Beneath the Veil of Shadows

Chapter 35

When Sapphire finally regained consciousness, the cold touch of the concrete floor against her bare skin sent a shock of awareness rushing through her. Her head throbbed with a dull ache, and a sharp sting along her cheek reminded her of the blow she had received. She blinked rapidly, trying to clear the disorienting fog that clouded her thoughts. Her surroundings were dimly lit, casting long shadows across the small, barren room. The air was thick with the scent of dampness and something metallic—like blood.

Sapphire’s wrists were bound tightly in front of her, the ropes digging into her skin with each subtle movement. Her heart began to race. She wasn’t alone.

A man stood in front of her, silhouetted against the faint light spilling through the curtains. The faint click of his boots against the floor was the only sound that broke the stillness. As he stepped closer, the light caught his face, and Sapphire’s breath caught in her throat. She knew him—those sharp features, the piercing gaze and the scar. She had seen him once before, at Elias's workplace, watching her with unsettling intensity. A chill ran down her spine as recognition dawned, but she held her ground, her pulse quickening with both fear and curiosity.

“Ah, you are finally awake,” he said, his voice a calm, chilling whisper that sent a shiver down Sapphire’s spine. “I must say, you have been quite the inconvenience, but I think we are past that now.”

He crouched down in front of her, his eyes narrowing as he took in her appearance. His gaze lingered for a moment on her face, and Sapphire stiffened, unsure of what he was thinking. His expression was unreadable, but there was a chilling intensity in his stare that made her skin crawl. Without warning, his hand shot out, his fingers grazing her cheek. His touch was unexpectedly gentle, yet there was a dark undertone to it, as though every movement was calculated.

Sapphire flinched, pulling her face away from his grip instinctively, her body tensing with the need to escape. But the ropes around her feet held her in place, trapping her with no way out. She shot him a glare, her jaw clenched tightly as she tried to regain some control over the situation.

The man didn’t seem bothered by her resistance. Instead, he looked amused, a faint smile curling at the corners of his lips. “Such fire,” he murmured, his voice soft yet menacing. “I do admire that in people. But it won't save you, Sapphire.”

Her breath caught in her throat. Sapphire. He knew her name. He had been expecting her.

She didn't respond, but she could feel the weight of his gaze lingering on her. His fingers hovered just inches from her face, his presence oppressive, like a dark cloud ready to consume her. Every part of her screamed to fight back, to escape, but she knew she had to stay calm. She had to keep her wits about her if she was going to survive this.

“We have met once before, but you are probably wondering who I am,” The man continued, his tone now a touch lighter, though still dangerously cold. “Well, I am Victor Conti. And you, Sapphire, are in a very unfortunate position right now.” He paused, as if savoring the tension, then leaned in closer, his breath warm against her ear. “But I will make it easy for you. Tell me where Sofia and Ezra are, and this will all be over quickly. If not...” He trailed off, allowing the implication to hang in the air.

His eyes glinted with something dark, an unmistakable coldness, and Sapphire felt a growing unease spread through her chest. She had no idea who he actually was, but it was clear from the way he spoke that he was no stranger to power, to dominance. And for a split second, she wondered how she could have ended up here, tangled in a web far beyond her understanding.

But Sapphire quickly composed herself, pushing the fear aside. She had been in situations far worse than this, and she wasn’t about to let her resolve falter now. She met his eyes squarely, refusing to show any weakness.