TouchThe office door shook under another gunshot.
BANG
A crack appeared near the handle.
Luna and Brevis stood on opposite sides of the desk, both holding their weapons steady.
The emergency lights cast a faint red glow across the room.
Brevis's voice remained calm.
"They'll try to force the door."
Luna nodded.
"How long will it hold?"
"A few minutes."
"That's not comforting."
Outside, muffled footsteps moved across the penthouse.
The assassins were positioning themselves.
Luna leaned slightly toward the door, listening carefully.
"Three of them," she whispered.
Brevis looked at her.
"You're certain?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"Breathing patterns."
Brevis raised an eyebrow.
"You hear breathing through a reinforced door?"
Luna gave him a sideways glance.
"I told you I've had worse nights."
Another loud hit slammed against the door.
The handle twisted violently.
Brevis stepped closer to the wall beside the entrance.
"If they break through, they'll rush in."
"Then we drop them."
"Efficient plan."
Luna checked the bullets in her magazine again.
"Don't miss."
Brevis smirked slightly.
"I never do."
Outside the office, someone spoke quietly.
A male voice.
"Three… two…"
Luna's eyes sharpened.
"They're about to breach."
Brevis lifted his gun.
"Good."
The door exploded inward with a violent crash.
Two assassins rushed inside.
Gunfire erupted instantly.
BANG!
Luna's shot hit the first attacker in the shoulder.
He collapsed instantly.
The second one fired wildly.
Brevis moved with frightening speed.
He stepped forward and shot once.
The man dropped before finishing his movement.
The room fell silent again.
Only the sound of heavy breathing remained.
Luna exhaled slowly.
"That's two."
Brevis glanced toward the hallway.
"One left."
A shadow moved quickly outside the broken doorway.
The last assassin fired blindly into the office.
Bullets slammed into the walls.
Luna ducked beside the desk.
Brevis moved toward the door quietly.
Then he stepped out suddenly.
BANG
One clean shot echoed through the penthouse.
A body collapsed in the hallway.
Silence returned again.
For real this time.
Luna slowly lowered her weapon.
"Well," she said.
"That was dramatic."
Brevis walked back into the office.
"You attract very persistent enemies."
Luna tilted her head slightly.
"You're the one with a jealous ex."
Brevis looked down at the unconscious assassin on the floor.
"Selene didn't hire amateurs."
Luna crossed her arms.
"You're very sure about that."
"She likes to send messages."
"And breaking into your penthouse counts as subtle?"
Brevis chuckled quietly.
"Not for her."
He walked toward the window shutters and pressed a control button.
The steel panels slowly lifted.
City lights poured back into the room.
The destroyed penthouse looked like a battlefield.
Broken glass.
Bullet holes.
Furniture overturned.
Luna stepped over one of the fallen assassins.
"You're going to need new interior design."
Brevis glanced around.
"Insurance."
Luna almost laughed.
Brevis turned toward one of the bodies and removed the man's mask.
His expression hardened slightly.
"Interesting."
Luna stepped closer.
"You know him?"
"Yes."
"Friend?"
"Not exactly."
Brevis stood slowly.
"He works for someone else."
Luna's eyes narrowed.
"Meaning?"
"Selene didn't send them."
The room became very quiet.
Luna looked at the bodies again.
"So someone else wants me."
Brevis studied her face.
"Looks that way."
"And you're still curious?"
"More than ever."
Luna sighed.
"That's unfortunate."
"Why?"
"Because curiosity might get you killed."
Brevis smiled faintly.
"That's never stopped me before."
Suddenly the penthouse elevator beeped.
Brevis's guards rushed inside seconds later.
Four armed men spread across the room quickly.
"Sir!"
Their eyes widened when they saw the destruction.
"Are you alright?"
Brevis nodded once.
"Handle it."
"Yes, sir."
The guards immediately began securing the penthouse and checking the bodies.
One of them approached Brevis quietly.
"Sir… the security system was hacked."
Brevis didn't look surprised.
"I figured."
"Whoever did it knew the building layout."
"Of course they did."
The guard hesitated.
"We'll track them."
Brevis nodded.
"Good."
The guards dragged the bodies away and began cleaning the scene.
Luna leaned against the wall.
"Your life is very chaotic."
Brevis looked at her.
"You're the one people are trying to kidnap."
"Fair point."
The tension in the room slowly faded.
But something had changed.
They had just survived a fight together.
And that kind of moment created a strange connection.
Brevis walked toward the broken balcony doors.
The night wind blew into the room.
Luna joined him a moment later.
The city stretched endlessly below them.
"You're still not telling me the truth," Brevis said quietly.
Luna rested her arms on the railing.
"About what?"
"Why someone would send professional assassins after you."
Luna remained silent.
Brevis studied her face again.
"You're not just running."
"No."
"Then what?"
Luna turned toward him slowly.
Her silver eyes reflected the city lights.
"Some people think I stole something."
Brevis raised an eyebrow.
"Did you?"
Luna's lips curved slightly.
"Maybe."
Brevis laughed softly.
"That explains a lot."
"But not everything," Luna added.
"True."
They stood there quietly for a moment.
Finally Brevis spoke again.
"You know something strange?"
"What?"
"I should probably throw you out of my penthouse."
"That sounds reasonable."
"Yet somehow…"
His eyes locked with hers.
"I'm not planning to."
Luna shook her head slightly.
"You're making a mistake."
"Possibly."
"Your enemies will come after me."
"They already did."
"And more will follow."
Brevis shrugged.
"That sounds entertaining."
Luna studied him carefully.
"You're insane."
"I've been called worse."
For a moment the air between them became quiet again.
Then Luna spoke softly.
"You saved my life tonight."
Brevis looked almost amused.
"You saved mine first."
"That's not how I remember it."
Brevis stepped closer.
Now they stood only a few inches apart.
The night wind moved through Luna's hair.
Brevis's voice dropped slightly.
"So what happens now?"
Luna looked up at him.
Her expression thoughtful.
"Now we figure out who wants me badly enough to attack your penthouse."
Brevis smiled slowly.
"I like that plan."
"Of course you do."
"And Luna?"
"Yes?"
His gaze darkened slightly.
"If someone thinks they can take you from my city…"
He paused.
"They're about to learn a very painful lesson."
Luna held his gaze.
For the first time…
She believed him.
And somewhere deep in the shadows of Nocturne—
The real enemy watching them would soon realize something dangerous.
Luna Vale wasn't alone anymore.
And Brevis Draven had just decided to stand on her side.
Which meant the war in Nocturne was only beginning.