Sebastian steps out of his Rolls Royce, the car almost unscathed despite the bullets Nikolai Orlov emptied into it.
A smirk tugs at Sebastian's lips. The night sky is dark — no stars, no moon — only the headlights of two cars casting long, pale beams across the deserted road.
"You're out of your cave, huh?" Nikolai sneers, his amber eyes glinting with twisted emotions — dangerous and dark.
Sebastian leans back against his car door, his smirk cold and deliberate. "What's the pretty, sassy sadist of the Orlov family doing out here?" His eyes hold nothing but arrogance. "Let me guess — hiding your tail before you get caught stealing?"
Nikolai laughs, his deep, rough laughter echoing through the silent road. His black shirt is tucked neatly into a pair of grey trousers, sleeves rolled up, hair a little messy.
"Oh, Sebastian, you worry so much about me," Nikolai gasps dramatically, wiping away imaginary tears. "I'm touched."
Sebastian's smile fades, his jaw tightening in annoyance. Nikolai's grin doesn't waver; he presses the cold tip of his gun against his temple lazily.
Far from the city center of London, neither of them bothers with civility.
"Why the fuck were you following me?" Sebastian's voice is low, dangerous — his usual laid-back demeanor gone. What remains is the infamous coldness that makes him feared by peers and seniors alike.
Nikolai rolls his shoulders and yawns, completely unfazed. His obvious nonchalance only pisses Sebastian off more.
"Stop clenching your jaw so much, Sebastian," Nikolai says with a lazy smile, white teeth glinting. "Your face is the only useful thing about you."
His tone drips with mockery, pressing every wrong button.
"And you're useless without that bastard Laurent," Sebastian growls, his hands gripping his gun so tightly his knuckles turn white.
Nikolai's gaze drops to those white knuckles, a satisfied smile curving his lips.
"Oh, I never denied that. Without Aaron, I'd probably be dead," he admits with a careless shrug.
Sebastian scoffs bitterly. "Guard dog of Aaron William Laurent."
"At least guard dogs don't bite their savior," Nikolai's smile drops, his eyes darkening. His voice lowers to a near growl. "Unlike some green-eyed snake."
Sebastian slams his car door shut, loads his gun, and aims it at Nikolai. Nikolai doesn't even flinch.
"You surely talk like a dog, Nikolai Orlov," Sebastian spits, his body trembling with rage — and something else. Pain, maybe.
Nikolai lets out a humorless laugh, but beneath it lies something raw — disappointment.
"And you talk like a snake who's trying to kill the man who saved his life, not once or twice, but more times than you can count."
Sebastian's eyes widen for a fraction of a second. There's a flicker of familiarity — a memory, perhaps — that makes Nikolai's stomach twist with anger and longing for a history neither of them will say aloud.
"You know exactly what Aaron did to me," Sebastian's voice cracks slightly.
Nikolai stiffens, his right hand clenching inside his pocket. "He did that to save you!"
"I didn't ask to be saved at the cost of—" Sebastian's voice breaks before he can finish. His eyes redden, his hands shake with suppressed emotion.
Nikolai bites the inside of his cheek, tasting blood, forcing control. "You're disgusting," he says bitterly, his tone full of resentment.
Sebastian freezes. His chest rises and falls sharply before he looks away and lowers his gun.
"Leave."
"Sebas—"
"I said leave!" Sebastian's voice cracks into a shout. Nikolai flinches, his breath catching in his throat. He blinks rapidly, fighting back tears.
Sebastian feels a sting of regret seeing him like that. After all, despite the twisted mess they've become, there was a time when a fifteen-year-old Sebastian had jumped into the fire with Aaron to save a seven-year-old Nikolai.
Nikolai's eyes glisten as he looks down. "You've broken our promise of brotherhood."
Sebastian inhales sharply. The air between them grows heavy — suffocating with the weight of the past neither can bear anymore.
"Blame the situation," Sebastian murmurs. "I'm just doing what's right for me. Aaron's doing what's right for him."
His eyes soften with emotion he can't voice as he reaches out and pats Nikolai's head, just like he used to in some distant past.
Nikolai freezes. The familiar warmth of that palm on his head makes his lips tremble. More tears fall.
"You've chosen your side, Nik," Sebastian whispers. "I don't hold it against you."
Nikolai scoffs bitterly, his shoulders shaking with ragged breaths as he pushes Sebastian's hand away. "You're treating everyone like your enemy."
"Because everyone is my enemy," Sebastian replies coldly, conviction hard in his tone. The words make Nikolai shudder. He searches for the man he once knew, but all he finds is vengeance, rage, and pure hatred.
"My war is against Aaron. And anyone on his side is my enemy," Sebastian says, his expression hardening. "Including you, Nikolai Orlov."
For a moment, silence consumes everything — only their breathing, the distant hoot of an owl, and the rustling of dry leaves fill the night.
Nikolai's eyes go blank. Without another word, he turns and gets into his car. The sleek black Ferrari disappears into the darkness.
Sebastian keeps staring long after the taillights vanish. His shoulders sag, the invisible weight of years bending his spine.
He exhales deeply, mind in turmoil, conviction cracking at the edges — yet he still lifts his chin high as he returns to his car.
He opens the door, expecting to find Nova curled up like a frightened kitten or peeking out in curiosity.
But when he sits down, his heart drops. The passenger seat is empty.
Sebastian's eyes narrow. "Did she fucking run away into the wilderness? Or…" His voice trails off, realization dawning.
He curses, pulling out his phone and dialing his bodyguard.
Within two rings, Josh answers, his tone crisp. "Sir."
"Keep eyes on Aaron's mansion at Bishops Avenue."
Sebastian ends the call. His face hardens as his jaw tightens, veins visible. "Nova Celestia," he mutters under his breath. "You're important enough to Aaron fucking Laurent for him to mislead me through Nikolai — just to save you."
He slams his fist against the dashboard again and again, voice breaking into a furious scream.
"FUCK!"
His voice echoes through the night, raw and burning.
"Aaron — you fucking outsmarted me again!"