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A tall woman in a vintage black velvet coat. The fur-lined hood pulled low over her face—elegance and secrecy in one flawless silhouette.

Her driver shadows her as she glides towards me, her stride unhurried, deliberate. She stops an arm’s length away.

“What, no poisoned sack and zip ties today?” I mutter.

She chuckles, low and feminine. “As my world collapses around me, I thought it was time we met face to face.”

“Your world? I thought this was the culmination of your grand plan. RMSAD goes down, your lab rats get their freedom, and you ride off into the fucking sunset. Or turn into a bat and fly…”

She laughs, and it surprises me, and it sounds so familiar. “Your wife is one of those lab rats,” she reminds me. “Speaking of Tara, I have something for her. But I need you to give it to her.”

“Why not wait? Konstantin is bringing Tara back. She should be here any minute.” I glance at my wristwatch. “Didn’t you hear? I had a secret sixth test and passed it with flying colors. I used my words.” I snort. “Who knew that just talking it out with brutalhonesty had such great results. This time, I did not use brute force to resolve my difference with Tara on a very lengthy, costly video call that turned… uh…”

“I get the picture, Ruslan,” she snaps, blowing out a breath and shaking her head. “I did hear how well you handled the situation with Tara. Thank you for finding her. And congratulations. I always knew you would pass, and I’m glad that it's you Tara has ended up with.”

I’m shocked and gape. “Wow.” I whistle. “I will take that as a compliment from the dark queen herself.”

Another laugh.

“But really, wait. She will be here…” I glance at my wristwatch again. “Fuck. They are late.”

“I hear some flights were delayed due to weather,” her driver informs me.

“Ah.” I nod my thanks for the information and look at Medusa again. “They should be here soon.”

“I can’t wait,” she tells me. “There are things I must do. Final threads to cut. This role I have carried has come with many smaller ones, and there are a lot of loose threads to tie up before we pull the plug.” She pauses. “My main role and title... It's time to pass it on. And as there is a chance I may not survive what comes next. I need to ensure all my affairs are in order.”

My jaw tenses. “What are you talking about? Who are you really?”

She ignores the question and motions to her driver, who hands me a leather-bound folder.

“This is for you. Inside is a list of candidates for my replacement.”

“Replacement?”

“I was never a High Council member,” she says. “I was the Judge. The one who ensured fairness in the system. Your grandfather chose me. I’m the one who watches from the shadows. The ghost that makes things right and keeps the balance.”

My skin prickles. “You said you have something for Tara, too.”

She pulls a second folder from beneath her cloak and hands it to me. It's thicker. Heavier. “Give this to her. In there is this letter—for the rest of my family.”

“Your family? Who the fuck are you? Why do I feel like I’ve met you before?”

She reaches up.

Fingers slip beneath her hood.

She pushes it back.

And my world fucking shifts.

“You,” I breathe. “Holy fuck.”

She smiles. Not smug. Just tired. Sad. “There are three people you can trust, Ruslan. Their names are in that file. Your grandfather asked me to find them. Because one day, you'd need a Judge of your own. A General like Morozov. And someone to be your heart.”

I stare at her, unable to speak.

“I wish I had more time to explain,” she says. “But it’s all in there. Everything. My mission. My predecessor. Your grandfather’s last orders.”