Alyssa’s POV
The moment the first shot rang out, the meeting turned into absolute chaos.
Ethan yanked me back just as a bullet whizzed past my head, shattering the rusted metal beam behind me. Isabella was already moving, a knife in each hand, slicing through one of the guards like a ghost in the night. The air filled with the sound of gunfire, the metallic tang of blood, and the sharp scent of gunpowder.
I turned to my mother, who was already backing away toward the exit, a smirk playing on her lips. She knew exactly what she had done-this wasn’t just a negotiation. It was a trap.
“You planned this,” I snarled, stepping forward, but before I could get close, three guards moved in to block me, their guns raised.
My mother’s voice was calm, almost amused. “Of course I did, darling. Did you really think I would come here alone, unprepared?”
I gritted my teeth. I should have known. This was the Circle’s way-always two steps ahead, always in control. But not this time. Not if I could help it.
A blur of movement to my right. Ethan. He tackled one of the guards to the ground, slamming his elbow into the man’s throat before grabbing his gun and twisting it upward, firing into another attacker’s chest. Blood sprayed across the concrete floor, but there was no time to stop.
Ethan’s breathing was ragged, and I could see the sweat beading on his forehead. His illness was getting worse.
“Stay back!” I shouted at him, grabbing a fallen pistol and firing at the remaining guards. “You’re not in any condition to fight!”
He shot me a glare, wiping blood from his mouth. “Like hell I’m staying back!” He staggered but didn’t fall.
Isabella sliced through another guard, her face unreadable as she spun and kicked another into a pile of broken crates. “Less talking, more killing!”
I turned just in time to see one of the Circle’s elite guards-dressed in full tactical gear-charging at me with a knife. I barely managed to duck as the blade slashed through the air where my throat had been seconds before.
With pure instinct, I twisted around, bringing my gun up, but he was fast. Too fast. He grabbed my wrist, twisting it until pain shot up my arm, and the gun clattered to the ground.
I gasped as he shoved me backward, my spine slamming into a rusted metal beam. His knife was at my throat in an instant.
“Your reign ends here, Ms. Morgan,” he growled.
I gritted my teeth, ignoring the sharp sting of the blade against my skin.
Not today.
Before he could react, I brought my knee up-hard-into his stomach. He grunted, the knife slipping just enough for me to grab his wrist and twist it violently. The blade dropped, and I caught it midair, slamming it into his throat without hesitation.
Blood splattered across my face as he staggered backward, gasping. He was dead before he hit the floor.
I barely had a second to catch my breath before another wave of guards stormed in.
Ethan swayed slightly on his feet, pressing a hand against his side. His breathing was worsening, his skin pale. I grabbed his arm.
“You have to stop,” I pleaded. “You’re going to kill yourself!”
He shook his head. “Not stopping. Not until we win.”
I clenched my jaw. There was no winning-not like this. We were outnumbered, and the Circle’s best fighters weren’t letting up.
Then, I saw her.
My mother was slipping through a side door, untouched by the chaos, her cold smile still in place. She was leaving-escaping-while we fought for our lives.
I had a split second to decide. Chase her or fight.
I chose.
I ran, dodging bullets as I pushed forward, my body moving on instinct.
“ALYSSA!” Ethan shouted, but I didn’t stop.
I burst through the door my mother had slipped through, entering a narrow hallway filled with shadows. The sound of gunfire and screaming faded behind me, replaced by the quiet click of heels against the floor.
She wasn’t running.
She was waiting.
I rounded the corner, my gun raised. “Don’t move!”
She turned, her eyes as calm as ever. “Are you going to shoot me, darling?”
My hand trembled. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t.”
Her lips curled into a smirk. “Because this isn’t over. And if you kill me now, you’ll never know the full truth.”
I hesitated. And in that moment, she acted.
With a flick of her wrist, a small smoke grenade dropped to the floor, filling the corridor with thick, choking fog. I coughed, stumbling forward, but by the time the air cleared…
She was gone.
I turned back, rage burning through me.
Ethan was still fighting, but he was struggling. Isabella had taken down another guard but was pinned by two more.
We were running out of time.
I grabbed Ethan, throwing his arm over my shoulder. “We’re leaving! Now!”
Isabella kicked off her attackers and nodded. “Move!”
We barely made it out, bullets flying past us as we sprinted toward the alleyway. The city lights beyond felt like salvation, but I knew better. This wasn’t a victory.
This was only the beginning.
As we collapsed against the cold brick wall outside, catching our breath, my phone buzzed.
A message.
From my mother.
“This isn’t over, Alyssa. It’s only just begun.”
I clenched my jaw, my grip tightening on the phone until my knuckles turned white.
No.
This wasn’t over.
But next time, I would be the one setting the trap.