Shadows of the Past

The dim glow of the safe house's single lamp cast long shadows across the room. The air was thick with tension as Emma, Alexander, and Marcus gathered around the worn-out wooden table. A stack of files sat between them, filled with intelligence they had stolen from the Collective.

"This isn't making sense," Marcus muttered, flipping through a document. "Lena was high-ranking, but she wasn't the mastermind. There has to be someone above her pulling the strings."

Emma, her shoulder still aching from the gunshot wound, leaned in. "Then we need to find out who."

Alexander remained silent, his sharp eyes scanning the papers. After a moment, he picked up one of the documents and turned it toward the light. "This symbol," he said, pointing at a small emblem stamped in the corner. "I've seen it before."

Emma frowned, studying the insignia—a serpent coiled around a dagger. "Where?"

Alexander hesitated. "A long time ago."

Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Care to elaborate?"

Alexander exhaled, his jaw tightening. "It was during a mission years ago. A shipment of illegal weapons went missing, and we traced it back to a black-market dealer in Eastern Europe. That same symbol was on the crates."

Emma's stomach twisted. "So the Collective has ties to international arms dealers?"

"Not just arms dealers," Alexander corrected. "Assassins. Smugglers. High-profile criminals. This isn't just an organization—it's a syndicate."

Marcus let out a low whistle. "And here I thought we were just dealing with corrupt businessmen and politicians."

Emma ran a hand through her hair, frustration mounting. "That means their reach is even bigger than we thought."

A heavy silence filled the room.

Then, Marcus tapped his fingers on the table. "There's one way to get answers."

Alexander looked at him warily. "I don't like where this is going."

Marcus smirked. "We pay a visit to someone who does business with the Collective."

Emma's brows furrowed. "Who?"

Marcus pulled out his phone and tapped the screen a few times before turning it toward them. A grainy surveillance image of a man in a sharp suit appeared.

"Dominic Vance," Marcus said. "Black-market broker, information dealer, and all-around scumbag. If anyone knows who's running things, it's him."

Alexander crossed his arms. "And let me guess—he won't just hand over the information."

Marcus chuckled. "Not without a little persuasion."

Emma's lips curled into a determined smirk. "Then let's persuade him."

---

Nightfall – The Vance Estate

The estate was an architectural masterpiece, sitting on the outskirts of the city like a fortress. High walls, security cameras, and armed guards patrolling the perimeter made it clear that Dominic Vance was a man who valued his safety.

Emma adjusted her earpiece as she crouched behind a row of hedges. "Tell me we have a plan that doesn't involve getting shot."

Marcus's voice came through her earpiece. "Technically, yes. But let's be honest—when do our plans ever go smoothly?"

Alexander's voice followed. "We stick to the plan. Get in, get Vance, get out."

Emma rolled her eyes. "Sounds simple enough."

With a final glance at each other, they moved.

Marcus disabled the security feed while Alexander took out a few guards with swift, precise movements. Emma slipped through the shadows, making her way toward the back entrance.

The door was locked—of course—but a few seconds with a lock-pick changed that.

They were inside.

The interior of the estate was just as extravagant as expected—marble floors, expensive paintings, and a grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

"Where's Vance?" Emma whispered.

Marcus checked a small device in his hand. "Upstairs. Office at the end of the hall."

Alexander motioned for them to move. "Let's go."

They climbed the stairs silently, avoiding detection. As they reached the office door, Emma took a deep breath.

"Ready?" she mouthed.

Alexander nodded.

With a swift kick, Emma busted the door open.

Dominic Vance barely had time to react before Alexander had him pinned against the desk, a gun to his head.

"Evening," Marcus said casually, closing the door behind them. "Hope we're not interrupting."

Vance's eyes darted between them, fear flickering across his face. "What do you want?"

Emma stepped forward. "Information."

Vance scoffed. "I don't know anything."

Alexander pressed the barrel of his gun harder against Vance's temple. "Try again."

Vance swallowed hard. "Alright, alright. What do you want to know?"

Emma held up the file with the serpent-and-dagger emblem. "This symbol. Who's behind it?"

Vance hesitated. "If I tell you, I'm dead."

Marcus grinned. "If you don't tell us, you're dead right now."

Vance let out a shaky breath. "Alright. But you're not gonna like it."

Emma crossed her arms. "Try us."

Vance licked his lips nervously. "The man behind the Collective's operations isn't some corporate executive. He's a ghost. No real name, no public records. People call him "The Revenant.""

A chill ran down Emma's spine.

Marcus frowned. "Sounds dramatic."

Vance shook his head. "You don't understand. This guy—he's untouchable. He's been running things from the shadows for years. Governments fear him. He doesn't just kill people—he erases them."

Emma's fingers tightened around the file. "Where do we find him?"

Vance let out a bitter laugh. "You don't. He finds you."

Alexander's jaw tightened. "That's not an answer."

Vance sighed. "Alright, alright. There's an event happening in three days. High-profile. Only the most powerful get invited. Word is, he'll be there."

Emma leaned in. "Where?"

Vance hesitated again. "Paris. The Black Gala."

Emma exchanged glances with Alexander and Marcus.

Their next move was clear.

They were going to Paris.