Page 103 of Descent

My entire life…warped and manipulated by this woman.

“But you did.”

“Once you turned thirteen, your parents took you away to begin your training as a Lyra assassin. And you think I’m a maniac? What kind of parent teaches their child to kill?”

“Glass houses, bitch.”

“Indeed, and glass houses are expensive. Funding was always an issue. I had my trust fund, sure. But once I lost access to you, I stalled for years.”

“So you got into government,” I egg her on.

“The slow crawl up the political ladder. I was already expanding my empire then, consolidating my family’s holdings. I eliminated the rest of the ’Ndrangheta leaders, and reached a new level of influence. That’s when Pantheon came to be. And I knew that I needed my original test subject to continue my research.”

“And Dom served me up on a silver platter.”

“You have no idea how hard it was to coordinate my own hit and to ensure that you took the contract. I don’t think you appreciate the planning involved in bringing the two of you together!”

“Sounds rough.”

“Timing was everything. Orchestrating so many concurrent events was murder! Dom was arrested. The rest of the Diamantes vanished. All but one who turned up in the service of a very forward-thinking sheikh. He wanted me to continue my research and had the perfect test subject. Desperate. Alone.”

“Adil Abas,” Ero whispers, his eyes darting around for a way out of our situation. Keeping her talking might find us an opening…

“A visionary man, for a criminal kingpin. Not unlike Dom. I began working on Ero, trying to create the perfect soldier assassin. Right as Dom ratted out the Lyras and every other criminal he could. I jumped at an opportunity to snatch Circe back up. Then Adil went and got himself killed.”

“And you sent a newly mind-fucked Circe to find me.”

“Astute as ever, Ero.” Ananke sighs. “My two star pupils reunited. The criminal underworld in shambles. A perfect interlude to truly see what my methods were capable of.”

She gestures to the house behind us.

“Now, you have indulged in your little adventures. Uncovered the truth about your pasts. I even divulged my involvement. Consider that a reward for all of your hard work. It’s time for us to go.”

“Time,” Ero interrupts, his glare transforming into a sly squint. Ananke draws up short, looking suspiciously at my partner.

“You keep talking about timing. Carefully laid out plans. Reminds me of a conversation we had. Fate and Time.” Ero’s head turns, shifting his piercing stare to Dom. “Kronos.”

“Ah, damn. And I thought Adriano was the clever one.” Dom shrugs, sneering.

“You fucking snake,” I hiss, my hands twitching toward my hidden dagger.

“Hey, I never lied to you. Some of those soldiers really tried to kill me. I really had info you wanted. I shared some of it. Left out a few things. You got the truth in the end, right?”

“You’re a fucking fool if you think you can trust Ananke. She’ll only use you too.”

“Some of the bestuseI’ve ever had.” He wags his eyebrows. “Beats being dead or in prison.”

“Speaking of dead and prison, you lied about my brothers, didn’t you?” Ero rattles off, sensing that our time is running out. Ananke’s bodyguards are getting jumpy.

“Honestly? I have no idea. No one has seen or heard from them in years. They are, frankly, the least of my concerns.” Ananke loops her arm through Dom’s elbow.

“And what about my family? Are they alive?” I ask suddenly. This might be the only chance I get.

“Oh, no, not even close, my dear. That sad truth isabsolute. You personally made sure of it.”

I stare at her, confused. My breath catches as she continues.

“I’m truly sorry that you had to find out this way. Even uncovering some of your memories, your poor mind won’t allow you to face that truth.” She frowns, the model of concern.

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