Page 107 of Unveiled

I call Zoya next.

"Where's Anya?"

"Anya? The last time I saw her, she was in bed. I told her Stefan went to bed and thought that she’d get some rest herself. I left her resting. She isn’t there?"

“No.” I’m slipping. Of course I knew that. Why didn’t I think of that?

But when I pull up the surveillance footage on my phone, it’s blank.

What the actual fuck?

I go to dial Rafail, but the signal is blocked. I can’t make a fucking call. I’m forced to wander my house like it’s the goddamn dark ages.

"Anya!" I yell, the desperation in my voice impossible to hide. "Anya!"

I do a mental inventory of who’s home. Rodion and Ember are back at their place. Stefan and Zoya are here, Rafail’s family. Yana.

She’s the closest one. But when I go to her door and knock, there’s no answer.

Fuck.

I try again, but as I turn down the hall, a door behind me opens. Yana stands in the doorway, her eyes blurry, wearing sweats and a T-shirt.

"Semyon? Are you alright?”

"No. I can’t find Anya. The surveillance footage is blank, and I can’t make any phone calls."

Yana is instantly awake.

"Fuck," she says, turning to tug on boots and pulling a gun from her bedside table.

I hear the pounding of her footsteps as she finishes getting dressed. I’m already running.

I head outside, barking orders to the guards and asking questions. No one’s seen her. The estate is locked down in minutes, but without our ability to communicate?—

If she did betray me…

I’ll find her, no matter what. I have to.

Chapter 27

ANYA

I wander the grounds,navigating my way as quietly as I can through the areas least likely to be under surveillance. Zoya taught me. While they have guards and cameras everywhere, the service entrance by the kitchen used for staff and deliveries doesn’t have the same heavy guard presence as the main entrances. The perimeter fencing near dense shrubbery leads to hidden pathways only Zoya seems to know about. It seems the youngest sister has had reason to want privacy and found a way to make it happen.

Ophelia has to talk to me, and if it has anything to do with my brother—I can’t risk the Kopolov family finding out.

I never wanted this to be a choice between my family and theirs. I close my eyes as a rush of heat floods me. I need to stay awake, sober and ready, but my strength feels like it’s at an all-time low.

I know the danger, but my friend needs me, and I don't feel like I can trust myself right now.

I call Ophelia, but her phone rings and rings, and she doesn't answer. I text her, but there's no response.

What the hell?

I stare at the gate and mentally go through the motions. I know exactly how to get out of here if I have to, but I can't leave my little brother. My throat catches.

I've just started to feel like I have a family.

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