Mid-week, the sun was beginning to dip low in the sky, casting a warm, golden hue over the construction site as Conor arrived. The new community center was starting to take shape, its skeletal structure standing tall against the late afternoon sky.The sounds of machinery hummed in the background as workers continued their tasks, the clanging of metal and the hum of engines a comforting reminder that progress was being made.Andrew Harden, Conor’s business partner and the youngest son of the Harden Construction Group, was already waiting for him at the entrance. He waved Conor over with a broad smile, his hard hat slightly askew on his head.“Conor! Glad you could make it,” Andrew greeted him, extending a hand. “We’ve made some serious progress since the last time you were here.”Conor shook his hand firmly, smiling as he took in the sight of the half-finished building. “It’s good to see it coming together, Andrew. I’ve been looking forward to this.”They began their tour, Andrew hand

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the winding mountain road as Conor and Parker drove deeper into the wilderness. The trees thickened, their branches intertwining to form a dense canopy overhead.The air was crisp and cool, a stark contrast to the bustling city they’d left behind. Kerrigan's chosen rendezvous was several hours north and east, nestled in the heart of the mountains.Conor noted the distance with a sense of satisfaction—it was almost exactly halfway between Jinstain and Velyki, a perfect meeting place.As they rounded the final bend, a black SUV came into view, parked on the side of the road near a decent size cabin. Reilynn, Evelynn, and Gabriella were standing around it, chatting with easy smiles on their faces. Parker pulled the car to a stop, glancing over at Conor with a knowing grin."Looks like this is my stop," Parker said, unbuckling his seatbelt and grabbing his bag. As he stepped out of the car, he reached back in and handed Conor the keys along

The front door exploded inward, sending a shockwave through the cabin. Splinters of wood and debris flew through the air, and the blast knocked Conor and Kerrigan to the floor. The force of the explosion was followed by a cloud of thick smoke and gas that quickly filled the room, choking the air with a toxic, acrid smell.Faolan, ever the protector, was the first to react. With a fierce growl, she charged at the intruders, her powerful form barreling through the smoke. But the attackers were ready. A figure loomed out of the haze, slamming a baton against the side of Faolan’s head with brutal force.The impact sent her yelping and crashing into a wall, but even then, she didn’t stay down. With a pained whimper, she pushed herself back up, determination burning in her eyes as she prepared to attack again.Conor’s heart pounded in his chest, every instinct screaming at him to protect Kerrigan. He tried to move, but the gas was already taking effect, his lungs burning as he inhaled the po

The dragoons made their way back to the smoldering remains of the cabin, their prisoner stumbling along under Gabriella’s firm grip.The night air was sharp with the scent of pine and ash, and the silence was broken only by the occasional crackle of the dying fire and the subdued rustling of the forest. The weight of what they’d just learned hung heavily in the air.Reilynn had managed to stabilize Faolan, who now lay resting in the back of the SUV, her breathing steadier but still labored. The herbal pill had begun to work its magic, but it would take a few more hours for the full effects to kick in. Time they didn’t have.Parker’s mind raced as he reviewed the information they’d extracted from the captured man. An old mine, rigged with explosives and guarded by armed men. It was exactly the kind of place someone would use to hide two high-value captives.The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that this wasn’t just a random location. There was something deeper at

The cold air of the mine grew heavier as the dragoons and special forces moved deeper into the abyss. Parker kept his breathing steady, his eyes scanning every shadow, every crevice. Colonel Eli moved beside him, his expression steely and composed, his mind already a few steps ahead, planning the best routes.Behind them, Reilynn, Evelynn, and Gabriella moved in sync, their movements fluid and silent. The rest of the squad, now divided into teams of eight, fanned out along the tunnel walls, ready for the Colonel’s next command.“We’re going to split up from here,” Colonel Eli announced, his voice low but firm. “We’ll take the central tunnel. The rest of you—split into six teams. I want each team to sweep and clear the side tunnels. Stay sharp and stay quiet. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary. We don’t want to set off any alarms.”“Yes, sir!” The men responded in unison, their training taking over as they adjusted their formation.Colonel Eli continued, motioning to the two nea