Page 94 of Lost in Fire

Syndicate members emerge from doorways as we pass. They press against walls to watch, faces sharp with curiosity. I scan each one, looking for recognition, for any clue where they’re holding her.

Count the guards. Time the intervals. Map the blind spots.

I can’t let go of the hope of getting out of here. I won’t. But the suppression magic turns my thoughts sluggish. Planning becomes impossible.

“I trust you got some rest, Mr. Cole.” Elder Vex steps from a side passage with his elite guards. His smile is pure evil.

“Where is she?” I snarl.

“Patience.” He eyes me like I’m a prime cut of meat. “Soon, everything will become clear.”

“If you’ve hurt her, I’ll fucking kill you!” I strain toward him.

“Kill me?” Vex laughs. The sound bounces off the stone walls. “You still don’t understand what you’re dealing with. Whatsheis.”

The chains spark as I test them. “Explain.”

“You’ve caused too many problems.” He stops close enough that I can smell his cologne. “The defection with the Rossewyn girl was tolerable. Even your recent collaboration with Viktor could be overlooked.”

The procession starts again. Guards yank me forward while Vex walks beside me like we’re old friends.

“But tainting our gene pool with your filthy blood? With an Arrowvane heir, no less?” His voice drops. “That crosses every line. Your disgusting offspring will die with you.”

Red floods my vision. I throw myself at him, chains screaming, magic tearing at my flesh. I don’t care that it’s hopeless. I need to feel my hands around his scrawny throat.

A rifle butt cracks against my skull. Stars explode. Blood fills my mouth.

“Ember is safe,” I snarl through split lips. “Whatever game you’re playing, she’s beyond your reach.”

“Is she?” His smile widens. “We’ll see.”

We’ll see.

The words follow me as consciousness wavers. I feel myself dragged forward, my feet trailing along the floor.

The ceremonial chamber opens up before us. Stone pillars stretch up into the shadows of a vast, unseen ceiling. Dragon history covers every surface—battles, conquests, the rise and fall of bloodlines that thought themselves immortal.

They chain me to pillars on a central platform. Arms spread. Legs locked. Completely exposed. On the floor and walls around me, scorch marks blacken the stone.

How many others died here?

The restraint points are carved into the pillars themselves. The chains hum with power designed to drain every trace of magic from whoever they hold.

Syndicate members fill tiered seating in perfect silence. No jeering crowd. This is ceremony. Ritual. The solemn execution of justice according to their twisted code.

I pull against the restraints, testing them—hopeless but necessary. I search for Vanya through our bond—nothing but empty space where connection should be. I scan the crowd for mercy.

I find none.

Last night.

I think of Vanya curled against me, her fingers curled on my chest while we spoke in the darkness.

“I love you,” she’d whispered. “Whatever happens, remember that.”

I thought it was sentiment. Now it feels like goodbye.

The crowd draws breath as one. The side entrance opens to rhythmic drumbeats that make the air vibrate.

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