Page 114 of Taken

Lila’s jaw tightens. “And when the Syndicate comes for her? Or the Circle? You think stone walls and a few guards will stop Creed? Stop Malakai?”

“Which is precisely why we need a coordinated approach,” Viktor insists. “Not an emotional reaction that puts everything at risk.”

The tension in the room builds as Lila stares him down, neither willing to yield. I feel the dragon in me responding to her defiance, to the fire burning beneath her skin.

Mine, it whispers.Ours.

“Fine,” Lila says finally. “You have one week to make your preparations. Then I’m going to my daughter, with or without your blessing.”

Viktor studies her, centuries of calculation visible in his gaze.

“I’m glad you’re willing to see reason,” he says.

The meeting continues, tactical details discussed, assignments distributed. I watch Lila throughout, noting the tightness around her eyes, the way her fingers occasionally drift to the outline of the Shard tucked in her jacket. She didn’t return it after her visit to the vault this morning, and I know Viktor’s not happy about it. When he learned of it after we came up from the vault, the top of his head almost blew off. Not that Lila seemed to care one bit.

Now she sits rigid beside me, playing at cooperation while I can practically feel the defiance radiating from her.

As the meeting wraps up, Viktor approaches us. “The Shard remains unauthorized,” he says to Lila, eyeing the subtle bulge in her jacket. “It belongs in the vault.”

“It belongs withme,” she replies, unflinching. “It’s my birthright. You know that.”

“It’s dangerous,” Viktor presses. “Especially with your connection to it. The power it channels—”

“Is mine to control.” She stands, matching his stare. “I’ve earned the right to carry it on my terms.”

Viktor’s mouth thins, but he doesn’t press further. His gaze shifts to me. “Keep her safe, Talon. And keep her here until we’re ready to move.”

I nod, not quite a promise.

After he leaves, Lila turns to us, voice dropping. “I’m not waiting a fucking week.”

“We know,” Hargen says, exchanging a glance with me. I’m not surprised he picked up on the same cues that I did. I already know enough about this woman to know that she’s not one to sit around when she wants something.

And I love it.

It’s not the only thing I love about her.

“Viktor’s not wrong about the danger,” I tell her. “The Syndicate and Circle forces—”

“I know exactly what the Syndicate is capable of,” she cuts in. “But every moment I’m away from Elena is another moment lost. Another moment I can’t get back.”

The raw pain in her voice strips away any argument I might make. Instead, I squeeze her hand.

“Then we go,” I tell her, not sure how we’ll do it, but knowing that I’ll make it work if that’s what she wants.

Relief softens her features. “Thank you.”

“We’ll need tactical support,” Hargen says, already planning. “Transport. Weapons. A clear extraction plan.”

“I’ll handle it,” I reply. “Two hours. Meet at the service tunnel entrance on level two.”

They nod, and we separate to prepare, gathering supplies, studying maps, memorizing access points. The Outpost hums with activity around us, oblivious to our plans.

Two hours later, we reconvene with packed gear and grim determination. Hargen brings medical supplies, plus the tactical knowledge from years inside the Syndicate. I secure weapons, communication equipment, and Viktor’s security codes I copied months ago as insurance against exactly this kind of situation.

Lila arrives last, the Shard now hanging from a thick chain around her neck, hidden beneath her shirt.

“Ready?” I ask.

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