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  NAKAO DISTRICT, HAMANOS

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  Momir led her out into the hallway, where they entered a lift to the building’s top third floor. The structure was utilitarian and made of cast celika painted an institutional light gray. They walked down another hallway and entered a large conference room through a heavy security door.

  "Take a seat. Bogdana will be with you shortly," Momir said before departing, leaving her alone. The door locked behind Kaarina with an ominous click.

  Kaarina surveyed the space. A translucent table held three used dinner plates, warming trays with half-eaten food, and an open wine bottle; evidence of a recent meeting conducted during the Goddess’s interrogation. Wine rings marked the surface where glasses had been removed.

  Suspended above the table hung a holographic display identical to the one in the auditorium below. On one long wall, a view screen showed images of the chamber she had just left, including a close-up of the glass box with its three vacant chairs. The display indicated that the Goddess’s vital signs remained stable despite the psychological assault, remarkably so.

  The opposite wall featured reinforced windows overlooking the exterior grounds. Kaarina approached and peered down at the courtyard below. Ten armored anti-gravity vehicles bearing the Ignjatovic family crest formed a defensive circle, their turreted weapons pointed outward. Ignjatovic militia stood around the perimeter, their posture wary and alert. The elaborate security measures revealed both the power and paranoia of those who had gathered.

  Standing in the middle of the vehicle formation were three figures deep in conversation. Kaarina immediately recognized them: Bogdana Dijak with her distinctive honey-blonde hair, flanked by the Ignjatovic siblings, Nadezda, Hamanos’ Chief Priestess, and President Goran. Their meeting in this very room explained the dinner remnants.

  She stepped back from the window and sat down with her back to the window, facing the locked door. The presence of both government and religious leadership alongside Bogdana's criminal enterprise confirmed her worst suspicions; this wasn't merely a syndicate operation but a coordinated assault sanctioned at the highest levels of Hamanos society. The temple, government, and underworld had united against the Goddess.

  Kaarina's fingers brushed the edge of the table as a new reality settled. Without her psychic abilities as leverage, she was just another disposable asset. And now she possessed knowledge of a high-level conspiracy, knowledge that made her infinitely more dangerous to them alive than dead.

  Kaarina closed her eyes, appearing to steel herself for the upcoming meeting, but in reality, she was reaching outward with her psychic senses. She had rarely attempted this advanced technique, establishing a one-way connection through which she could experience another's senses without their awareness, but desperation fueled her focus.

  She directed her consciousness toward Bogdana's distinctive psychic signature, slipping past the crime lord's formidable mental barriers. The connection formed, thin but stable, providing Kaarina with a disorienting double awareness, her own body seated in the conference room while simultaneously experiencing Bogdana's sensory input in the courtyard below.

  #

  Through Bogdana's eyes, she saw Goran up close, his youthful appearance startling her. When she met him at the temple last year, he was well into middle age, his face lined with decades of political maneuvering. Now he appeared in his mid-twenties, his muscular frame straining against his jacket and crimson silk tunic. He must have transferred his consciousness to a new body, a privilege of the Shamhdi’s upper classes. Despite his rejuvenated appearance, Kaarina sensed through the link his unchanged essence: selfish, arrogant, and rapacious.

  Goran’s demeanor radiated concealed anxiety. "Are you certain the psychic link can be maintained without the Tirapathian?" His voice carried the strained arrogance of someone trying to project confidence to an intimidating superior. "Prince Vuk's patience grows thin. He expects results, not excuses."

  "Shhh!" Nadezda hissed, her voice apprehensive. "Don't speak that name in public. It’ll be the end of you if he learns you disclosed his existence."

  The name sent a wave of alarm through Bogdana, which Kaarina felt through their bond. Whoever this Vuk was, he inspired dread in these powerful figures.

  "No one can hear us," Goran said defensively. "My guards are maintaining the perimeter."

  His certainty unsettled Kaarina. If only he knew how wrong he was.

  When Bogdana spoke, her usual commanding presence seemed diminished. “Momir’s got the bitch's consciousness mapped. My boys can hook into her mind without needing the noble girl's freaky abilities."

  "Then why do we still have a witness walking free?" Nadezda interjected, her tall, slender frame draped in a long midnight-blue silk dress, jeweled rings adorning her hands. Despite her elegant appearance, her voice carried an undertone of ritualistic fervor. “The Master commanded us to leave no traces of our work.”

  Goran betrayed his nervousness through micro-expressions his political training couldn't quite suppress. "The ambush should have solved this cleanly. What went wrong with the Sampi operation?”

  Kaarina stiffened in her chair. The ambush hadn't been bad luck; it had been orchestrated as cover for her murder. She had been meant to vanish, her body never to be found, her knowledge of their operation buried with her.

  Bogdana's jaw tightened. "Those tribal fucks got greedy and sloppy. My boy Jakov blasted his way out instead of cooperating quiet-like." Her street-smart tone carried both maternal pride and professional frustration. "Lost three good vehicles to those scavenger assholes."

  “That battle near the plant was a disaster," Goran snapped. "The plant authorities filed a record with Hamanos's security services, and I expect the Sampi will want compensation for their losses. What the hell went wrong?"

  His outburst revealed another complication; official documentation now existed of their failed attempt. Records that might be traced back to them.

  Nadezda glared. “Every day this Reynolds woman continues spreading her message of freedom, more slaves refuse to work. The cerauniam shipments are falling behind schedule." Her voice dropped to a hoarse whisper. “The Master does not tolerate failure. He wants to know who orchestrated this consciousness bridge to Shamhdi, and he wants that knowledge now."

  The unease that flowed through Bogdana at these words made Kaarina's psychic connection waver. Through their link, she felt the crime lord's dread of disappointing their master.

  "Look, I got the best fucking interrogation team in three systems," Bogdana said, her rough edges cutting through any pretense of diplomacy. "Jakov and Simo have broken the toughest there is. Nobody lasts more than a week under what they dish out." She shifted her weight. "But this Reynolds bitch ain't cracking like she should."

  "Different how?" Goran demanded anxiously. "The Master's patience has limits, Bogdana. If your interrogators can't break one woman—“

  "She's got protection, that's how," Bogdana snapped, cutting him off. "Something's shielding her mind from the full hit of the Mindforge. We're pounding her with enough psychic juice to shatter most people in hours, but she's still walking around after months of this shit." Her body tensed. "Momir thinks she's getting help. Something big."

  "Then we escalate," Nadezda stated flatly. "The Master will not accept excuses about shielding or protection.”

  "Yeah, yeah, we're on it," Bogdana replied, irritation bleeding through her anxiety. "Momir's almost got a full consciousness copy of the bitch. Once we snag her digital ghost, we upload her into a virtual torture box." A vicious grin crossed her face. "That's when the real fun starts. See, right now we're limited to psychic assault, fucking with her head from a distance. But once she's uploaded? Jakov and Simo can work on her like she's strapped to a table in their basement."

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  Phantom pains blazing through Kaarina’s nerves at the memory. She knew exactly what they were describing, had experienced three subjective days of virtual torture that lasted only an hour in real time. Jakov and Simo's simulated brutality, unrestrained by physical limitations. The beatings. The rapes. The methodical breaking of her will in a space where death offered no escape, only reset and repetition.

  And now they planned to subject the Goddess to the same nightmare. Not for three days, but for as long as it took to extract every secret. Weeks. Months. An eternity of simulated agony compressed into real-world hours.

  The cruelty of it staggered her, made worse by the casual brutality in Bogdana's voice and the anticipatory glee in her expression. Kaarina had to fight to maintain the portal as her own trauma threatened to overwhelm her.

  "How long until this consciousness backup is ready?" Goran pressed urgently. "We need answers before the next Coven meeting."

  "Momir says two weeks minimum for a clean rip. Maybe three. The tech's touchy as hell—"

  "You have one week," Nadezda cut in, her voice carrying absolute authority that made Bogdana tense. "At the next Coven gathering, we will report to the Master that we have broken the Reynolds woman and discovered the secret of her consciousness bridge to Shamhdi." Her dark eyes gleamed with fanatic certainty. "Failure is not an option."

  Bogdana's panic surged, nearly overwhelming Kaarina with its intensity. "Alright, fuck. Seven days. We'll crack her." She paused, mentally calculating. "But we should sweeten the pot for the Master. Give him something extra while we work on getting Reynolds' secrets."

  "What do you propose?" Goran asked warily.

  "The noble girl," Bogdana said, jerking her head toward the building where Kaarina waited. "We offer her as sacrifice at the Coven meeting. High-born family, psychic abilities, connected to one of the most powerful families in the system." Her voice took on a hard edge. "The Master feeds on that kind of thing. Quality offering while we finish breaking Reynolds."

  Nadezda's expression shifted to dark satisfaction. "Yes. The ritual chamber will be prepared. The af Ursin sacrifice will demonstrate our devotion to the Master's cause, while we present our findings about the consciousness bridge technology."

  "It shows we're making progress," Goran added, his survival instincts engaging. "Even if we haven't extracted every detail from Reynolds, we prove our commitment with a significant sacrifice. Buys us goodwill."

  "Exactly," Bogdana agreed. "Send the noble girl back to Strljic's place like everything's peachy. Let her think she's safe. Then my boys snatch her off the street. Bring her straight to the temple." Her grin turned vicious. "She walks into the Coven meeting thinking she's gonna be questioned. Instead, she's the main course."

  Through the connection, Kaarina felt Bogdana's savage satisfaction at the plan's elegance, eliminate a witness while appeasing their cruel master's hunger for agony and butchery.

  "The Master will be pleased," Nadezda said. “Noble blood spilled in his name, coupled with intelligence about the consciousness bridge technology. It demonstrates our progress and loyalty.”

  "And if we haven't cracked Reynolds by then?" Goran asked quietly.

  "Then we better have something damn convincing to report," Bogdana replied grimly. "Momir works around the clock. Jakov and Simo push harder than they ever have. We get enough from Reynolds to satisfy the Master's questions, even if we don't have everything." She shifted nervously. "The sacrifice buys us leeway. The Master gets his pain, we get more time to rip out the rest if needed."

  "One week," Nadezda stated with finality.

  "I agree," Goran said, adjusting his crimson tunic. "But we must be careful that her death isn't tied to us. Her family could cause problems."

  His concern wasn't for Kaarina's life but for the political complications her murder might create. The af Ursin family's influence extended far beyond Tirapathas's borders.

  The brutal timeline hung in the air between them: seven days to torture answers from Anne Reynolds, seven days before Kaarina would be dragged into a ritual chamber and sacrificed to a master who fed on terror.

  "I'll handle the noble girl now," Bogdana said, turning toward the building. "Give her the good news that she's going home soon. Let her relax, feel safe." Her voice carried dark amusement. "Makes the fear that much sweeter when we grab her. The Master appreciates that kind of flavoring.”

  #

  Kaarina withdrew from the connection, her heart pounding, shaken by what she had learned. Her hands rested in her lap, fingers interlaced to hide their trembling. The discovery of such an elite conspiracy changed everything.

  If this became public knowledge, riots would erupt throughout Hamanos. The revelation that the highest political and religious authorities had conspired with criminal syndicates to attack a divine messenger would shatter what little stability remained. Relations with Tirapathas would deteriorate into open conflict, perhaps war. Her family would demand justice.

  She had become a liability to people who solved such problems permanently. Her gaze drifted to the view screen showing the now-empty glass chamber where she had helped torture the Goddess, and a cold clarity settled over her thoughts. She was running out of time.

  Kaarina composed her features into a mask of ignorance as Bogdana entered the conference room, her hair mussed from the cavern's humid air, her voluptuous figure accentuated by a tight-fitting black outfit. Something in her posture suggested calculation, the awareness of dealing with someone whose family name carried weight across star systems.

  The knowledge of her impending death overwhelmed her, but she forced a mask into place. They think I'm ignorant. Let them believe it.

  "You look pale, Lady Kaarina," Bogdana said, using the formal title with unusual care. She settled into a chair with deliberate ease, her mean roots warring with political awareness. "The work we've asked of you... it's been rough. I get that."

  "The communications have been... taxing," Kaarina replied carefully. "I assume my services are no longer required?"

  "Got that right. The tech boys figured out how to maintain the link without needing your freaky abilities." Bogdana leaned back, studying Kaarina with menacing assessment masked by casual friendliness. "You've been valuable to our operation. Real valuable. That won't be forgotten."

  Operation for whom? Kaarina thought. This mysterious Prince they serve with such trembling; what is he? "Then I'm free to return to Tirapathas? My family will have questions about my extended absence."

  The mention of her family made Bogdana's expression flicker, part wariness, part something more sinister. "About that... there's been a request from the top brass that you stick around Hamanos a bit longer. Week or so." She waved a hand dismissively. "Political optics and shit. You go back to Strljic's compound, play house with the General. Then we arrange proper transport back to your fancy family."

  Kaarina maintained her composed expression. "And during this week? Am I to remain confined?"

  "Hell no. You're free to enjoy Hammat. Hit the markets, see the sights, live a little." Bogdana's grin revealed too many teeth. "Temple district's beautiful this time of year. Real spiritual experience, you know? Lots of history there. Ancient ceremonies and all that religious stuff."

  The casual mention of the temple, where in seven days they would drag her before their master, chilled Kaarina. She swallowed. "That's... unexpectedly generous. I would appreciate touring the city before returning home."

  "Generous. Yeah, that's me." Bogdana's look was calculating. "Look, Lady Kaarina, I'm not gonna bullshit you. Your family name means something, even to the people I answer to. The af Ursins got reach, got influence." She leaned forward. "That's why we're being respectful about this. Give you a proper sendoff, let you experience our culture. Show some class."

  Respectful, Kaarina thought bitterly. They plan to sacrifice me to their Master and call it respect. "I appreciate the acknowledgment," she said aloud. "The af Ursin consortium values stable relationships throughout Shamhdi."

  "Right, right. Stable relationships." Bogdana stood. "So here's the deal. Transport leaves in twenty. Strljic's got your room ready, probably some fancy dinner planned. He feels like shit about how things went down between you two." Her expression softened, almost genuine. "Enjoy the week. Take in Hammat's beauty. The temple ceremonies especially, real transformative experiences. Life-changing, you might say.”

  The malevolent delight in Bogdana's voice made Kaarina's stomach clench. Life-ending, you mean.

  "One more thing." Bogdana's tone shifted, becoming more serious. "The people I answer to, they don't play by normal rules. Not syndicate rules, not government rules, not even your family's commercial rules." Her gray eyes locked onto Kaarina's. "They're operating on a whole different level. Way above my pay grade, way above your family's influence. You understand what I'm saying?"

  Kaarina met those cold eyes while assessing the message. Not normal rules. Not human rules? "I understand there are forces at work beyond my immediate comprehension."

  "Smart girl. See, this is why I like you,” Bogdana said as she left the room.

  Kaarina remained motionless, her outward composure maintained through sheer force of will. Inside, she worked through brutal calculus.

  One week until the Coven meeting, where they would drag her into a ritual chamber and offer her as living sacrifice to a beast powerful enough to make a Senate President, Chief Priestess, and crime lord quake.

  Who is Prince Vuk? The question burned through her fright. What kind of power commands such fealty through dread? What feeds on terror and slaughter? And why does he want Anne Reynolds' consciousness bridge secrets badly enough to risk war with Tirapathas by murdering me?

  Her hands finally unclenched, and the trembling she had suppressed unwound through her body.

  Divine Mother, guide me, Kaarina prayed silently.

  The clock on her life was ticking.