ANDRONIKOS

Adira’s nails dug into my chest, her moans echoing in the dim room, the light streaming through the windows the only source of illumination. Her body moved against mine in a perfect rhythm, each motion sending shivers down my spine.

Somehow, she’d found her way on top of me, riding me as though I were her personal steed—and in this moment, I guess I was. She looked wild and unrestrained, her curls tumbling down her shoulders in a beautiful, chaotic mess. I gripped her hips, guiding her movements as my breathing grew ragged.

“Nikos,” she whimpered, her voice trembling. “You feel so good.” She leaned down to kiss me, her lips soft and intoxicating.

I could only groan in response, overwhelmed by the feel of her walls clenching around me. The way she moved, the fire in her eyes—she was everything I’d ever wanted.

But suddenly, her face began to blur, her whimpers turning distorted and faint. A chill ran through me as I tried to hold onto her, but she slipped away, dissolving like mist between my fingers.

I woke abruptly, my eyes flying open.

I was alone—just as I’d been for the past two days, I thought bitterly.

My chest rose and fell rapidly, my skin damp with sweat. The sheets were tangled around my legs, and I couldn’t ignore the very obvious tent in the joggers I’d decided to wear to bed. Ignoring it, I glanced at the faint glow of the bedside clock: 3:14 a.m.

I ran a trembling hand through my hair, trying to steady my erratic breathing. The vivid images of the dream clung to me like a second skin—the warmth of her body, the way she felt so real. But the empty room was a harsh reminder that it had all been a cruel trick of my subconscious.

“Fuck,” I muttered, sitting up and swinging my legs over the edge of the bed. I scrubbed my hands over my face, brushing away stray hair strands, my skin still damp with cold sweat.

I really need a haircut, I thought with an annoyed sigh, grabbing Adira’s favorite hairband—yes, I stole it—and tying my hair into a bun atop my head.

The remnants of the dream lingered in my mind, leaving an ache I couldn’t quite name. It wasn’t just desire—it was longing, a hollow reminder of what I’d fucking thrown away. Of what who I didn’t have. Or maybe… who I never truly had her in the first place.

I stared into the darkness of the room, the oppressive silence weighing heavily on me. Whatever peace I thought I’d find in sleep had evaded me yet again—a punishment I deserved for leaving my little flame without an explanation for two—I glanced at the clock again—sorry, three days now.

But it was necessary. She was getting to close, and she’s the enemy. Her family had a hand in the destruction of mine and I’d do well to remember that she’s just a pawn in this game—no matter how many sleepless nights I have to endure from now on.

With a resigned sigh, I pushed myself off the bed and headed for the bathroom. I knew I wasn’t getting any sleep again today. Maybe a cold shower would wash away thoughts of her, or at least distract me until the sun rose.

But deep down, I knew it wouldn’t.

**************************************************

Today, I’d killed a total of ten people. All in my relentless search to find the person who had been sending threats to Adira. Among my kills, not one of them managed to say anything useful. Just the same old encrypted message: She’s coming for her.

Right now, I’m painfully aware that I’m dealing with a threat far bigger than I ever imagined. Anyone capable of commanding that level of loyalty from the men I slaughtered today isn’t someone I can dismiss easily. And that pisses me off, because I’m supposed to be the one they fear.

“Iason, you know the drill,” I said, gesturing to the mangled remains of the last two men we’d found beneath the hideout. I’d really taken my time with those two, pouring my rage and frustration into their broken bodies long after they were dead. I saw the fear in my men’s eyes as they saw me carve through them mercilessly with Tuto.

Good, I thought. It’ll do them well to remember why they call me Thanatos.

When I finished wiping my knife clean, I turned my focus to my face, trying to scrub away the gory mask painted on it—a courtesy of my enemies’ blood. Morbid thoughts ran through my mind, and the fact I hadn’t seen my little flame only stoked my irritation.

“Nónos,” one of my men called behind me. “The convoy is ready.”

I didn’t bother replying. I walked out of the building, leaving the murder scene behind, heading toward the car. But before I could reach it, a deafening boom shattered the stillness, loud enough to break glass and rattle the very air around us.

The force of the explosion threw me backward, my head colliding harshly against the brick wall behind me. My ears rang, my vision blurred and through the haze, I saw chaos unfold. The cars went up in flames one by one, a horrifying domino effect that carried on until the very last vehicle.

Some of my men, along with stray civilians, ran screaming, their bodies engulfed in fire. Dazed, I fought to get up, swaying unsteadily as I tried to find safety.

“Nónos.” A voice murmured behind me. A hand clamped down on my shoulder, and my instincts flared. Before I realized it, my knife was out, slicing toward the person’s carotid artery.

“Stop! It’s me.” Iason staggered back, bloodless but wide-eyed. “Nónos, I know you’d like to kill me right now, but we have to leave.”

Gritting my teeth, I nodded and shook off the disorientation. We moved together, weapons drawn, ready to kill whoever dared ambush us.

As we reached the back street, something fluttered through the air—a scrap of cloth thrown from the shadows.

“Don’t touch it!” Iason hissed, but his words faded into the background. Something in me demanded I picked it up.

I stooped down and grabbed the cloth, ignoring his protests. Scrawled on the fabric were words that froze me in place, a fear I’d never known before crawling through my chest.

“What does it say, Andronikos?”

Unable to answer, I handed it to him, my fists trembling with suppressed rage.

His face paled as he read it out loud.

First warning Thanatos. Try me again, and it’ll be her head I send to you.