My chest aches. It should’ve been me. I should’ve found them. But I shove that thought aside and focus on Misha. “Who was it?”
“I don’t know his name. He used to visit the compound sometimes, but I… I never met him, so I don’t know—”
“Is this him?” I hold out my phone, a picture of the devil himself on the screen.
Misha’s eyes go wide as he nods slowly. “Who is he?”
“My father,” I answer. “Now, tell me exactly what happened. He opened the door, and then…?”
“He picked Grigory up, and I actually thought he was there to help us.” Fresh tears flow down his cheeks. “Then he looked me in the eye and said…”
His voice breaks, and I clasp his neck, reassuring him with what little strength I have left.
He clears his throat. “He said, ‘An heir for an heir.’”
“It’s going to be alright, Natali
