Pov.: Luka
As my men departed, I found myself consumed by deep contemplation about the recent events. A certain restlessness overtook me, one I couldn't quite comprehend. My wedding ring drew my constant gaze, its familiar weight now a source of mystery, sparking endless thoughts of my wife. Worry gnawed at me without a discernible cause.
Moments later, I was pacing back and forth in a bout of unknowing when my phone erupted with ringing. I dashed to it, answering immediately—it was Vladimir. He briefed me on our next destination and which empire we’d be infiltrating. After the call, and having been filled in on all the details he had gathered, I hung up.
Without a moment's delay, I summoned one of my physicians who promptly arrived and healed me with his unique abilities. I hurried out of the hospital, but not before my subordinates, who had stayed to ensure my safety, implored me to rest. I dismissed their concerns, intent on leaving that place to join Vladimir.
"This woman owes me a multitude of explanations," I stated with a resolve that brooked no argument. And so, they followed, their silence echoing my determination.
We soon arrived at one of my many estates within the empire. I armed myself, as did my subordinates, and together we stepped through a portal. Arriving at a transition house, we continued our journey in armored vehicles from my personal fleet until we reached the mansion where Vladimir believed Amy to be confined.
Upon arrival hours later, we disembarked, and I soon laid eyes on a group of elite assassins, known to be in my parents' employ. They were the most competent operatives in our entire organization. We stayed hidden, mirroring their shadows, until I watched my men converge with Vladimir and Helen.
The duo discussed matters with the head of my parents' team. They came to an agreement and later stealthily entered the mansion—a tactic that piqued my interest.
As I followed in their wake, it struck me odd; no guards were posted to secure the mansion. However, my thoughts were shattered when a gun was pressed to my head, and a whisper reached my ears.
"What are you doing here, Luka?" Helen's voice inquired, betraying my presence.
"I need to speak with her. I need to know where my wife is—I couldn’t just wait in some hospital room," I retorted firmly.
"You should go back to rest. You are weak," she scolded.
"I refuse. Finding my wife is my priority. I’ve been on this quest for a year, and she has much to explain. I’m not leaving," I declared with fierce intent, continuing, "Besides, I am no longer weak. My physician healed me with his powers, and my time at the hospital was overly protracted—like peaceful holidays."
"It’s good you enjoyed your vacation. Your mother will be pleased to hear it."
"My mother knows about this?" I asked, taken aback.
"Of course. She wanted you kept in the hospital as long as possible."
"Why? For what purpose?" I demanded, my confusion mounting.
"So you could have a break. It wasn’t the best plan, but when she heard you'd been ambushed and wounded, she insisted you needed a vacation. That’s why I had my friend keep you in the hospital, under strict orders not to use any powers on you."
"How could she do this to me?" My anger flared.
"She thought you needed to stay away for a while. I only followed orders," Helen replied simply.
"After I find Amy and figure out where my wife is, I’ll have a serious talk with her. Let’s go inside and finish this," I said with finality.
Pov.: Helen
After briefing my superior, I reached out to Luka, instructing his men to be prepared, and ended the call. It dawned on me later that I neglected to provide my home address. Just as I was about to contact Luka again, a knock on my door heralded the arrival of Luka's men.
In the interim, I realized that Luka and his team had conducted a quiet investigation into my background, uncovering details about me, including my address, from the first moment they encountered me in the hospital.
I permitted them entry into my home, briefing them on my findings and potential locations where she could be detained. I shared every detail I had unearthed, save the secrets concerning Gianna and Amy that I vowed to keep, disclosing nothing unless Amy herself requested. I supplied them with all the weapons needed for the mission.
We hastily proceeded to the portal and soon appeared before the mansion’s gates. I surveyed the building with a caustic disdain, imagining the demise of the man who sought my friend's death. Seconds after our arrival, I realized that Luka’s parents' subordinates had beaten us there, and I sensed another presence surveying us.
Gathering with the other operatives, our plan came together quickly with everyone agreeing on the details I had crafted. They refined the aspects I was unsure about, and once aligned, we made our intrusion.
Approaching the mansion, it was clear that no one guarded it, which aroused my suspicion. Nonetheless, I broke away from the group and cornered Luka, pressing my gun to his head before speaking.
He spilled his worries, his desperation to find Gianna evident. Entering the mansion, we were greeted not by guards but by bodies suspended gruesomely from the ceiling. This grim sight explained the ease of our entry.
We moved forward, discovering three more bodies—decapitated and hung upside down.
"Who are these men?" one of the operatives questioned.
"Where are their heads?" I added.
"There," Luka pointed out, indicating the ground.
I looked down, the severed heads of the wretched three before me. What had happened here? Amy's confession that she was an assassin came to mind. Could she be responsible?
"Search the mansion for Amy. Now!" I commanded.
We spread out, and I tracked Luka's movements as we entered a living room, where a bloodied couch caught my attention, a scarlet trail leading to an obsidian marble fireplace I’d never before seen.
"It can't be here!" Luka exclaimed in dismay.
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