Chapter 6 - Shattered Glass
The foyer transformed into a slaughterhouse of splintered wood and ricocheting lead. Nikolai acted on pure muscle memory, diving toward the marble pedestal supporting an antique bronze bust, using the heavy stone pillar as cover. The chandelier directly above collapsed in a rain of crystal prisms and twisted iron, crashing onto the staircase with an ear-splitting roar.
Sarah leaped over the balustrade, rolling behind the mahogany credenza near the dining hall entrance. Her suppressed pistol spat four rapid rounds, taking down the first mercenary before his boots even hit the ground. Viktor was not as fortunate; a burst of fire caught him across the shoulder, spinning him violently into the wall before he scrambled behind the cover of the grand piano.
""Contractors!"" Viktor screamed over the deafening gunfire. ""They're wearing unregistered black kit! No insignia!""
Nikolai leaned around the marble edge, firing three controlled pairs. Two hostile operators dropped instantly, their armor compromised at the neck seam. He didn't care who they were; his mind was entirely focused on the floor above. Mia was still up there.
""Clara has her!"" Sarah shouted across the roaring crossfire, reloading her magazine with practiced efficiency. ""I set an extraction point in the storm cellar!""
""Clara works for me, not you!"" Nikolai roared back, taking out another operator attempting to flank from the east gallery.
""Clara was mine before she was ever yours, you arrogant bastard!"" Sarah yelled. ""Why do you think she stayed in this house after I disappeared?""
The realization hit Nikolai like a physical blow. Clara hadn't just been a devoted maid; she was Sarah’s contingency, an embedded asset who had guarded Mia from within the household for four years. The entire foundation of his domestic sanctuary had been orchestrated behind his back.
A flash-bang grenade clattered across the polished floor, rolling to a stop right between Nikolai and Viktor.
""Move!"" Nikolai shouted, turning his back and covering his ears.
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The detonation blew out every remaining pane of glass on the ground floor. A shockwave rattled Nikolai’s skull, the searing white flash blinding his sight while a shrill ringing drowned out all sound. Through the smoky haze, he saw two heavily armored figures dragging Viktor across the floor toward the shattered patio doors. Viktor was fighting back, but a rifle butt to his temple knocked him limp.
Nikolai forced himself to his feet, ignoring the blood dripping from his ears. He raised his weapon to pursue, but the scream of a child from the upper floor pierced straight through the ringing in his ears.
