chapter 14: in the shadows

The heavy silence lingered long after the men had disappeared. The door, now splintered from the force of their intrusion, hung loosely on its hinges. Felix's breathing was ragged as he knelt on the floor, his hands trembling.

But his mind was already racing.

"Elena."

He bolted to his feet, scanning the empty space. She was gone.

"Damn it!" Felix slammed his fist against the wall, the pain barely registering. They had taken her. And this time, it wasn't a warning it was a declaration.

The ghosts of his past had finally come for him.

But they had made one fatal mistake.

They underestimated how far he would go to get her back.

***

The city was a blur of distant sirens and glaring lights as Felix sped through the streets. The weight of the steering wheel felt insignificant compared to the storm raging inside him. He dialed Liam's number, the sharp ring filling the cabin.

"Felix." Liam's voice was calm, too calm.

"They have her," Felix growled, his grip tightening. "I need names. Locations. Every damn thing you know."

Liam sighed. "It's not that simple."

"Make it simple," Felix snapped. "You knew this would happen."

"I warned you," Liam replied, his voice laced with bitterness. "But you refused to listen. And now she's the one paying the price."

Felix's stomach twisted. He hated that Liam was right.

"I don't care what it takes," Felix said coldly. "I'm getting her back."

Liam was silent for a moment before responding. "Then you'll need to go deeper. Ravensgate has allies in places you wouldn't believe. If they've taken Elena, she's in the shadows now and there's only one man who can pull her out."

Felix's jaw tightened. "Who?"

"Silas Kane."

The name hit Felix like a punch. Silas Kane was a ghost a manipulator who thrived on secrets. No one dealt with him willingly. The whispers said he had ties to every corrupt deal that flowed through the city.

"He won't talk without a price," Felix said bitterly.

"He never does," Liam agreed. "But he knows where Ravensgate keeps its leverage. You'll have to be prepared to give him something in return."

Felix didn't hesitate. "Set it up."

***

The meeting was arranged in an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city. The air was thick with the scent of rust and gasoline. Felix's footsteps echoed as he stepped inside, the dim overhead light casting long shadows.

A figure emerged from the darkness. Silas Kane.

He was lean, his silver hair swept back with an unsettling elegance. The sharpness of his gaze was enough to pierce through any façade.

"Felix Donovan," Silas drawled, his voice smooth. "I must say, I never thought I'd see you grovel."

"I'm not here to grovel," Felix spat. "I'm here for information."

Silas smiled, though it never reached his eyes. "Ah, but information is a precious thing. Especially when it concerns Ravensgate."

"They took her," Felix said, his voice low. "Elena Richards."

Silas tilted his head. "A journalist. Brave, but foolish. And now she's tangled in your mess."

Felix's fists clenched. "Where is she?"

"Ravensgate has their own playground," Silas replied. "A place for those who cross them. But it's not just a prison it's a spectacle."

Felix's stomach sank. "What do you mean?"

Silas stepped closer, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "They'll make an example of her. Public humiliation, a broadcasted confession, whatever serves their narrative. And when they're done, she'll disappear. Permanently."

Felix's chest tightened. "How do I stop it?"

Silas's grin widened. "That's the part I enjoy most. You see, Felix, nothing is ever free."

"What do you want?"

The air grew heavier. Silas's voice lowered.

"Your files. Every shred of evidence you've been holding against Ravensgate. Hand it over, and I'll give you Elena's location."

Felix's pulse pounded. The files were his only weapon the key to exposing everything. But now, the choice was no longer between justice and revenge. It was Elena's life on the line.

"I want to speak to her," Felix demanded. "Prove she's alive."

Silas chuckled. "I admire your resilience. Very well."

He pulled out a phone, dialing a number. After a moment, the call connected. Felix held his breath.

"Felix?"

Elena's voice. Shaky, but alive.

"Elena!" His heart twisted. "Are you okay? Did they hurt you?"

"I'm fine," she whispered. "But I don't know where I am. They..."

The line cut off.

Felix's blood boiled.

"You have until midnight," Silas said, slipping the phone back into his pocket. "Bring me the files, and I'll tell you where to find her."

Felix's hands trembled, but his voice remained steady. "If anything happens to her....."

Silas smirked. "Then I suppose we'll both have regrets."

Without another word, Felix stormed out, the echoes of his footsteps swallowed by the night.

But as the city's lights blurred past him, he knew one thing for certain.

He would burn every bridge. Break every rule.

Because Elena wasn't just a casualty of Ravensgate's game.

She was the reason he would end it.