Chapter 28: Unseen Allies

The days following their conversation felt like a blur to Henry. The world outside his home was moving at a frantic pace, but within the walls of Queen Mansion, everything seemed quieter. More intimate. He hadn't expected things with Helena to unfold the way they had, but he wasn't about to shy away from it now.

He had always been careful, cautious, never letting anyone get too close. But with Helena, it felt different. She wasn't just a fleeting interest, a distraction. She was an ally. A partner. Someone who could stand by him without question, without hesitation. And that, more than anything, made her invaluable.

The threat of Merlyn still loomed large, but for now, Henry had a moment of peace. His usual world of shadows, calculations, and manipulation was quiet—almost too quiet. His focus had shifted from survival to something else. Something that involved him keeping those closest to him safe, while also dealing with the growing sense of unease that Merlyn's game was far from over.

The phone buzzed on his desk, pulling him from his thoughts. He glanced at the screen—Oliver. Henry picked up the call, his voice steady as always.

"Oliver."

"Henry, we need to talk." There was a tension in his voice that immediately set off alarm bells in Henry's mind. "It's about Merlyn. He's planning something bigger, something we can't let slide."

Henry stood from his chair, pacing as he listened to his brother. "What's the play?"

Oliver filled him in on the latest developments, detailing the whispers of a new alliance Merlyn had formed. It wasn't just the League of Assassins that he was dealing with anymore—Merlyn had connections, deep ones, with several criminal organizations, and now they were all turning their attention toward Starling City.

"Merlyn's not just about the money anymore. He's about control. And if he succeeds, this city's gonna change. He'll turn it into a warzone."

Henry's jaw tightened. He'd dealt with men like Merlyn before—men who thought they could reshape the world around them without consequences. But Merlyn was dangerous in ways others weren't. He didn't just use people—he broke them. Turned them into pawns in his game. And that was something Henry would never allow.

"We'll need to bring in more than just us," Henry said. "I'm going to need your help. And we need to start digging into Merlyn's connections. He's not working alone."

Oliver agreed, and they quickly set up a meeting for later that day to strategize.

As Henry hung up, he sat back down at his desk, his mind already working through the logistics. His networks, his resources—they would be tested now more than ever. The same networks that had kept him hidden for so long were about to become his greatest weapon in this war.

Henry had always been skilled at blending in, at manipulating situations to his advantage. His knowledge of hacking, surveillance, and covert operations had kept him a step ahead of enemies and allies alike. But this was different. This time, it wasn't just his life on the line—it was Helena's, Oliver's, and everyone he cared about. The stakes were higher.

A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts. He stood up, walking over to answer it, expecting Oliver or someone from his team. But instead, he was met with a surprise.

Helena stood in the doorway, her eyes scanning him with a quiet intensity. There was something about her that always had a way of grounding him, of making him remember the bigger picture in the chaos of everything around him.

"I didn't expect you to be here," Henry said, his voice softer than usual.

Helena didn't answer immediately. She stepped inside, closing the door behind her. Her eyes were serious, but there was a glint of determination in them that told him everything he needed to know.

"I need to be here," she said. "Merlyn's not going to stop with you. You know that, right?"

Henry's gaze locked with hers, his expression hardening. He hadn't been foolish enough to think that Merlyn wouldn't eventually come after those closest to him. The League of Assassins had a long reach, and Merlyn wasn't known for his mercy.

"I've known that from the start," he said, his voice steady but edged with a darker tone. "But you're right. I don't know what his next move is, but I'm not about to sit back and wait for him to make it."

Helena stepped closer, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him. "You've been running things alone for a long time, haven't you? But you can't do this on your own, Henry. I've seen what you're capable of, but Merlyn's different. And now, he's got allies in high places. It's going to take more than just your networks to bring him down."

Henry was silent for a moment, absorbing her words. He knew she was right. He couldn't do this alone. But the thought of trusting someone else—of letting anyone else in—was difficult for him. It had always been. He'd built his empire from the ground up, using his skills, his intelligence, and his ability to stay hidden in the shadows. Asking for help, trusting others—it wasn't something he did lightly.

But Helena... she had proven herself in ways he hadn't expected. And he knew that, as much as he hated to admit it, he needed her now more than ever.

"Alright," he said, his voice low but resolute. "We do this together. But I'm in charge. And don't think for a second that I won't protect you."

Helena smiled faintly, a glimmer of pride in her eyes. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

Before Henry could respond, a familiar face appeared in the doorway—Oliver, looking slightly less than pleased.

"Are we done with the pep talk now?" Oliver asked dryly, arms crossed over his chest. "Or are you two going to make out again?"

Henry couldn't help the smirk that tugged at his lips. "You're just jealous, Ollie."

"Jealous? I'm just glad you two are finally on the same page." Oliver shrugged nonchalantly. "Now, let's focus. Merlyn won't wait forever."

As they gathered around the desk, Henry felt a strange sense of reassurance. He had his family, his allies. And together, they were going to take down Merlyn—no matter the cost.