Page 3 of Crown of Hate

“You’ll what?” Akim laughs, but it sounds more like gravel in a blender. “You’re not in a position to make threats, girl.” Without sparing me another glance, he turns and strides to the white double doors, every step dripping with disdain.

“Wait! I don’t know where he lives,” I call after him. “How am I supposed to deliver this?”

“You’ll get his address tonight,” he says over his shoulders. Then he’s gone, his bodyguard right behind him.

I collapse onto the couch, clenching the envelope. My fingers itch to tear it open, to take a peek at what’s inside. But that’s the least of my problems right now.

Tomorrow, I’m taking a trip straight into the bowels of hell to meet the devil himself.

I need to be prepared. For anything. Because if I fail, it’s not just my life on the line. It’s Mama’s too. And that thought terrifies me more than anything Mikhail Zhirkov could ever do to me.

“Going somewhere?”

Shit. Busted.

I bite my lip and turn to face Mama, fighting the urge to crumble at the sight of her. She’s so fragile now – pale face, bald head, clutching a cup of hot chocolate and a piece of toast like they’re her lifelines. The contrast to her once vibrant self is gut-wrenching.

“Um—” My brain scrambles for a plausible lie. “I’m meeting someone.”

Thank God she wasn’t home for Akim’s little visit yesterday. I couldn’t bring myself to tell her about it. She would never let me go if she knew. She’d put her life on the line to defend me from Akim.

No way in hell I’m letting that happen.

She scrunches her face, skepticism etched in every line. “Who’s so important they’re worth missing breakfast for?”

“Just a friend from college.”

Mama’s eyes narrow, her lips pursing in a way that I’m sure she knows I’m not telling her the truth. “On a Tuesday morning?”

There it is. “Yeah. It’s just… a study group thing.”

“A study group? During summer break? Alya, honey, what’s really going on?”

My heart races. God I hate this. I force a smile, hoping it doesn’t look as fake as it feels. “It’s nothing, Mama. We’re just catching up on some work before classes start again.”

Ugh… The lie tastes bitter on my tongue. Mama and I have always shared everything—our dreams, our fears, even our most embarrassing moments. Now I’m spinning tales like I’ve never done before. It’s eating me up inside to keep her in the dark. “I’ll tell you all about it when I get back.”

If I survive this nightmare, I’ll need to come up with one heck of a story. Who knew I’d develop a talent for deception alongside my college degree.

Mama’s face softens. Phew… she bought it. “Alright. But you’re not leaving this house without eating first.” She sets a plate of toast and eggs on the dining table, her tone leaving no room for argument. “Sit. Eat.”.

Not wanting to upset her, I march over to the dining area and settle into the chair, feeling every bit of Mama’s watchful gaze.

The toast scratches my mouth like sandpaper, and the hot chocolate that’s usually my comfort drink now sits heavy in my stomach.

Each tick of the clock on the wall feels like a countdown to disaster. I’m hyper-aware of my every move, terrified that if I let my guard slip for even a moment, she’ll see right through my façade.

That’s why, when I shove the last of the food down my throat, I grab my purse, plant a quick kiss on her cheeks, and practically bolt out of the house. It isn’t until I’m seated in my car with the door shut tightly that I take a full breath. And only then do I let the tears flow freely, hot and relentless.

I give myself exactly one minute of weakness. Sixty seconds to fall apart.

“Be strong,” I whisper to myself, wiping away the tears. “Do this for Mama. Do this to survive.”

Just like Akim said yesterday, I got a text with Mikhail’s address on it. Punching it into Google Maps, I sling on my seatbelt, ignite the engine, and drive off.

As I drive, the city passes by in a blur. I crank up the radio, humming along to the songs, desperate to pretend everything is fine—but really, all I want to do is ram my car into oncoming traffic and just end it all. Anything to escape what’s about to happen.

But I could never do that to my mama.

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