Page 113 of Forged in Fire
“The intelligence Kieran provided,” Viktor says, steering the conversation toward safer ground, “it’s more comprehensive than we hoped. Personnel files, facility locations, operational timelines. If even half of it proves accurate—”
“It’s all accurate,” Kieran interrupts, voice carrying quiet conviction. “I remember everything. Every detail, every face, every conversation I was forced to witness.”
The admission hangs heavy in the afternoon air. The enormity of those memories must be crushing. I’m not surprised that he wants to atone for what he believes are his sins. I wish he wouldn’t.
But he’s carrying them anyway. Turning them into tools for justice instead of letting them destroy him.
“We can dismantle their entire network,” Viktor continues. “Shut down facilities, rescue prisoners, prevent the heritage consolidation program from reaching critical mass.”
“How long will it take?” Vanya asks.
“Months. Maybe years. They’ve been building this operation for decades.” Viktor’s expression grows grim. “But yes, it can be done.”
Satisfaction settles in my chest. Not just for the strategic victory, but for what it means. Other families won’t go through what we did. Other twins won’t spend years searching for brothers who’ve disappeared into Syndicate laboratories.
We can prevent that. We can stop them.
“There’s something else,” Nadia says, setting down her wineglass. Her pale green eyes hold the intensity that means she’s been thinking about something important. “The Circle of Fire is a mess without Malakai’s leadership. Most of their operations have gone dark.”
“Permanently?” Hargen asks.
“I don’t know. But their immediate threat level has dropped significantly.” She looks around the group. “For the first time in years, we’re not fighting a war on multiple fronts.”
Hope blooms in my chest. A world where we’re not constantly looking over our shoulders, where relationships can developwithout the constant threat of violence. Where mates can bond in peace instead of between battles.
“Don’t get too comfortable,” Viktor warns, reading my expression. “The Circle will adapt. Find new leadership, new strategies. This is a victory, not an ending.”
“But it’s still a victory,” Elena points out. “We’re allowed to celebrate those.”
Viktor’s smile transforms his rugged features. “Yes. We are.”
As if summoned by the word celebration, Tabitha produces another bottle of wine from somewhere. Glasses are refilled, toasts are proposed, and the terrace fills with the kind of laughter that comes from people who’ve survived impossible odds together.
I lean against Riven’s chest, letting a sense of peace wash over me. His hand traces lazy patterns on my arm, sending pleasant tingles through my skin. For once, the future stretches ahead without immediate crisis or desperate missions.
For once, we can simply exist.
And I feel Riven’s matching contentment. His slow adjustment to belonging somewhere, to having people who matter. The careful walls he built around his heart are crumbling piece by piece, replaced by something stronger.
Connection. Trust. Love.
The sun sinks lower. Conversation flows around us, comfortable and familiar. Plans for the future, memories of the past, the easy intimacy of people who’ve chosen each other.
This is what I fought for without knowing it. Not just Kieran’s freedom, but this—a place where we belong, people who understand the darkness we carry, the peace that comes from knowing you’re not facing the world alone.
I’m drifting drowsily when Viktor’s emergency phone starts ringing.
The sound cuts through conversation, sharp and insistent. Viktor’s expression changes instantly, military composure sliding into place as he reaches for the device.
“Parlance.”
The voice on the other end is too distant for me to make out words, but the tone carries urgency that makes my shadows stir restlessly. Around the terrace, conversations falter as people notice the shift in atmosphere.
“What do you mean ‘no signal’?” Viktor’s voice hardens. “How long ago did you lose contact?”
Instinctively, I hold my breath. Contact. Lost contact with who?
Beside me, I feel Riven’s instant alertness, his body shifting into combat readiness even though we don’t know what the threat is yet.
