Page 6 of Veil of Shadows

The hum of machines, the sharp scent of disinfectant—it should feel comforting, but today, it only reminds me of my conversation with Nina.What does she know?My fingers tremble as I handle the samples, my mind lost in a fog of worry. However, the day ends up unproductive. I am still stuck on finding out what the toxin really is.

By the time I leave the lab that evening, the city is wrapped in shadows. The streetlights cast long, jagged shapes across thepavement, and every rustle of leaves makes my heart lurch. My breath forms little puffs in the cold air as I walk faster, the weight of Viktor’s warning pressing in on me.

I’m almost home when I sense it—a presence behind me, just out of sight. My skin prickles, and I quicken my pace, my hand slipping into my coat pocket, searching for anything I can use as a weapon.

I round the corner, my building in sight, when a dark figure steps into my path.

Viktor.

He’s standing there, one hand in his coat pocket, his eyes glinting like a predator’s. For a moment, the world narrows down to just the two of us, the city fading away into a blur.

“Alyssa.” His voice is like a blade wrapped in velvet. “I warned you.”

My pulse hammers, but I lift my chin. “I’m not backing down, Viktor.”

A slow smile spreads across his lips, dangerous and mocking. “You’ve got guts, I’ll give you that. But guts don’t mean much when you’re dead.”

I take a step closer, refusing to show fear. “If you’re going to stop me, you’ll have to do better than threats.”

He leans in, his breath warm against my ear. “Maybe I will. But for now, consider this your last warning.”

Then, like a shadow melting into the night, he’s gone, leaving me standing in the cold with my heart pounding and my resolve burning hotter than ever.

Chapter Four – Viktor

The night is thick, pressing in like a damp cloak. I lean against the crumbling brick wall across from Alyssa’s apartment, my frame hidden in the shadows. Her window flickers to life, a soft glow that cuts through the darkness. My fingers itch for a cigarette, but I don’t light one. Can’t afford even a flicker of flame right now.

I should’ve walked away when I spoke to her on the street, but my feet refused to walk away from her. So, I followed her to her apartment. She’s there, somewhere inside, pacing her small apartment like a caged animal, flipping through those damned files. The ones that should have stayed buried. Her defiance from the street still burns in my veins, the way she stared me down like she was bulletproof.

Alyssa doesn’t know it, but every step she takes in this case puts her on a path she won’t be able to turn back from. Yet, here I am, waiting for her to make that mistake.

Footsteps. Quiet, measured. Lev’s shadow falls across the ground before he’s close enough to speak.

“Can’t say this neighborhood’s known for its nightlife,” he murmurs, his tone casual but edged with suspicion. “So, what’s the attraction?”

I keep my eyes on her window. “Just taking in the view.”

Lev steps closer, studying my face. “Funny,” he says, almost smiling. “I thought you were smarter than this.”

I don’t bite. Silence is easier. The glow from Alyssa’s window casts a faint light across the street, and for a moment, I think I see her silhouette.

“You know,” Lev says, voice dropping lower, “the Directors are starting to wonder if you’ve gone soft.” He tilts his head, watching me like a wolf sizing up prey. “She’s just a loose end, Viktor. Nothing more.”

“Loose ends don’t keep digging,” I reply, finally turning to face him. His eyes narrow, trying to read what I’m not saying.

“Let her dig,” he shrugs, but his tone isn’t as casual as he wants it to be. “Maybe it’ll be fun watching her drown.”

I clench my jaw, forcing my hands to stay loose at my sides. “Or maybe it’ll put a spotlight on all of us. You want that kind of attention?”

For a beat, he doesn’t answer. Then, with a slow, mocking smile, he leans in. “You’re slipping, Viktor. Watch yourself. Or someone else will.”

But before I can say anything, Lev shifts, his posture going serious. “By the way,” he adds, voice turning colder. “The Ghost Doctor is starting to act unreasonable. They’re asking for a higher price now, demanding more to stay silent. And the Directors? They’ve had enough. They’ve issued an order—lure the Ghost Doctor out, find out who they are, and kill them. End this before they get any ideas about asking for more.”

I don't flinch, but the weight of it settles in. The Ghost Doctor has been a thorn in our side for too long. A mercenary we had hired to do the unthinkable and now, they are making demands. They are starting to feel untouchable.

My eyes are still fixated on Alyssa’s window when I say, “Keep me in the loop.”

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