Page 29 of Taken

“That’s above your clearance, Reeve,” Creed says, too quickly.

I let my expression harden slightly. “Not if it affects facility security. These energy fluctuations have you pushing the witch beyond safe extraction limits. I need to understand what we’re facing.”

Creed and Emerson exchange another loaded glance.

“Show him,” Creed decides finally. “Limited access.”

Emerson taps her tablet reluctantly. The wall display shifts to a map of Seattle. Red dots pulse at various points, concentrated around what appears to be a towering office block.

“Craven Industries’ head office,” Emerson explains. “Six months ago, we detected unusual energy behavior around this location. Since then, the pattern has intensified.”

I study the map, recognition tickling at the back of my mind. “What kind of anomaly?”

“We believe it’s the Heartstone,” Creed says. “I think they’ve been keeping it there. And after centuries of dormancy, it’s responding to… something.”

“At Craven Towers,” I say unnecessarily, trying to process this.

“Well, of course. They are its guardians,” Emerson says with clear distaste.

“And what’s causing the instability?” I press.

A pause, heavy with hesitation.

“The witch’s visions suggest another magical influence,” Creed says carefully. “Something—or someone—is interacting with it.”

“Another witch?” I suggest, watching their reactions.

Emerson’s fingers tense on her tablet. “Impossible. The Rossewyn bloodline is extinct except for her.”

“Yet her visions show a connection,” Creed counters. “Something with similar energy signatures. We’ve tracked a pattern of interactions—someone within Craven Industries has accessed the Stone repeatedly.”

My pulse quickens. If they suspect another Rossewyn witch exists…

“Can she identify this person?” I ask.

“She claims the visions are unclear,” Emerson says with clear frustration. “But her resistance spikes whenever we press on this particular point.”

“She’s hiding something,” Creed adds, eyes narrowing. “Protecting someone, perhaps.”

My gut clenches at the implication. If Lila has a connection to someone within Craven Industries—someone capable of influencing the Heartstone—no wonder she fights to conceal it.

“What’s your objective regarding the Heartstone?” I ask, keeping my tone professionally curious.

Creed’s smile is cold. “Recovery and proper utilization. The Heartstone belongs with those who understand its true potential, not locked away to gather dust.”

“And the Shard?” I add, testing the waters.

The temperature in the room plummets. Creed’s eyes fix on mine.

“What do you know about the Shard?” His voice soft, dangerous.

I affect mild surprise. “It’s referenced in the reports. A fragment of the Heartstone, broken during an attempted theft during Kael’s time. I assumed it was part of your search parameters.”

Creed relaxes marginally. “Indeed. The Shard contains a portion of the Heartstone’s power. Our intelligence suggests it’s changed hands recently. The witch has been… uncooperative in helping us locate it.”

“We’ve had teams searching tirelessly,” Emerson adds. “Our acquisitions subsidiary has recovered numerous artifacts that might lead us to it. Until recently, progress was minimal.”

“Until recently?” I prompt.

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