Mara.
If something’s wrong, she’ll be in danger.
I round the corner at a run and nearly collide with Viktor.
“My Lord! Good. We need you.” His voice is clipped. Urgent. “Syndicate activity. Intel just came through. They’re moving.”
“Moving where?”
“Here. They know where we are. They’re coming for you.”
Of course they are.
“How long do we have?”
“None.” Viktor’s expression is grim. “We’re evacuating non-essential personnel. Fortifying defenses. But they’re bringing numbers. And they know our layout.”
“Because Vex is here. Do you think they’ve found a way to communicate somehow?”
“Wouldn’t surprise me.” His jaw sets. “Goddamned Syndicate. Sneaky fuckers.”
My mind races. Strategic calculations forming.
“I need to—”
“You need to help us plan defense,” Viktor cuts me off. “Caleb’s already coordinating with his people. We need your insight into battle strategy.”
“But Mara—”
“Will be taken somewhere safe. And she’ll stand more chance of staying safe if you help us keep them out altogether.”
He’s right. I know he’s right.
But every instinct screams to find her. To keep her close. To—
Stop panicking. Think rationally.
“Lead the way,” I tell Viktor.
But as I follow him toward the command center, one thought circles:
The Syndicate is coming.
And they’re coming for me.
Which means everyone near me is in danger.
Including Mara.
Chapter 32
Mara
The cafeteria is surprisingly normal. Like, aggressively normal. Industrial kitchen. Long tables with bench seating. The faint smell of coffee and something that might be lasagna. Fluorescent lights that hum just slightly off-key.
If you ignore the fact that it’s built into a mountain and half the people here can turn into dragons, it could be any corporate break room in America.
I grab the largest mug I can find. Fill it with coffee that’s been sitting on the burner too long but still smells like heaven. Take a sip.
