Page 86 of Taken

“With respect—” I say, my mind spinning as I consider the options.

“Respect?” He laughs, a harsh sound. “I don’t have time for fucking respect, Reeve. The Cravens have Elena Ross, the Heartstone, and now a fucking phoenix. Do you understand what that means? They have the upper hand over all of us. They control everything—every dragon clan, every territory. Centuries of planning, destroyed.”

“I’ll coordinate the assembly,” I say, keeping my voice steady despite the adrenaline surging through me. “Full tactical loadout?”

“Everything we’ve got,” Creed confirms, already turning to the communication device. “I want every available operative.”

I exit quickly, my mind racing. The facility will be nearly empty. Security systems at minimal capacity. Creed distracted.

This is it. The chance I’ve been waiting for. And right now, it’s the last fucking chance.

I tap my comms unit as I stride down the corridor, connecting to the facility’s main network. “All personnel to the main hall. Priority Alpha. Full tactical prep. Repeat:Allpersonnel.”

The hallways fill with movement, operatives rushing toward the armory and assembly areas. Away from the detention level. Away from Lila.

I change direction. I need to reach out to Aurora. I don’t care about their revised priorities. They need to fit in with this and right fucking now.

The clock is ticking.

I slip into a vacant monitoring station, securing the door behind me. The room’s dim glow bathes my face as I activate my encrypted comms unit. “Aurora actual, priority channel.”

“This better be critical,” Zoe’s voice crackles through after a tense moment.

“Everything’s changed.” I keep my voice low, eyes on the door. “Creed’s gathering every operative for an emergency assembly. They’re planning something big after a phoenix—yes, a fucking phoenix—just decimated their team and rescued Dorian Craven.”

“A phoenix? That’s impossible—”

“I saw the footage. But that’s not why I’m calling.” I cut her off. “They’re planning to terminate Lila. Today.”

Silence stretches between us.

“Viktor wanted me in place longer,” I continue. “But this takes precedence. I’m extracting her now.”

“Understood.” Zoe’s voice shifts to tactical precision. “Timeline?”

“Minutes, not hours. I need a team on standby at the northeast extraction point. Medical support ready. She’s weak but mobile.”

“And the Shard?”

I hesitate. “Secondary objective. Lila’s the priority.”

“Viktor won’t like that.”

“Viktor isn’t watching them prepare to execute a Rossewyn witch.” My grip tightens on the comm. “I’m moving now. Be ready.”

“We’ll be waiting. Aurora out.”

I pocket the device and check the corridor. The facility thrums with distant activity: boots on concrete, weapons being distributed, orders shouted. All moving away from me.

Perfect.

I move against the flow, nodding at the few operatives I pass. Maintaining an air of confidence. My security clearance keeps questions at bay, but time is against me. Each second brings Creed closer to finishing his call, to giving the termination order.

The detention level grows quieter as I descend. Two guards remain at the checkpoint. Skeleton crew, as expected.

“Reeve.” The senior guard straightens. “Thought everyone was heading to assembly.”

“Special orders.” I flash my credentials. “Asset transfer preparation.”

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