Chapter 86: A Trail Of Shadows

The fire crackled in the dim light, sending flickering shadows dancing across the faces of Emily and her team.

Lena might still be alive.

The weight of that thought pressed down on Emily's chest like an iron vice. 

She had seen the explosion, had watched as the compound was reduced to rubble. 

She had accepted—forced herself to accept—that Lena had made a choice.

But if Voss was right… if Hale was still out there…

Then this war was far from over.

Emily exhaled slowly, trying to suppress the storm of emotions rising inside her. 

She glanced across the fire at Voss, his sharp eyes studying her reaction.

"How do you know this?" she finally asked, her voice controlled but firm.

Voss leaned forward, resting his forearms on his knees. "I told you—I spent years tracking Hale. I've seen his movements, his tactics.

 He doesn't let go of valuable assets, not unless he's forced to."