- Nikolai Volkov:
The walk started peacefully, the kind of calm I hadn't felt in a long time.
The woods stretched out around us, quiet except for the crunch of leaves underfoot and the occasional chirp of a bird.
For a moment, I let myself relax.
Alexei walked beside me, his hands shoved into his jacket pockets, looking as casual as ever.
His sharp features softened in the dappled sunlight filtering through the trees, and his lips curved into a faint smirk as he glanced at me.
"So," he started, breaking the silence,
"how's it feel being out here instead of stuck in the tower? We left Dimitri to deal with Damon."
I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the laugh that escaped me. "Poor Dimitri. I think I've aged ten years after finding out how horrible Damon can be, this is a nice break from all the chaos."
