He stands first.
Brushes the snow off slightly.
Then—
without looking at her much—
extends his hand.
"Get up. You're wasting time."
She looks at his hand for a second.
Suspicious.
Then takes it.
After that.
They enter the villa—
Artavius's phone vibrates.
He checks it.
His expression changes.
Slightly.
Dangerously.
Valentine notices.
"…what happened?"
A pause.
Then—
"…plans changed."
"…we're leaving."
Her brows furrowed.
"…what?"
He finally turned to her.
"Get ready."
A beat.
"We have to move to another house."
Silence.
"Why?"
Artavius exhaled lightly.
"Cassian thinks staying here might create problems."
Her expression changed slightly.
"…what kind of problems?"
"I don't know."
Flat.
"But someone might come to check."
That—
landed.
Valentine straightened a little.
"…so we're just running now?"
"We're relocating."
A pause.
"There's a house deeper in the forest."
He added—
almost casually—
"…you might like it."
She stared at him.
"…you say that like I have a choice."
He didn't respond.
Instead—
"Where's your suitcase?"
A beat.
Valentine hesitated.
"…in your room."
Of course it was.
Artavius nodded once.
"Come on."
He turned—
the chain pulling slightly.
"The car's already here."
Valentine blinked.
"…already?"
No answer.
They moved toward the door again.
The faint sound of an engine echoed outside.
She stopped for half a second—
looking ahead.
"…this is getting worse, isn't it?"
Artavius paused.
Just slightly.
Then—
"Move."
Cold again.
And that was her answer.
They stepped outside—
still handcuffed.
Snow crunching softly beneath their feet.
A black car stood waiting.
Engine running.
Like it had been there for a while.
Valentine glanced at it—
then at him.
"…wow."
Dry.
"Kidnapping with transport upgrade."
A pause.
Artavius opened the car door.
"…get in."
No reaction.
Just control.
But something about this—
felt different.
More serious.
More dangerous.
Like whatever came next—
wasn't part of the plan anymore.