Kristoff awoke to the sound of violins building to a rapid crescendo. The crisp, piercing staccato gave a frightening ambiance to the mysterious room.
He blinked through blurred vision, head throbbing. He didn't know where he was. Someone was holding him up by the arms. His shoulders were sore and his body felt as if it'd been beaten to a pulp.
"How nice of you to join us, Mr. Bjorgman. I hope you don't mind the music. It's Vivaldi." The disembodied voice filtered in from across the room.
His eyes adjusted slowly, but he didn't need to see the woman's face to recognize that voice.
Kristoff struggled valiantly, trying to pull free. The person holding him only gripped his upper arms tighter in response, and he resisted the urge to yelp in pain.
Gritting his teeth, he asked, "What do you want from me?"
She didn't look at him. Instead she stared out over the city, swirling the wine in her glass. Another thug stood by her side with his hands clasped behind his back - stoic and stiff like a piece on a chessboard. The only light in the room came from the bustle of life below.
"You know what I want, Mr. Bjorgman." She sipped her wine. "I hear you're expecting."
Kristoff's chest tightened, filling with a sudden painful rage. She wasn't pulling any punches. He knew he wouldn't be leaving this place alive. "I don't know anything, you stupid bitch," he snarled.
The thug behind him kicked the back of his legs, knocking him to his knees.
As Kristoff sagged to the floor, the other man grabbed a handful of his hair and yanked his head up, forcing him to look at the woman.
She continued to speak, unmoved by the violence playing out in front of her. "You know, this would be a lot easier if you cooperated."
He ignored her, shutting his eyes. The sound of heels clicking against marble echoed in the almost empty room. Hearing her move closer, Kristoff opened his eyes again. He found himself at her feet, just like everyone else in this godforsaken city.
"I'd die before I ever helped you," he said.
She laughed quietly, sending a chill down his spine. "That can be arranged if you wish. What should I tell your mistress?" The woman held her glass out for her henchman to take in his free hand.
She was toying with him, trying to break him. He blinked back tears. He would die with his honor. They couldn't do anything to hurt him.
Kristoff sucked all the phlegm from his throat into his mouth and spat in her face.
Her jaw clenched. She ground her teeth together before wiping the wad of spit from her face and flinging it to the ground in disgust. "Kill him."
He smiled, feeling as though he'd done right by his feisty friend. As for the mother of his child, she'd mourn his death. She'd go through his drawers to hold his clothes, to smell his scent again. She would find the ring he'd gotten her. All that mattered was that she knew he loved her, and that Anna was safe.
The thug moved around him, leaving his back unguarded. Kristoff wouldn't run; they'd just find him again, and next time Anna might not be so lucky.
With a mechanical stiffness, the thug popped open each button of his white pea coat. It fell to the ground, revealing long black tattoos on his pale skin - symmetrical lines trailing along his arms and down his back.
He turned to face Kristoff, taut muscles highlighted by the soft light from the window. Thick black lines spread out from the center of his chest, like they were exploding from his sternum.
Those weren't tattoos. Kristoff knew those markings well - everyone did.
He tried to speak, his words choking on the lump in his throat. "You're Magi."
Kristoff would be no more, killed by the one thing he feared the most. His heart was racing in his chest, his stomach tied in knots. He could feel the pulse point in his neck throbbing, but he kept his eyes trained on the woman. He would not tremble for her. His hatred doubled tenfold. He narrowed his eyes. Look at me. Burn this into your soul. Lie awake because I can't. Never again would he run his hands through his lover's hair. He would never see the miracle of his child's birth. He would never see Anna again. It was a small price to pay for her safety. She would be the one to end all of this. The last thing Kristoff saw was the woman's wicked smile.
The music faded to nothing.