The First Piece

Liora turned her attention back to Veda, the playful smirk on her face vanishing, replaced with a cold, sharp edge. Her eyes hardened, burning with unbridled malice as her voice dropped to a low, venomous whisper.

"Watch," she hissed, each word laced with cruel intent, "watch as I destroy this entire city and reshape it into my image. Watch as I crush your lovely people beneath my heel. And when it's all over, when the flames have died down and the ashes settle…" Her gaze locked onto Veda with an icy intensity. "It will be your turn."

Veda didn't flinch under her gaze, her defiance standing strong, but Adrian could see the fire in her eyes flicker.

For just a moment, a shadow of doubt passed over her.

Liora's smile widened, sensing it. "Ah, don't think about running," she said, her voice dripping with amusement. "Or betraying these people like you betrayed me. I've already sealed the city. There's nowhere for you to hide or to run, Veda."