The power had gone out. Velena stood frozen in place, her breath shallow as the emergency light case flickered, casting shadows across the room. Ceil remained completely still, his posture tense but controlled. He wasn't afraid. He was calculating. This wasn't just an attack—it was a message. A challenge.
Lucian's voice broke the silence. "The backup generator should've kicked in."
Ceil didn't look away from the screen. "It didn't because he planned for this."
Velena swallowed hard. "Are we trapped?"
Lucian shook his head. "Not yet. But if he's already inside, it's only a matter of time."
Ceil turned, his eyes sharp as steel. "Then we make sure time is on our side."
THE HUNT BEGINS...
Ceil moved toward the desk, opening a drawer and pulling out a sleek black handgun. He tossed another to Lucian, who caught it without hesitation. Velena's pulse spiked. "We're fighting?"
Ceil met her gaze. "We're surviving."
Lucian checked his weapon. "We need to move, now. If we stay here, we're sitting targets."
Ceil nodded. "Take the east wing. Secure the exits. If we see anything unusual, don't engage. Report back."
Lucian hesitated for only a second before disappearing into the darkness. Velena's heart pounded. "What about us?"
Ceil handed her a small knife. "We find him first."
She stared at the blade. "You expect me to use this?"
Ceil's expression didn't change. "I expect you to survive."
Velena clenched her jaw but took the knife. "What if he's already waiting for us?"
Ceil's lips curved into a dangerous smirk. "Then we give him a proper welcome.
THE HOUSE OF SECRETS...
The halls were eerily silent as they moved through the estate. The emergency lights flickered, casting long shadows on the marble floors. Velena kept close to Ceil, every nerve on edge. She had never been afraid of the dark. But this darkness felt different. It felt like something was watching.
Ceil suddenly halted, raising a hand. Velena stopped instantly, gripping the knife tighter. He turned his head slightly. "Did you hear that?"
She strained her ears. Nothing but silence.
"No."
Ceil's jaw tightened. "Exactly."
A shiver ran down her spine. The house was too quiet. Then—a soft creak echoed through the hallway. Velena's breath hitched. Someone was here. Ceil didn't hesitate. He moved swiftly, pressing against the wall, signaling for her to follow.
Velena's heart pounded as they approached the source of the sound. The door to one of the study rooms was slightly open. Ceil reached for the handle, then—
A sudden rush of movement. Velena barely had time to react before a shadow lunged from the darkness. Ceil moved instantly, shoving her back as he caught the attacker's arm, twisting it sharply. A low grunt echoed as the figure staggered, but he was fast. Too fast.
Velena's instincts kicked in. She swung the knife, aiming for the man's side—but he dodged at the last second, his movements sharp and precise.
Then, for the first time, she saw his face. Andrew Steele. His dark eyes locked onto her, a slow, mocking smirk curling his lips.
"Hello, Velena."
A GAME OF SHADOWS...
Velena's breath caught. He knew her name. Ceil didn't waste a second. He moved with deadly precision, throwing a punch aimed at Andrew's jaw. Andrew barely flinched. He blocked, countered, and retaliated with a kick that forced Ceil to take a step back.
Velena's grip on the knife tightened. She had seen Ceil fight before—he was fast, ruthless, and almost untouchable. But Andrew... He was something else. His movements were calculated, his strikes precise. Like he had studied Ceil for years.
Ceil didn't let up. He lunged forward, feinting left before driving his fist toward Andrew's ribs. This time, the hit landed. Andrew grunted, staggering slightly. But instead of anger, a slow grin spread across his face.
"You've improved," he said, voice smooth as silk. "But you're still predictable."
Ceil's expression darkened. "Let's test that theory."
The fight escalated. Blows were exchanged, moments blurred with speed. Velena knew she should step back. She knew she should let Ceil handle this. But something about Andrew unnerved her.
Then—Andrew's eyes flickered toward her. And he smiled.
"You don't remember, do you?"
Velena's heart stopped.
Ceil didn't hesitate. He struck hard, forcing Andrew backward. "Stay away from her."
Andrew only chuckled. "Oh, Ceil. You still think you're in control?"
Velena's mind reeled. Why did he say that? What did he mean?
Andrew exhaled, straightening. "As much as I'd love to continue this reunion, I have somewhere to be."
Before Ceil could react, Andrew threw a smoke grenade to the ground. A thick fog filled the hallway. Velena coughed, vision blurring. When the smoke cleared—Andrew was gone.
THE TRUTH THAT SLIPPED AWAY...
Silence. Velena inhaled deeply, her pulse still erratic. Ceil was already moving, checking the surroundings.
"Damn it," he muttered.
Lucian's voice crackled through the earpiece. "Ceil, what's happening?"
Ceil exhaled sharply. "He was here."
A pause. Then Lucian's voice turned sharp. "What? Where is he now?"
"Gone," Ceil muttered. "But he didn't come to fight."
Velena frowned. "Then what did he come for?"
Ceil's jaw tightened. "To remind us that he's always one step ahead."
Velena looked at the spot where Andrew had stood. Her hands curled into fists. He knew her. And that meant one thing—there was something buried in her past that she wasn't supposed to remember.