Malik’s response came fast, too fast—like dogs loosed from the leash.
“Oh, they exist,” he said, eyes flashing. “We have it on good authority. I trust my sources.”
I watched him carefully, scrutinizing every word, every breath, every shift in his posture. My jaw tightened.
“How did it happen?” I asked, keeping my tone even. “How did you meet Layla? And don’t skip the details. Start from the beginning.”
He sighed, annoyed. “You can’t be serious. I’ve told you this story a dozen times.”
“No,” I said, cold and immovable. “Tell it as if I’ve never heard it before.”
Malik hesitated, then leaned back into the leather, fingers tapping the armrest with restrained emotion.
“It was Anatolia,” he said at last. “I was studying and doing reconnaissance in the old city. I wasn’t looking for anything... and then I saw her.”
He paused, eyes drifting to the ceiling as if reliving the moment.
“When our eyes met, the world stopped. Everything else faded—like time itself held its breath. Her beauty struck first, yes, but then her voice and mind…consumedme. I gave myself to her. Fully.”
His eyes gleamed with that same reverent, feverish glow I’d seen before—one that frightened me more now than ever.
“I couldn’t keep secrets from her,” he continued. “It would’ve been an insult to what we had. So, I told her the truth about what I am. And she looked me in the eye and confessed—she’s a Timeborne.”
“Well, well,” I said, studying the dead stub of my cigar. “Sounds eerily familiar. Alina’s one, too.”
Malik leaned forward, almost laughing. “Incredible, isn’t it? Two of the darkest of the dark… meeting their match among Timebornes.”
Then his eyes lit up with dangerous hope.
“Oh, Balthazar,” he breathed. “I can’t wait to start a family with Layla.”
The words hit like a slap, but he didn’t notice. He was lost in his dream.
“We’ve carved our way here. We’ve ended her father’s hold—her father, the Timehunter. Nothing stands in our way now. No more rules. No more chains. Just a future. Don’t you feel it?”
Layla’s father… is a Timehunter?
The words ricocheted in my skull like bullets. Timehunters—the very monsters who had destroyed my life, torn my family from my arms, and left me to rot in shadow. And nowshewas their daughter?
I couldn’t believe it.
No—I could.
Because this was exactly what they would do, I saw it now. Clear as day. They were circling like vultures, playing a long game. Layla, Malik… they were working together. All of them. To undo me.
Alina’s voice rang in my mind, slicing through Malik’s illusions like a blade.
We must stop him from finding the blades. They bring only false promises of joy. We must rid ourselves of Malik and Layla before it’s too late.
I schooled my features into calm, leaned back in the leather chair, and stroked my jaw as if mulling over something profound.
“Your plan holds merit, my son,” I said deliberately. “Ifwe can find the daggers.”
I leaned forward, feigning enthusiasm. “Tell you what—I’d like to get to know Layla better. Why don’t the two of you join me for dinner? Just the four of us. A quiet night to speak in more detail. What do you think?”
Malik’s face lit up like a boy offered a crown.
“Splendid idea! We’ll bring the wine. I’ve a lovely Bordeaux from France—aged, smooth,perfection.” He kissed his fingers dramatically. “You’ll love it.”
