"We have some very sad news to share. General Alexander Mercer, known around the world as the "War God" and one of Imperion's top military leaders, has died at sea..."
"Earlier today, around 5 a.m., his ship—the Iron Sentinel—went missing during a secret mission in the dangerous waters of the Meridian Sea. The last message from the ship came just before a powerful storm hit. Since then, there has been no contact..."
"Right now, we don't have many details, and an investigation is underway. As people around the world mourn this tragic loss, the search for answers continues..."
Victoria Hale sat frozen in front of the television, her heart sinking with every word. The news hit harder than she had expected.
She thought, "If someone like him can just vanish like that... what chance do I have?"
In just three days, she was supposed to marry Dorian Blackwood. "Ruthless" didn't even begin to describe him. His fortune was built on shady business deals, and there were dark rumors swirling around him: money laundering, human trafficking—the list only grew worse.
Dorian was infamous for how he used people, especially young women, in cruel and twisted ways. The thought of becoming part of his world made Victoria's stomach turn.
"Victoria…"
Her uncle's sharp voice jolted her back to reality. Lord Edward Hale stood in the doorway, staring coldly at her.
"Don't even think about backing out," he warned. "Dorian holds our family's future in his hands. You know what's at stake."
Victoria clenched her fists. "I understand, Uncle," she said quietly. "But—"
"No buts," he snapped. "Dorian doesn't tolerate disobedience... and neither do I. You've been sheltered long enough. This marriage will secure everything. For the family... and for you."
Without another word, he turned and closed the door behind him.
His words left a cold knot in Victoria's stomach. Edward wasn't really protecting her. He was just using her like a tool. And she doubted he cared what happened to her after the vows were said.
Her phone buzzed.
Emma.
With a shaky breath, Victoria answered. "Hey, Emma…"
"Where have you been? I've been calling all day. What's going on?"
Victoria glanced around the dim room, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm at the family villa. Emma… I can't do this. I don't want to marry Dorian."
Emma's tone softened immediately. "You're at the villa? What's happening? Are you okay?"
"Not really," Victoria admitted, her throat tightening. "Uncle Edward's forcing the wedding. He won't listen. I need a way out."
There was a pause. "Are you safe?" Emma asked carefully.
Victoria shivered, her eyes flicking toward the door. "For now, I guess… but it feels like time's running out. I don't know what to do."
"Maybe someone can help," Emma said gently. "Where's your dad in all this?"
"I don't even know who to trust anymore. Everyone feels... dangerous."
Emma sighed. "Okay. Stay put. Text me the address. I'm coming over. We'll figure this out together."
A wave of relief washed over Victoria, even though her hands still trembled. "Thank you, Emma. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Hang in there, Vic. I'm on my way."
When the call ended, Victoria stared down at the phone in her lap. Tears welled in her eyes as she pressed her palms to her face.
Her world was beginning to crumble, and no one, not even she, seemed able to stop it.
Victoria eventually slipped into a restless sleep. When she woke up late in the afternoon, the light outside had already begun to fade. Eager to escape the weight of her thoughts, she headed for the vast Meridian Sea.
As she neared the shore, the waves seemed to beckon her. The cold water wrapped around her, but she didn't hesitate. She kept swimming, farther and farther out.
Lying on her back, she stared up at the wide sky. Jets left trails across the horizon, and helicopters buzzed in the distance.
Tears filled her eyes as she watched the brilliant orange light spill across the clouds. The thought of sinking into the cold depths and leaving everything behind felt like the only way out.
But just as the darkness inside her began to take over, something strange caught her eye.
It was a figure floating on the surface of the water.
She squinted, her heart pounding as she tried to see through her tears. It was a man, drifting aimlessly in the water.
Without thinking, she swam toward him. The sea felt heavier with every stroke. When she finally reached him, her hands trembled as she grabbed his arm, struggling to keep him afloat.
"Hold on!" she yelled over the crashing waves. "I've got you!"
Victoria didn't know how she found the strength, but after what felt like forever, she dragged him to shore. They both collapsed onto the wet sand, gasping for breath.
Her hands shook as she checked for signs of life. His face was pale, his lips blue, and his breathing shallow.
Her mind raced through the rescue steps she'd learned long ago.
"Stay with me," she whispered, panic rising in her chest. She tilted his head back, lifted his chin to open his airway, pressed her lips to his, and gave rescue breaths.
Minutes dragged on endlessly. Just when Victoria feared the worst, he coughed violently, spitting water from his mouth. His body shivered until his eyes fluttered open slightly.
Victoria sank back onto the sand, relief washing over her as his breathing slowly evened out.
His dark eyes met hers, but he didn't speak. They looked glassy, as if his mind was somewhere else.
"Can you hear me?" Victoria's voice wavered as she gently touched his arm.
He just nodded slowly. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but only a faint breath came out.
Victoria's brow furrowed. Something still felt wrong. The blue-tinged lips, the way his body seemed to resist itself…
"Come with me," she said quietly.
She helped him to his feet. The walk back to the ancestral villa was slow, his weight pressing heavily against her. Between them, only silence stretched.
Inside, she led him to a guest room, her mind racing with unanswered questions. He moved like a shadow, barely aware of where he was.
"I'll help you get cleaned up," she said softly.
He nodded weakly, letting her guide him into the bathroom.
As she helped him out of his wet clothes, her eyes caught the jagged lines crisscrossing his chest and back.
Her breath caught. Who did this to him?
The question stayed inside her. She sensed he either couldn't—or wouldn't—answer.
As she helped him undress, her eyes caught a large tattoo covering his back.
It was a skeletal figure clutching a scythe.
Victoria stared, captivated by the image. Who… who are you? she wondered silently.
Just as she was about to guide him to the bed, heavy footsteps thundered down the hallway. Her heart raced.
The door suddenly slammed open. She spun around, wide-eyed, to see Lord Edward Hale and her father, Sir Thomas Hale, standing there.
"Victoria!" Lord Edward's booming voice broke the silence. "What the hell is going on here?"
Her father's jaw tightened. "Who is this?" he demanded, his eyes flicking between Victoria and the stranger.
"Father, I—"
"You have a lot of explaining to do."
Lord Edward cut in sharply, stepping forward and narrowing his eyes at the man. Reaching into his coat, he pulled out a sleek black handgun and aimed it steadily.
"And so does he."