Page 76 of Lost in Fire

“Three days minimum. Depending on if the situation requires extended damage control.”

“Three days?” Ember’s voice rises. “So we just abandon her?”

Viktor’s expression carries genuine regret. “I’m sorry. But there’s nothing I can do right now. I can’t send you into that place without a full contingent. A hasty rescue attempt would be foolish.”

Rage builds in my chest, white-hot and consuming. “She risked everything. I won’t leave her there.”

“Hargen, think.” Viktor stands, moving around the desk. “A failed rescue would be a complete waste of time and probably only increase any potential danger to her. Not to mention yourself and anyone stupid enough to go in with you.”

“We have to try something!” Ember steps beside me, united in desperation.

I look at Viktor, at the maps covering his walls, at the symbols of an organization built on careful planning and calculated risks. All of it means nothing if we can’t protect the people who matter.

“I’m going,” I say quietly. “With or without your support.”

Ember immediately jumps in. “I’m coming too.”

“Absolutely not.” I turn to face her, putting iron in my voice. “Your mother sacrificed everything to keep you safe. I won’t undo that.”

“That’s not your decision to make!” Anger flares in her eyes, and I catch the shimmer of scales along her jaw again.

“Yes, it is. I’m your father, and I’m telling you—”

The office door opens. Nadia enters without knocking, immediately assessing the tension in the room.

“I felt the disturbance,” she says, eyes moving between Ember’s agitated state and my rigid posture. “What happened?”

“Family crisis,” Viktor explains tersely. “Hargen wants to attempt a solo extraction mission to retrieve the Shadowhand.”

Nadia’s attention sharpens. “The Syndicate facility? That’s suicide.”

“Not if I have the right connections,” I say, an idea beginning to form. I look at Nadia, then back at Viktor. “I need you both to keep Ember safe while I’m gone.”

“You can’t just decide this alone,” Ember protests.

I ignore her, pulling out my communication device. “I’m contacting Lila Rossewyn. She escaped from Syndicate detention once.”

Viktor’s eyebrows rise. “Involving outsiders creates additional risk.”

“Lila owes me. And she has connections to the Craven clan.” I activate the secure channel, praying she’ll answer. “Resources the Collective can’t provide right now.”

Ember moves closer, desperation replacing anger. “Please. She’s my mother. I love her too.”

The words hit harder than any argument could. Because she’s right—Vanya belongs to both of us. But that doesn’t change what needs to happen.

“Which is exactly why you’re staying here,” I say firmly. “Where she knows you’re safe.”

Nadia steps forward, placing a gentle hand on Ember’s shoulder. “Your father’s right. Going would put you directly in the path of people who want you dead.”

“But I could help—”

“You’d be a liability,” Nadia says with kind honesty. “However powerful you are, you’re untrained for this kind of operation.”

The communication device crackles to life. “Hargen?” Lila’s voice carries across the distance, immediately alert. “What’s wrong?”

“I need your help.” The words come easier than expected. “Someone I care about is in Syndicate custody. I need to get her out.”

“When?”

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