The car moved like a whisper through the city.
Veloria wasn't warm. It wasn't cold either. It was the kind of place that felt like it was always hiding something behind its glass buildings and clean streets. A city with secrets buried under every glowing sign and marble lobby.
I stared at the envelope on my lap.
You trusted the wrong man.
The words crawled in my mind like smoke, choking everything else. I should've felt fear. But what I felt was worse.
Familiarity.
The driver stopped in front of a towering skyscraper. The glass doors slid open before I even stepped out. As if they already knew I was coming.
Inside, everything smelled like power and money—polished floors, silent staff, security cameras in every corner. I followed a woman in a tight black dress to a private elevator.
"He's waiting for you at the top," she said without looking back.
I pressed my hand against the elevator wall for balance.
As it rose, faster than I expected, I caught my reflection in the gold lining.
Who was she?
This woman with storm in her eyes.
When the doors opened, he was already there.
By the window. Looking out at Veloria like he owned it.
He turned slowly, like a villain in a movie.
"I've been waiting, Emery."
The name hit me like ice.
"Is that… my name?"
His smile was unreadable. "It's who you were."
"And now?"
He walked to me, slowly, deliberately.
"Now… you're whoever I say you are."
Before I could speak, he reached into his jacket and handed me a phone. Not mine. A burner.
"I'll ask you not to use your old contacts. For your safety."
I frowned. "You mean for your control."
He laughed, deep and rich. "Maybe both."
The phone buzzed in my hand.
Unknown Number.
I looked at him. He nodded.
"Answer it."
I pressed accept.
A distorted voice came through the speaker—digitized, like someone was hiding their identity.
"Emery. Listen carefully. Everything he tells you is a lie."
My eyes snapped to the man across from me.
He was still smiling.
Like he knew.