“Iamtaking time off. This is me, relaxing, casually checking some emails—”
“That is a Syndicate communication protocol.”
“…Maybe.”
He sighs. But doesn’t argue. Just finishes his eggs and watches me work with that fond exasperation that means I’m probably going to get lectured later.
Worth it.
***
Later that night
The Aurora briefing room is packed when we arrive.
Dragons, witches, wolves—everyone who matters crammed into one space. Elena sits with Caleb. Dorian and Juno near the front. Lila and Talon against the wall.
And Nadia.
She’s standing near the door. Arms crossed. Face carefully neutral.
But I can see the tension in her shoulders. The silver flash in her eyes. Her wolf sitting just beneath the surface.
I nudge Kael. “Something’s wrong with Nadia.”
He follows my gaze. Nods slightly. He sees it too.
Viktor enters. The room falls silent.
“Thank you for coming.” His voice carries. “I’ll make this brief. We’ve received a request for sanctuary. From a Syndicate operative.”
Murmurs ripple through the crowd.
“Who?” Caleb asks.
Viktor’s eyes find Nadia. Hold there.
And I know. Before he even says a word. This is about her.
“Jericho Allon. Former Syndicate tactical commander. He claims to have intelligence on upcoming operations. He wants to defect.”
The room erupts.
But I’m watching Nadia.
She’s gone completely still. Every muscle locked. Eyes burning silver.
“No.” Her voice slices through the noise. Flat. Final. “Absolutely not.”
“Nadia—” Viktor starts.
“Jericho Allon ordered the hit that killed my mate.” The words come out precise. Controlled. Like she’s reading from a report instead of talking about the worst day of her life. “Five years ago. August fifteenth. He sent the team. Gave the order. Stood there and watched my mate die and called it acceptable losses.”
Silence falls.
Complete. Suffocating.
“And now—” Nadia’s voice doesn’t shake. Doesn’t break. But I can see her hands trembling. “Now he wants sanctuary. Protection from the same organization he served. The organization that murdered the man I loved.”
