Page 11 of Lost in Fire

“In the flesh,” she says, setting a hand on her hip. “What brings you back? I already gave you one ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card. Don’t expect another.”

“I need to speak to Viktor. Is he around?”

She purses her lips, then gives a nod. “Not sure he’ll see you, though.”

“Can you smooth the path?” I give her what I hope is an endearing smile. Not my forte, but it’s worth a try.

“Sure thing.” She glances down a short hallway nearby, then back at me. “But I’m not making any promises.”

“I know you’ll win him over.”

She gives a snort, then heads down the hall and knocks on one of the doors before stepping in. A minute later, she’s back.

“He’ll see you.” She glances back at his door. “Just don’t… rattle his cage.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Viktor’s office occupies a corner of the main building, its reinforced windows offering commanding views of the approach roads. I find him standing with three of the operatives I recall from my previous time here.

“Tabitha, Samien, Otto,” he looks from one to the other, “we’ll continue this when I’m done here.”

“No problem,” says Otto, shooting a look my way. The three leave the office, Tabitha’s pale eyes sharp against her dusky skin as she gives me a curious glance as they pass.

“Pretty ballsy, I’ll give you that,” she murmurs beneath her breath.

Viktor’s expression shows his displeasure clearly—jaw tight, brow furrowed with frustration.

“You, Lila, and Talon ignored direct orders.” He’s clearly pissed off. “You could have compromised everything we’ve built.”

The reprimand stings. He’s talking about our unauthorized mission to help Lila reach her daughter Elena. Viktor had wanted to wait, to approach the Craven family through proper channels. We’d gone anyway.

“Viktor, I know you’re angry—”

“The public exposure of dragons, the delicate political situation, the risk to the Collective’s mission.” He turns, finally facing me. The scarred landscape of his face shows every year ofthe war he’s fought. “Did any of that matter when you decided to play hero?”

My throat tightens. “You’re right. We should have waited for your authorization. But when it comes to getting between a woman like Lila Rossewyn and her daughter…” I leave the sentence hanging.

He scrubs a hand over his face and heaves a breath. “Yes. There’s that.” He tilts his head, narrowing his good eye at me. “Is that what you came back to tell me? That she’s found her daughter?”

“She has,” I tell him. “But there’s something else. Something that affects the Collective.” I prepare to unveil the story I’ve been crafting since deciding to make the trip here. I need Viktor to have a reason to help me back in there.

His expression shifts, picking up the urgency in my voice. “What?”

“I’ve received intelligence about Syndicate operations. They’re planning something against the Rossewyn bloodlines. And from what I can piece together, the Aurora Collective is also being targeted.”

Viktor goes completely still. “What kind of intelligence?”

“The kind that suggests systematic elimination. Not just Lila and Elena, but anyone connected to the bloodline.” I lean forward, letting desperation bleed through my control. “My connection to Lila through the Rossewyn heritage makes me a target, too. But more than that—they’re moving against your organization. This isn’t random harassment. It’s coordinated.”

“Source?”

“Encrypted communication. Untraceable,” I say. “Someone with access to high-level Syndicate intelligence is trying to warn us.”

Viktor considers me for a moment. “Why would they approach you?”

“Because they trust me?” I shrug. I can’t go into too much detail about a resource that doesn’t exist in the way I’m presenting it. “I need to go back.”

He blinks in surprise. “Into Syndicate territory?”

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