The Devious Games | Englot | GirlxGirl

Chapter 7 - Consillium Ignis

Victoria stood on the balcony of her hotel, overlooking the city of Warsaw from the highest floor. The city lights sprawled below her, a vibrant pulse in the early morning darkness. The wind lashed against her, tugging at the robe she held tightly around her body.

Her mind replayed the rooftop encounter at Vespera.

It was the moment she realized the game she had been playing was now turning against her, with Charlotte Austin standing in her path, fierce and unyielding.

“I told you, Victoria. Your plan was a disaster,” Anastasia’s voice cut through the wind as she stepped onto the balcony, a glass of wine swirling in her hand. She came to stand beside her, eyes glinting in the dim light.

Victoria didn’t flinch. Her arms remained locked around herself, her gaze burning into the shimmering cityscape below.

With a deep breath, she closed her eyes, her voice coming out cold and steady. “Anastasia, for me, there are no bad ideas.”

Anastasia chuckled, shaking her head with amusement, taking a slow sip from her glass. "Of course, you’d say that."

Victoria’s gaze shifted to her friend, sharp as steel. “I’m done with this nonsense. I’m done with all of you. I won’t tolerate your foolish games any longer. A threat to Thailand? Pathetic doesn't even begin to cover it!”

Anastasia remained unfazed, her smile widening as she raised an eyebrow.

“That’s out of my hands, Victoria. Reporting it to the authorities? That was reckless, don’t you think?" Anastasia replied, taking another sip of her wine. "You know what happens to those who try to walk away. They may let you leave, but the shadows will always follow. That’s the rule.”

She leaned in, her voice lowering to a whisper, “Especially when they want their real leader back.”

Victoria’s jaw clenched as she shot Anastasia a lethal look. “I’m not going back. Not as long as he is still there,” her voice was low, but her words struck like a whip.

Anastasia shook her head with mock sympathy. “So you left the entire organization over one man? How pathetic. You’re running away like a coward, Victoria.”

That was the breaking point. In a flash, Victoria shoved Anastasia against the cold stone wall, her grip firm, eyes blazing.

“Say that again,” she hissed, “and I don’t care how long we’ve known each other. I will make your death look like an accident. Right now.”

Anastasia’s laugh was soft, her arms raised in surrender, not a hint of fear in her eyes. “You know me, Victoria. I talk too much. But you and I—we’ve always understood each other.”

Victoria stepped back, her breath heavy as she returned to the balcony’s edge, her hands gripping the railing.

“Drop your games with Russia, Anastasia. You’re playing with fire. And if you’re not careful, someone will burn you alive.”

Anastasia’s smile faded slightly, but she remained unfazed. “The new leader is too powerful to resist. He wants me to keep running my little operations in Russia, and who am I to refuse?” she said with a casual shrug.

Her voice turned sharp as she added, “But you—what’s your game with Warasorn? You know who she is, Victoria. Jeff wants her, and you’re standing right in the way. You're toying with danger, and you're teetering on the edge with this one."

Victoria exhaled slowly, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Anastasia," she said softly, "If Jeff wants to eliminate the obstacle, he’ll have to do better than lurking in the shadows like a ghost. He’s not nearly as clever as he thinks. And Warasorn? It’s business. I admire them."