Page 131 of Taken

“We need to contact Viktor,” I say finally. “Let him know we’re alive, at least.”

Lila’s expression hardens slightly. “On my terms,” she says firmly. “I’m not jumping back into another cage, no matter how gilded.”

“Of course,” I say firmly, knowing she’s going to need reminders of this for a while to come.

“Maybe we should—” Elena begins, but she’s cut off by the penthouse door flying open with a bang.

A woman with dark hair streaked with fading blue storms in, tablet in hand, face thunderous with irritation.

“Seriously, Lennie?” she demands, zeroing in on Elena. “Againwith the dragons in public? Do you have any idea how hard it is to cover this shit up?”

Elena’s face breaks into a grin. “Hi, Mara. Nice to see you, too.”

Mara marches toward us, apparently unfazed by the odd gathering in the kitchen. “Three separate videos already trending. A helicopter crash. Reports of—” She stops abruptly, finally noticing Lila. Her eyes widen. “Holy shit. You found her.”

“Mara, this is my mother,” Elena says, pride evident in her voice. “Mom, this is Mara. My best friend and the reason halfof Seattle doesn’t believe they saw actual dragons fighting last month.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Lila says, amusement flickering across her face.

“Likewise.” Mara’s gaze sweeps over me, then back to Lila. “Well, that’s one mystery solved.” She turns back to Elena. “So, the ‘movie promotional stunt’ angle is getting thin, but we can still work with it. Luke says if we’re going this route again, he needs advance notice. Preferably no actual property damage or deaths.”

“Luke’s finally on board?” Elena sounds surprised.

“Hardly.” She rolls her eyes. “He’s having kittens. Although that might also be because I put him in charge of designing concepts for fake movie posters. The best he could come up with was ‘Dragon’s Fury’ or some equally cheesy title.”

She drops onto an empty barstool, helping herself to coffee. “The good news is, peoplewantto believe it’s fake. Nobody wants to accept that actual dragons are duking it out over Seattle. The bad news? Each incident gets harder to explain away, Lennie. We need a better—”

Hargen’s phone chimes, cutting through Mara’s animated chatter. He pulls it from his pocket, frowning as he reads whatever message appears on the screen. The color drains from his face, leaving him ashen.

“Hargen?” Lila straightens, concern etched in her features. “What is it?”

He looks up, his expression hollow with shock. “I have to go back,” he says, his voice oddly strained.

“Back where?” I ask, though I already know the answer, dread pooling in my gut.

“To the Syndicate.”

The room goes silent, tension thick enough to choke on.

“What? That’s fucking suicide,” Dorian says flatly.

“You can’t,” Lila insists, moving toward him. “After everything—they’ll kill you on sight.”

Hargen’s eyes meet hers, something resolute settling into his expression. “I don’t have a choice.”

“Of course you do,” she argues, her hand finding the Shard at her throat. “Whatever they have on you—”

“It’s not about me.” His voice cuts through her protest, quiet but firm. “It’s about something bigger. Something I can’t explain yet.”

I watch them, this strange family unit—Lila and the man who was both her jailer and her protector for years.

“Then I’m coming with you,” Lila declares.

“No.” The word comes from multiple voices at once—mine, Elena’s, Hargen’s.

“You just got free,” I remind her, moving to her side. “You can’t go back there.”

“And I just found you,” Elena adds, taking her other arm. “I’m not losing you again.”

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