Chapter 109

Alizeh, though, was different. She had been brought into this carefully, deliberately, for one purpose only: to strike at Moosa through the heart. Burhan felt nothing but cold certainty when he thought of her. He carried pure, unadulterated hatred for anyone tied to Moosa by blood, and that hatred extended even to Alizeh. She had done nothing wrong, committed no crime, played no part in the old feuds or fresh betrayals. Her only fault, the only thing that marked her in Burhan’s eyes, was that she was Moosa’s sister. That single fact made her expendable. If hurting her, using her, breaking her would bring Moosa to his knees, Burhan would not hesitate. The thought brought no pleasure, only grim resolve. In this game, innocence was a luxury no one could afford, least of all the people caught in the crossfire.

Sohrab finished his report and fell silent, watching Burhan across the desk. The clock on the wall ticked steadily into the early morning. Burhan nodded once, slowly. The Ru