Chapter 13: The Meeting
Elara stood alone at the rooftop bar Nadia had chosen—sleek, dimly lit, with a view of the entire city like a glowing circuit board. The kind of place powerful people came to whisper secrets.
She wore black. Not for stealth, but for strength.
Nadia arrived ten minutes late. Polished. Confident. Dressed like someone who never lost control.
"I wasn't sure you'd come," Nadia said, sliding into the seat opposite Elara.
"I wasn't sure you were worth the risk," Elara replied evenly.
Nadia smiled faintly. "You've changed."
"I remember who I am now."
"Good," Nadia said. "Because you'll need that clarity when Killian finds out what you've done."
Elara didn't flinch. "You're the one who's been feeding Damon intel. Don't try to flip this."
Nadia leaned in. "Damon's not the monster you think. He's protecting something much bigger than either of us."
"Like offshore accounts and blackmail?"
Nadia's smile disappeared. "Like secrets Killian never told you."
Elara froze. "What are you talking about?"
"You think you were in that crash by accident?" Nadia's eyes gleamed. "Killian knew the moment you found out about the Thorne contract, you'd become a target. So he made a deal. A temporary memory wipe. To protect you."
Elara's heart thundered.
"You're lying."
"Am I?" Nadia slid a flash drive across the table. "The truth is there. What you do with it… that's on you."
Before Elara could respond, Nadia was gone—vanishing into the crowd like smoke.
Elara stared at the flash drive, torn between rage and fear. If what Nadia said was true… Killian had betrayed
her before Damon ever got the chance.