The sea was black that night, a restless expanse that swallowed moonlight whole.
Winds howled across the cliffside, carrying the echo of waves crashing against rock, like the heartbeat of something ancient and waiting.
Damian's POV.
Damian stood before a map spread across the hood of Luca's car.
The coastal fortress loomed in the distance half stone, half shadow carved into the mountain like a scar.
He'd been there once as a child, back when his father's word was law and loyalty was paid for in blood.
Now he was coming back as a threat.
"North and east watchtowers have active guards," Luca said, tracing a gloved finger over the map. "But the tunnels under the cliff are still unsealed. If we move through there, we can avoid detection."
Sophia stood opposite them, her face pale under the dim light. "And if it's a trap?"
Damian's jaw tightened. "Then we spring it before they can close it."
