– Darius's POV
I watched the castle shift.
Not physically—but in atmosphere, in order, in allegiance.
Chris had bled in his own chamber. That was the kind of mistake that sent ripples through an empire—especially this one. Especially his. The castle was on edge, guards repositioned, interrogations happening behind every steel door. Fear was in the walls. But underneath that fear, I could feel something else bubbling.
Change.
And in the middle of that storm, Amara had risen higher than ever before. With one sentence, one permission, Chris had unleashed her wrath. And I knew her well enough to understand: Skylar didn't stand a chance.
But I wasn't just watching all of this for curiosity's sake.
I had secrets. Too many.
I'd infiltrated Classic's inner circle. I'd walked among shadows where names were never spoken, only numbers. I'd read files I shouldn't have seen. And now… now I knew things about this empire that not even Amara suspected.
Things about Skylar's supporters.
About a hidden Council of the Ash—a group buried deep beneath Blackwood's perfect image, quietly plotting a future without Chris.
And what terrified me most?
They weren't wrong about everything.
I walked silently through the eastern wing, passing the high-security division unnoticed. My ID chip had clearance most officers could only dream of. I had earned Amara's trust, but more than that—I had earned Chris's silence. He didn't ask me questions anymore. He just looked, with those knowing eyes, and trusted that I'd report what mattered.
But now I was holding information back.
For the first time, I didn't know if I was protecting the empire… or protecting myself.
When I reached the command room, the encrypted tablet buzzed in my coat.
Message from Classic.
"It's time. Tomorrow. Full silence. No trace. Just watch and record."
I stared at the message, my pulse a war drum.
Classic wasn't done playing neutral. He was about to make a move. And I was the only one who knew how dangerous that might be.
I turned the tablet off, slid it back into my coat, and continued down the hall.
If Amara or Chris ever found out how many lines I'd crossed…
I'd be buried before I could even explain.
But tonight, I still had my mask.
Tonight, I was still Darius—the loyal shadow.
And if this empire was about to burn from the inside?
I'd be the only one who saw the fire start.
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