THE INTERROGATION BEGINS...
Rafael Cain sat slumped against the concrete wall, bound and bleeding, but still smirking like he had already won. Even with his hands tied behind his back, even with a bullet wound in his shoulder, he radiated the kind of arrogance that made Velena's blood boil.
Ceil Blackthorn stood in front of him, his posture rigid, arms crossed. His expression was unreadable, but Velena could feel the tension rolling off him in waves.
"You're going to tell us everything," Ceil said, his voice sharp as a blade.
Rafael exhaled, tilting his head. "Am I?" His tone was mocking. "You think tying me up and playing tough is going to change anything?"
Lucian let out a slow breath from across the room. "It changes the fact that you're not the one holding the gun this time."
Velena remained silent, watching Rafael carefully. They finally had him. After years of being hunted, manipulated, and nearly killed, he was finally in their grasp.
So why didn't she feel safe?
Because this wasn't over. Not yet.
And Rafael knew it.
THE SECRET HE KEEPS...
Ceil took a step forward, his patience wearing thin. "We don't have time for games. You'll talk, or we'll make you talk."
Rafael chuckled, wincing slightly. "So violent, Blackthorn." His eyes flickered toward Velena, lingering for just a second too long.
She clenched her jaw. "Stop looking at me like that."
Rafael smirked. "Like what? Like I know something you don't?"
Velena stiffened.
Ceil's voice turned cold. "If you know something, then talk."
Rafael sighed, as if he were doing them a favor. "Fine. You want the truth?" His gaze locked onto Velena.
"Your parents weren't killed in an accident.
It was planned."
The words hit her like a knife to the chest.
The room fell silent.
Lucian's eyes widened. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Velena's heart pounded against her ribs. "You're lying."
Rafael leaned forward as much as his restraints would allow. "Am I?
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE PAST....
Velena had spent years convincing herself that what happened to her parents was a tragedy. A freak accident. The kind of misfortune that struck without warning.
But now…
Rafael Cain was telling her otherwise.
"Who?" Velena's voice was barely above a whisper. "Who planned it?"
Rafael's smirk deepened. "Oh, sweetheart. You already know the answer."
Ceil's expression darkened. "Tell us."
Rafael exhaled dramatically. "Let's just say… they weren't after your parents. They were after you."
A cold wave of dread washed over Velena. "Why?"
"Because of what you are."
Velena's breath hitched. "What… I am?"
Ceil's posture stiffened beside her. Lucian shifted uncomfortably.
Rafael knew something about Velena that she didn't.
And she wasn't sure she wanted to hear it.
A NAME SHE NEVER EXPECTED...
Rafael's voice dropped lower, more taunting. "You really don't know, do you?"
Velena's fists clenched. "Know what?"
Rafael's smirk widened.
"Your parents weren't the target.
Adrian Volkava was."
Everything stopped.
The room tilted.
Velena's entire body went numb.
Lucian's eyes snapped to Ceil.
Ceil, for the first time, looked shaken.
Adrian Volkava. The man Velena thought had died. The man who had been the closest thing she had to family after her parents were gone.
The man who was supposed to be dead.
Velena swallowed hard, her mind racing. "That doesn't make sense. Adrian—he died. I saw—"
"Did you?" Rafael interrupted smoothly.
THE BETRAYAL IN THE BLOOD...
Velena's breathing turned shallow.
She had never seen Adrian die. She had been told he was dead. She had believed it because the alternative—**that he had been alive and had left her behind—**was too painful to accept.
Ceil's voice was steady, but there was something in his tone—something dangerous. "Where is he now?"
Rafael let out a slow, satisfied breath. "Closer than you think."
Before anyone could react, there was a sudden, loud CRASH.
THE ATTACK BEGINS...
The windows exploded inward.
The door burst open.
Gunfire erupted.
Lucian barely had time to react before throwing himself behind cover. The safehouse was compromised.
Ceil grabbed Velena, pulling her down just as bullets tore through the walls. This wasn't just an ambush. This was an execution.
Alexander cursed under his breath, pulling out his gun. "They found us."
Rafael laughed, even as he remained bound. "Did you really think I came here alone?"
Velena's mind was spinning.
Adrian wasn't dead.
And now, he was coming for her.
A SHADOW IN THE DOORWAY...
Through the chaos, a figure stepped into the shattered doorway.
Tall. Familiar. And unmistakable.
Velena's breath caught in her throat.
Adrian Volkava.
Alive.
But his eyes—they weren't the same.
Ceil barely hesitated. He raised his gun, but Adrian moved first. Fast. Too fast.
Within seconds, Ceil was disarmed.
Lucian tried to fire, but Adrian dodged the bullet with unnatural precision.
And then—he spoke.
"Hello again, Velena.
The words sent a shiver down her spine.
This wasn't just a reunion.
This was war.