Lilith (Mhaira) walked slowly into the temple. Every step she took was quiet, exhausted, and heavy. Her body still ached from every wound she had suffered, while her heart carried even deeper scars.
The temple was peaceful.
The fragrance of fresh flowers filled the sacred place. Hundreds of colorful blossoms surrounded the stone steps leading up to the idol. Oil lamps flickered softly while incense drifted through the air.
Without saying a word, Lilith walked toward the idol.
She sat very, very close to it.
Slowly, she leaned forward and rested her head gently upon the flower-covered steps.
For the first time in days…
She allowed herself to stop thinking.
She closed her eyes.
Within minutes…
She had fallen asleep inside the temple.
Outside the temple…
Nikolai sat alone.
His elbows rested on his knees while countless thoughts ran through his mind.
Everything that had happened over the last two years replayed over and over inside his head.
His wife.
His daughter.
His family.
The pain.
The search.
The blood.
The suffering.
Then—
His phone rang.
He looked down at the screen before answering.
"Yes?"
"Good morning, Mr. Nikolai. It's Gloria… Lily's friend."
"Yes. Tell me."
"Actually… school started two days ago, and we haven't seen Lily in school. Is everything okay? Her line isn't going through. The teacher even called her name in class today…"
Nikolai let out a slow sigh.
"Your friend was kidnapped by a group."
There was complete silence.
"It's a bit personal. If she wants to tell you herself, she will."
Another pause.
"But she got badly injured all over her body. We are in India right now, but I will bring her back home. She'll be back in school by next week."
He paused before continuing.
"Please send all the class notes to her. I'll receive them."
"Oh Lord…"
Gloria's voice trembled.
"I hope she's fine?"
"She will be."
He looked toward the temple.
"But for now… she isn't in her right mind."
"Thank you for checking up on her."
"I'll let her know."
"Bye."
"Bye, sir."
The call ended.
Nikolai slipped his phone back into his pocket before quietly entering the temple.
There she was.
Still asleep.
Her head rested against the flower-covered steps.
She looked peaceful.
Carefully…
He bent down.
Slipped one arm beneath her knees.
The other around her back.
Then gently lifted her into his arms.
Without waking her…
He carried her back toward the house.
As Nikolai entered…
Everyone looked at them.
Riyana's eyes immediately filled with tears.
She stepped closer and softly kissed her daughter's forehead.
"Please bathe her."
Several women nodded.
"Yes."
They carefully carried Lilith into one of the bedrooms before gently closing the door.
Nikolai turned toward everyone.
"Lily's school has resumed."
"Her friend just called."
"They've already marked her absent."
Sohan nodded.
"She needs rest."
"I'll call the school."
He turned and walked toward another room.
Inside another chamber…
The Nocturne Matriarch…
The Red Order…
The Dominant Apex…
All of them were gathered together.
Nikolai entered.
Immediately…
Every single person stood.
Then bowed.
"Korol Koroley!"
(King of Kings!)
Nikolai simply snapped his fingers.
Instantly…
They all straightened.
Veeransh blinked.
"Woah…"
"He is powerful indeed."
"No kidding, bro."
Tanya folded her arms.
"He's just showing off."
"Especially to Mhaira."
Chandak looked away.
Kaushik sighed.
"Get over it."
"They're married."
"You can't separate them."
"Nor destroy them."
"Bro… let it go."
"Or do you want to die?"
"It would be best if you let it go."
Karim said as he stepped behind them.
"But…"
"He's not fit to be with her."
Karim slowly looked at him.
"He is."
"Do you even know what they've both been through together?"
No answer.
"When Lily was mentally unstable…"
"He did everything possible to bring her back."
"He searched for her."
"For two painful years."
"He loves her."
"She is his wife."
"And the people who dare try to drift them apart…"
"…will face the harshest consequences from both of them."
He stepped closer.
"You still don't understand, do you?"
"She isn't yours."
"She can never be."
"She belongs to him."
"And he belongs to her."
"Understand that…"
"…or die."
Karim walked away.
Tanay looked at Chandak.
"Let it go, brother."
Chandak lowered his head.
Unable to bear hearing any more…
He quietly walked away to his room.
The moment he shut the door…
He broke down and cried.
Meanwhile…
Nikolai looked toward the sixteen women seated before him.
The Nocturne Matriarch.
Sixteen women.
Sixteen dangerous leaders.
He spoke calmly.
"I believe…"
"My wife is now your leader."
"Yes!"
They answered together.
"You all know the rules of the underworld."
"Yes, Boss!"
They replied.
He slowly looked across every face.
"One knee."
Immediately…
Every woman stood.
Then dropped onto one knee.
One hand pressed firmly against her chest.
Head lowered.
Waiting.
Nikolai's voice echoed through the room.
"From now on…"
"Lilith Mhaira Baneva…"
"…is your new Queen."
"Anyone who disobeys her orders…"
"…will be punished mercilessly."
"Death…"
"…for any backstabbing asshole…"
"…who dares overthrow or disrespect her authority."
"Any sneaky little moves…"
"…will be dealt with."
"Is that understood?"
"Yes, Sir!"
They answered loudly.
"Second…"
"Nobody is living separately."
"You shall all stay inside the mansion I built for her."
"Each of you will receive your own space."
"Understood?"
"Yes, Boss!"
Then—
"Nikki?"
A tiny voice interrupted.
Everyone turned.
Lilith stood at the doorway.
She had just woken up.
Still limping.
Still exhausted.
Nikolai immediately stood.
"Hey, baby."
He walked over.
Kissed her forehead.
She smiled faintly before limping toward the chair.
She sat down.
Looked at everyone.
Then looked at Nikolai.
"Give us some space, please."
He nodded.
Without another word…
He walked outside.
Lilith slowly looked around the room.
Then sighed deeply.
"I never wanted any of this."
"I lost my mind…"
"In ways that scared me."
"Scared my family."
She rubbed her forehead.
"I run this organization now."
"Is that right?"
"Yes, Boss."
They answered.
She smiled.
"Not Boss."
"Lily."
"My name is Lilith."
"But you all can call me Lily."
The women exchanged confused glances.
"A-Are you sure?"
One woman asked.
"Yes."
"I am."
"If you want to keep calling me Boss…"
"…then do it during orders."
"But…"
She looked around.
"I'm not looking at an organization."
"I see people."
"I see family members sitting here."
"Is that something none of you have ever seen before?"
One bratty-looking woman answered.
"No."
"We have."
"We called all our previous leaders Boss."
"The ones who died…"
"And the ones who stepped down."
Lilith nodded.
"Good."
"And one more thing."
Her face became serious.
"Nobody."
"Absolutely no one."
"In Russia…"
"…is going to know about this."
"I'm a normal first-year university student."
"If one word slips out…"
"…then the punishment I give…"
"…will become a warning none of you will ever forget."
Several women instinctively moved back.
She leaned into her chair.
"And if Nikki gives you orders…"
"On whatever business…"
"He's your King."
"Whatever title you call him."
She relaxed against the chair.
Then suddenly smiled.
"Anyone hungry?"
Silence.
One woman blinked.
"Wait…"
"What?"
Lilith laughed softly.
"Is anyone hungry?"
"Let's go eat."
"I'm sure nobody has eaten anything."
She stood.
"Come on."
"Let's go."
The women stared.
"Boss… we—"
"Shut up."
Lilith pointed toward the door.
"Stand up."
"Let's go eat."
"That's an order."
"Let's go."
One after another…
All sixteen women stood.
Then quietly followed her.
The Nocturne Matriarch
The sixteen most dangerous women of the underworld.
1. Amelia — Half British, Half French — Known as First Veil
2. Salome — Half Georgian, Half Russian — Known as The Mistress of the Legion
3. Caterina — Half Italian, Half Sicilian — Known as The Shadow Archivists
4. Natalia — Half German, Half Russian — Known as Daughter of Nocturne
5. Daphne — Half Greek, Half Cypriot — Known as The Raven Seer
6. Tatevik — Half Armenian, Half Russian — Known as Black Thorn
7. Zorina — Half Ukrainian, Half Polish — Known as The Iron Rose
8. Genevra — American — Known as The Black Throne
9. Xandra — Half Mexican, Half Italian — Known as Lady Paramount
10. Selena — Half Russian, Half Singaporean — Known as The High Oracle
11. Madison — Half American, Half Irish — Known as The Night Lioness
12. Erisa — Half Albanian, Half Italian — Known as The Unseen Hand
13. Thalia — Half Brazilian, Half Portuguese — Known as Blood Huntress
14. Marina — Half Serbian, Half Greek — Known as The Velvet Scythe
15. Nora — Half Polish, Half Egyptian — Known as The Poison Rose
16. Emilia — Half Colombian, Half Spanish — Known as The Bone Duchess
Together…
They were known throughout Russia…
As the Number One Deadliest and Most Dangerous Female Mafia Group in the underworld.
Now…
They served their new Supreme Matriarch.
Lilith.
Elsewhere…
Nikolai sat together with Sohan…
Riyana…
Varijana…
And the rest of the family.
He rubbed his hands together nervously.
"The past two years…"
"…have been extremely difficult."
"For me."
"And for Lily."
"It has been painful…"
"For both families."
He stood.
Took a deep breath.
Then respectfully folded his hands.
"Please…"
"May I marry your daughter…"
"Lilith…"
"…again?"
The room became completely silent.
Sohan looked at Varijana.
Varijana looked back.
Riyana gasped.
"Really?!"
Nikolai nodded.
"Yes."
She smiled brightly.
"Calm down, sweetheart."
Sohan chuckled before looking back at Nikolai.
"So…"
"Why do you want to marry her again?"
Varijana asked.
Nikolai lowered his head.
"To claim her back…"
"As my lawful…"
"And rightful wife."
"She's not just the mother of my child."
"She's my everything."
"I love her too much to lose her."
"Not now."
"Not anymore."
"Never."
Varijana smiled gently.
"Okay."
"But first…"
"You need to prove yourself."
Nikolai nodded.
"Come with me."
He followed her.
Inside the dining room…
Lilith sat together with the sixteen women.
She laughed softly while getting to know each one of them.
Varijana smiled.
"Mhaira."
"Go change into a saree."
"And come with us."
"Okay, Maa."
Lilith stood.
She looked toward the women.
"Keep eating."
"Yes, Boss."
They answered automatically.
Lilith laughed.
"Sorry."
"Yes…"
"Lily."
They corrected themselves.
Meanwhile…
Inside the hospital…
Urlima sat beside Austin's bed.
His entire body was covered in bandages.
An oxygen mask covered his face.
The medical test results had not yet been completed.
Juan gently placed a scarf around Urlima's shoulders.
She held his arm tightly.
He kissed her forehead.
Then—
Her phone rang.
She answered.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Mama!"
"It's me!"
"Roshini!"
Urlima smiled immediately.
"Hello, my sweet baby."
"How are you?"
"Me otoy."
"A you, Mama?"
The toddler asked innocently.
"I'm fine, baby."
"I've missed you so much."
"Me miwss you too, Mama."
They talked happily for several minutes.
Finally—
"Take care of yourself."
"And no sugar before bedtime."
"Okay?"
"Ok!"
"Ba ba!!"
Roshini waved excitedly through the video call.
She blew dozens of kisses.
Urlima smiled through tears.
The call ended.
She slowly lowered the phone.
Then sighed.
A doctor entered the room.
Juan immediately stood.
"How is he?"
The doctor looked down at Austin's chart.
"His condition is extremely critical."
"He suffered severe infections."
"Internal damage."
"High doses of drugs."
"Mental abuse."
"Mental disorders."
"He is malnourished."
"He hasn't eaten properly for days…"
"Possibly months."
"His body has only been filled with drugs."
"There are signs of addiction."
"He needs rehabilitation."
"He must undergo detoxification."
"He is traumatized."
"Tortured."
"Beaten."
"And…"
The doctor paused.
"He was sexually assaulted and Raped messily."
The room became silent.
Urlima stumbled backwards.
Juan quickly caught her.
Alexio stared in disbelief.
"What the fuck?"
The doctor continued.
"He also has asthma."
"He is going to be terrified."
"He won't want to go outside."
"He'll become afraid of people."
"He has developed…"
Dependent Personality Disorder (DPD).
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Separation Anxiety Disorder.
"And severe panic attacks."
Urlima slowly walked toward her son.
She wiped away her tears.
Held Austin's hand gently.
"Can we take him home?"
She whispered.
The doctor nodded.
"Yes."
"But please…"
"Take him to rehabilitation."
"It's the best thing for him."
"If not…"
"His condition may become much worse."
She nodded.
"Thank you."
She sat beside Austin.
Held his hand tightly.
Leaning close…
She gently kissed his forehead.
"Mama's here now."
She whispered.