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"A terrible, risky, possibly brilliant one," I confirm.

"Those are my favorite kind," Vex says with a predatory smile.

I outline my plan quickly—create a diversion at the compromised transport site, draw away enough forces to isolate a single patrol craft, then hijack it for our escape.

"That's insane," Trent says when I finish.

"But feasible," Vex adds, already calculating angles.

"I can help," Lily offers unexpectedly. "If I can get close enough to their communication equipment, I can see the transmission patterns. Maybe disrupt them."

We all stare at her.

"What?" she shrugs. "I've been practicing with my abilities when the suppressants were lighter."

"Definitely a Haven child," Vex mutters.

We refine the plan, accounting for Lily's unexpected capabilities. As we prepare to move out, Trent pulls me aside briefly.

"This is significantly higher risk than our original extraction plan," he says quietly.

"Original plan went sideways the moment they spotted us," I remind him. "We improvise now."

His hand touches my arm lightly. "Just be careful. TheseUnity operators aren't standard security. They're Enhanced Division."

The concern in his eyes makes my chest tight. "I'll be fine," I assure him. "Besides, I've got you watching my back, right?"

"Always," he says softly, the single word carrying more weight than seems possible.

For a breathless moment, we're back in the storage chamber at the Old Refuge, the interrupted moment hanging between us. His eyes drop briefly to my lips before he steps back, resuming professional distance.

"Let's move," he says, voice steady once more.

As we head toward the surface and the next phase of our increasingly complicated mission, I catch Lily watching this interaction with those unsettling silver eyes. A knowing look far too mature for her young face.

"He’s in love with you," she whispers as we climb. "I can see it in his energy patterns."

Before I can respond to this bombshell, before my body and heart can make sense of what that means, and if I’ve wanted to hear it, Vex signals from above—time to execute the plan. Personal complications will have to wait.

Again.

CHAPTER 22

Stealinga Unity patrol vehicle is like taking candy from a baby—if the baby had assault weapons and security clearance.

We're crouched behind the skeletal remains of a pre-collapse office building, watching three Unity operators circle their patrol craft. The vehicle sits like a predatory insect on the cracked pavement—sleek black exterior, reinforced armor plating, and enough firepower to level the entire block.

"Remember the plan," I whisper, adjusting the makeshift signal jammer Lily helped assemble from scavenged parts. "Vex creates the diversion at the original transport site. Lily and I disrupt communications. Trent secures the patrol craft."

"And if something goes wrong?" Lily asks, silver eyes reflecting the afternoon sunlight.

"Improvise," Vex answers with a feral grin.

"Stick to the plan," Trent counters, ever the Sentinel.

The contrast between them has never been clearer—Vex embracing chaos with wild enthusiasm, Trent approaching danger with disciplined precision. And here I am, caught between these opposing forces, somehow drawn to both.

"Time to move," I say, ending the debate. "Coordinates locked?"