Felix and Elyan stood just inside the doorway, their voices kept low. The distant hum of Oryn-Vel's bustling streets outside served as a backdrop, but neither of them paid it any mind.
Varrel wants you back," Felix said without preamble. His sharp blue eyes locked onto hers, gauging every shift in her expression.
Elyan kept her face carefully blank. "I figured as much," she murmured. "And what does he want from me, exactly?"
Felix exhaled, tilting his head slightly. "Loyalty. Insight. He trusts you more than most. After everything that happened, we need people who understand how the city works."
Elyan hummed, rolling the words over in her mind. We. So Felix still saw himself as one of them, even after the Syndicate's near-collapse.
Her mind raced, but her exterior remained cool. Deep down, she wasn't surprised by Varrel's attempt to pull her back in, but it still left a bitter taste. The truth was, she had barely begun piecing together what came next for herself.
And now, she had a decision to make.
She flicked a glance past Felix, as if measuring the weight of the conversation against the risks of being seen together. "And if I refuse?"
Felix's lips pressed into a thin line. "I don't think you want to do that, Elyan."
She tensed for just a moment. Was that a threat? No—Felix wasn't stupid. He wasn't trying to intimidate her. This was a warning.
What would Tess tell me to do?
Elyan swallowed down the instinctive need to look toward the hidden alcove where her friend was tucked away, listening. She could almost hear Tess's voice in her head—calm, sharp, decisive. Buy time. Play your hand when you're ready, not before.
Finally, she sighed, shifting her weight. "Fine. I'll be in touch."
Felix studied her, but whatever he saw in her face must have satisfied him because he nodded. "Don't wait too long."
Without another word, he turned and stepped out into the city streets, vanishing into the flow of foot traffic.
The door clicked shut.
For a long moment, Elyan didn't move. Then, finally, a soft breath sounded behind her.
"Well, that was something," Tess said, emerging from the shadows.
Elyan turned, her mask slipping as she ran a hand through her hair. "Yeah. And now we have a problem."
Tess smirked. "Good thing I love solving problems."
Elyan exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "We need a plan. The Syndicate still doesn't know I was working against them. If they think I'm on their side, I can find out what they're up to."
Tess crossed her arms, nodding. "And you'll need an exit strategy if things go south."
Elyan tapped a finger against her chin, already mapping out her next steps. "Exactly. If I play this right, we might get ahead of whatever Varrel's planning before it's too late."
Tess grinned. "Then let's get to work."
*
The safehouse was dimly lit, the warm glow of lanterns casting flickering shadows across the worn wooden table where they had all gathered. Char sat between Tess and Callen, arms crossed as he tried his best to focus on the conversation at hand.
Ishmael leaned over the table, his usual serious demeanour shining through. His eyes gleamed from the fire light and his ink black hair shining"We know the Syndicate's rebuilding. Varrel's rallying the remnants. If we don't act now, they'll have their hooks in the city again before the Festival even starts."
Marin gave a weary sigh, rubbing her temples. "I assume that's where Elyan comes in."
Elyan nodded, her narrow eyes scanning the room. Char found himself watching her a little too closely.
It was infuriating, honestly. The woman was effortlessly beautiful, with her sharp, confident smirk and the kind of presence that made it impossible to ignore her. He barely knew her, yet every time she so much as moved, his brain short-circuited for a half-second before he forced himself to look away. Get a grip, Char, he scolded himself. You literally just kissed Mira two weeks ago. You are seriously such a scumbag, Charcoal Greene.
Still, the guilt didn't stop him from noting how unfairly attractive Elyan was as she leaned against the table, arms folded. "Felix wants me back in. Varrel still trusts me. That gives us a chance to figure out what they're planning before it's too late."
Callen whistled lowly. "And you're sure they don't suspect you're working against them?"
Elyan smirked. "If they did, I wouldn't be standing here."
Char swallowed. Damn. Not to mention those tattoos on her arms look so good, especially with someone so attractive as her— No, stop it, idiot. You are the absolute worst. If Mira slaps you randomly, you deserve it.
"Alright," Tess said, leaning forward. "So what's the play?"
Elyan opened her mouth to reply—when the front door creaked open.
Everyone tensed, hands instinctively going to weapons. But Elyan only smirked and turned her head. "You're late."
A woman strode in, peeling back her hood. She was tall and lean, her ginger hair spilling over her shoulders. Her dark amber eyes flicked over the group before settling on Elyan. Her pale face wore an expression of passive relaxation. There was also a smattering of freckles on each cheek.
"Had to make sure I wasn't being followed," she said smoothly.
Elyan turned back to the others, gesturing at her. "This is Renna. Another close informant of mine. When I was told I was part of this meeting with you, I decided that she would be a good addition. She's the smartest girl I know…"
Then, after a beat, she added, "And my girlfriend. Yeah, just thought I'd mention it."
Char's heart plummeted straight into his stomach.
There was no reason for it. No logical reason at all. But still, the words hit him like a punch to the gut.
He fought to keep his expression neutral, gripping the edge of the table a little too tightly as Tess shot him a sideways glance. Goddamn it.
Renna stepped up beside Elyan, casually draping an arm around her waist. "So," she said, looking around, "who do I have to kill?"
Callen chuckled. "I like her already."
Char forced a smile, nodding along. But internally, all he could think was, I am such an idiot.
*
The group sat in a circle, the weight of the discussion settling heavily over them. The fire crackled in the corner of the safehouse, casting wavering shadows on the walls as they pieced together their next steps.
Ishmael was the one to break the silence. "I paid Rook a little visit."
That got everyone's attention. Tess raised a brow. "And he actually talked?"
Ishmael smirked. "Not at first. But you know me—I have a way with words."
Callen snorted. "You mean a way with fists?"
Ishmael rolled his eyes. "Same thing. Point is, I got some names out of him. Two guys—Grendon and Harker. They're low-level Syndicate, but they were the ones who went sniffing around Rook, trying to recruit him after the Syndicate started regrowing."
Elyan nodded. "That tracks. I remember hearing about them, but they weren't anyone important back when I was still on the inside."
"Then we've got a lead," Marin said, crossing her arms. "What else did Rook say?"
Ishmael leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "He mentioned another name—Davin. Unlike Grendon and Harker, this guy used to be an actual Syndicate member, not just some desperate recruit. He left when things went to hell, but from what Rook said, he still has connections to Varrel's people."
Char sat up straighter. "So, if we find him, we might be able to squeeze out more information?"
Ishmael nodded. "Exactly."
A silence stretched between them as they processed the new information.
Finally, Elyan spoke up. "Then we need to split up. We can't afford to go at this one piece at a time."
Tess sighed. "I hate when you say that."
Elyan smirked. "That's because I'm always right."
Char shook his head. "Alright. If we're doing this, we need a solid plan."
Elyan tapped the table. "I'll take Char and Renna with me to look for Davin. If he's still somewhat tied to the Syndicate, we need someone who knows how they think, and Renna and I fit the bill. Char—" she turned to him, "you're coming because you're one of the best fighters here. If things go sideways, we'll need you."
Renna flashed a teasing smile at Char. "Look at that. We just met, and we're already going on a date."
Char cleared his throat, shifting awkwardly. "Yeah. Great."
Tess gave him a knowing look but said nothing.
"That leaves the rest of us to check out old Syndicate locations," Callen said, cracking his knuckles. "Keep Valcian is the obvious one, but we should check out the warehouses they used to operate out of instead."
"Not to mention any safehouses they abandoned when they got wiped out," Marin added.
"Right," Tess said, counting off on her fingers. "So it's me, Callen, Ishmael, and Marin checking locations, while Char, Elyan, and Renna go after Davin."
Ishmael leaned back, stretching. "Sounds like a plan."
Char exhaled. "Then let's get started."