BLOOD AND RETRIBUTION: SHADOWS OF THE INNER CIRCLE

The tension in the ceremonial courtroom was suffocating. The only light came from the lightning flashes illuminating the tall, arched stained-glass windows behind the bench. Viktor didn't lower his weapon, his gaze shifting between his foster brother and his sister.

""Put the gun down, Alexei,"" Viktor said, his voice deadly calm.

""She played us both, Viktor!"" Alexei screamed, spit flying from his lips. ""She wanted us to kill each other at the docks so she could walk away clean with all the offshore holdings! Look at her! She never cared about Father, she never cared about your mother, and she sure as hell didn't care about the girl!""

""I said put it down,"" Viktor repeated, taking a slow step forward. ""Your life is mine to take. Not hers.""

Sofia stared at Viktor, her chin lifted high. ""Go on, Viktor. Order him to shoot. Prove to the world that you are the monster Father raised. Prove to Elena that you’re nothing more than an animal who bathes in his own family’s blood.""

Viktor stopped five paces from the bench. ""Elena took five bullets for the woman who gave you life. You spent thirty pieces of silver to buy a coffin for everyone who ever protected you. You don't get to speak her name.""

Alexei’s finger twitched on the trigger. ""Viktor, let me do this! Let me clear my debt!""

""No,"" Viktor said.

In a fraction of a second, Viktor’s gun pivoted. A single shot echoed through the cavernous room.

Alexei gasped, looking down in shock at the hole through his right shoulder. The impact spun him around, sending his pistol clattering across the floor. He collapsed against the mahogany railing, clutching his shoulder and whimpering in agony.

Viktor walked past him without a second glance, stepping onto the raised platform where his sister stood. Sofia didn't flinch, though her throat constricted as Viktor towered over her, his massive silhouette blotting out the lightning behind her.

He reached down and picked up the silver briefcase from the bench. He opened it, glancing at the glowing terminal inside that was currently broadcasting an encrypted data stream.

""You’re clever, Sofia,"" Viktor murmured. ""You always were the smartest in our family. But you made one mistake.""

Sofia narrowed her eyes, a flicker of genuine terror finally creeping into her expression. ""What mistake?""

""You used Elena’s private biometric frequency to encrypt the master transfer key,"" Viktor said, pointing to the flashing authorization prompt on the screen. ""You thought if she died on the operating table, the ledger would lock permanently into an automated release cycle.""