“I need to get closer,” I hear myself say.
Both brothers look at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“Bad idea,” Andrei states flatly.
“I need details. Guard rotations. Entry points. Anything that’ll help the rescue team.” I’m already moving, using the rocks for cover. “You can stay here if you want.”
I hear them following. Of course they’re following.
We work our way around the perimeter, staying well back from the fence. I pull out my phone—battery at forty percent—and start taking pics.
Main gate. Service entrance on the east side that looks less protected.
Vehicle patterns. Supply truck comes and goes.
Building layout. Main structure with what looks like a fortified entrance. Probably where they’d keep prisoners.
I’m logging everything with the precision of someone who spent way too many hours researching conspiracy theories.
Turns out pattern recognition is useful for more than just proving yetis exist.
“Someone comes,” Andrei hisses.
We freeze.
A guard patrol of two men rounds the fence corner, heading for our position.
We press flat against the rocks. Stay silent. I hold my breath.
They pass within twenty feet. Close enough that I hear their conversation; American accents, casual. Something about bad coffee.
Normal. Human. Like they’re not guarding a facility where K is being held prisoner.
They move on.
I release a shuddering breath.
“We go,” Andrei whispers urgently. “Now.”
Chapter 20
Mara
By the time we’re back at the overlook, I’m shaking, adrenaline mixing with exhaustion and something else. Something that feels like withdrawal. My chest is screaming. Lungs on fire.
Eight days. That’s how long I’ve had K’s presence. And now the absence of it feels wrong. Fundamentally, terrifyingly wrong.
But I have what I need. Intel Viktor can use.
I just need to get him on the phone before my body decides to stage a full rebellion.
We move to higher ground where the signal might be stronger. My phone shows two bars flickering in and out.
Thank God.
“I need privacy,” I tell the brothers.
They nod and move off to keep watch, their faces grave.
