Page 109 of Forged in Fire

“Heritage consolidation,” Vanya says grimly. “It was raised during many of my meetings with the Ivory League. Roland Vex is obsessed with bloodlines.”

“What kind of consolidation?” Caleb asks.

“Controlled breeding programs. Magical enhancement experiments. Attempts to create bloodlines with specific abilities.” Kieran’s voice drops to something flat and clinical. “They’re not just trying to control existing dragons—they’re trying to create new ones.”

Silence settles over the room. The implications are staggering. If the Syndicate succeeds in weaponizing dragon genetics…

“This intelligence,” Viktor says slowly, “could cripple their operations continent-wide.”

“That’s the idea,” Kieran confirms. “I remember more than I wish I did. But I remember.”

Pride swells in my chest, mixing with the mate bond’s warm contentment. My brother, broken and manipulated, still found a way to gather intelligence that could save lives. Still found the strength to offer that information in service of something larger than revenge.

“We’ll need extensive debriefing sessions,” Viktor continues. “Memory extraction protocols, cross-referencing with existing intelligence, strategic analysis of vulnerabilities.”

“I’m ready,” Kieran says without hesitation.

“It won’t be easy. Recalling traumatic memories, even for strategic purposes—”

“I said I’m ready.” Steel enters his voice—the first time I’ve heard real strength there since we got him out of that place. “They used me to hurt people. I won’t let that stand.”

I feel Riven’s approval, his recognition of the kind of determination that rebuilds broken men into warriors. His respect for my brother’s courage settles something restless in my chest.

“All right,” Viktor decides. “Kieran and I will handle intelligence analysis here. Luke’s team handles the Romania cleanup. Caleb and Elena, I want strategic assessments of every target Kieran identifies.” He looks around the table. “And Iris, Riven—you two get recovery time. Integration period. The mate bond needs proper settling before we throw you back into fieldwork.”

Heat floods my cheeks again. “We don’t need—”

“Yes, you do,” Elena interrupts, grinning. “Trust me. The first few weeks are… intense. Emotionally and physically.”

Riven clears his throat. “How long are we talking?”

“Depends on the individuals,” Caleb says diplomatically. “Elena and I managed three days before she insisted on returning to work.”

“Because someone was trying to kill me,” Elena protests. “Hardly standard circumstances. If we’d been like Dorian and Juno, we’d be planning a honeymoon now.”

“Point taken,” Viktor says. “Two weeks minimum. Longer if you need more time.”

Two weeks. Two weeks of learning what it means to be permanently connected to someone, to share emotions and instincts, and the strange new hunger that burns between us.

Two weeks of figuring out how an assassin and a shadow-walker build something that lasts.

Piece of cake.

“When do we leave?” Mara asks, already pulling up flight schedules on her tablet.

“Within the hour,” Luke decides. “Private jet to Romania, we’ll need the helo to get around there, then fly back once the cleanup is complete. Should be routine.”

Something cold touches my spine. The confidence in his voice, the casual assumption that this will be simple containment work. After everything we’ve been through, nothing feels routine anymore.

But maybe that’s just paranoia from too many years of hunting. Maybe not everything has to be a life-or-death crisis.

“Equipment manifest?” Luke continues.

“Memory modification devices, digital scrubbing software, seismic cover story materials,” Mara rattles off. “Plus, standard communication gear and emergency extraction protocols.”

“Magical detection equipment for residual energy analysis,” Ember adds.

“And enough firepower to handle complications,” Luke finishes.