Page 28 of Fire and Silk

Mina’s lips twitch—but she says nothing. Maksim looks ready to charge. I look straight at him, and wink.

His fists clench like they’re itching to grab something solid.

Uncle Nereo watches it all from behind the quiet mask of elder diplomacy. I turn, Matteo falling in behind me as we head back down the mirror-polished hall.

The doors close with a quiet hiss. Matteo pulls away from the estate, eyes on the road, hands on the wheel.

I loosen my collar and stretch like a man who just left a spa instead of a den of knives.

The road bends into an open stretch, and Matteo finally speaks.

His voice is calm, low.

“Why do you always go back there?”

“To where?” I say, eyes half-lidded, fingers drumming lightly on my thigh.

He doesn’t take the bait.

“You know exactly where. The Marazzi estate. You know they’ll try again.”

“Try what?” I ask innocently.

He exhales hard enough to fog the window. “To kill you.”

I smile.

“Matteo,” I say, leaning back and lacing my hands behind my head, “when people hate you, they give youso much power.”

He flicks his eyes up at the rearview.

“My presence ruined their entire day,” I continue. “I didn’t even have to raise my voice. No threats. No mess. Just me—existing.”

I shift my weight, settling deeper into the seat. “They spend all that energy hating me, and I walk away with their nerves shredded. Why wouldn’t I enjoy that?”

Matteo mutters, “Youalmostdied.”

I laugh. “Well worth it.”

He shakes his head like a tired schoolteacher and returns his attention to the road.

Then a soft buzz rattles across the console. Matteo glances down at the screen lighting up.

He reads it silently, then looks up at me.

“She’s awake.”

My pulse doesn’t change. But I sit up slightly, just enough to meet his gaze in the mirror.

A slow smile curls at the edge of my mouth.

“Now the fun begins.”

Chapter Five - Lira

The Silk Root Chamber – Sublevel B, Dantès Estate

There’s a sound that wakes me. Someone is coming.