Rain had finally stopped over Nocturne.
From the penthouse windows, the city glittered beneath thousands of lights, stretching endlessly into the dark horizon.
Luna Vale stood near the glass wall, staring down at the streets far below.
Thirty floors.
High enough that the noise of the city became distant—like a faint heartbeat.
Behind her, Brevis Draven leaned against the kitchen counter, slowly sipping his wine.
Neither of them had spoken for several minutes.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable.
But it wasn't peaceful either.
It felt like something waiting to happen.
Brevis finally broke the silence.
"You always look like you're planning an escape."
Luna didn't turn around.
"Good survival habit."
"You think you'll need to escape from me?"
"I think everyone eventually needs an exit."
Brevis smiled faintly.
"You're suspicious of everything."
"And you're too confident."
"That's because I own most of this city."
Luna finally glanced over her shoulder.
"That's exactly why I'd be careful."
Brevis set his glass down.
"You keep warning me."
"Because you keep asking questions."
"And you keep avoiding answers."
Luna turned back toward the window.
"You should sleep."
Brevis raised an eyebrow.
"You're kicking me out of my own living room?"
"I'm saying you look tired."
Brevis chuckled softly.
"I never sleep early."
Luna shrugged.
"Then don't."
She moved toward the couch and sat down, crossing one leg over the other.
Brevis watched her carefully.
The woman fascinated him more every hour.
Most people behaved differently around him.
Nervous.
Respectful.
Afraid.
But Luna treated him like he was just another man in the room.
And somehow…
That made him more interested.
He walked toward the couch.
"You know something strange?"
"What?"
"You don't act like someone running away."
Luna's eyes met his.
"Who said I was running?"
"You moved through three cities in two years."
"That's called traveling."
"Your records disappear everywhere you go."
"Maybe I'm forgettable."
Brevis smiled slowly.
"That's definitely not true."
Before Luna could reply—
A faint sound interrupted them.
A metallic click.
Very soft.
But Luna heard it immediately.
Her entire body went still.
Brevis noticed.
"What is it?"
Luna's voice dropped quietly.
"Don't move."
Brevis's eyes sharpened.
"Someone's here."
At that exact moment—
The lights in the penthouse flickered once.
Then went out completely.
Darkness swallowed the room.
Only the distant city lights outside illuminated the space faintly.
Brevis's voice came low in the darkness.
"That shouldn't happen."
Luna was already moving.
Her hand slipped into her bag.
The handgun appeared in her grip instantly.
"Stay behind me," she whispered.
Brevis almost laughed.
"Cute."
Another sound echoed from the hallway.
Footsteps.
Slow.
Careful.
Professional.
Not security.
Someone had bypassed the building's entire system.
Which meant one thing.
This was no random attack.
A shadow appeared at the far end of the penthouse hallway.
Tall.
Masked.
Holding a silenced pistol.
The assassin fired.
PFFT
The bullet slammed into the wall beside Luna's head.
She rolled behind the couch instantly.
Brevis moved just as fast.
He grabbed a heavy glass table and flipped it sideways for cover.
The assassin fired again.
PFFT PFFT
Two more bullets tore through the room.
"Professional," Luna muttered.
Brevis crouched beside the table.
"You know this type?"
"Yes."
"That's comforting."
Luna leaned around the couch and fired once.
BANG
The assassin ducked back into the hallway.
Silence returned.
Brevis glanced at her.
"You didn't hesitate."
"I told you I've had worse nights."
Another shadow appeared behind the assassin.
A second one.
Brevis cursed under his breath.
"They came prepared."
Luna checked the magazine in her gun.
"Two targets."
"Three," Brevis corrected quietly.
Luna froze.
"Three?"
Brevis nodded toward the ceiling.
Luna followed his gaze.
A faint movement near the balcony doors.
Another figure climbing inside.
"Of course," Luna muttered.
"Selene," Brevis said darkly.
Luna looked at him.
"You're sure?"
"She's the only one crazy enough to break into my penthouse."
The balcony assassin raised his weapon.
Before he could fire—
Brevis grabbed a nearby chair and hurled it across the room.
The glass doors shattered violently.
The assassin stumbled backward.
Luna used the moment.
She sprinted forward.
Her kick slammed into his chest and sent him crashing against the balcony railing.
His gun fired wildly into the night.
Luna twisted his arm and slammed him down onto the floor.
But another gunshot echoed from behind.
The hallway assassins rushed forward.
Brevis tackled Luna to the ground just as a bullet passed over her shoulder.
They both rolled behind the couch again.
Brevis looked at her.
"You attract interesting company."
"Likewise."
Gunfire erupted again.
The room filled with shattered glass and flying debris.
Luna leaned against the couch.
"We need to move."
Brevis nodded.
"My office."
"Where?"
"Down the hallway."
"You're joking."
"Trust me."
Another bullet hit the couch.
Luna exhaled slowly.
"Fine."
"On three."
"Ready."
"Three."
They both sprinted.
Bullets chased them across the marble floor.
Brevis kicked open the office door.
Inside the room, he slammed a button on the wall.
Steel shutters dropped over the windows instantly.
The gunfire outside became muffled.
For the first time in several minutes—
Silence returned.
Luna leaned against the desk, catching her breath.
Brevis locked the door.
"They won't get through that."
Luna nodded.
"Temporary safety."
Brevis looked at her.
"You alright?"
"Still alive."
"You fight like a soldier."
"And you throw furniture surprisingly well."
Brevis laughed quietly.
"Unexpected skill."
For a moment the tension eased.
But the danger was still there.
Outside the office door, footsteps echoed again.
The assassins were searching the penthouse.
Luna checked her weapon.
"Three of them."
Brevis opened a drawer in his desk.
Inside was a sleek black pistol.
He loaded it calmly.
"You're not the only one with secrets."
Luna raised an eyebrow.
"Good."
He stepped closer to her.
Very close.
In the dim emergency lights their faces were only inches apart.
"You still want to leave?" he asked softly.
Luna looked at him.
Then at the gun in his hand.
Then back at him.
"Not until this is finished."
Brevis smiled slowly.
"That's what I hoped you'd say."
Another loud bang hit the office door.
The assassins had found them.
Luna stepped beside Brevis.
"Ready?"
"Always."
Their shoulders brushed briefly.
Electric tension filled the small room.
For a moment…
Neither of them moved.
Their faces were close enough that Luna could feel his breath.
Brevis's eyes flicked down to her lips.
Then back up again.
The moment stretched dangerously.
Almost like they might—
BANG
The office door cracked from another gunshot.
The moment shattered.
Luna smirked slightly.
"Later, maybe."
Brevis chuckled.
"Definitely later."
They both raised their guns toward the door.
And waited.
Because whoever sent those assassins had just made a very serious mistake.
They had attacked the one place in Nocturne that belonged entirely to Brevis Draven.
And tonight…
Someone was going to pay for it.