Chapter 86
At the Veridan estate, Kael gathers his inner circle to discuss his growing plans. With Lord Hestrel imprisoned, Kael doubles down on using Liora as his key ally, promising her power and influence if she remains loyal.
“Your father may have failed,” Kael tells Liora during a private meeting, his tone sharp yet persuasive, “but you don’t have to. Together, we can rebuild what he lost—and more.”
Liora hesitates, her eyes narrowing. “And what do you gain from all this?”
Kael smiles faintly. “The same as you—control. But it only works if I can count on you.”
Back at the Montenegro safe house, Dimitri bursts into the sitting room, holding a small transmitter in his hand.
“Viktor,” he said, his voice tense, “one of your guards is working for Kael.”
Viktor straightened in his chair. “Who?”
Dimitri slammed a file down on the table. “Luka. He’s been feeding Kael our location and plans.”
Celestina, sitting quietly in the corner, felt a chill run down her spine. “How long has this been happening?”
“Too long,” Dimitri growled. “If we hadn’t caught him now, we’d all be dead by morning.”
Viktor stood, his face a mask of fury. “He’ll be dealt with immediately. No more loose ends.”
Celestina looked away, her stomach twisting. She knew the stakes were high, but the harsh reality of their fight made her feel helpless.
As they dealt with Luka, Dimitri revealed a deeper layer of Kael’s web.
“There’s something you need to know about Liora,” Dimitri said to Celestina that evening.
Celestina’s brow furrowed. “What about her?”
“She’s not just working for Kael,” Dimitri explained. “She’s working against him too. She’s trying to outmaneuver him and secure her own position of power. She’s playing both sides.”
Celestina frowned. “That makes her even more dangerous.”
Dimitri nodded. “Exactly. Kael trusts her, but her ambition might make her unpredictable. We need to be careful.”
Sitting by the fire later that night, Celestina stared into the flames, her thoughts racing. “We can’t keep running,” she said suddenly.
Dimitri, sitting across from her, looked up. “What do you mean?”
“We need to take this fight back to Kael,” she said, her voice firm. “Expose him. End this once and for all.”
Dimitri’s expression darkened. “That means going back into his world. You’ll be putting yourself at even greater risk.”
“I don’t care,” Celestina said. “I can’t let him keep controlling me. Or my father.”
Dimitri sighed, his jaw tight. “If that’s what you want… I’ll be with you every step of the way. But you have to promise me something.”
“What?”
“If it comes down to it, you get out. No matter what.”
Celestina nodded, though the weight of his words lingered.
The next morning, a breaking news broadcast blared through the villa’s small TV. Celestina froze as Kael’s face appeared on the screen, his tone calm but chilling.
“Dimitri Reznov is a dangerous fugitive,” Kael declared to the cameras. “He’s responsible for political destabilization and acts of violence against Alvada. Anyone with information on his whereabouts is urged to come forward. His capture is now an international priority.”
Celestina’s blood ran cold as Kael continued, his words a veiled threat.
“And to those harboring him, know this: there will be consequences.”
