Nadia's POV 
  “I want you to help us with Landon.” Vance said to me. It was like a million needles pierced my skin. What did he mean? I was shocked and surprised and scared all at once. I managed to fake a smile and asked what he meant by ‘help with Landon’. I really thought we were over Landon's situation. 
  “It only makes sense that we investigate everyone, right?” He asked, in a tone that he thought would fool me enough to think the question was innocent. 
  “Yes.” It was smarter and safer to agree with him. I wasn't going to fall into his trap. 
  “Good. So while we openly investigate the actual victims, you would help with him, just him.” It was more of a command than him helping me to see reason. “Thank you Baby. “He added briskly and stood up from the bed. 
I no longer existed in his world anymore. I know how he is when he zone's out and sees me as nothing more than the wind. 
I hated when he did that. I was really stuck, neck deep in fact. It means I would have to report to Vance directly, and that means, I also need something to report. There's no “There's nothing new” with him. I always have to have a lead. This is really fucked up. That bastard knew what he was doing. 
He had invited Landon over this morning. He, Landon, is going to be here anytime from now. I knew that because he told me. I'm supposed to make use of the time when he would purposely excuse himself to ‘start speaking to him, gentle and cordial so he never suspects anything.’, and if he does, I'm to deny it with my life. 
I couldn't let Landon know anything about what was going on. I also couldn't let Vance know anything that could implicate Landon. Even though I already did, while Talia was still alive and I was Landon's neglected bitch. 
I could exactly remember his name right now. But I damn sure still remember how he looked, and definitely everything he told me. I would shamelessly admit that I remembered getting wet for him, but we only just kissed. A kiss I would continue to remember for years to come. The way he held my face, the way he was gentle with it, how he looked me in the eye like Landon never did. He made me feel so seen, so special, even if it was a very short amount of time I spent with him. 
Landon was walking into Vance's trap. I was hearing his voice already from Vance's reception. They were discussing yesterday's matters, if only he knew what Vance thought. Their meeting lasted for roughly an hour. Vance did not really have much to say. Left to him, he knew the culprit and was waiting for even as little as the wind blowing in his direction to prove him guilty. 
I shudder to think of how Vance would treat Landon if his life were ever at his mercy. It definitely would be more gory than Talia's. To think that Vance and Landon used to be best of friends. They had always shared me, they both knew that, so casting that aside, their only other bone of contention was definitely Talia, and maybe ego. 
After Talia's death, and when I was officially appointed his Luna, Vance expected Landon to chicken out and give in to his emotions, so he could also put an end to him there and then, but Landon had been cool and collected, acting like nothing out of the ordinary had happened. And Vance had been only too unnerved by Landon's silence. To use the right word, bullied. He wondered what Landon was up to. He knows Landon is only too cunning to think that the man ever accepted his fate. If anything, Landon was fate. He decided what would happen. 
  “Hey” He cut through my thoughts. 
  “Hi.” I replied. Still too startled to look at him. It was Landon again. I don't like the fact that he's making a habit of this. And I knew Vance, who pretended to be away, was very much around, that explains why he raised the curtains so high before going out to his visitors this morning. Safely though, Vance would, if he ever got to know, understand that I had started my work. I knew not to test his limits too much though, so I swore there was going to be no physical contact between us both while we were in the palace. 
  “Have you given a thought to what we said yesterday?” He asked, his eyes fixed on me. 
  “You mean what you said?” I corrected rudely. I wanted to piss him off as fast as possible so he could go. The sooner Vance sees him leave, the smaller the tales I'd have to spin would be. I definitely cannot afford to actually let Vance in on details. That would be a disaster, and I'd be going right down with the mess. 
  “Yes. But ‘said’ makes it seem quite corny. It was more of a demand.” He replied proudly. 
  “I'd think about it.” I said immediately. He thought it was his effect on me. A stupid smile lit up his eyes. “You have to go now.” I added it immediately. 
  “When do I see you?” He asked, unbothered, still taking his stance. 
  “I said I'd think about it, Landon.” I nearly yelled at him. For the fact that I was above him and his manipulation now, to a certain level, I was going to enjoy that freedom and there's no stopping me. 
 
  “I gave you enough time already.” He replied to me. What would I do with Landon? I hate him, and hate Vance even more. As the seconds go by, I continue to realize that my life is no straighter than a damn circle, just when I think I'm done, I come right back. 
  “Tomorrow.” I conceded. I already had it in mind, but it gave him satisfaction of thinking I was compromising. 
  “I'll be waiting.” He said, smiling. “Don't stand me up.” He gave a warning. That did not even move water around me anymore. I just wanted him out of here, like right now! 
  “Bye, Landon.” I said while he was still gloating. 
  “Oh yeah. I was going. Leaving you, and your fancy house, and your fancy husband, or should I say wife-snatcher.” He made the mistake of thinking it would hurt me, but it did not, or so I thought… 
  “I was just your mate Landon.” I started, it was like my lips had a mind of his own. I wanted him gone and not having a conversation here in Vance's bedroom. “Never your wife. I was for the taking, and Vance did what was best for both he and I.” I got the effect I wanted, Landon was stung. “In case you've been too busy to notice, what people do is, when they get mates, they love them, cherish them, and at some point, hold a party to celebrate having someone from the moon Goddess in their lives. What did you do you big fat bastard? Which of those did you ever do to me?” 
I was screaming at the top of my lung, at that point, I couldn't even give the littlelest of fucks. Landon is a bastard I want to see suffer someday, but for now, he was necessary evil. I could use him to get some favor from Vance. 
  “You would come begging.” He said, pointing at me and giving me the nastiest of looks in his arsenal. 
  “Yeah. Begging you not to die when Vance is done with you? I definitely would do that.” I taunted him.
He flared up and walked up, banging the door loudly behind him.