*Chapter 16: Shadows in the Light*
Sienna thought taking the throne would bring peace. But with power comes a different kind of chaos — the kind that lurks not in the streets, but behind smiles, within alliances, and beneath loyalty.
She had enemies — that was a fact. But now, she had something more dangerous: traitors.
***
It was past midnight when Raven stormed into the control room. The screen before her showed a warehouse — one of their own — up in flames.
"Zone 3 is gone," Raven said, jaw clenched.
Sienna didn't flinch. "Internal?"
Raven nodded slowly. "No sign of forced entry. Cameras wiped clean. It's someone inside."
Sienna's eyes narrowed. She turned slowly and walked toward the map on the wall, fingers tracing the burning location.
"They're testing me," she muttered. "Trying to see if I'll panic. If I'll break."
But she wouldn't. She didn't bleed panic anymore — she bled strategy.
"We'll let the fire burn," she said calmly. "And we'll watch who gets warm from the heat."
***
The next morning, Luca arrived with a list. "These are the only ones who had access to that location within the past week. I've already started background checks."
Sienna scanned the list. Her gaze paused at one name — a trusted guard she'd once saved from the streets.
"Even the saved can bite the hand that fed them," she said quietly.
She leaned back. "No one is above suspicion. Not even me."
Luca frowned. "You think this is bigger than betrayal?"
"I think this is war," she said.
She called an emergency meeting. Everyone who sat at her table came. But this time, the air was different. Cold. Watching.
Sienna stood at the head of the table.
"One of you is a traitor," she said directly. "And I won't wait for a second fire."
Gasps, murmurs.
"If you think I won't cut off the hand that's feeding poison to my empire, think again."
Silence.
"I built this kingdom from ashes. I can rebuild it again. But I won't tolerate rot from within."
She let her words settle like fog across the room. Then she walked out, leaving behind tension thick as concrete.
***
That night, she returned to her office. A small package waited on her desk. No sender.
Inside: a note.
*"Even a queen can be dethroned. Look behind you."*
She didn't turn. She smiled.
"Finally," she whispered. "You show your face."
She looked into the shadows, unafraid.
Let them come.
Because this Queen?
She had more than a crown.
She had fire in her bones — and blood on her hands.
And she wasn't done yet.