The air inside the master suite felt thick enough to suffocate us. The two guards at the door, men who had executed rivals without a second thought, stared at Damian Volkov as if he had just spoken in a forgotten language.

Inside the mansion’s private basement chapel, the atmosphere was suffocating.

Damian lay inside an open, velvet-lined mahogany casket. To the outside world—and to the lower-ranking guards standing post outside—he was a corpse. But beneath his expensive suit, a temporary medication administered by his secret trusted physician had lowered his heart rate to near-zero levels, keeping the EMP device dormant.

Lila and I were brought into the chapel under guard escort. I wore a black dress provided by the estate staff, while Lila held my hand tightly, her bright yellow rain boots replaced by formal black shoes.

“Remember the plan, Elena,” Viktor whispered, standing in the shadows behind the altar with a sniper rifle tucked beneath his coat. “The man who ordered Damian’s assassination will come to verify the body himself. He won't trust photos. He will want to touch the body to ensure there is no pulse.”

“Who is coming?” I asked nervously, checking on Lila.

“Julian Volkov,” Viktor spat the name with pure hatred. “Damian’s younger brother. The second-in-command of the Volkov Syndicate.”

My stomach dropped. Fratricide. The war wasn't coming from an outside cartel; it was coming from within the family itself.

Suddenly, the heavy iron doors of the chapel swung open.

A tall man stepped into the room, surrounded by six bodyguards clad in tactical gear. He wore a tailored charcoal suit, his hair combed back smoothly. He possessed the same harsh facial features as Damian, but his eyes lacked Damian’s command—they were filled with greed and paranoia.

Julian Volkov walked down the center aisle, his expensive leather shoes echoing off the marble floor. He didn't even notice me and Lila standing near the corner; to a man like Julian, staff were invisible scenery.

He stopped at the side of the casket and looked down at his brother’s pale face.

“You ruled this city for twelve years, Damian,” Julian spoke aloud, a cruel smile touching his lips. “You thought you were invincible. But a few drops of poison and a subtle piece of technology... and you’re just meat in a box.”

Julian reached out his gloved hand, aiming straight for Damian’s neck to feel for a carotid pulse.

If Julian touched him directly, he would feel the faint, artificially slowed pulse. The trap would fail, and we would all be slaughtered in this basement.

My heart plunged into my throat. Without thinking, I pushed Lila forward slightly.

Lila, picking up on my sheer terror, did what her innocent heart dictated. She stepped out into the center aisle and let out a soft, vocal squeak, dropping her cloth rabbit right in front of Julian’s path.

Julian snapped his head toward the noise, his hand stopping inches from Damian’s throat. “What is this? Why are servants in my brother’s private sanctuary?”

Julian’s head bodyguard stepped forward, raising his weapon toward us. “I’ll dispose of them, boss.”

“Wait,” Julian commanded, squinting at Lila. He noticed her pink hearing aid. “A deaf child? In Grayhaven House?” Julian snorted with laughter. “Damian really let this place go at the end. Allowing pity into his domain.”

Julian turned his back on the casket, stepping away from Damian to look down at Lila. He reached down and picked up the cloth rabbit, dangling it mockingly in front of her face.

“Little girl,” Julian sneered. “Do you know who I am? I am the new ruler of Baltimore.”

Lila looked at Julian. Then, unexpectedly, she reached out her small hand and touched Julian’s wrist, right over his radial artery.

Her eyes widened in realization. She looked up at me and signed rapidly with her free hand: Monster. Fast heart. Liar.

Julian frowned, not understanding the signs. “What is she babbling with her fingers?”

“She... she says she’s sorry, sir!” I lied frantically, rushing forward to pull Lila back. “She’s deaf and mute! She didn't mean to disturb you!”

Julian laughed, tossing the rabbit back at Lila. “Get this trash out of my sight. Burn the body by midnight. I want Damian’s ashes scattered in the harbor before sunrise.”