SONG OF THE CHAPTER: ARE YOU GONE ALREADY BY NICKI MINAJ.

IVARA'S POV:

The warehouse air thickens, turning colder than steel. My father’s shadow stretches across the concrete floor, swallowing mine until I can’t tell where I end and he begins.

He steps forward. Every movement is deliberate, precise. He doesn’t need to raise his voice to command the room. His gaze, black as midnight without stars, hooks into me like barbed wire.

“I warned you.” His tone is calm, too calm. ...