"Found them. Abandoned lighthouse, north of the convergence point. Moira's alive, conscious, held in the lower chamber. Multiple operatives that I could confirm, probably more I didn't see."
"Defensive positions?" Declan asks.
"Fortified. They're expecting us." Rafe's predator satisfaction shows through. "But I can get inside undetected. Create chaos from within while you hit from outside."
"The convergence point is where Mikhail wants us." I tap the location on the map. "But Moira's at the lighthouse. He's splitting our focus."
"Then we split our response." Declan's tactical mind clicks into place. "Rafe, Kian, Grayson—you hit the lighthouse. Fast extraction. Get Moira out while Finn, Lila and I engage Mikhail at the convergence point."
"He'll have backup at both locations." Kian marks positions on the map. "The Russians work for the larger syndicate. They'll have numbers."
"Then we match them." Grayson's expression shows pure bear satisfaction. "Some of Declan's pack can lock down the village, keep civilians clear. We handle the rest."
Mikhail wants us reactive and desperate. We'll give him focused fury instead.
"Sunset’s not long from now." Declan checks his watch. "Lighthouse team moves first. Creates the distraction. Finn and Lila hit the convergence point at sunset when Mikhail expects us. We use the time until then to prepare."
The Brotherhood disperses to their own preparations. Lila and I fly back to my cave as afternoon light slants golden across the ocean.
She's quiet on the flight. Not afraid—I'd feel that through the bond. Focused. Her mind running calculations, analyzing variables, preparing for combat the way she'd prepare for any scientific challenge.
We land and shift. The cave feels different now. Ours. The scent of her layered over centuries of my presence, changing the territory in ways I didn't expect to welcome.
She moves to the ocean pool, studying the water. "Phoenix fire works best in open air. If we can force him toward the water, into the shallows where it's too wet for sustained flame?—"
"You're thinking tactically." Pride surges across the bond. "Good."
"I'm thinking like a scientist." She turns to face me. "Fire needs oxygen and fuel. Ocean spray, high humidity, water everywhere—those are variables that work against combustion. Basic physics."
Understanding clicks. She's not claiming mystical knowledge about phoenix vulnerabilities. She's applying what she knows about chemistry and physics to a new problem. That's exactly how her mind works.
"The deep channels near the convergence point." I move to stand beside her. "Strong currents. If he's trying to maintain flight in phoenix form, fighting wind shear and ocean spray, his fire won't burn as hot."
"Exactly." Her eyes light up with the same focus I've seen when she's solving research problems. "We use the environment. Make him fight on our terms, not his."
I pull her against me and kiss her. Deep and possessive, tongue sweeping into her mouth, claiming what's mine before battle tries to take it away. She melts against me and through the bond I feel her need rising to match my own.
When I pull back, we're both breathing hard.
"We have time before we need to leave." My hands find her hips, grip hard enough to bruise. "I'm going to spend it reminding you exactly what you're fighting for."
Her pupils dilate. "Is that a promise?"
"It's a guarantee."
She's already naked from the shift. I catch her wrists and pin them above her head against the cave wall.
The command comes out rough. "You take what I give you."
"Finn—"
"Say it. Tell me you understand."
Her breath comes faster. "I understand."
"Good." I release her wrists and she keeps them raised, pinned by nothing but my command. The obedience sends satisfaction roaring through me. "Don't move those hands. If you do, I stop. Clear?"
"Clear."
