Page 9 of Finn
“Yes,” Anastasia interjected, her gaze slithering over me with unsettling intensity. “We wouldn’t be assigning this mission if we didn’t believe you capable. But we’ll need complete commitment to see this done. Do you understand?”
I fought the urge to grit my teeth. “Of course,” I said evenly.
“Good.” She tilted her head, that smile flashing again. “Your success will be watched with great interest, Finn. After all, we’ve invested considerable resources into your training. We expect results.”
I nodded, forcing myself not to break eye contact. “I’ll make the preparations.”
But as I turned to leave, a question burned in my mind. I hesitated. “Why is there so little information in the file? If it’s a high-priority target?—”
Elder Marcus’s face tightened, his lips pressing into a thin line.
“We are not here to explain ourselves to junior hunters, Finn. Or are you implying you’re unfit for this mission?” Elder Marcus asked.
“No,” I said quickly. “I just wanted to be prepared, is all.”
“Focus on execution, not curiosity,” he replied, dismissive and final.
I clenched my jaw, nodding tightly, and left.
Their words echoed in my head as I walked back down the hall, fists balled at my sides.
This mission felt wrong, like a trap. And I couldn’t help the sharp pang in my chest that came with it.
Gabriel had been given an assignment just like this, one that felt off, but he hadn’t questioned it.
He’d trusted the Elders, and it had cost him his life.
Outside, I leaned against the wall and drew in a breath, struggling to steady myself.
Gabriel’s face swam before my eyes again, the way he’d looked at me the last time I saw him, that faintly teasing smile before he brushed a kiss against my lips.
“Don’t let them break you,” he’d whispered, fingers trailing along my cheek. “Keep that fire in you, Finn.”
I squeezed my eyes shut. How was I supposed to keep that fire alive if it was doused every time I tried to get closer to the truth?
“Hey,” Asher’s voice cut through my thoughts, and I opened my eyes to see him standing beside me, arms crossed.
“What did they say?” he asked, his face drawn and serious.
“Something’s not right,” I replied, trying to keep the bitterness out of my tone. “They didn’t even give me the name of my target. Just an alias, the name of my contact, a location, and my target’s a member of the Craven Hill Nest.”
Asher furrowed his brows, his gaze narrowing as he tried to make sense of it. He placed a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm.
“I should speak with them,” he said, sounding resolute. “Maybe there’s been a mistake. Or you’ve been given insufficient information.”
“No, I can handle this,” I blurted, almost instinctively.
For all of Asher’s faults, I knew he just wanted to protect me. But I had to do this myself.
I continued, “But... Asher… something feels really off. You know what happened to Gabriel. He trusted them, and look where it got him.”
Asher’s face hardened, and he dropped his hand, his jaw clenched. “Don’t bring Gabriel into this.”
“How can I not?” I hissed, unable to contain the anger and hurt that had been bubbling under the surface for years. “You and Donovan told me to forget about him, to move on, but I can’t. Gabriel didn’t die for nothing, Asher. He died because?—”
“Enough,” he cut in sharply, his voice cold. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Finn. Gabriel’s gone, and nothing you say or do will change that.”
I took a step back, his words stinging more than I wanted to admit.
