Page 57

CHAPTER 24

MATE'S DEFENSE

Amelia's POV

The secondary cache lies hidden behind a waterfall that thunders down the mountain face like liquid silver. Vex carries me through the spray, water instantly soaking through my clothes and mixing with the sweat of artificial heat. The cold provides momentary relief before the chemical fire burns through my system again.

Behind the falling water, a narrow passage leads to a concealed chamber carved from living rock. Emergency supplies line stone shelves—weapons, medical equipment, preserved food, and most importantly, vials of clear liquid that make Vex move with sudden urgency.

"This should neutralize the worst of the accelerant," he explains, setting me carefully on a sleeping platform covered with mountain furs. His hands shake slightly as he prepares the injection—the first sign of weakness I've seen from him despite his mounting injuries.

The needle slides into my arm with practiced precision. For a moment, nothing changes. The artificial heat continues raging through my system, muscles cramping with chemically-induced need that has nothing to do with natural biology.

Then blessed relief floods through me.

Not complete elimination—the accelerant is too potent for that. But the burning intensity dims to manageable levels. Rational thought clears the haze of pain. My muscles relax enough to support my own weight.

"Are you feeling better?" Vex asks, yellow eyes studying my face for signs of improvement. His gaze drops briefly to my belly, where the slight swell of our child remains hidden beneath my tunic.

"Much." I push myself upright, testing my stability. Still weak, still fighting residual symptoms, but functional. My hand moves instinctively to my belly—the slight curve more noticeable now at fourteen weeks. Our child grows despite everything. "How long before they find us?"

As if summoned by my question, the sound of beating wings echoes from beyond the waterfall. Multiple sets. Heavy wingbeats that speak of Gargoyle reinforcements approaching the area.

Vex moves to the chamber entrance, wings folding tight against his back as he peers through the water curtain. "I count six aerial units circling at different altitudes. Two squads of ground forces are climbing the lower paths." His voice carries grim assessment. "They're coordinating a systematic sweep pattern. Very professional."

I join him at the entrance, legs still unsteady but holding my weight. Through the rushing water, I catch glimpses of dark shapes circling at different altitudes. They're not searching randomly—they know we're in this area, probably triangulating from the emergency beacon.

"The beacon," I realize. "They can track it."

"The dead Gargoyle's equipment is still transmitting location data," Vex confirms. "Standard Council protocol for fallenoperatives. The beacon sends continuous updates until someone manually disables it."

Which means they know exactly where the confrontation occurred. From there, they can estimate our possible movement patterns, predict likely hiding spots. The waterfall cache might have been secret once, but against a full Council operation with unlimited resources...

"We need to move," I say.

"You need more time to recover from the chemical exposure," he counters, though his tone suggests he agrees with my assessment. "The counter-agent requires time to fully neutralize the accelerant."

More wingbeats. Closer now. Accompanied by the unmistakable sound of equipment being deployed—ropes, climbing gear, specialized weaponry designed for siege operations.

They're not just searching. They're preparing to assault every possible hiding place in the area.

"I can function," I insist, testing my range of motion. The artificial heat still burns beneath my skin, but bearably now. Enough to think clearly. Enough to fight if necessary. "What are our options?"

Vex studies the tactical situation with the same methodical precision he brings to everything else. "There are seven possible exit routes from this position. All of them lead to either higher ground or deeper cave systems. But with their superior numbers and coordination..."

He doesn't need to finish. Any escape route we take, they can block with superior numbers. Any hiding place we choose, they can siege with specialized equipment. The mathematics of the situation favor them overwhelmingly.

"Unless," he continues, something dangerous flickering in his yellow eyes. "We eliminate their command structure."

Understanding hits me like cold water. "Kain."

"When Kain recovers from the toxin exposure, he'll coordinate the final assault personally," Vex continues, something dangerous flickering in his yellow eyes. "If we can remove him from the equation, their entire operation loses tactical coherence."

The plan forms between us without words. Instead of fleeing deeper into the mountains where Council forces can pursue us indefinitely, we eliminate the threat permanently. Cut off the head of the operation and watch the body die.

"Risky," I point out, though part of me thrills at the idea of ending this threat once and for all.

"Everything about our current situation is risky," Vex replies. "But this approach at least offers permanent resolution rather than endless pursuit."