Page 62 of Lost in Fire
“Her identity needs to remain classified,” I say carefully. “For operational security.”
Viktor’s good eye narrows. “You’re asking me to provide sanctuary based on promises from an anonymous source.”
“I’m asking you to trust my judgment.” I meet his stare steadily. “The Shadowhand’s intelligence has been valuable to resistance movements for over a decade.”
“And this is…?” He raises an eyebrow, looking past me.
“Ember,” I say. “Her daughter—” I glance at Ember. “My daughter.”
Viktor goes completely still. “What?” he practically barks.
“Ember is my daughter,” I repeat.
His expression shifts from skepticism to something sharper, more calculating.
“Your daughter,” he repeats slowly. “The Shadowhand is…?”
Fuck.
I hadn’t planned to reveal the depth of our connection, but there’s no taking it back now.
“That’s not important now,” I say, keeping my voice steady despite the way Viktor’s stare is boring into me.
“And what exactly am I protecting?” His gaze shifts to Ember, but there’s a new tension in his voice now. The revelation of my personal connection to the Shadowhand has changed the entire dynamic. “What’s your heritage, girl?”
Ember straightens, meeting his intimidating stare with quiet courage. “I am Ember Arrowvane. Witch-dragon hybrid.”
Viktor’s expression sharpens at that detail. “This complicates things.” He looks between Ember and me, pieces clicking together in his mind.
The way he phrases it makes my jaw clench. “It doesn’t change anything.”
“Doesn’t it?” Viktor’s tone has gone cold, professional. “You’ve brought me a complication I wasn’t expecting, Hargen. This isn’t just about protecting a hybrid—it’s about managing the fallout from a relationship that could compromise everything.”
“There’s nothing to compromise,” I say firmly. “Things remain the same. Except now we take care of Ember. If anything, this motivates the Shadowhand to remain loyal.”
Viktor considers this for a moment. “Hybrid manifestations are unpredictable at best,” he mutters, almost to himself. “We’ve lost promising young shifters to their own emerging abilities.”
“That’s why we need guidance,” I press. “Ember needs to be surrounded by people who understand her.”
Before Viktor can respond, the office door opens. A woman enters without knocking—early thirties, black hair, unusual palegreen eyes that seem to flash with silver. Her movements are fluid, graceful in a way that suggests supernatural heritage. She’s attractive in an understated way, though there’s something about her that screams “dangerous.”
“The girl looks dead on her feet, Viktor,” she interrupts, studying Ember with obvious concern. “Perhaps the interrogation can wait until she’s had rest?”
Viktor’s expression softens slightly at the newcomer’s intervention. “Ember, this is Nadia Frost. Our resident expert on hybrid magical manifestation.”
Expert on hybrid manifestation.
That’s useful. Maybe this won’t be the disaster I’m imagining.
Nadia approaches with genuine warmth, her smile reaching those strange pale eyes.
“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.
