Page 11 of Challenged
No matter what it takes, I will prove my loyalty and devotion to her.
Five
Anna
I sit on Griffyn’s lap, feeling the warmth of his body through our clothes as we gather in the living room. Aksel, Rion, Felix, and Griffyn surround me, their expressions a mix of determination and concern. The air is heavy with anticipation and tension.
Blaze comes in with a cup of coffee and moves right to me, holding it out like an offering.
“No, thanks.” My voice is short and clipped.
He surprises me by holding out his wrist. “Are you hungry?”
I shake my head no but can’t deny that was sweet.
Blaze sits down holding that cup and staring at it like it might hold more answers.
Aksel crosses his arms, his eyes narrowing in thought.“There are several ways to dismantle an organization like this,” he begins, recalling the training he received at the academy. “First, would be to cut off their resources, such as money or weapons. But that would require us to identify their suppliers and allies, which could take time.”
“Time we might not have,” Rion adds quietly, his green eyes filled with worry. “We should focus on finding the leaders. Cut off the head, and the body will die.”
“Agreed,” Felix chimes in, his hazel green eyes glinting with mischief and determination.
“But how do we find them? They’ll be well-hidden, and we can’t just go around asking for the leaders of an illegal fighting ring,” I ask.
I feel Griffyn’s chest rise and fall beneath me as he lets out a soft chuckle, his grey smoke eyes twinkling in amusement. “That would certainly raise some eyebrows,” he teases. Despite the gravity of our situation his playful nature still manages to shine through.
“Regardless of the method we choose, we need to act carefully,” Aksel concludes, his voice firm and resolute. “The element of surprise is crucial. If they catch wind of what we’re planning, they could easily retaliate or disappear altogether.”
We all nod in agreement.
The air in the living room is thick with tension, and each exhale comes as a struggle. Rion’s fingers tap nervously on his thigh, an anxious rhythm that reflects the beat of my own heart.
“So it’s decided. First, we need to identify the leaders,” Aksel says, his voice steady like an anchor in stormy waters. “We can’t take down this organization without knowing who’s calling the shots.”
Blaze, usually quiet and stoic, speaks up. “The highest person I’ve ever met or dealt with is Hammer. He’s a dark fae.” His eyes flicker with memories best left buried, but his determination remains strong. “Everyone saw him talking to me last night after the fight.”
“Could he be the leader?” I ask.
Everyone shakes their head but not unkindly.
“No, he’s just a pawn,” Blaze tells me.
Rion leans forward, his emerald eyes alight with curiosity. “Do you think Hammer could lead us to the rest of them?”
“Maybe,” Blaze admits, his jaw set tight, betraying the uncertainty he feels. “It’s a start, at least.”
“Then we’ll start with Hammer,” Aksel decides. Turning to Blaze, he continues, “Next time you’re called to a fight, that’s when we’ll make our move.”
“I have to be there,” I say.
Everyone protests immediately.
“Don’t be ridiculous. Just listen. I am the center of our bond which means I have to be there in case something goes wrong. We can’t all go or it will be too obvious.”
“She’s right. We should split up into smaller groups of two,” Felix concedes.
“But we have to make sure each pair complements each other’s strengths and abilities. And, each pair should have someone with a bond in it,” Aksel says.
