Garrett chooses this moment to return carrying a thick envelope, and he hands it to me without a word. I weigh it in my palm for a moment, feeling the heft of it, then I pull out the bills and start counting. As my fingers move through the crisp paper, I let out an appreciative hum. I know I’m supposed to care about the money. That’s part of my cover, part of who Wren Hayes needs to be. When I finish counting, I look at Viktor and incline my head.
“Thank you. That will do.”
For the first time tonight, confidence floods through me. I did this. I walked into the viper’s den and not only survived but impressed the king of beasts himself. Viktor listened to me, took my idea seriously, and now he’s curious. I can feel the shift in power, the way he’s looking at me like I’m valuable, like I’m someone worth keeping around. It feels good. It feels like I’ve got him wrapped around my little finger.
But Zeth’s voice cuts through my thoughts like ice water.
“You did great, but don’t get ahead of yourself. These people are snakes, not dragons. They’re not noble, they’re heinous, and you don’t know what they’re thinking.”
“I know. I’ve got this.”
Viktor snaps his fingers at Garrett, and when he has his attention, he says, “You heard her.”
Garrett’s brow furrows. “I’m sorry, I didn’t.”
“She needs a phoenix feather. You know where to find it, so go.”
Garrett pauses, thinking for a moment, and then he nods.
“I’ll be back in thirty minutes.”
“Acceptable.”
Thirty minutes. My mind starts working. That’s not enough time to go far, which means Garrett knows exactly where to find what I need. Maybe Viktor keeps phoenix feathers stored somewhere close, maybe a personal safe or a secured location nearby. The fact that he can get his hands on something this rare so quickly tells me more about his power and influence than anything else I’ve seen tonight. Phoenix shifters are nearly extinct, their genes dying out with each generation. For Viktor to have access to their feathers means he’s connected to people and resources that most criminals could only dream of.
Garrett turns to leave, and as he reaches the dragon’s maw entrance, a woman sweeps through it. She passes him with fluid grace, and her hand trails over his chest and shoulder in a gesture that’s both familiar and flirtatious. She winks at him.
“Always working, our Garrett. Enjoy yourself for a minute, will you?”
Garrett inclines his head respectfully and slips out without a word.
The woman approaches Viktor, and I take her in. She’s in her seventies, close to Viktor’s age, with gray hair styled in an elegant bun. Massive gold earrings catch the light as she moves,and her red dress flows around her thin frame. A silk scarf drapes over her shoulders with casual elegance. Her face is too smooth, too tight, speaking of extensive work done over years. She moves like she owns this space, like everyone here exists in her orbit.
The moment my eyes focus on her, Zeth recoils inside me.
The reaction is so violent, so sudden, that my eyes widen before I can stop them. My breath catches in my throat as I feel him pulling at me, like he’s physically trying to drag me up from the couch and make me run. The urge to flee is visceral.
“What’s wrong? What’s happening?”I throw the thought at him desperately.
He growls in my head but doesn’t answer. I can feel him retreating, pushing himself into some corner of my being, but his terror is palpable. It radiates through every nerve, every muscle, every cell. My heart starts hammering against my ribs so hard I’m afraid it might actually burst. The fight-or-flight response takes over my body, and I go rigid like a drawn bow. I dig my nails into my palms, feeling the bite of pain, using it to anchor myself so I don’t do something insane. Like bolt from the room.
Roman, sitting close beside me, throws me a weird look. His eyes narrow slightly, studying my face.
I force a smile, but I know it’s weak and unconvincing. My face feels like a mask that doesn’t fit right.
He furrows his brows at me, and I feel sweat beginning to bead at my hairline. If Zeth doesn’t calm down right now, Roman is going to know something is wrong. He’s already suspicious.
“Whatever it is, you have to settle down. Please. You’re making me look insane.”
Zeth doesn’t reply. It’s like he’s pushed himself so far into a corner of my mind that he’s barely there, but his tension iseverywhere. It’s in my muscles, my breathing, my racing pulse, and I realize with horror that he’s not just scared. He’s having a full panic attack, and his panic is becoming mine.
The woman leans over the table, completely oblivious to the crisis happening inside me, and extends her hand toward me. Her nails are perfectly manicured, painted a deep red that matches her dress.
“Hello, darling. My name is Olivia Kyzer. Lovely to meet you.”
I stare at her hand. I know I have to shake it. Refusing would be rude, it would raise questions and possibly blow everything I’ve worked for. But Zeth refuses to let my hand move. My arm stays locked at my side like it’s been bolted there.
I have to fight him. I have to override his panic with sheer force of will. I strain against him and slowly, painfully, I manage to raise my trembling hand. I touch Olivia’s fingers in the briefest possible contact, barely a shake at all, and then I pull back.
