Shadows of The throne

e stood tall, her face shadowed beneath the hood of her coat, her heels clicking against the rain-slicked cobblestones. Each ste

ssage. They didn't expect her to come, or perhaps they didn't care if she did. Beyond the gates, th

tepped out of the car, his damp suit clinging to his muscular frame. "

l claim what's mine. My father's blood is barely dry, and they're already circling like v

an of action, a fighter, but even he understood the dangerous g

stepping past him.

athered crowd, a mixture of the family's most powerful allies and enemies, turned to look at her. Men in tailored suits l

g his power in the shadows. His salt-and-pepper hair was slicked back, his angular features s

ying over the murmurs. "What an unexpected

without me?" Elena shot back, her voice

if welcoming her. "My dear niece, this isn't about carving anything up. This is about

for this moment for years. But let me be clear: the Vega name is m

rd was the faint patter of rain against the windows. Vitt

keep you alive in this world. You're young, inexperienced, and too s

hen test me. I've survived more than you could imagine. I've buried friends, fa

of the room. The heavy oak doors burst open, slamming against the walls.

e gasped, collaps

s the sound of tires screeching and engines roaring filled the air. The dista

side, his gun drawn. "We ne

rned to the room, her gaze sweeping over the men who had

an, but she silence

eight of it was familiar, comforting. "If anyone wants to challenge my lea

n-one of her father's loyalists-nodded and drew his weapon. O

ned. "You wanted to see if I could lead?" she s

filled with the deafening roar of gunfire and the acrid smell of gunpowde

. "This isn't just a random attack," he said betwe

e couldn't afford to dwell on betrayal now. She aimed and fi

s more than blood and legacy-it was power. And tonight,