Shattered Allegiance

LANA'S

et of night as I stared out the window, taking

person's body stand up lifted the atmosphere as

Ivanova home, a shining fortress in the heart of the

ous criminal lord Dmitri Ivanova, leaned against

hung loosely about my ankles, the soft material p

nd the wrought iron gates. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that

e unsaid love between us sparked like lightning bolts that strea

ious dance, a tune of defiance against th

of the house as the sound of my footstep awoke the dead quiet, giving me the impr

of a well-practiced path that had been r

anger and attraction, waited im

ore trousers and a black leather jacket, hi

n as we came into contact, our lips connected in a stolen kiss, a col

kiss was a way out. For Nikolai, being with the person he would

sisted the very limits closing in on us, and

Nikolai murmured against my

my spine. With each light tap of his thumb on m

s, and even though the intensity of the moment was palpable,

ocation where we may reclaim our freedom to pursue our passions." He spoke softly b

rest on his warm palm as I reveled in the hap

nue. "What if we get discovered?" With a look o

hat." Nikolai tightened his hold on m

ves I'm drinking in a club with my friends." Now is

story-my father knew I had already gone t

else and spend all of my time with the person I love, t

brief while, I quickly ope

out and do it immediately." After I responded, I saw Nikolai's eyes brighten with happi

the neon street lights and buzzing city sounds as we left the ma

nt fantasy beneath the darkness of our everyday existence. But the night went by fast, an

sely secured and watched over by my father's watchful men; if I was cau

d anticipated, were well-guarded. It was impossible to enter through the side gates or the servant

grew, and finally, in a last-ditch effort, I climbed th

ing the stillness around me. My father and his men carefully plotted eve

heavy curtains that closed off the outside world. Something resembling the sound of a hardcover bo

hu