The castle was unrecognizable.
Overturned torches still smoked in the corridors. Scorch marks and gashes scarred the walls, stone debris littered the floor, and several wounded guards wandered the courtyard, trying to restore some semblance of order.
Léana strode through the main doors, her boots ringing against the stone.
Her gaze swept over the destruction.
"…What have you done this time…"
Without wasting a second, she headed toward the castle's private wing, her rapid footsteps echoing through the silent halls.
She finally reached Vareck's quarters and opened the door without knocking.
She didn't even have time to take a step.
A shadow lunged.
A hand clamped brutally around her throat and slammed her against the wall.
The impact knocked the breath out of her.
Vareck's furious eyes burned only inches from her face.
"Where were you?"
The pressure on her throat tightened.
"The whole castle is burning and you just disappear?"
Despite the pain, Léana stared straight into his eyes.
"I was… where I always am."
Silence.
Vareck loosened his grip slightly.
"You should have been here."
She violently shoved his arm away and gasped for air.
"Oh really? And you should have warned me."
The argument escalated immediately.
"Can you explain why I had to hear through rumors that *you* decided to kidnap Miria without telling me a single word?"
Vareck looked away, tense.
His silence was answer enough.
Léana's anger exploded.
"You're making plans on your own now?! And when everything falls apart, you take it out on me?!"
Vareck's fists unclenched.
He let out a calmer sigh.
"…Fine. I fucked up."
She crossed her arms, cold.
"You think?"
He ran a hand through his hair.
"Look… can you gather information for me? Find out what they're planning next."
Léana looked away.
"Impossible."
The word fell sharply.
Vareck frowned.
"Why?"
She laughed bitterly.
"Because every piece of information I've given you has ended in disaster. At this rate, it's starting to draw attention."
She stared at him harshly.
"This time, they didn't even want me present during the rescue."
Vareck's gaze suddenly turned suspicious.
"…I hope you haven't switched sides."
The silence that followed was icy.
Then the explosion came.
"ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?!"
Her voice echoed throughout the room.
"I'M RISKING MY LIFE TO GET YOU INFORMATION AND THIS IS HOW YOU THANK ME?!"
Vareck instinctively stepped back.
"No, I… I just wanted…"
She advanced, furious.
"YOU WANTED WHAT?! HUH?!"
Caught off guard, Vareck raised his hands.
"You know what… forget it."
His tone shifted abruptly, becoming almost honeyed.
He moved behind her and slid his arms around her waist.
"How about we have a good time, hm?"
Léana remained still for a second.
Then she sharply pulled away.
"Are you serious?"
She stared at him, incredulous.
"You just accused me of being a traitor and now you want to sleep with me?"
Vareck opened his mouth.
"Listen, I—"
**TOC TOC TOC.**
They both froze.
Vareck's expression immediately hardened.
He strode to the door and yanked it open.
"WHAT?"
One of his men stood there, nervous.
"Sorry, my lord… but we've recovered your compendium."
He held out an old book bound in dark leather.
Vareck's eyes flashed for a moment.
He snatched it immediately, pressing it against his chest to hide the title.
"Good. You're dismissed."
The man bowed and left at once.
Vareck closed the door and, with a discreet movement, headed toward his wardrobe. He slipped the book behind several coats, making sure Léana couldn't see anything.
He closed it gently.
Then turned around.
Léana hadn't moved.
Still just as cold.
Still just as furious.
Vareck exhaled quietly, relieved.
*She didn't see… or hear anything.*
But in Léana's eyes, a storm was still brewing, ready to erupt.
And something in the air suggested this argument was far from over.