Marcus walked to the window, looking out into the snowy darkness.

The headlights of our SUV cut through the trees outside, shining on the falling flakes.

“We go back to the city,” Marcus said.

“We find her, and we take back the credentials.”

“And what about Elena?” Luca asked.

Marcus turned around slowly, his face shadowed by the dim light of the cabin.

“She comes with us,” Marcus said.

“She is the only leverage we have left against Sophia.”

I pulled my coat tighter around my shoulders, feeling the cold air seeping through the floorboards.

I looked at Luca, hoping to find some sign of help in his eyes.

Luca looked away, his loyalty to his family warring with the truth of what Marcus had become.

“Get in the car,” Marcus said to me.

He walked past me, his shoulder brushing mine, and opened the cabin door.

A gust of freezing wind rushed inside, carrying a swirl of snow.

I followed him out, my boots sinking into the fresh drifts.

The air was so cold it stung my lungs as I breathed.