"Good." He kisses me, long and deep. When he pulls back, there's fire in his eyes. "Now let's go show Konstantin what happens when he threatens what's ours."
The meeting point is a warehouse on the edge of Konstantin's territory.
We approach together, as demanded. Just the two of us, walking into what we both know is likely a trap. But we're not entirely alone. Somewhere in the shadows, a strike team tracks our movement. The panic buttons rest secure in our pockets.
The warehouse door is open. Waiting for us.
I take a breath I don't need. Maximus's hand finds mine, squeezes once, then lets go. We need to be able to fight if this goes wrong.
We walk in together.
The interior is vast, empty, lit by industrial lights that cast harsh shadows across the concrete floor. Our footsteps echo as we move deeper into the space, every sense alert for threats.
At the far end, two figures wait.
Valentina. Beautiful and terrible, exactly as I remember her. She's smiling, that cat-with-cream smile that makes my stomach clench with a hatred so pure it surprises me.
And beside her…
Konstantin.
He's taller than I expected. Silver hair swept back from a face that might have been handsome once, before cruelty carved itself into every line. His eyes are ancient, patient, the eyes of a predator who's never had to hurry.
"Maximus." Konstantin's voice is cultured, warm. A gentleman greeting an old friend. "It's been too long. A century, at least."
"Not long enough," Maximus replies, his voice flat.
"Still holding grudges? How tedious." Konstantin's gaze slides to me, and I feel the weight of it like a physical touch. "And this must be Celeste. At last. I've been looking forward to meeting you properly."
"You've met me before." The words come out before I can stop them. "In Rome."
Something flickers in his expression.
"So you're beginning to remember." He glances at Valentina. "I told you the blocks wouldn't hold forever."
"What did you do to me?"
"I improved you." He spreads his hands. "Made you stronger. Faster. Better than any ordinary fledgling. I gave you gifts, Celeste. Gifts you haven't even begun to unwrap."
"What gifts?"
"All in good time." He steps closer, and I feel Maximus tense beside me. "But first, we have business to discuss. My offer stands. Come with me willingly, and this war ends. Your people live. The network survives."
"And Maximus?" I ask.
"Maximus..." Konstantin's smile widens. "Maximus and I have old scores to settle. That's between us."
"No deal," I say flatly. "I'm not leaving him."
"How touching." Konstantin's voice drips with false sentiment. "She loves you, Maximus. Truly loves you. Do you know how rare that is? How precious?" His expression hardens. "And how easily I could take it away?"
"Threaten her again," Maximus says quietly, "and this conversation ends with your head on the floor."
"So protective. So fierce." Konstantin laughs. "You've changed, old friend. The Maximus I knew didn't care about anyone. He was cold. Efficient. A perfect machine of survival." He tilts his head, studying us. "She's made you weak."
"She's made me strong."
"We'll see."
