Alex leaned back in his chair, processing everything Viktor had told him. The weight of revelation settled in his mind as he began to understand just how different this world was from what he'd imagined.
"Wait," Alex said, breaking the heavy silence. "If you need help from one of the Big Seven families, why not go directly to them? Why come here, to hospitals that won't treat you?"
Damien shifted uncomfortably, exchanging a glance with Viktor before answering.
"We can't," Damien said, his voice heavy with frustration. "There's something called the Sacred Order Agreement between the families. If we approach any of the Big Seven directly, they're obligated to hand us over to Blackthorne."
"It's an old treaty," Viktor added weakly. "No family can harbor another family's people without permission. Even enemies."
