Page 148 of Unhinged

“We haven’t seen Zoya,” Rafail replies. “No clue where she ran off to. Yana went to FaceTime her husband, and Anissa’s in the other room doing some work. She asked not to be disturbed.”

“It’s just… eerily quiet,” Polina says, shaking her head. “I don’t like it. I have this weird feeling. And didn’t we have guards posted at the main gate?”

Rafail flicks on his phone and pulls up the security app, eyes scanning the feed. “They’re right there,” he says, turning the screen so she can see. Polina studies it but still looks unconvinced.

“They weren’t there a minute ago. Iswear.It’s strange.”

“Mrs. Kopolov,” Rafail says, amused, “Have I finally corrupted you? Seeing enemies in every corner?”

“I guess so,” she mutters with a forced smile, but her brow stays furrowed. “I dunno. I mean, I think twin intuition’s a real thing…”

I nod and pour myself another drink. I don’t like that Anissa isn’t here. I hate when she’s not close enough to touch. After everything that’s happened? I want her within reach. Always.

And if Polina saysherintuition is on alert…

“What’s the latest on my parents?” I ask, pouring another drink.

Rafail sighs, shaking his head. “Unlike Gleb, we can’t prove they’ve been working with anyone. But chances are? Your mother, at least, knew exactly what he was doing.”

My hands curl into fists. “Herownson…”

Rafail drags his finger along the rim of his glass with a grim nod. “She always favored your younger brother. Youknowthat. And your father? He hated thatIbecame thepakhan. Of course their behavior tracks, brother.”

It does. It fuckingdoes.

“None of us would blame you for being loyal to them,” Rafail says. “If anything, it’s a point in your favor. You’re a lot of things, Matvei, but disloyal? Never.”

Polina’s staring into her glass now, silent.

And everything’s still quiet in the other room.

Too quiet.

I don’t like it.

I don’ttrustit.

I need to see Anissa. I need to see her with my own eyes.

Polina meets my eyes. “Check on her,” she says, her brow furrowed. I’m already on my feet.

“She should’ve come out by now.” I’m already moving.

I stalk to the room she was in—no laptop hum. No scribbled notes. NoAnissa.

My pulse slams into overdrive. “Anissa?” I call out as if she’s just around the corner. Maybe she went to use the bathroom or get a snack. I can still smell the faintest whiff of the body spray she uses clinging to the air. My little ghost. “Anissa!”

Something flashes in the corner of my eye just as a bloodcurdling scream comes from outside. Polina races to the window. “It’s Zoya. Oh my god, it’s Zoya. She’s at the gates, Rafail. She’s—what is she doing?”

Rafail opens the window, the fastest way to get to his sister. “Zoya!” he yells into the darkened night. Floodlights beam on Zoya as she falls to her knees in front of the guards, who haven’t moved position since Rafail showed us the footage.

Oh god.

Oh god, no.

“What’s happening?” Polina asks, her hand covering her mouth.

“Yana!” Rafail screams behind him. “Yana!”

---