Page 180 of Eternal
I frown, processing what Vik’s saying. “Mercenaries? What do you mean?”
Vik pauses before continuing, “They had one of the heads of this organization there. Got her and killed her with her husband. The Venom Reapers and the huntress have been working against them for a while now, but they’re a tough enemy. The thing is, I didn’t think it was connected to us, not at first. But now, hearing what you’re saying, it’s starting to make sense. You’re telling me about an organization that uses young people, controls them, and sells them to rich assholes, maybe they’re the same ones operating here. They could be working in both cities, maybe in the whole country.”
I stare at him, disbelief mixing with a rising fury. “You’re telling me that the people who killed my family, who trafficked young girls and boys, might have a name?”
Vik nods. “Yeah, and it’s worse than I thought. This organization isn’t just killing, they’re using their victims, breaking them down, turning them into things they can sell. Maybe it’s not just about the money. They’ve built something far more twisted than just a trafficking ring.”
Kat leans forward, her brows furrowed in confusion. “Wait, you're saying it’s not just about trafficking anymore? They’re... what? Turning people into products? Like... toys for the rich?”
“I think that’s what Azra is thinking too. But from what I heard it’s worse. We’re talking about an underground operationthat controls lives. These people don't just take kids and women, they mold them, strip them of their identities, and make them into whatever the buyers want. It’s like they’re trying to build a system, a new world where these people are nothing but disposable goods.”
I feel a coldness spread through me, something colder than I’ve ever felt before. This is exactly what my mother worked on and what she tried to stop.
“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath, more to myself than to anyone else. “I thought Donovan and Antony were bad enough. But this? This is...” My hands curl into fists, anger surging through me. “How the hell does anyone get away with this? How the hell are they still operating, still breathing?”
Abusing.Using them like toys. Like I was, like he did, like they all did, like when his friends would come over and have fun with me.Toys.
“These people are everywhere, and they’ve got powerful people behind them. We’re talking about a system that’s built on the backs of these kids,these lives, and they don’t give a damn about who gets hurt as long as they make their money. That’s why the Pakhan and the Don have been trying to take them down. It’s not just about fighting some small-time criminals anymore, this is an empire.”
Kat shakes her head, processing what she’s hearing. “And now you’re telling me they’re operating here, in our city, too?”
I nod, my voice tight with fury. “Yeah, and I’m gonna make sure they pay for everything they’ve done. They killed my family, they’ve stolen lives, they won’t get away with it.”
Vik looks at both of us, his face hardening at my words. “Then we go after them. No more hesitation.” He pauses, then steps back as his phone starts vibrating. “Give me a second.” He walks off, already answering the call, leaving Kat and me alone.
I let out a heavy sigh, leaning back in my chair, still trying to wrap my head around it all.
Kat glances sideways at me. “It’s been a while since you worked with Damir, hasn’t it?”
I nod slowly, eyes still on the laptop. “Yeah. Haven’t seen him in two weeks.”
There’s a moment where she doesn’t say anything, and then, gently: “What’s going on between you two? You spend so much time together…”
I let out a heavy sigh, leaning back in my chair, still trying to wrap my head around it all. “Nothing really happened, Kat, that’s the problem. He’s been there for me, more than anyone else has. But… There's something about the way he looks at me, the way he touches me, it drives me crazy. But it’s like… he’s holding back, waiting for something.”
I turn back to her, my eyes drifting past her shoulder to the garden. Vik is out there, tossing something for Michka and Notch, half-distracted by his phone but still smiling faintly at their chaos.
And all I can think about is the photo I sent, the one where Damir asked me if I missed him.
I did, I still do.
Kat leans in, her eyes practically glowing with curiosity, clearly not expecting this level of talking from me. “So, he’s just been teasing you? What, no kiss? No nothing?”
I shrug, feeling the weight of my emotions. “Yeah, exactly. It’s not like I haven’t wanted him, Kat. I did. And I think about it all the time, but I don’t know if it’s because of what he’s done for me, or if it’s something more.”
Kat stares at me, and I can see a small smile tugging at her lips. “Damn. You really like him, huh?”
I sigh again, throwing my head back. “I don’t know. I’m not even sure how to process it. I barely trust anyone, let alone him.But when he’s around, I feel like everything else fades away. It’s not just the attraction, it’s… the way he makes me feel. Like I matter. It sounds crazy, right?”
Kat bites her lip, deep in thought for a moment. “I think you’re just scared. You’re not used to anyone making you feel that way.”
“I don’t know how to handle someone taking care of me.”
“I know, I hate that. But I know you don’t want to fuck up something like this because you’re too scared to admit it.”
I let out a laugh, rolling my eyes. “You really think I can just… tell him that? I’m not exactly the ‘let’s talk about our feelings’ kind of girl.”
Kat shrugs, “Hey, if you’re serious about him, you better get over that, or, you know, you could make him work for it. That’s always fun too.”
