Night had settled over the city.
From the penthouse window, Luna could see thousands of lights glowing across the skyline.
But her mind wasn't on the view.
It was on Adrian.
Brevis stood near the bar, pouring himself a drink.
"You're quiet," he said.
Luna didn't look away from the window.
"I'm thinking."
"That's usually dangerous."
She ignored the comment.
Brevis took a sip of his drink.
"You said Adrian made you a weapon."
"Yes."
"And now?"
Luna finally turned toward him.
"Now he wants his weapon back."
Brevis smirked slightly.
"That sounds like a bad plan."
"It is."
"Because?"
Luna walked slowly across the room.
"Because I'm not his anymore."
Brevis studied her expression.
He believed she meant it.
But Adrian clearly didn't.
Just then—
Brevis's phone vibrated on the table.
He picked it up.
His expression changed slightly.
"What?" Luna asked.
Brevis showed her the screen.
A message from one of his security teams.
UNKNOWN DELIVERY RECEIVED – FOR LUNA VALE
Brevis frowned.
"I didn't authorize anything."
Luna felt a cold feeling settle in her stomach.
"Where is it?"
"Lobby."
Brevis grabbed his coat.
"We're going down."
---
Ten Minutes Later
The building lobby was nearly empty.
Two of Brevis's guards stood near the reception desk.
Between them—
A small black box rested on the counter.
Brevis approached slowly.
"Who delivered it?"
"One of the doormen said a courier left it."
"No name?"
"No."
Brevis looked at Luna.
"You expecting gifts?"
"No."
But she already knew.
Adrian.
Brevis picked up the box carefully.
It was simple.
Black.
No markings.
"No wires," he said.
"Doesn't look like a bomb."
He placed it on the desk.
"Open it."
Luna hesitated.
But then she lifted the lid.
Inside—
There was only one thing.
A silver chess piece.
A queen.
Brevis frowned.
"That's it?"
But Luna's eyes widened slightly.
She knew exactly what it meant.
Brevis noticed.
"You recognize it."
Luna picked up the chess piece slowly.
"Yes."
"What does it mean?"
Luna's voice dropped quietly.
"It's a message."
Brevis crossed his arms.
"From Adrian."
"Yes."
"And?"
Luna swallowed slightly.
"It means the game started."
Brevis chuckled softly.
"I didn't know we were playing."
Luna looked at him seriously.
"You are now."
Brevis leaned closer.
"Explain."
Luna placed the chess piece on the table.
"Adrian loves chess."
"That's not surprising."
"He taught me how to play."
Brevis raised an eyebrow.
"And?"
Luna tapped the queen piece lightly.
"In his games…"
"…the queen was always the most dangerous piece."
Brevis understood immediately.
"So you're the queen."
"Yes."
Brevis smirked.
"That's dramatic."
Luna shook her head.
"No."
She looked him directly in the eyes.
"It means Adrian has already planned his next moves."
Brevis looked thoughtful.
"And we're part of his board."
"Yes."
Brevis sighed.
"I hate chess."
Just then—
One of the guards approached quickly.
"Sir."
Brevis turned.
"What?"
"There's another problem."
"What now?"
The guard hesitated.
"One of our warehouses was attacked tonight."
Brevis's expression darkened instantly.
"Which one?"
"Dockside storage."
Brevis cursed under his breath.
"That's where we keep the shipment logs."
Luna spoke quietly.
"Adrian."
Brevis looked at her.
"You think he did this?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
Luna picked up the chess piece again.
"To force your move."
Brevis's jaw tightened.
"Smart."
The guard continued.
"And sir…"
Brevis turned again.
"What?"
"The cameras inside the warehouse were hacked."
"By who?"
The guard handed him a tablet.
Brevis watched the footage.
The screen showed masked men entering the warehouse.
They moved quickly.
Professionally.
But something stood out.
Brevis paused the video.
"What is that?"
Luna leaned closer.
Her eyes widened slightly.
The attackers all wore the same symbol on their jackets.
A silver serpent.
Brevis looked at Luna.
"You recognize it."
Luna nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"Who are they?"
Luna's voice became colder.
"They're Adrian's private unit."
Brevis smiled slightly.
"So he brought friends."
Luna shook her head.
"No."
Brevis frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Luna looked at the screen again.
"That unit only moves when Adrian is personally involved."
Brevis leaned back slightly.
"So he's in the city."
"Yes."
Brevis chuckled quietly.
"That's convenient."
Luna didn't smile.
"He's closer than you think."
Brevis handed the tablet back to the guard.
"Send more security to every warehouse."
"Yes sir."
The guard hurried away.
Brevis turned back to Luna.
"So."
Luna waited.
"What's his next move?"
Luna thought for a moment.
Then she said quietly,
"He'll try to isolate you."
Brevis smirked.
"That won't be easy."
Luna looked at him seriously.
"You don't know Adrian."
Brevis stepped closer.
"And you don't know me."
For a moment they stared at each other again.
Then Brevis said something unexpected.
"Come with me tomorrow."
"Where?"
"My headquarters."
Luna frowned.
"Why?"
Brevis's smile returned slightly.
"Because if Adrian wants a game…"
"…we should start playing too."
Luna studied him.
"You enjoy this."
Brevis shrugged.
"I enjoy winning."
Luna looked down at the chess piece in her hand.
Adrian had started the game.
And she knew something Brevis didn't.
Adrian never played without a hidden strategy.
Never.
And if the queen was already on the board…
Then the king—
Was probably next.