hated this feeling. Hated how close to the edge she felt.
“You were right, okay?” Her voice was low, dangerously so. “But don’t act like you knew this was going to happen. You just got lucky.” She didn’t know if she was trying to convince him or herself. The words felt heavy, like they’d been trapped inside her for too long.
Goran remained silent for a moment, letting the words settle. He finally looked over at her, his gaze steady and unflinching. “No, Lili. I didn’t get lucky. I’ve seen this before—more times than I can count.”
She slammed her foot on the brake, the car screeching as it slowed to a near halt, before she pulled it to the side of the road. Her heart was pounding in her chest, but it wasn’t from the speed, not anymore. It was the weight of his words—of the truth that he wasn’t even saying, but somehow still making her hear.
“I don’t need you to lecture me,” she snarled, throwing the car in park and leaning back against the seat, her eyes shutting tightly as if blocking him out would block the gnawing realization in her chest.
A chill ran down Lili’s spine as the call came through the car’s hands-free system. The number was unknown, but she didn’t need to see a name to know exactly who it was. Her breath hitched for a brief moment before she could steady herself. Her fingers hovered over the screen, frozen.
Answering now, with Goran beside her in the car, could be risky. She couldn’t be sure of where his loyalties lay. Yes, he’d helped her, but even now, there was that nagging uncertainty. Was Goran on her side, or was he just playing a twisted game Torin had assigned him to? Every move he made, every word he spoke, felt like it could be part of a larger, unseen plot.
Exhaling slowly to calm herself, she accepted the call through the loudspeaker. Her voice was cold, laced with the suspicion that always lingered when she dealt with Deran. “I’m listening.”
Deran’s voice came through almost immediately, laced with amusement. “Finally, the girl I’ve been trying to reach,” he drawled, the smirk practically audible in his tone. “Though I must say, I’m not too pleased that you injured Aaron. Was that really necessary?”
Lili’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. Her eyes narrowed, but she kept her voice steady. “What do you want, Deran?”
Goran’s gaze flicked toward her, his attention suddenly sharpened at the mention of the name. His fingers flexed subtly, though his expression remained impassive. Deran. One of Torin’s most dangerous enemies. The mention alone seemed to stir something in Goran, something he wasn’t letting on.
“Well,” Deran continued, his tone light, almost teasing, “a little bird whispered that you had a bit of an… accident. Thought I’d check in. See if you were still breathing.”
Lili’s pulse quickened, her mind racing. “You piece of—”
“No need for that, dear,” Deran interrupted smoothly, cutting her off with that characteristic arrogance. “We still have a deal, don’t we? And as of now, I’m inclined to honor it.”
Lili stiffened. A deal? She hadn’t forgotten their arrangement, but she’d hoped she wouldn’t have to act on it again. But if Deran was calling… that meant the stakes had changed.
“But,” he continued, his tone shifting with a darker edge, “I’ll need you somewhere. Three a.m. Come dressed for the carnival. I have a very special event planned just for you. I think you’ll find it quite… entertaining.”
The line went dead before she could respond, the silence that followed in the car pressing in on her. Her heart raced, but she didn’t let her expression betray her.
Goran’s voice broke through the haze of her thoughts. “What the hell was that about?”
Lili didn’t answer right away. She knew what this was. Deran’s “invitations” were never casual. They were strategic moves, always calculated, never without purpose.
Her fingers gripped the wheel tighter, her thoughts spiraling. Deran wasn’t the type to call unless it was serious, and his words had made it clear that he wasn’t just reaching out for a casual chat. Three a.m. The carnival. She’d been there before. But this… this wasn’t just another trap. This was a challenge. A move on the board that she couldn’t ignore.
Lili exhaled sharply, trying to focus. She couldn’t afford to let that distract her now. Whatever Deran was planning, it was tied to her search, and that meant she had to go. Even if it meant risking everything.
From the corner of her eye, she saw Goran glancing at her again. His silence was loud, his gaze sharp. She could feel his scrutiny, feel the weight of his unspoken questions. Was he wondering if she was going to go?
Her voice, when she spoke, was steady but edged with something darker. “Listen,” she began, eyes meeting Goran’s with a look that was unreadable. “The fact that Deran has my number means two things. First, there’s a rat inside. Second, he wouldn’t risk exposing that rat unless he had something worth sharing.”
She let the words hang in the air for a moment, her gaze never leaving his. Her lips curled slightly into a sardonic smile. “You want my trust?” she asked, her voice cold. “Then let me do what I need to do to get the information. Without running to Torin about where it came from.”
The words were a gamble, but they were the only way forward. Goran didn’t answer immediately. The car hummed in the quiet space between them, the road stretching endlessly ahead. She could almost feel his thoughts swirling behind those unreadable eyes. Did he want to challenge her? Or was he just waiting for her to make the first move?
***
The club was alive with energy, the music pounding in the background, drowning out everything but the oppressive hum of tension that filled the air. Bodies swayed and danced in the dark, neon lights flashing in chaotic patterns, but Lili knew the truth. This was no ordinary night out. Deran had orchestrated every part of it. She wasn’t here for fun. She was here to be watched.
Lili’s black, shiny dress clung to her frame as she moved through the crowd. She could feel the weight of the eyes on her even without looking. The noise of the club seemed distant, muffled by the pulse of adrenaline in her veins. The masks around her, hiding the identities of everyone in the room, did nothing to quell the uncomfortable awareness that this was Deran’s domain—his game, his rules.
Goran walked beside her, his presence a constant reminder that while he was with her for now, he could be another piece on Deran’s chessboard. He was the silent observer, and she could feel his tension rising. They’d made it inside, and now the hard part was just beginning.
Lili’s sharp eyes swept the room, scanning the familiar faces hidden behind masks. The crowd was full of people who clearly weren’t here by accident. This wasn’t a random gathering. These were Deran’s people—those loyal to him, to his will.
She didn’t need to hear their words. She could see it in their eyes. They were pretending to enjoy the music, pretending to laugh and dance, but she knew better. They were watching her—judging her, studying her every move, trying to gauge her next action, her weakness. They were waiting for any signal from their boss to know what to do next.
Her hand gripped the edge of her fur jacket, pulling it tighter around her shoulders. Her full-face carnival mask shielded the bruises and cuts she’d tried to hide, but it also kept her from seeing the full scope of the damage Deran had done to her—his constant manipulation, his twisted games. She was a pawn to him, and tonight, she was stepping right into the heart of his lair.
Her gaze flicked to Goran, her voice low, barely cutting through the din of the club. “You know who they are,” she said, her words sharp with the understanding of the danger surrounding them. “This isn’t a party. This is a show for me, and I’m the star.”
Goran shot her a glance, his eyes flicking to the shadows where he could feel the weight of the room’s gaze on them. “So, what now?”
Lili’s jaw clenched, the control she fought to maintain slipping just a fraction. “Now, we make our way through this. Stay focused. Don’t look like you’re scared, and for the love of whatever gods you believe in, don’t do anything that’ll make them think you’re a threat.”
He wasn’t happy about not being armed, but he didn’t protest further. The mask on his face hid his expression, but she could feel the restraint in his posture. He was a soldier, not a puppet, and no matter how much she wished for him to stay detached, he wouldn’t be able to. Not with the stakes this high.
They moved further into the club, their steps measured. Every eye that followed them, every slight twitch of a hand from someone in the crowd, told her that Deran’s people weren’t just observing—they were preparing.
Lili’s stomach tightened, the realization hitting her hard. She was here to receive a message. But it wasn’t just from Deran. It was from them, too—the silent, waiting eyes of his network. She wasn’t here as a guest. She was a target.
And then, there he was. Deran.
Lili’s eyes locked onto him across the room. He stood near the far wall, his own mask dark and imposing, his presence a magnetic pull that drew the attention of every person in the room. He didn’t need to move to command respect—his stillness alone sent a clear message.
For a moment, their gazes met across the crowded floor, and a quiet, mocking smirk tugged at his lips. He wasn’t just a man. He was an idea—a threat, a storm brewing just out of reach. And she was in the eye of it, pretending not to feel the tension tightening around her.
Goran’s voice was low beside her. “Ready?”
Instead of answering she pushed forward, the weight of every pair of eyes in the room pressing against her back.
As they approached the center of the room, the music seemed to fade into the background, the pounding bass now a distant, steady thrum beneath the quiet hum of anticipation. Her breath evened out, every part of her focused on the task at hand. Deran had sent his message. Now, it was her turn to send one back.
As Lili and Goran approached, she noticed Deran’s gaze flicker over Goran, his eyes narrowing ever so slightly. The tension in the air thickened, but Deran masked his displeasure with a practiced smile. He was always careful with his reactions—careful enough to make sure nothing escaped him. But Lili could see it, the small flicker of irritation in his eyes, the almost imperceptible tightening of his jaw. It was enough to tell her that Goran’s presence here was an inconvenience.
Deran raised a hand in a casual, almost indifferent gesture, signaling her to come closer, a motion as smooth as it was deliberate. No words were necessary. Lili was no stranger to his silent commands. His mask of politeness was part of the game, and she was all too aware that every move he made was calculated.
Lili’s eyes scanned his face—those cold, calculating eyes that never gave anything away unless he wanted it to. His smile was sharp, like a wolf that had just caught the scent of something interesting, and he was watching her closely, studying her every movement. It didn’t take much to sense that Deran was measuring her now, weighing her up as if deciding whether she was still of use to him or whether she had become expendable.
“Didn’t take you for the dancer,” she stated, her voice cutting through the low hum of the club, her words almost too light, too casual. The underlying edge, though, was unmistakable. She wasn’t simply commenting on his appearance; she was marking his territory, reminding him that she knew who he really was beneath the veneer of civility.
Deran chuckled softly, the sound smooth and mocking, his gaze lingering on her for a moment too long before he shifted back to Goran. His eyes remained cold, but there was something dangerous in the way his smile curved up at the corners, a reminder that she was, in fact, still in his domain.
“Ah, Death,” he said, his voice still laced with that amused drawl, “you wound me. I’m a man of many talents, and a little dance is hardly beyond my reach. Don’t tell me you’ve never seen me move to the rhythm before.”
It wasn’t an answer—it was a statement, one meant to keep her on edge, to remind her that he could play this game just as well as she could. The moment of tension passed as quickly as it came, but the weight of his presence remained, an ever-looming reminder that this was his world, and she was merely a player in it.
Her gaze didn’t leave him, unfazed by his words, as she responded in a tone that was cool, even though her heart was racing beneath the mask. “I’m sure there’s much about you I haven’t seen,” she said, the implication lingering in the air like smoke.
Deran’s smile tightened, and she knew what was coming next. This wasn’t about pleasantries anymore. This was a challenge. His eyes sharpened, studying her for the slightest sign of weakness, knowing that she would never give it to him.
It was only a matter of time before the game moved to the next level. And Lili was ready—at least, she told herself she was.
The tension hung in the air like smoke, thick and suffocating, as the music pulsed around them. Deran’s eyes didn’t leave Lili’s, but his smile remained as thin and calculated as ever, a mask over the storm brewing beneath.
“So,” Deran continued, his voice low but laced with something dark and playful, “tell me, Death, what brings you to my humble little gathering? I’d hoped you’d have a bit more… fun before we got down to business.”
Lili’s fingers tightened subtly at her sides, the sharp edges of her nails pressing into her palms as she held herself still. His words were an insult, a subtle reminder that she was in his territory, that everything here was under his control. Every person in the room, every glance from the shadows, every smile from across the floor—they were all his. And they were watching her.
She knew exactly what he was doing. He wanted her to feel small, to feel exposed in front of his people, to make her question every move.
Her voice was steady as she replied, “I’m not here to entertain, Deran. You know that better than anyone.”
The flicker of irritation in his eyes was immediate, but he masked it with another laugh. It wasn’t genuine, just another way for him to maintain control. He tilted his head, taking a small step closer, and Lili resisted the urge to step back.
“Ah, but you see, that’s where you’re wrong,” he said, his voice dropping into something darker, smoother. “You’ve always been entertaining, whether you like it or not. Every move you make, every little thing you do—it’s all so very… captivating. And that’s why you’re still here.”
For a moment, Lili felt her heart skip a beat. He was right, in a way. He had always found her intriguing, ever since their first encounter. But the fact that he was still toying with her, still trying to push her buttons, only made her more determined not to show a single crack in her armor.
“You flatter yourself,” she responded, her voice laced with sarcasm. “But I didn’t come here for small talk. You wanted something, Deran. So let’s stop pretending this is a social call.”
His smile faded, replaced with something more calculating, more dangerous. Deran took a step back, his eyes scanning her once more—slow, deliberate—before he spoke.
“Always straight to the point,” he mused, as if to himself. “Very well. Since you insist…”
He gestured to the crowd, a languid sweep of his hand that barely disturbed the air, but everyone in the room seemed to understand it as a signal. The music shifted, becoming more intense, a rhythmic pulse that felt like it was pushing through her chest, vibrating in her bones. The room seemed to narrow, and Lili’s senses went on high alert, her mind already working, analyzing every movement, every glance.
“I’ve heard,” Deran said, his voice now low enough that only she could hear, “that Torin’s little project is starting to fall apart. Funny, isn’t it? How things have a way of crumbling when no one’s paying attention. All that effort, and for what?”
Lili stiffened. His words cut through the noise, and the room around them seemed to fade away for a moment, the air thick with the weight of his meaning. She couldn’t afford to show weakness, not now.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” she said, her voice cold, every inch the woman who had never let anyone see her fear. “Torin’s plans are none of your concern.”
Deran’s lips quirked up, but it wasn’t a smile. It was the expression of someone who was enjoying watching the pieces move on a board he controlled. “Oh, I think it is,” he murmured. “I think it’s my every concern. And when everything goes wrong, you’ll find yourself standing in the ruins of it all. And then… I’ll be the one to pick up the pieces.”
The coldness in his voice made her skin prickle, but she didn’t flinch. Instead, she kept her eyes locked on his, the sharp edge of her own defiance pushing back against him.
“I’ve dealt with worse than you, Deran,” Lili said, her voice unyielding. “And I’m not afraid of whatever game you’re playing.”
He tilted his head, and for the first time, a real smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Good,” he said softly. “Then you’re ready for what comes next.”
At that, he turned, signaling to one of the figures nearby—one of the people Lili had been watching since she entered. They nodded and started to approach, holding a small tray. On it was a glass of red wine, but it wasn’t the drink that caught her attention.
It was the tiny slip of paper tucked beneath the glass. Deran’s silent command was clear.
Lili didn’t take the drink. Instead, she reached for the paper, her fingers brushing over it just as the figure passed it to her.
The message was simple, but it sent a chill through her: “Meet me upstairs.”
Lili’s heart sank, and she could feel the weight of what this meant. This was it. The game had started in earnest. And whatever came next, she knew, would change everything.
Lili glanced back over her shoulder at Goran, her eyes narrowing slightly, though she kept her expression steady. “Get yourself a drink. I’ll join you shortly,” she said, her tone firm but measured. Goran didn’t respond verbally, but the shift in his posture—slightly stiff—told her he wasn’t completely at ease with her leaving him behind, especially in this place.
She felt the weight of his gaze on her as she walked away, every step echoing in the heavy silence that seemed to follow her movements. His eyes were like a shadow on her back, lingering until she disappeared up the stairs, where the music and laughter grew quieter, replaced by a thick, almost suffocating quiet that enveloped the upper floors.
Lili’s heels clicked against the polished wood of the staircase. She didn’t look back. There was no need.
The stairs led her up to a hallway, dimly lit, with closed doors lining the walls. She knew exactly where she was headed—Deran office. It was one of the few rooms in this place that held any real meaning beyond the smoke and mirrors of the club below. The door was ajar when she reached it, and as she passed, she felt the faintest shift in the air—a whisper of movement behind her.
Without a word, Deran stepped into the hall, just as Lili had expected. His shoes barely made a sound against the floor, but she could feel his presence right behind her, close enough to almost touch. He moved with the confidence of someone who was used to getting exactly what he wanted, and it sent a prickling discomfort down her spine.
She pushed open the door to his office without waiting for an invitation. The room was just as she remembered: sleek, dark, with shadows stretching across the walls from the soft light of a single lamp. There was a massive desk, its surface clear of clutter, and a chair behind it that looked too expensive for comfort. Everything was arranged to show power—his power—without any pretense of warmth.
Lili stepped inside, standing just inside the door, her posture stiff, but composed. Deran followed her in, closing the door with a soft click behind him. He didn’t sit right away, instead circling the room like a hawk assessing its territory, his gaze sweeping over the space before landing on her.
“I’ve been waiting for this,” Deran said, his voice a low murmur that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. He finally moved toward his desk, sitting down slowly. His hands folded in front of him, but his eyes never left hers, studying her with that unsettling calm.
Lili stood in the center of the room, every muscle in her body taut, ready to spring into action if needed.
“What’s this about, Deran?” she asked, her voice steady but carrying an edge. “I’m not here for your games. You’ve had your fun. Now, let’s talk business.”
Deran’s lips curled into a smile, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Oh, Death,” he said, his tone almost affectionate, like he was talking to a pet. “You’ve always been so serious. Can’t we just enjoy the moment for a bit longer?”
His words were a reminder of the fine line she walked with him—dangerously close to the edge, but still far enough away to make him hesitant. He wanted her rattled. He wanted to see her squirm. But she wouldn’t give him that satisfaction.
“I’m not here for entertainment,” she repeated, her voice growing colder, more resolved. “I’m here for answers. You owe me that much.”
Deran’s eyes glinted, and for a moment, Lili thought she saw something like respect flicker in them, but it was gone too quickly for her to be sure. He leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly as though pondering her words. The silence stretched between them, thick with tension.
“Answers?” he mused, his voice barely above a whisper. “I think you’ve had all the answers you need for quite some time now, haven’t you?”
Lili’s fingers twitched, the desire to reach for something—anything—building within her. But she kept herself still. Her focus was razor-sharp, her mind already calculating her next move. She knew what he was doing. He was trying to distract her, to wear her down with his games and riddles. But she wouldn’t play along.
“You’re wasting my time, Deran,” she said, her voice now carrying a bite to it. “What’s going on with Torin? What do you know?”
Deran’s eyes flicked briefly to the side, a flash of something in them—annoyance, maybe, or impatience—but he masked it quickly. He laced his fingers together, resting his hands on the desk in front of him.
“It’s not that simple, Lili,” he said, his voice slow and deliberate. “You want answers, but you’re not asking the right questions. You’re too focused on one part of the puzzle. You don’t see the bigger picture, and that’s where you’re making your mistake.”
Lili’s patience thinned. “Cut the cryptic crap, Deran. You know exactly what I’m asking.”
He shrugged, a nonchalant gesture that only added to her frustration. “Maybe. But the problem with you, Lili,” he said, “is that you’re still thinking like a soldier, not a player.”
His words struck a nerve, and Lili’s gaze hardened.
Lili’s fingers clenched into fists at her sides, her jaw tightening with barely contained rage. She could feel her pulse thrumming in her temples, but she held her ground. Deran wasn’t done yet, and she knew it. His words were calculated, meant to worm their way into her head, to break her down piece by piece.
Deran leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with something between amusement and malice. He took his time, studying her with the kind of cold calculation that made her skin crawl. When he finally spoke again, his voice was smooth, as if savoring the moment.
“You want me to spell it out for you again?” he said, voice low and dripping with venom. “Fine.”
He paused, letting the silence stretch, letting the tension build, before he continued, his words heavy with meaning.
“Don’t let Torin drag you down with him. Join me while you still have a chance.” He said it like an offer, but Lili knew it wasn’t. It was a threat, wrapped in a veneer of seduction.
Lili’s heart skipped a beat, her breath quickening with the force of his words. Join me? The very suggestion was ludicrous. She knew what he was trying to do—he was trying to make her doubt everything, to push her away from Torin, to weaken her resolve. And, for a fleeting moment, it worked.
Her voice shot up, sharp and full of disbelief. “And you seriously invited me here just for this!?” she spat, her tone betraying the frustration she could no longer keep contained.
Deran’s lips curled into a mock smile, and his eyes narrowed as he observed her reaction, as though he was enjoying her struggle. “Your blind loyalty to them is unbelievable,” he said, shaking his head slightly, like he was disappointed in her. “Especially knowing that every ounce of progress you make is punished with physical pain. Do you really want to continue following a man who doesn’t deserve you?”
His words were poison, carefully crafted to provoke doubt, to undermine her trust. But Lili wasn’t about to let him succeed. This was all part of his game, she reminded herself. Don’t let him see your weakness.
He stood up now, pacing behind the desk, his hands clasped behind his back as he spoke. “Gifted and even their enemies have already targeted him,” he continued, his tone casual, almost offhand, as though the weight of his words didn’t matter to him at all. “You won’t last long. You’ve seen how things go, Death. One misstep, one moment of weakness, and it’ll all come crashing down. Wouldn’t it be a shame to waste your talents on someone who can’t protect you?”
Lili stood there, frozen, feeling the sting of his words, but she refused to let them show. She refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her falter. Her mind raced, each thought a clash against the storm of emotion threatening to rise within her. He was right about one thing. Torin’s weaknesses were glaringly obvious. He couldn’t keep her safe, not if everything was as dangerous as Deran claimed.
Lili took a slow breath, and with it, she centered herself. Her resolve hardened, and she met Deran’s gaze head-on. “I don’t need you to remind me what’s at stake. But you’re wrong about one thing,” she said, her voice low and steady. “I don’t follow Torin out of blind loyalty. I follow him because I choose to. And that’s something you’ll never understand.”
Deran tilted his head, a glimmer of frustration flashing in his eyes. But he quickly masked it, replacing it with that same practiced smile. “A choice, hmm?” he mused, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Well, I’ll give you this, Death. You do have a knack for making the wrong ones.”
He stepped closer now, his presence overwhelming, pressing in on her from all sides. “But take my advice, darling,” he said, his voice suddenly quieter, more insistent. “Before it’s too late. Don’t let yourself fall for the illusion of loyalty. You’re better than that. And I can offer you a future where you won’t be stuck in the shadows, fighting for scraps.”
Lili didn’t flinch. She met his gaze with an icy calm, her resolve unshaken. “I already have everything I need. And it doesn’t involve you.”
For a moment, there was nothing but the sound of their breathing, the stillness between them stretching taut like a wire ready to snap.
Deran studied her, his eyes calculating. Then, without warning, he smiled again—a slow, cold curve of his lips.
“Very well,” he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. “We’ll see, won’t we?”
Lili didn’t respond. Instead, she turned on her heel and walked toward the door.
“I haven’t finished yet.”
Lili’s hand hovered over the door handle, but she paused, feeling the weight of his words settle into the air between them. His voice had risen slightly.
She turned slowly, meeting his eyes with a cold, calculating gaze. Deran was standing tall now, his posture rigid, like he was preparing to make his next move. But Lili wasn’t playing by his rules anymore.
“You haven’t finished?” she echoed, her voice flat, almost bored. “Funny. I thought we were done here.”
Deran took a step forward, closing the distance between them. His eyes never left her face, but there was an unmistakable flicker of frustration in his otherwise composed demeanor. He was losing his grip on the conversation, and it irritated him.
“You know, don’t you?” Deran continued, his voice smooth but laced with an edge. “You’re the reason he stays in power. Your name alone carries enough weight for others to keep their dreams of crushing him at bay. But that won’t last. You know that, don’t you?”
Lili’s gaze remained unwavering as she took a deliberate step toward him.
“Is that a threat, Deran?” she asked, her voice low and controlled. But underneath, there was a simmering current of something darker—something more dangerous. “Because it sounds like one. And I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, I don’t take kindly to those.”
For a moment, Deran’s smirk faltered, just the slightest crack in his usually impenetrable mask. But only for a heartbeat. He quickly recovered, regaining his composure with practiced ease.
His voice dropped to a quieter, more menacing tone. “You think you’re untouchable? You think Torin’s grip on things is enough to keep you safe. But it’s not. When it all starts to crumble, you’ll fall first.”
Lili felt a flicker of something at the back of her mind, an understanding of the threat he was implying, but she didn’t let it show on her face. Her expression remained cool, unreadable, but her pulse quickened as she processed his words.
“And we both know, don’t we?” he continued, his voice a low whisper now, his eyes glinting with something dark and eager. “That it will most likely be me who makes the first move.”
Her eyes narrowed, and for a moment, she didn’t speak. The silence between them stretched. Then, finally, she broke it. “You’re wrong about one thing,” Lili said, her words slow. “I won’t fall first. When it starts—when the game truly begins—it will be me who moves first. But it won’t be to tear down Torin. No. It will be to tear down you.”
She saw the flicker of surprise in his eyes, the faintest trace of uncertainty. But it disappeared almost as quickly as it came. Deran quickly masked it with a sneer, as if her words hadn’t affected him. But Lili could see it, that crack in his armor.
“You think you can take me down?” Deran’s voice was tight with disbelief. “You’ll be nothing without Torin. Nothing.”
Lili’s smile was small but full of meaning—a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I think you underestimate me, Deran. I’ve been underestimated all my life. But in the end, I always come out on top.”
With that, she turned back to the door, her hand gripping the handle. She wasn’t giving him the satisfaction of another exchange. Without another word, she stepped through the door, leaving him behind, standing there, simmering in his own frustration…
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