Natalia’s POV
I must have sat outside Andrei’s office for hours. I sat there, without moving, until my back ached from leaning against the door and my legs had gone numb from sitting in the same position for so long. But I refused to move.
The sun was starting to set when I finally heard movement on the other side of the door. A chair scraping against the floor. Footsteps. Then the lock clicked.
The door opened and I nearly fell backward. Andrei caught me before I hit the ground.
“Natalia.” His voice was hoarse. “How long have you been sitting there?”
“Long enough.” I looked up at him. His face was pale and gaunt, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of the man I’d seen in the caves. I blinked, and he was gone. “Can we talk now?”
He helped me to my feet, then pulled me into his arms. Th
