"This isn't something you should handle alone."Elijah’s voice was firm, his eyes locked onto Sophia’s. She stood by the dimly lit desk, fingers curled around the small scrap of paper that had arrived just hours ago. The message was cryptic, but she had deciphered the hidden code. And she knew exactly who it led to."I can take care of it," Sophia replied, shoving the note into her pocket.Elijah stepped closer, his broad frame casting a shadow over her. "No. We do this together. No more secrets."Her heart clenched. If only he knew the truth. If only she could tell him.She hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Fine. But we need to leave now."The drive to the abandoned estate was silent. The rain drummed against the windshield, mirroring the tension between them. Sophia kept her gaze forward, trying to ignore the weight in her chest.The estate loomed ahead, a crumbling structure swallowed by vines and decay. A place lost in time, much like the past it held. Elijah parked at a dis

“We move in fast and quiet,” Elijah said, his voice low but firm. His eyes scanned the fortress walls, calculating every weak point. “No mistakes.” Doug nodded. “Understood, Marshal.” He glanced at the rest of the team—five of the best men they had. “We get Sophia and get out.” Elijah’s jaw tightened. “Exactly.” His gut told him this was a trap, but he didn’t care. Sophia was inside, and he wasn’t leaving without her. ...Inside the fortress, Sophia sat across from Lando, masking her tension with forced ease. A fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows along the stone walls. “You’re stalling,” Lando said, watching her closely. Sophia met his gaze without flinching. “I’m considering my options.” He smirked. “You don’t have many.” Leaning forward, he poured himself another drink. “Elijah is reckless. He’ll come for you.” He swirled the liquid in his glass. “And when he does, I’ll be waiting.” Sophia’s fingers curled under the table. “He’s not a fool.” Lando

“You shouldn’t have done it,” Elijah said, his voice cold. Sophia sat on the edge of the wooden table in the safe house, her arms crossed over her aching ribs. The dim candlelight flickered between them, casting long shadows. “I didn’t have a choice.” Elijah paced, his jaw tight. “You always have a choice.” He turned to her, eyes burning with frustration. “You handed yourself over to Lando. You could’ve been killed.” Sophia met his gaze, exhaustion and defiance mixing in her expression. “And if I hadn’t? You would be dead right now. I did what I had to do.” Elijah exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. His knuckles were still bruised from the fight. “You don’t get to decide that for me.” Doug cleared his throat from the corner of the room. “Marshal, we have bigger problems.” Elijah’s glare lingered on Sophia for a moment before he turned away. “Go on.” Doug pulled a chair closer, lowering his voice. “Lando’s influence is spreading fast. People are switching si

“The council isn’t listening,” Sophia said, slamming the door behind her. Elijah stood by the window, watching the streets of Evendore below. Tension hung thick in the air. People whispered in alleyways, merchants packed up their stalls early, and patrols had doubled overnight. Fear was spreading fast. “They’re fools,” Elijah muttered. He turned to face her. “Lando is gathering support, and they’re too blind to see it.” Doug, seated at the table, shook his head. “Not blind, sir. Scared.” Sophia ran a hand through her hair. “They think we’re exaggerating. That Lando is just another warlord who’ll fade away.” Elijah clenched his jaw. “By the time they realize the truth, it’ll be too late.” Doug cleared his throat. “Sir, we need proof. Something they can’t ignore.” Sophia nodded. “Then I’ll get it.” Elijah frowned. “What are you talking about?” She tightened her belt. “I heard whispers about a meeting tonight. Lando’s allies—merchants, officials, and a few council membe

“You’re hesitating,” Lando said, his voice calm, confident. “That means you’re considering it.” Sophia’s hand curled into a fist at her side. Her body was rigid, her mind a battlefield of conflicting thoughts. The sounds of war echoed beyond the walls—the city was burning, people were dying, and Elijah was still out there, fighting a losing battle. Lando stepped closer, his tone smooth. “You and I both know he can’t win this. But you? You could save him.” Sophia forced herself to breathe, to think. She had come here to end this, not to be manipulated. “And if I say no?” Lando’s expression didn’t change. “Then Elijah dies tonight. Along with everyone who follows him.” Her stomach twisted. “You wouldn’t.” He tilted his head. “Wouldn’t I?” Sophia’s heart pounded. She needed time to think, to find another way, but time was the one thing she didn’t have. A commotion outside the war room made Lando’s eyes flick toward the door. The distant sounds of gunfire grew closer. So