The Bride they burned

"It always starts with a kiss.

And ends in a body bag."

---

NYRA — SAHIR'S SAFEHOUSE, 12:32 AM

The night was too quiet.

Sahir had fallen asleep on the couch, one arm draped over his eyes, breathing soft. I sat by the window, the polaroid of Aarav in my lap, heart wrapped in barbed wire.

I didn't trust this peace.

Peace was Ravian's favorite way to kill.

> "He never let me breathe without consequences."

I ran my fingers over the photo again.

And paused.

There—barely visible in the corner. A code. A torn drawing.

A stroke only Aarav would write.

I blinked twice.

It read:

> "He's watching through her."

Her?

Who?

---

KAI — 3 HOURS EARLIER

He got the package before anyone else.

An envelope. No name. Just the scent of graphite.

He opened it slowly.

Drawings.

Coded.

Each with Nyra's face—some sad, some strong, one bleeding.

> "He's alive," Kai whispered.

But the last one—

Showed Celeste.

Smiling.

Wearing Ravian's ring.

> "No… no, no, no—"

He grabbed his car keys.

---

CELESTE — SOMEWHERE ELSE

The building wasn't supposed to burn yet.

But it did.

Because she lit it herself.

Alone.

> "You took her from me," she whispered to the safehouse cameras, her reflection flashing in the flames.

> "So I'm taking her away from all of you."

---

LEO — POLICE STATION, NIGHT

> "You're under arrest for obstruction of justice and illegal surveillance."

The officer didn't look happy to cuff Leo Varma.

But orders were orders.

Leo didn't resist.

Didn't blink.

He just stared at the screen playing in the background—

Nyra kissing Sahir.

His jaw clenched.

His knuckles cracked.

> "I'll kill him," he said.

The officer laughed nervously.

> "You might wanna lawyer up first."

Leo just smiled.

> "I am the lawyer."

---

NYRA — THE WINDOW, MINUTES LATER

I knew I was being watched.

I felt it.

But I let it happen.

Because I needed him to see me reclaim something soft.

Sahir woke, groggy.

> "Couldn't sleep?"

> "I haven't slept in seven years."

He reached out.

Touched my cheek.

> "Let me help you forget. Just for a moment."

I didn't say yes.

I didn't say no.

But when his lips brushed mine, I didn't stop him.

And when his hands tangled in my hair, I melted like I hadn't in years.

Until the mirror behind us cracked—

And I saw her.

Watching.

Celeste.

---

AARAV — INSIDE THE CELL

The door slammed open.

He didn't flinch.

Not anymore.

A woman walked in. Eyes sharp, mouth smiling like a doll.

> "You're a clever little artist," she cooed. "But I think it's time we broke those hands."

She held a hammer.

Aarav stared at her. Then looked past her.

At the man who followed her in.

Ravian.

> "You don't have to do this," Aarav said, voice steady.

Ravian knelt down.

> "But don't you see? I already did. I broke her. And now, I get to remake you."

---

SAHIR — MOMENTS LATER

He stood outside the window after Nyra fell asleep in his arms.

He lit a cigarette.

And whispered to the darkness.

> "You were right, old friend. She's more dangerous now."

A voice replied from the shadows.

> "And now she has all of us obsessed."

---

TO BE CONTINUED…