SMOKE SIGNALS

The morning came slowly, filtered through gray skies and restless winds. Ayla sat by the window in her room, her eyes tracing the movement of leaves as they danced in the breeze. Sleep hadn't come easy—memories kept crawling back. Her mother's sacrifice. Leon's devotion. Viper's quiet sorrow.

She touched the necklace again, the weight of Elara's memory pressing gently against her chest.

A knock pulled her from her thoughts.

It was Matteo—one of Viper's most trusted men. "Miss Ayla," he said, his face grave. "You need to see this."

He led her down the hallway toward Viper's study. Inside, tension buzzed in the air like static before a storm. Viper stood by the window, arms folded, his jaw clenched. On the table behind him lay a folder.

"What happened?" Ayla asked.

He turned slowly, eyes shadowed. "We intercepted a message last night. Someone breached the southern compound."

"Was it about me?" she asked.

"No," he said. "But it could've been. Someone is sending a message."

He opened the folder and slid it across to her. Inside was a photo—grainy, captured from a surveillance feed. A woman stood outside one of their weapons warehouses, leaving behind a package. It had detonated minutes later. No casualties, but the message was clear: someone wanted to stir chaos.

"That's the second hit this week," Matteo added. "The enemy's changing tactics."

"And you don't know who it is?" Ayla asked.

Viper's eyes narrowed. "Not yet. But they're getting bold. And that makes them dangerous."

Ayla stared at the image again. Something about the silhouette felt familiar. She couldn't explain it—like a whisper at the back of her mind.

She rose. "I want to help."

Viper looked at her, surprised. "This isn't your fight."

She met his gaze. "Yes, it is. They took me once. They might try again. And I'm tired of being a pawn."

He gave a slow nod. "Then you'll train with Matteo."

Ayla turned to leave, but stopped. "Does Leon know?"

"I've kept the attacks from him for now," Viper said. "We don't need him doing something reckless."

She nodded, biting her lip. Deep down, she knew Leon wouldn't wait much longer. His silence was a ticking bomb.

And somewhere out there, their enemies were already setting the next trap.