Page 37 of Lost in Fire

“Elder Arrowvane?” A voice through the door. “Inspector Nightvale requires a status update.”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

My hands shake as I reach for my mask, transforming back into the Shadowhand. But Hargen’s fingers catch mine, stopping me.

“This conversation isn’t over,” he says quietly.

“No,” I agree, voice steadier than I feel. “It’s not.”

The buzz comes again, more insistent.

I slide the mask into place, become the monster I’ve pretended to be for so long. But underneath the silver, my lips still burn from his kiss.

Chapter 14

Vanya

Cassia stands perfectly still against the concrete wall, tablet clutched against her chest like armor. Her professional posture is intact, but the tension radiating from her speaks volumes. When our eyes meet, I catch the flicker of concern that she’s fighting to hide.

“Elder Arrowvane. Reports are saying that you’re interrogating a high-value asset,” she says. She’s maintaining her role as part of the Ivory League administration.

“Yes, I am,” I reply, then add, “We’re free to talk, Cass. The site is secure.” I glance around the corridor. The surveillance systems down here will remain offline until I’m ready to activate them. There are advantages to having the reputation I’ve cultivated over the years. The Shadowhand has methods that are seldom questioned.

She exhales a breath. “It’s him. You called him, and he found a way in,” she speaks quickly. “He’s here now. Her father.”

I nod because there’s no sense in denying it. “I had no choice.”

She hesitates before responding, perhaps contemplating whether this is entirely true. “You think he’ll help her,” she says.

“Yes.” I sigh. “I… I wish I knew what else to do. But with the threat from Vex…”

“I understand. It’s what any mother would do.” Her lips curve into a small smile. “How did it go?” she asks quietly.

“I told him the truth.” The words feel strange on my tongue. For fifteen years, I’ve compartmentalized this—Hargen believing me dead while I watched him grieve from the shadows. Now that wall has crumbled, and I’m not sure what stands in its place.

“How much?”

“Everything that matters. That I’m alive. That we have a daughter.” I rub the back of my neck, trying to loosen tight muscles. “He’s… processing.”

Cassia nods, though I can see the worry etched in the lines around her eyes. “How the hell did he get in?”

“Pretended he’d been manipulated into defecting, but now he’s back with valuable intel.” I make a wry face.

“That’s his cover story? Is it holding?”

“For now. Aurora’s done their work well—to anyone delving into his mind, he was magically coerced during his time helping them. The psychological markers are convincing enough.”

“Good. Because we have bigger problems brewing.” Her professional composure wavers slightly. “I’ve been talking with the others in our network. They’re all concerned about the recent developments with Vex.”

The guilt hits me once more.The others.The handful of people throughout the Syndicate who’ve helped us protect mixed-heritage families over the years. People who’ve risked their careers, their lives, their families’ safety to save strangers frompersecution. People who trusted me to keep our activities subtle, undetectable.

“What kind of concerns?” I ask, though my stomach is already dropping.

“That your actions are going to affect all of us, Vanya.” Her eyes darken.

“I know. This is my fault.” The admission tastes bitter. “God, if only I knew what else to do. The message I sent—”

“This was always coming,” Cassia cuts me off. “Vex has been building toward this for months.”

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