Elira didn’t sleep that night.
Not after the failed extraction. Not after Valencia’s smirk haunted her like a curse. Not with Amira still in danger.
She sat in the shadows of the safe house’s war room, legs pulled to her chest, maps scattered like broken glass around her.
Soren entered quietly. “Arlen confirmed. Amira’s safe. No movement near the second location.”
Elira didn’t look at him. “But it won’t last.”
“She’s with someone who knows how to disappear.”
“Valencia doesn’t care about distance,” Elira said softly. “She only cares about damage. And she knows the quickest way to destroy me is through my child.”
Soren walked over and sat across from her. Close. Too close.
“I won’t let that happen,” he said.
Elira finally looked at him.
His eyes were darker tonight. Something under
