Page 12 of Lost in Fire

I nod. “I don’t see any other way to find out what they’re up to.”

“This could be bait. A trap to draw you back in.”

“It could be.” I fold my arms. “But we won’t know unless I go in there. And if they’re planning something major, we need to know about it.”

“And you want to infiltrate them.”

“I want to stop them from killing my family. Lila and Elena will be targets.” The words come out roughly, but they’re true enough. “My time as Lila’s handler gave me insights into their operations. Connections I can exploit. If someone inside is willing to provide intelligence, I need to make contact.”

Viktor moves to his desk, fingers drumming against the surface. “Even if your intelligence is accurate, walking back into Syndicate territory is suicide. They know you defected. They know you helped extract Lila.”

“Unless I convince them I was manipulated. Coerced.” I spread my hands. “Magic can be used for influence. They’ll believe I was compromised, especially if I bring them something valuable.”

“Such as?”

“Information about Aurora operations. The Heartstone’s location. Intelligence on the Rossewyn bloodline.” I pause. “Carefully crafted intelligence that serves our purposes while appearing to serve theirs.”

Viktor studies me for a long moment. Then he activates his terminal, pulling up files I don’t recognize.

“There’s been something bothering Aurora intelligence,” he says. “A figure within the Syndicate hierarchy. Someone calling themselves the Shadowhand.”

“Never heard of them.”

“Most people haven’t. They operate in the shadows of the Ivory League—the Syndicate’s inner circle of purebloods.” Viktor pulls up operational reports. “Officially, this Shadowhand advocates for the most extreme policies. Elimination of mixed bloodlines, forced sterilization, public executions.”

My blood chills. “And unofficially?”

“That’s what we need to find out.” He gestures to the screen. “Look at this. A purification raid last month—seven mixed-blood targets identified for exile. When officials arrived, the targets had vanished.”

“Incompetence?”

“Once, maybe. But it’s happened three times in the past year. Always the same pattern. The Shadowhand classifies the operation, the targets disappear.” Viktor’s expression hardens. “Either we’re dealing with the most incompetent extremist in Syndicate history, or someone is playing a very dangerous double game.”

I consider what he’s telling me.

Someone with access to classified information. Someone with the authority to redirect operations. Someone protecting mixed bloodlines from within the most extremist faction of the Syndicate.

“You want me to investigate this Shadowhand?”

He observes me silently for a moment. “Here’s my offer, Hargen. I’ll provide cover for your infiltration—false intelligence to make your defection credible, communication protocols, extraction methods. But in exchange, you identify the Shadowhand. Find out their real agenda.”

“And if I locate the source of my intelligence about the Rossewyn threats?”

“Then you extract them along with the intelligence on the Shadowhand.” Viktor’s expression softens slightly. “I’m not heartless, Hargen. If someone is trying to save lives by feeding us information, they deserve protection.”

The deal makes sense. Viktor gets his intelligence on a potential double agent, I get my chance to find Vanya and our daughter. Win-win, except for the part where I’ll be walking back into the heart of an organization that wants me dead.

“What do you think of my cover story?” I voice my concern. “Plausible?”

“Magical coercion during your defection.” He mulls this over. “You were influenced, manipulated into helping Lila escape, but you’ve broken free. You have intelligence on the Rossewyn bloodline, the Heartstone, Aurora operations—enough to make your return valuable to them.”

I nod. The Syndicate knows I have a connection to the Rossewyn line through distant heritage. They’ll want that intelligence.

“Could work,” he says. “I’ll get Zoe to put some magical traces on you,” he adds. “Something that looks like the after-effects of an enchantment.”

“Good idea,” I say. “Timeline?”

“Three weeks maximum. After that, Aurora extracts you whether you’re ready or not.” Viktor stands, moving to a secure cabinet. “I’ll have everything prepared within forty-eight hours. Communication devices, false intelligence packages, extraction protocols.”

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