Page 71 of Lost in Fire

After a few minutes, Ember speaks again. There’s a tremor in her voice. “Do you think she’ll survive this?”

The question I’ve been dreading. The one I can’t answer honestly without terrifying her.

“I think your mother has survived worse.” I turn to face her directly. “And I think she’s got more reasons to fight now than she’s had in years.”

“Because of us.”

“Because of us.”

Ember nods slowly, processing this. When she looks at me again, there’s steel in her expression—pure Vanya determination looking back at me.

“Then we wait,” she says simply. “And if she needs us…”

“We’ll be ready.”

It’s not much of a plan. Hell, it’s barely even hope. But it’s what we have. And maybe, for now, it’s enough.

As we walk back toward the main complex, I catch the faint shimmer of scales along Ember’s forearms—dragon heritage responding to emotional stress. She’s learning to control it, but the power is there, growing stronger as her birthday approaches.

Whatever happens next, whatever comes of Vanya’s dangerous game, I’ll make sure our daughter gets through it.

Even if it kills me.

Chapter 24

Vanya

The summons arrives at precisely 8:03 a.m. Marek places the sealed document on my desk with unusual care, his neutral expression cracking just enough to show concern.

“Loyalty verification procedure. At 9 a.m.” His voice stays steady, but I catch the slight tremor. “Elder Arrowvane… is there anything you need?”

I keep my face blank. The paper might as well be a death sentence. “No, Marek. Thank you.”

After he leaves, I sit perfectly still. Sunlight inches across my desk. One hour. They’ve given me one hour to prepare for a procedure designed to strip away fifteen years of carefully built defenses.

Shit. I knew this was coming, but it’s still a shock.

At least Ember is safe. The thought wraps around me like armor. Whatever happens, my daughter is beyond their reach.Still, it doesn’t stop the swirl of apprehension from building in my gut.

I arrange my already orderly desk, using the precise motions to settle myself.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Ember may be safe, but I can’t guarantee they won’t tap into other thoughts I’ve been hiding.

Silently, I begin building mental defenses. Layer by layer, I construct walls around dangerous memories. Ember’s face as she left. Hargen’s hands on my skin. Names and locations of every family in our network.

I bury them beneath false images and misdirection. It might not be enough, but I have to try. By the time the knock at the door comes, I’m the picture of calm.

“Elder,” a guard says, dipping his head deferentially. “They are ready for you.”

I stand and nod, straightening the fabric of my jacket before joining him on the walk that will lead to the wing where Vex is running this whole farce. We remain silent as we head there.

The verification chamber is pristine white. Windowless. A single chair sits beneath harsh lights. Ancient runes mark the floor—a containment circle older than the Syndicate, designed to prevent dragon shifting during interrogation.

Elder Vex waits inside, flanked by two technicians in gray, their expressions professionally blank.

“Elder Arrowvane.” He gestures to the chair with mock courtesy. “Thank you for your prompt arrival.”

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