I gathered the information I needed, and it did not take long for her to give me a name.
When she did, though… it felt as if the world were closing in on me.
Even now, I bite my lip as the memories threaten to resurface.
I inhale slowly, and force myself to move.
My boots echo softly across the quiet corridor as I slip out the door. Their voices drift from around the corner.
I round it silently, keeping my distance.
Talia stands there, her arms crossed.
Markev looks angry, almost livid.
“I told you if you opened your mouth, I would fucking end you,” he growls, stepping towards her.
Talia looks… unbothered.
“What’s going on here?” I ask, moving closer.
Their heads snap towards me.
Talia starts crying as if on cue, and my brows knit together. Something is off.
But I narrow my eyes at Markev.
Because that blood is damn tainted.
“Spitfire.” He grins, and I don’t miss the frown on Talia’s face, the hatred radiating off her.
“Talia,” I say, my voice flat. I tip my head towards the corridor behind me. “Go.”
She hesitates.
“You shouldn’t be here,” I add. “Not with him.”
Her lips part, as if she wants to argue, but instead she drops her gaze and walks away, still sniffling.
I watch until she is out of sight before I turn back.
And startle.
I don’t expect him to be so close, but he is already in my space.
With the back of his palm, he brushes my skin.
“Looking for me?”
I slap his hand away. “What. The hell. Was that?” I gesture towards where Talia just disappeared.
His eyes narrow. “It was fucking nothing.”
I step closer, refusing to give him an inch. “Stay away from her.”
His eyes drop to my mouth.
“Or what?” he asks.
