“That depends,” I say quietly, “on whether my men are still breathing when we reach them.”
The call ends.
The house is quiet again.
Lena steps closer, sliding her arms around my waist frombehind. Presses her cheek to my back.
“They think you’re dead,” she says softly. “So do your men.”
“No, now they know I’m alive.”
She tilts her head up. “And they realize you’re coming?”
I turn, cupping her face gently.
“They won’t,” I say. “They won’t realize it until I’m standing in front of them.”
Her eyes shine—not with fear.
With faith.
I kiss her once—slow, grounding.
Then I rest my forehead against hers.
“We’re going to bring them home,” I promise.
And somewhere deep underground…
Men who think they’ve been forgotten
are about to learn
their commander never stopped hunting.
31
Cal
Location: Underground Detention Site — Isolation Cell
Time: Unknown
Icome back in pieces.
Sound first—dripping water, metal humming, the faint electrical whine that never shuts off.
Then pain.
It’s everywhere. Not sharp anymore. Deep. Bone-deep. Like my body decided screaming wasn’t worth the effort.
My arms are still shackled, but lower now. Just enough that my shoulders don’t feel like they’re being ripped apart.
Mercy.
That’s how I know it was punishment.
My throat is raw. My tongue feels too big for my mouth. When I try to swallow, nothing happens.
