A Shadow from the Past

Lena struggled against the iron grip that held her, but the man's strength was overwhelming. Her dagger was useless in her hand, trapped against her side as her captor whispered in her ear.

"Miss me?"

She recognized the voice instantly. Cassian Voss. The man who had betrayed her family, who had sold them out to the highest bidder and left them to die. She had spent years hoping to never hear that voice again.

Jorin let out a strangled curse as his captor tightened the blade against his throat. "Lena, do something."

She wanted to, but panic clouded her thoughts. Cassian chuckled softly, as if reading her mind. "Still so predictable," he murmured. "That fire in you—just like your father. I wonder how long it'll last."

Her heart pounded. "Let us go," she hissed. "Or I'll—"

"You'll what?" Cassian interrupted smoothly. "You're not in control here."

The alleyway was too narrow, too enclosed to maneuver. If she made a wrong move, Jorin would be dead before she could blink. The odds were against her, but that had never stopped her before. She took a slow breath, forcing her voice to steady.

"What do you want?"

Cassian smirked. "That's more like it. No need for heroics." He gestured to the men holding them. "Bring them."

They were dragged through the winding streets, taken deeper into the underbelly of Blackmere. The rain had slowed to a drizzle, leaving the air thick with the scent of wet stone and rotting wood. Lena's mind raced as they entered an old stone building, its entrance hidden behind a collapsed archway.

The room inside was dimly lit by a few flickering lanterns. Wooden crates were stacked along the walls, and a long table sat in the center, covered in maps, documents, and weapons. Cassian motioned for his men to tie Lena and Jorin to two chairs opposite him.

"Now," he said, sitting down and resting his chin on his hands, "let's talk."

Jorin scowled. "If this is about the Black Key, you're too late."

Cassian arched an eyebrow. "Too late for what?"

Lena met Jorin's gaze sharply. He was trying to bluff, but Cassian was too smart for that. They needed another strategy.

"You work for them, don't you?" Lena said instead. "The same people after the Key."

Cassian's lips curled into a knowing smile. "I work for myself."

"Then what do you want with us?"

He leaned back, watching them carefully. "Information. You see, my employers are quite interested in the Key's location. I don't suppose you'd be willing to tell me where it is?"

Lena clenched her jaw. "Even if I knew, I wouldn't tell you."

Cassian sighed dramatically. "Pity." He stood up, circling the table. "I'd rather avoid unpleasantness, but you leave me no choice."

Before Lena could react, Cassian's fist slammed into Jorin's stomach. He gasped, coughing hard as the chair rocked beneath him.

"Stop it!" Lena shouted.

Cassian ignored her. "I'll ask again," he said smoothly. "Where is the Key?"

Jorin groaned but managed to glare at him. "Go to hell."

Cassian sighed. "Wrong answer."

Another punch, this time to Jorin's face. Blood trickled from his lip, but he didn't cry out. Lena struggled against her bindings, rage burning in her veins.

"You bastard!" she spat. "Leave him alone!"

Cassian turned to her, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Then start talking."

Lena's mind raced. She had to find a way out of this. Stalling wouldn't work forever. Then she saw it—on the table, near Cassian's hand, was a small dagger, carelessly placed within reach. If she could just get to it—

The door slammed open.

Cassian barely had time to react before a figure stormed into the room, blade flashing. A guard lunged, but the intruder was faster, dispatching him with a clean strike. The other men scrambled for their weapons.

Elias.

He moved with deadly precision, cutting down one man and pivoting to strike another. In the chaos, Cassian snarled and grabbed his sword, but Lena used the moment to act. She kicked her chair backward, sending herself tumbling to the ground. Pain shot through her, but her fingers closed around the dagger just as she'd planned.

With a sharp twist, she cut through her bindings and rolled to her feet.

Cassian's eyes locked onto her, fury burning in them. "You—"

Lena didn't let him finish. She lunged.

Their blades clashed, sparks flying. Cassian was a skilled fighter, but Lena fought with raw determination. He struck high; she ducked low. He feinted left; she countered right. Around them, Elias and Jorin fought the remaining guards, the sound of steel on steel ringing through the chamber.

Cassian swung wide, aiming for her side. She barely dodged, feeling the sting of metal grazing her ribs. Gritting her teeth, she retaliated with a quick slash, forcing him back.

Elias appeared at her side, breathless but ready. "Together?"

She nodded.

They attacked in unison. Elias kept Cassian occupied with precise, measured strikes while Lena found an opening. She feinted, then pivoted sharply—

And drove her blade into Cassian's shoulder.

He let out a strangled cry, staggering back. Blood stained his coat as he clutched the wound, but his fury didn't fade. He looked at Lena with something dangerous in his gaze.

"This isn't over," he hissed.

Then, with one last glare, he bolted through the side door, disappearing into the night.

Lena collapsed against the table, panting. Elias wiped blood from his brow, glancing at Jorin. "You alright?"

Jorin groaned, rubbing his jaw. "I've had better days."

Elias nodded. "We need to move. More of them will be coming."

Lena steadied herself. "Then let's go."

As they fled into the night, Lena couldn't shake the feeling that Cassian's words weren't just a threat.

This wasn't over.

Not by a long shot.

A cold breeze swept through the alleyways as they ran. The city was still alive, the hum of distant voices and clinking metal filling the air. Somewhere, deep within the ruins, the answer to the mystery of the Black Key waited. And whatever lay behind that hidden vault—

They weren't the only ones searching for it.

(End of Chapter 4)