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
Kerrigan awoke with a sharp, burning pain in her lungs, each breath like inhaling fire. She blinked against the oppressive heat, her vision blurry and unfocused as she struggled to take in her surroundings. Sweat trickled down her face, stinging her eyes as she squinted through the haze of steam and smoke that hung thick in the air.She was in a cave, far underground, the walls illuminated by the searing orange glow of molten lava that flowed just a few feet away.The heat was unbearable, the kind that scorched the skin and made the air shimmer. She could feel the sweat soaking through her flannel pajamas, clinging to her skin as her body tried desperately to cool itself in the sweltering inferno.Her hands were bound tightly behind her back, her wrists raw from the rough rope that bit into her flesh. Her legs were tied together, making any movement almost impossible, and a heavy metal collar around her neck chained her to the wall, its iron biting into her skin with every shift.She s
Kerrigan’s head throbbed, and she struggled to keep her focus on Kelan as he wiped sweat from his face with the back of his hand, smearing some of the dark liquid across his cheek. He looked at Prima Zadok, irritation clear in his eyes.“Do I really have to stick around in this sweltering pit?” he grumbled, loosening his collar as if the heat was suffocating him. “I’ve got better things to do than sweat it out in here.”Zadok’s cold, piercing eyes shifted from the Soul Stone to Kelan, his expression impassive. “Take two liters of her blood. After that, do whatever you want with her.”He returned his attention to the altar, his focus never wavering from the twisted ritual he was preparing. “Just don’t kill her until I have what I need.”Kerrigan’s heart pounded in her chest, dread clawing at her insides. She pulled at her restraints, trying desperately to inch away, but Kelan moved with a cruel efficiency, setting up an IV stand he had retrieved from a corner of the cave.Kerrigan stru