The cold steel of the gun pressed against her temple was a stark reminder of the precarious life Elena now led. Her heart hammered fiercely against her ribs, a wild rhythm that refused to calm despite the terrifying stillness that surrounded her. The man holding the weapon was a ghost from the past, a shadow she had hoped was buried beneath years of bloodshed and secrets.

“You think you can just walk back into this world and take what’s mine?” His voice was low, cruel, laced with years of betrayal.

Elena’s gaze was steady, the fire in her eyes undiminished. “This world isn’t yours anymore. It belongs to those who...