Morning arrived slowly over the city.
Soft sunlight poured through the large glass windows of the penthouse, painting golden reflections across the floor.
But the calm morning light couldn't erase the tension that still lingered in the air.
Luna stood in the kitchen, holding a cup of coffee she had barely touched.
Her mind kept returning to the silver chess piece.
Adrian had made his move.
And when Adrian moved…
Something always followed.
Brevis entered the room a few minutes later, adjusting the cuffs of his black shirt.
He looked completely calm, like a man starting an ordinary day.
"You look like you didn't sleep," he said.
Luna glanced at him.
"I slept."
"Liar."
She didn't argue.
Brevis grabbed a glass of water and leaned casually against the counter.
"You worry too much."
"You don't worry enough."
Brevis smirked.
"That's why I'm still alive."
Luna crossed her arms.
"That's luck."
"No," Brevis replied calmly.
"That's preparation."
He glanced at the clock.
"We should go."
Luna frowned slightly.
"To your headquarters?"
"Yes."
She hesitated.
"You're sure that's a good idea?"
Brevis smiled.
"If Adrian wants a war…"
"…he should know who he's dealing with."
One Hour Later
Brevis's headquarters was hidden inside an old industrial building near the docks.
From the outside, it looked abandoned.
Rusty metal walls.
Broken windows.
Faded paint.
But once they entered—
It was a completely different world.
Inside, the building was modern, secure, and filled with activity.
Large monitors covered one wall.
Security teams moved through the room.
Several men stopped what they were doing the moment Brevis entered.
"Boss."
Brevis nodded.
"Morning."
Luna observed everything carefully.
This wasn't just a headquarters.
It was a command center.
Brevis walked toward a tall man standing near the screens.
"Marcus."
Marcus turned.
He was broad-shouldered, with short dark hair and sharp eyes.
Brevis's most trusted lieutenant.
"You're here early," Marcus said.
Brevis glanced at the monitors.
"Warehouse report."
Marcus tapped a few keys.
Images appeared on the screen.
Footage from the attacked warehouse.
"Damage?"
"Minimal," Marcus replied.
"They didn't take anything important."
Brevis frowned.
"That doesn't make sense."
Luna stepped closer to the screen.
"They weren't trying to steal."
Brevis looked at her.
"Then what?"
Luna spoke quietly.
"They were sending a message."
Marcus looked confused.
"What message?"
Luna pointed to the symbol on one attacker's jacket.
The silver serpent.
Marcus's eyes narrowed.
"Who are they?"
Brevis answered before Luna could.
"Adrian Kross."
Marcus's expression hardened.
"I've heard of him."
Brevis glanced at him.
"Everyone has."
Marcus crossed his arms.
"So he attacked one warehouse."
"That's only the beginning," Luna said.
Marcus looked at her.
"And you are?"
Brevis replied calmly.
"Someone who knows Adrian better than we do."
Marcus studied Luna briefly.
But something about his expression changed.
Something subtle.
Luna noticed.
Just for a second.
Marcus looked… uneasy.
Brevis didn't catch it.
But Luna did.
Brevis turned back to the screens.
"Pull up the security logs from last night."
Marcus nodded and started typing.
Several new windows opened across the monitors.
Brevis studied them carefully.
"Wait."
Marcus paused.
"What?"
Brevis pointed to one timestamp.
"Pause that."
The footage stopped.
The camera showed a hallway near the warehouse control room.
But something was wrong.
Brevis leaned closer.
"That door shouldn't be open."
Marcus frowned.
"What door?"
"The internal access door."
Marcus zoomed in.
Brevis's voice became colder.
"Only three people have access to that room."
Marcus nodded.
"You."
"Yes."
Marcus continued.
"You gave me access."
Brevis nodded again.
"And the third person?"
Brevis's eyes darkened slightly.
"Someone else in this room."
The entire control center fell silent.
Marcus turned slowly.
"You think someone here helped them?"
Brevis didn't answer immediately.
Then he said quietly,
"I don't think."
"I know."
The tension inside the room thickened instantly.
Marcus looked around.
"You think there's a traitor here?"
Brevis's voice was calm.
"Yes."
Luna spoke softly.
"Adrian always plants someone inside."
Marcus frowned.
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
Brevis turned toward the team.
"Nobody leaves this building."
Several men immediately moved toward the exits.
Marcus looked uneasy.
"This could take hours to figure out."
Brevis nodded.
"That's fine."
Luna watched Marcus carefully.
Something about his reaction bothered her.
He was too calm.
Too controlled.
Brevis began reviewing the footage again.
But Luna quietly stepped away.
Her eyes stayed on Marcus.
And then—
She noticed something.
Marcus's hand.
He was holding a phone.
And he was typing something.
Quickly.
Luna moved closer.
Marcus didn't notice.
Then she saw the screen.
A message.
HE KNOWS.
Luna's eyes widened.
She grabbed Marcus's wrist instantly.
"Brevis."
Marcus froze.
Brevis turned.
"What?"
Luna showed him the phone.
Brevis read the message.
Then his eyes slowly lifted to Marcus.
The room became deadly silent.
Marcus didn't even try to deny it.
Brevis spoke quietly.
"You betrayed me."
Marcus shrugged slightly.
"Nothing personal."
Brevis's voice became colder.
"How long?"
Marcus smirked.
"Long enough."
Luna stepped back slightly.
Brevis's anger was building.
Dangerously.
Marcus continued casually.
"You should have expected it."
Brevis didn't blink.
"Who recruited you?"
Marcus smiled.
"You already know."
Brevis's jaw tightened.
"Adrian."
Marcus nodded.
"He pays better."
Brevis suddenly punched Marcus in the face.
Hard.
Marcus crashed against the desk.
Guards rushed forward and grabbed him.
Brevis stood over him.
His voice was deadly calm.
"You attacked my warehouses."
Marcus laughed weakly.
"That was just a distraction."
Brevis frowned.
"For what?"
Marcus's smile widened slightly.
"For what's happening right now."
Luna's stomach dropped.
Brevis looked at him sharply.
"What did you do?"
Marcus looked straight at Luna.
"Adrian said you'd understand the next move."
Brevis turned toward her.
"What does that mean?"
Luna whispered one word.
"Penthouse."
Brevis's eyes widened.
The penthouse.
Adrian's next move wasn't the warehouse.
It was their home.
Brevis grabbed his coat immediately.
"Get the car."
Guards rushed into motion.
Luna followed him quickly.
Marcus laughed behind them.
"Too late."
Brevis stopped.
Slowly turned back.
Marcus's smile was dark.
"Adrian already made his move."
Brevis's voice became ice.
"If anything happens to her apartment…"
Marcus shook his head.
"Oh no."
His smile widened.
"That's not the target."
Brevis's heart skipped once.
Marcus looked at Luna.
"The target…"
"…is you."