The city never slept, but tonight it felt empty.
Sebastian walked alone on the streets, his coat tight around his broad shoulders. Neon signs reflected off puddles, and car horns echoed far away. He did not notice any of it. His mind was on Aria.
She was alive. That much he knew.
But alive meant trouble.
And trouble meant fire.
He stopped at a small café, tucked away in a dark corner of the city. No one came here after midnight, and he liked it that way. He slid into a booth, eyes scanning the street outside. A man approached. Short, wiry, nervous. Sebastian's men had warned him about him.
"You called?" the man whispered.
Sebastian nodded, voice low. "Tell me everything. Names. Places. Times."
The man swallowed, glancing over his shoulder. "Aria… she's stronger than we thought. She killed the men…"
Sebastian's hand slammed on the table. The force made the coffee cup jump. "Killed them?"
"Yes," the man said. "All of them. She is ready now. She… she is dangerous."
