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He is just rejoining me downstairs, heading to Pyotr’s office when I freeze.

I cannot breathe as I see his body, covered in blood. My legs give out and distantly, I feel Ciro catch me. He helps me to Matvey’s side, propped up against our Papa’s desk.

I cannot cry.

I will not.

But my hand is on his face, and he is so cold…

“Van, he has a pulse. Barely.” Ciro’s words don’t register until Mat’s eyes twitch, flutter open. I know it is not good news, however. Ciro’s tone says it all. Out of the corner of my eye, I see him inspect my brother’s wounds. I see him bite down on the inside of his cheek hard, his eyes watering.

Still, I smile.

And Matvey tries to return it, the angel that he is.

“Van…am I dreaming?”

“Net, Matvey. I am here.”

“Klassno,” he mumbles, his eyes distant. “I fought hard,sestrenka. You would be proud.”

His words are faint, slurred.

“I am proud, little brother.”

“Now I know you are fucking with me…” The soft huff of laughter shakes his chest, makes him cough. I pretend not to notice the hint of blood at his lips.

“Only because I took out twice as many.” I sniffle, hiding it with a tight smile.

“I bet Ciro beat both of us, ah? Is he…where is he?”

“Right here, Matty.” Ciro chokes, taking my brother’s soot and bloodstained hand.

“Da,da. You are my brother, man, you know?”

“I am. Forever.”

“Now you take care of Vanya. She say she does not need…but she need…you,” he whispers, his breath coming in gasps.

“She needs you, Matty. Just hang on. We…we can…” Ciro’s jaw clenches.

“You lost your twin,brat. You are two of a kind.”

My heart implodes. My world crumbles.

And I cannot speak. I simply hold my brother’s face as the light fades.

“Mama will be pissed that I was out so late…Papa will…” Mat’s gaze focuses for a split second. He grasps my hand. “Papa…”

“It’s alright, Mat,” I sing softly.

“No, no. Pyotr. They took him.”

“Who?”

“H-him…” Mat’s hand guides mine into the blood on his chest. To the floor.

Where he scrawls a symbol.