Page 38 of Lost in Fire

“The existing program?” I ask, though I’m afraid of the answer.

“At risk.” She pulls in a breath. “If the investigation goes deep enough, if they start analyzing connection patterns…”

“Everyone we’ve protected over the years…”

“So many families, Vanya. So many we’ve managed to help.”

The weight of it crashes over me. Years of careful work, hundreds of lives saved through subtle manipulation and strategic misdirection. All of it built on the foundation of my position within the Ivory League—a position that grows more precarious with each passing hour.

“I think I can protect you,” Cassia continues. “The Shadowhand position carries enough authority to weather most investigations. If we’re careful, if we don’t give them anything concrete to pursue—”

“But not Ember.” The words hang between us like a dark cloud. Cassia’s protective strategies might shield me from scrutiny, but they can’t hide a woman whose mixed heritage will be exposed the moment enhanced protocols begin scanning young adults.

“No.” The admission costs her. “Not Ember.”

I may have hidden her existence from the upper levels of Syndicate leadership, but the minute she comes into her full dragon power, she’s going to ping someone’s radar.

I lean against the wall, feeling the careful architecture of our shared deception beginning to crumble. For fifteen years, we’ve played a dangerous game—protecting those who needed it while maintaining the illusion of loyalty to an organization that would destroy us all if they knew the truth. We’ve saved lives through strategic sabotage and selective blindness.

But we’ve never faced a situation like this. Never confronted the reality that saving some might require sacrificing others.

“The enhanced protocols,” I say quietly. “Once they’re implemented, there’s no hiding what she is.”

“No.”

“And if I run with her—if I use the extraction protocols to make us disappear—”

“The network collapses. You’ll be identified as a traitor and everyone we’ve protected becomes vulnerable.” Cassia’s professional mask slips further, showing the fear beneath. “Vex and the others will tear apart every connection, every safe house, every family we’ve relocated.”

The choice crystallizes before me with terrible clarity. Save my daughter and condemn dozens of other families to exposure and possible execution. Or trust that somehow, impossibly, we can find a way to protect everyone.

Come on, woman. There has to be something you can do, dammit!

And then it dawns on me.

“I know what I need to do,” I tell her, my heart breaking as I say the words. “And I can do it in a way that will keep everyone safe.” As I say the words, I pray that they’re true.

“You’re sure?” she asks.

“Absolutely.” I manage a tight smile. “Go tell the others. I have some things to do, and then I’ll update you. But it’s going to work out. I promise.”

She reaches a hand to me and squeezes my arm. “Thank you, Vanya. Not just for this. But for everything. I know you’ve made more sacrifices than anyone should have to make in one lifetime.”

She disappears into the elevator, leaving me alone in the corridor with the weight of decisions that will reshape everything. For fifteen years, I’ve protected my daughter by hiding her from a world that would destroy her for existing. Now, the only way to keep her safe is to introduce her to the father she’s never known.

The lock disengages with a soft click as I return to the interrogation chamber. Hargen looks up as I enter, his dark eyes searching my face for answers I’m not sure I’m ready to give.

“We need to go,” I say quietly.

He stands slowly, wariness written in every line of his body. “Where?”

“To meet our daughter.”

He goes very still, and I watch emotions war across his features—hope, fear, anticipation.

“Now?” His voice is carefully controlled.

“Now.” I move toward the door. “Surveillance is disabled, but that won’t last forever. We have a window, and I intend to use it.”

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