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“Hello,” she says. “I heard there’d been an interesting new arrival. The whole place started buzzing when you came into this office. Figured I’d introduce myself before Viktor scared you off.”

Ember studies her with wary curiosity. “Are you hybrid too?”

“Something like that.” Nadia’s smile turns mysterious. “Wolf shifter, primarily, but with… complications my kind doesn’t typically discuss with outsiders.”

The admission creates an immediate connection. For the first time since leaving her mother, Ember’s posture relaxes slightly. Here’s someone who might understand the isolation of being caught between worlds.

Nadia looks at me curiously. “And you are?”

“Hargen Cole,” I tell her. “Ember’s… father.” The words feel strange, but I like the way they sound.

“Good to meet you.” She glances at Viktor. “I figure you two have a lot to discuss.” She looks back at Ember. “Wanna come with me? I’ll get you settled. Viktor’s questions can wait until you’ve processed everything that’s happened.”

The older man looks like he wants to object, but Nadia’s steady gaze makes him reconsider. “Very well. But we need to discuss timelines and security protocols.”

“After breakfast,” Nadia says firmly. “And coffee. Lots of coffee.”

She moves toward Ember, offering her arm as if they’re old friends. “Come on. I’ll show you to your quarters and introduce you to some of the other residents.”

As they reach the door, Ember looks back at me. “You’ll still be here when I get back?”

The question reveals more vulnerability than she’s shown since learning about her mother’s sacrifice. She’s lost everything familiar—home, safety, the woman who raised her. I’m the only constant left in her world.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I promise.

After they leave, Viktor and I sit in silence for several moments.

“So you’ll take her in?” I say, at last.

“Of course we will.” He huffs a breath. “That’s our mandate. We’d never turn away one of our kind.”

Relief floods me. “Thank you,” I say. “I realize it’s not what you expected.”

“Nothing in this realm is ever what I expect,” he admits wryly. “Tell me about her.”

“She turns twenty-one in less than two weeks,” I say. “According to her mother, that’s when her full powers will manifest.”

Viktor’s concern is evident in his expression. “And what exactly will emerge? What abilities has she shown so far?”

I describe what Vanya told me about Ember’s unique magical signature—fire manipulation that sometimes burns cold, empathic sensing beyond normal dragon abilities, unusually strong connection to ancestral memories. The flame I saw her create.

“A powerful combination,” Viktor acknowledges. “But also potentially volatile. The witch and dragon magics could conflict catastrophically at full emergence.”

Could conflict . Not will conflict . There’s hope in that distinction.

“That’s why she needs to be here,” I press. “Ember needs guidance through this transition.”

Viktor circles back to his primary concern. “You promised the Shadowhand would provide ongoing intelligence. How exactly will that work with her identity remaining classified?”

The question I’ve been dreading. Because the truth is, I don’t know if Vanya will survive long enough to establish communication channels. The enhanced protocols hunting for traitors within the Ivory League are closing in, and she’s chosen to stay directly in their path.

“She’ll establish secure communication channels,” I say, choosing my words carefully. “Dead drops. Encrypted messages through established networks.”

“And you trust her to follow through?” Viktor’s skepticism is plain.

“I do.” The certainty in my voice carries weight because it’s true, despite everything.

“Because of your history with her,” Viktor observes—not a question but a statement.

I don’t deny it. “Because I know who she is beneath whatever identity she’s assumed.”

Viktor studies me for a long moment, weighing calculations I can only guess at. The personal connection has clearly complicated his decision-making process. Finally, he nods. “The girl will be safe here. We’ll provide protection, training, guidance through her manifestation.”

I offer a smile. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” Viktor’s expression remains serious. “This changes things, Hargen. A personal relationship between one of my operatives and our most sensitive intelligence source creates… vulnerabilities we’ll need to address.”

I know what he’s really saying. My judgment could be compromised. My loyalty divided. In his position, I’d have the same concerns.

“Ember’s safety is what matters,” I say firmly.

“For now.” Viktor’s tone carries a warning. “But if this relationship puts the Collective at risk—if your personal feelings compromise operational security—I’ll make the hard choices necessary to protect what we’ve built here.”

“That’s not going to happen,” I say firmly.

“I hope you’re right.”

As our meeting concludes, I move to the window, looking back toward the direction we came from. Somewhere beyond those mountains, Vanya remains surrounded by enemies who would kill her without hesitation if they discovered her true nature.

Viktor notices my distraction. “You’re worried about her.”

“If they discover what she’s been doing…” I leave the sentence unfinished.

“Then pray they don’t,” Viktor responds, his tone gentler than before.

The words offer no comfort. Because somewhere in the distance, the woman I’ve loved for decades is playing a game where discovery means death. And there’s nothing I can do to help her except ensure our daughter survives whatever’s coming.

I won’t leave it this way.

Whatever it takes, however long it takes, I’ll find a way back to her.

We didn’t go through all that we have just to lose each other again.

Not like this.