Anthony's brows drew together. "That's over." Natalie raised an eyebrow. "Over?" So he really had turned his back on her? Could that woman's cursebug truly twist someone's mind so completely that it erased every ounce of loyalty? She had lived through two lifetimes and had never seen anything like it. It was almost impossible to believe. She pushed further. "Selina thought something happened to you. She already left for Rastopia. You're not planning to go back to her?" His expression darkened. "What makes you think she went to Rastopia?" Natalie froze mid-sentence, her face hardening. "Then what, you killed her?" "No." Anthony's lips curled into a crooked smile. "We just brought her back to the gang. Fiorella still needs her." Fiorella? Was that the inkeeper's wife? Natalie's brows knit together. From the way Anthony looked, it was clear something had broken inside him. Her voice came out cold and sharp. "Selina went gray overnight because of you. You don't feel a damn thing? And now you're helping throw her into the Greendale Gang?" Even if he'd fallen for someone else, how could he have no shred of feeling left for the woman who'd loved him? Anthony's grin stretched too wide, too strange. "We caught her. Fiorella's happy now." Natalie's frown deepened.This was the man Selina had risked everything for? She thought of Selina's white hair again, and her chest tightened with anger and pity. A voice suddenly barked from the crowd. "Anthony, why the hell are you still talking to her? Just kill her already! I thought you were supposed to be some big shot!" Anthony turned and shot him a glare. "You don't know jack shit about the mission. Fiorella wants her alive." Natalie's eyes narrowed. She raised her gun and fired at the man who had shouted. The sound cracked through the air, quick and violent. The man and several around him dropped instantly, their bodies riddled with holes. The crowd erupted—but not to flee. They all charged straight at Natalie, fearless and frenzied, running right into the hail of bullets. Natalie froze for half a second, stunned. Were they insane? They didn't even flinch under fire. Cassian lifted his submachine gun and joined in. Together, they unleashed a storm of bullets. Still, no one backed off. Armed only with axes, hammers, and scrap weapons, they just kept coming. Now she understood. That was why the foreigner with the AK had been driven back. They weren't fighters. They were lunatics. And this was only one deputy leader's men. If all three leaders came with their troops, the massacre would be unimaginable. Luckily, she and Cassian had stronger firepower, and the pets were merciless. Anyone who got close was ripped apart before they could even swing.They didn't need to worry about getting hurt. They just kept shooting until the last body fell. When the noise finally died down, smoke and the stench of blood filled the air. Only Anthony remained standing. He still wore that same eerie smile, calm and unshaken, as if the slaughter around him meant nothing. No fear. No grief. When he started walking toward them, Natalie raised her gun and aimed for his head. But then, snowflakes began to drift down, carried by a cutting wind. Natalie hesitated for a moment. Maybe it was a sign. She lowered her gun and looked straight at him. "Lead the way, Greendale Gang." Anthony froze mid-step, stumbling as if he hadn't expected the woman who had been in full control to suddenly stop. After a moment, he barked out, "Fine! Let's go!" His voice carried excitement. He had just pulled off Fiorella's assignment perfectly. But Natalie didn't move. "I have conditions." Anthony frowned. "What conditions?" "I want to see Selina." He paused, caught off guard. "Why?" Natalie didn't explain. She raised her gun slightly. "Because I said so. That's reason enough." Anthony hesitated, but only for a second before he nodded.Her weapons were far beyond what their intel suggested. If he didn't agree, Fiorella's orders would go unfinished. "Alright. Whatever you want." Natalie lowered her gun, the hint of a smirk tugging at her lips. She wasn't doing this out of some heroic urge to save Selina. It wasn't because Selina had once thanked her so earnestly, told her to be careful, or looked her in the eye and said, "You're a good person." She just wanted to find cover from the blizzard inside the Greendale Gang's base. And maybe see her along the way. Natalie glanced up at the thickening snow and turned to Cassian. "It's snowing." Cassian's mouth curved, understanding her instantly. "Yeah. Then we're staying." Natalie met his gaze and smiled. He always understood her. Greendale Gang. Deep inside a shadowy underground basement. A plain-faced girl dressed in something tight and skimpy carried a tray in both hands, balancing two plates of risotto and two bowls of steaming soup. She moved carefully, each step steady and deliberate.