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“Unknown. But they don’t think so. No indication Lila ever revealed their bloodline or abilities.”

Smart. Keeping Elena ignorant of her heritage would have protected her; power often manifests with knowledge and training. Without understanding what she is, Elena might have lived a relatively normal life, her abilities dormant or dismissed as intuition.

Until now.

Because now, everyone wants a piece of her. My own people included.

The Collective is waiting anxiously for my next update. The encrypted message I’d sent to Viktor earlier had been necessarily brief:Rossewyn witch has adult daughter. Syndicate tracking her. Connected to Craven Industries energy signature. Heartstone likely involved.

His response had been immediate:Confirm daughter’s abilities. Protect both assets at all costs. We need to get a team on the daughter. Extraction timeline accelerated.

Simple orders. Nearly impossible execution. Lila can’t be moved.

I turn back to the observation window, mind calculating rapidly. My fingers press harder against the glass.

“What are Lila’s chances of recovery? Honest assessment.”

He follows my gaze to her still form. “Without intervention? Minimal. They pushed too far. The extraction tore pathways in her mind that may never heal naturally.”

The words sink like stones in my gut. I watch the gentle rise and fall of her chest, the only visible sign that she still lives.

“You’re not Syndicate,” Hargen says suddenly. Not a question.

I don’t confirm or deny; just hold his gaze steadily.

“Who are you really?” he asks.

I weigh my response carefully. “Someone who sees the value in keeping Lila alive.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s all you get for now.” I pause for a moment, then continue, “You’re not with them.”

Our eyes lock in silent challenge. Finally, he looks back at Lila, his expression softening.

“I’ve never been with them,” he says quietly. “Not really. Not once I understood what they were doing to her.”

The admission hangs between us—dangerous, irreversible.

“Even though they bound you to her? Forced the connection?”

His laugh is short, bitter. “They think the binding makes me her jailer. They have no idea.” He runs a hand over his face. “It goes both ways, that connection. I’ve felt her pain, her determination.” He meets my eyes. “She’s endured more than anyone should have to.”

I assess him carefully, looking for deception. Finding none. “That’s a risky sentiment in this place.”

“I passed the point of risk long ago.” His jaw sets. “Now I just want her to wake up.”

The moment is interrupted by my tablet alert—a summons to Creed’s office. I check the message, jaw clenching at what I read.

“They want me at the planning meeting,” I tell Hargen. “Apparently, I’m to coordinate security protocols for Elena’s surveillance.”

“Be careful,” he warns. “Creed’s excited about this development. When he’s excited, he’s more dangerous.”

“I know how to play my part.” I give Lila one last look before turning away. The sight of her vulnerability carves something inside me—a wound that won’t heal until she opens her eyes again.

If she opens her eyes again.

My heart lurches at the thought that she might not, and once again, I’m surprised at the depth of the feeling. I came here to save her; there was never any doubt about that. But this… I don’t know what this is.

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