Novel

I stood facing Alexei, my posture stiff and my hands clenched into tight fists behind my back. I might have been weak before, foolish, naive, and easily pushed around…but I was done standing by while everything crumbled. I didn't know every detail of the game Viktor was playing, but I knew with absolute certainty that Alexei was falling hard for his manipulation. I might not be a master strategist, but from everything I’d seen, Viktor was up to no good.

Alexei took a step toward me, reaching out, but I immediately recoiled. I turned and walked out the door, signaling for him to follow so we could speak without...