Page 69 of Lost in Fire

“Because she made me promise to keep you safe.” I pull in a breath. “And sometimes keeping promises means doing things that tear you apart.”

Ember looks away, but not before I catch the shimmer of tears. “My birthday is next week.”

“I know.”

How could I forget? It’s been counting down in my head like a goddamn clock.

“Mom always said something important would happen when I turned twenty-one.” She fiddles with the cap of her water bottle. “That everything would change. Some kind of… dragon rite of passage.”

“Your mother was right.” I choose my words carefully. “Twenty-one is when dragons typically reach full manifestation. For you, with your mixed heritage, it might be even more significant.”

“And now you’re protecting me.” She doesn’t sound entirely pleased by this arrangement.

“It’s what parents do.”

What they should do, anyway. What I should have been doing all along, if only I’d known I had a daughter.

Her smile is small but genuine. “Parents. Plural. That’s still strange to hear.”

Before I can respond, the door to the training arena slides open. Nadia enters with her characteristic fluid grace, those strange silver-green eyes taking in the scorch marks along the walls. She reminds me of Vanya in some ways—the careful observation, the sense that she’s always thinking three steps ahead.

“Impressive,” she says, nodding toward the frost-edged burn patterns. “Not many can manifest opposing elements simultaneously.”

Ember brightens at the praise. In the week since our arrival, she’s formed an unexpected bond with the mysterious wolf shifter. Perhaps because Nadia understands what it means to exist between worlds. Hell, maybe I should be grateful the kid has someone to talk to who isn’t carrying around two decades’ worth of guilt and regret.

“She’s getting stronger every day,” I say.

“Too strong, too fast,” Nadia replies, her expression concerned. “Viktor wants to see you. Both of you.”

Shit.The summons isn’t unexpected, but the timing feels ominous. The Aurora leader has been monitoring Ember’s progress with interest, though he tries to disguise it as routine oversight. Viktor Parlance doesn’t do anything without a reason, and his reasons tend to involve situations going sideways fast.

“Now?” Ember asks, already gathering her things.

Nadia nods. “Something’s happened.”

The three of us make our way through the Collective’s underground complex. Aurora members nod in greeting as we pass, some eyeing Ember with undisguised curiosity. Word of her unique abilities has spread quietly through the community.

Viktor is standing at the window as we arrive, turning to face us as we enter. Something about his posture sets my teeth onedge. I’ve seen that particular brand of tension before, usually right before everything goes to hell.

“You’ve made impressive progress,” he says, addressing Ember directly. “The reports from your training sessions are quite remarkable.”

Ember straightens under his scrutiny. “Thank you, sir.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” Viktor moves to his desk, activating a holographic display. Maps, data streams, intelligence feeds—all the hallmarks of incoming information. “We’ve received troubling reports from our contacts in Syndicate territory.”

Shit. Here it comes.

“What kind of reports?” I keep my voice steady, professional, though my nerves are screaming.

Viktor’s expression is grim. “Enhanced interrogation procedures. They’re implementing what they’re calling ‘loyalty verification’ for high-ranking members.”

Fuck.“How enhanced?”

“The invasive kind. Magical scanning designed to strip away mental defenses and expose hidden agendas.” His attention shifts between Ember and me. “Our source indicates these procedures began three days ago.”

The unspoken implication hangs in the air. Someone with access to Syndicate intelligence is feeding Aurora information. Someone who would know about loyalty verification procedures. Someone who’s probably on the target list.

“Has anyone been detained?” I try to keep my voice level.

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