Conor sat at his desk, staring at the postcard for what felt like the hundredth time. The rustic cabin on the front seemed to beckon him, promising a brief escape from the chaos that had consumed his life over the past few months.A weekend alone with Kerrigan—if that’s what this invitation truly was—was something he hadn’t realized how desperately he needed until now.He knew the next step was to ensure everything was in order, so he picked up his phone and dialed Mr. Nuri’s office.“Conor, what can I do for you?” Mr. Nuri’s voice came through the receiver, calm and collected as always.“Morning, Nuri. I wanted to check in and see if there’s anything pressing that might require my attention over the weekend,” Conor said, trying to keep his tone casual.There was a brief pause before Nuri responded. “We’re wrapping up the final stages of the investigations. The evidence we’ve gathered so far is solid, and I anticipate having fully prepared cases on all fronts by late next week. For no
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 smell of sizzling bacon filled the cabin as the first rays of dawn filtered through the small window. Kerrigan stirred, slowly waking to the delicious scent and the sight of Conor at the stove.Conor stood at the stove, shirtless, wearing only a pair of flannel pajama pants, his muscular frame relaxed as he expertly flipped the bacon and scrambled eggs in the pan. The simple act of cooking for someone he loved made this moment perfect.A soft smile crept across her face as she watched him, savoring the domesticity of it all. She felt a sense of contentment she hadn’t felt in a long time. It wasn’t just the smell of breakfast or the peacefulness of the cabin; it was the feeling of being with him, away from the pressures and chaos of their lives.Kerrigan stretched beneath the cozy blankets, feeling the soft fabric of the clothes she still wore from the day before. She glanced down, noting with some surprise that she hadn’t changed for bed.She had considered that they might take th
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 wreckage of the cabin continued to burn as the dragoons stood in grim silence, the weight of what had just happened slowly sinking in.The only sounds were the crackling of the fire and the labored breathing of Faolan, who lay in Reilynn’s lap in the back of the SUV, her eyes half-closed in exhaustion and pain.Parker crouched beside the vehicle, his expression hard as he gently stroked Faolan’s head."She’s hurt bad, but she’s tough. She’ll pull through," he said, his voice steady but tinged with anger that simmered beneath the surface, barely restrained.Reilynn looked up at Parker, her eyes full of concern. “We need to move fast. Whoever took Conor and Kerrigan didn’t leave much behind. We have to track them down before it’s too late.”Parker nodded, making a quick decision. “Reilynn, get Faolan stabilized any way you can. Use one the pills if necessary. She’s our best chance at tracking them once she’s strong enough. Get the Colonel on the phone ASAP—if you need to, drive farth
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 night was black as ink, the only light coming from the faint glow of the moon that began to rise over the distant peaks. The dragoons crouched near their SUV, the cold mountain air biting at their skin. Their ears perked up as a sudden roar broke the silence—distant at first, then growing louder. The unmistakable sound of helicopters, flying low and fast, filled the air.Parker, Evelynn, Gabriella, and Reilynn looked up as the dark shapes of the helicopters emerged from the shadows of the mountains, the whir of their rotors cutting through the stillness.The two aircraft hovered directly over the cabin before drifting slightly to the road, and one by one, ropes dropped down from the open doors.The dragoons watched as fifty heavily armed special forces soldiers rappelled swiftly to the ground, moving with the precision of a well-oiled machine. Among them, a familiar figure landed last, his presence commanding respect: Colonel Eli.The helicopters lifted off, banking away to land in
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