2

Anvika's POV

My gaze was fixed on the priest’s blood-stained body sprawled across the cold temple floor. His breaths were shallow, faint—each one a desperate attempt to cling to life. My mind raced, calculating time and loss. If I didn’t act fast, he wouldn’t make it.

I swallowed hard and turned to Rivansh. His tall figure stood unmoving in the shadows, the flames from the oil lamps casting jagged patterns across his face. My hands balled into fists to stop their trembling.

“I don’t know why you brought me here or what you want from me,” I said, forcing my voice to remain steady, “but I do know this—he has nothing to do with it. Panditji’s life shouldn’t be part of your game.”

Rivansh’s dark gaze snapped to mine, sharp and unreadable. He took a step closer, closing the space between us until I could feel his presence like a weight on my chest. My heart hammered in response, but I held my ground.

“You dare to raise your voice to me?” he said softly, dangerously. His lips curled into a vicious smile, but his eyes—black and soulless—froze me in place. “Do you know what happens to people who disobey me? If it were anyone else, they’d already be dead.”

His words were ice, chilling me to my core. But the rising fear inside me couldn’t drown out the instinct I’d lived by as a doctor—to save a life, no matter the cost.

“I don’t care who you are or what you want,” I shot back, my voice low but firm. “We can discuss this later. I don’t think I can escape from here anytime soon anyway, so let me do what I do best—save him.”

Silence.

For a heartbeat, I thought he’d refuse. My pulse quickened as he leaned closer, his breath ghosting against my cheek.

“You have ten minutes,” he murmured finally, each word slow and deliberate, “not a second more.”

Relief flooded my chest, but I didn’t waste another moment. I rushed to the priest’s side, falling to my knees on the cold stone floor.

“Hand me your handkerchief,” I said urgently to one of the guards. “And I need something sharp—anything—clean enough to remove the bullet.”

The guard hesitated, his gaze darting to Rivansh. One slight nod from him, and the man produced a folded white handkerchief and a small blade—crude but sharp. I grabbed them, my hands already moving on instinct.

The priest groaned softly as I pressed the handkerchief against his wound to slow the bleeding. My movements were swift, precise, despite the adrenaline rushing through me. I blocked out everything—the heavy footsteps, the men watching, even Rivansh’s piercing gaze.

“It’s going to be okay,” I murmured softly to the priest, though I wasn’t sure if I was reassuring him or myself.

The minutes ticked by painfully fast. I worked quickly, removing the bullet with careful precision. Blood stained my hands, soaking through the handkerchief, but the priest’s breathing slowly steadied. His chest rose and fell in a rhythm that gave me a sliver of hope.

When I finally tied the makeshift bandage tightly around his shoulder, I sat back, exhaling a shaky breath.

“He’s stable for now,” I said, looking up at Rivansh. “But he’s lost too much blood. He needs to be taken to a hospital immediately, or he won’t survive.”

My voice was steady, but the plea in my eyes betrayed me. I searched his face for any sign of mercy, but his expression remained unreadable.

Rivansh tilted his head slightly, regarding me as though I were an interesting puzzle. “Do you always risk yourself for strangers?”

“It’s not a risk,” I replied firmly. “It’s my duty.”

For a moment, he said nothing. The air crackled with tension, every second stretching unbearably. Then, with a flick of his hand, he signaled his guards.

“Take him to the hospital. Make sure no one says a word about tonight,” he ordered, his tone cold and final.

The guards moved immediately, lifting the priest carefully and carrying him out. My body sagged with relief, though the weight of Rivansh’s attention never left me.

“You’re very brave,” he said quietly, his gaze locking onto mine. “Or very foolish.”

I stood slowly, ignoring the ache in my knees. “Call it whatever you want. I don’t care.”

His smile was slow, deliberate—like a predator who’d just spotted its prey. “You will care.... Soon enough.”

A shiver ran down my spine, but I lifted my chin, refusing to show fear. I didn’t know what he wanted from me, but one thing was clear—I was caught in something much bigger and far more dangerous than I could have ever imagined.

And there was no way out.