"Logan cooks like he's still on a mission," Ryker mutters, breaking his usual stoic silence. "Everything's fuel, nothing's food."
"Says the man who eats protein bars for breakfast," Elias counters.
"At least protein bars don't try to fight back," Caleb adds, poking at a suspiciously solid chunk in his bowl.
"And this," Caleb announces as footsteps approach from the tech wing, "is our resident ghost."
A tall, wiry man emerges from the hallway, his movements precise and economical. Wire-rimmed glasses catch the fluorescent light. Every item on his person—from his meticulously ironed black button-down to the security badge clipped at exactly 45 degrees on his belt—speaks of careful routine.
"Asa Vale," he says, voice quiet but clear. His eyes scan me with the same efficiency as his security cameras. "Director of cybersecurity and intelligence."
"And professional vampire," Caleb adds with a grin. "Seriously, when's the last time you saw daylight?"
"Tuesday. 2:47 PM. Perimeter check of the east fence." Asa doesn't miss a beat, doesn't even look at Caleb as he adjusts the fork and spoon until they align perfectly. "The sun was approximately 43 degrees above the horizon."
"Your phone," Asa says suddenly, those keen eyes fixing on my pocket. "It's a Kyocera. Burner. Model E4610. The same type favored by certain intelligence contractors due to its easily removable GPS module."
A chill runs down my spine.How did he-
"The outline is visible through your left pocket," he explains, answering my unspoken question. "And you've checked it exactly seven times in the past four minutes."
Damn.
"Don't worry," he adds, turning back to his screens. "If someone's tracking it, I'll know before they do."
"Tracking's not what worries me," Logan says, his voice low and controlled. His jaw tightens as he glances at my pocket. "It's what happens when they catch up."
"Let them try." Ryker cracks his knuckles, the sound sharp in the quiet room. "Been itching for some exercise."
"Not everything needs to end in violence," Elias cuts in, giving Ryker a pointed look. "Sometimes the smartest move is to disappear."
Like I've been trying to do for weeks.
I watch them, these men who move like weapons but bicker like brothers, and something inside me... loosens.
Just a fraction.
For half a second, I don't feel hunted. Don't feel like a story unraveling. Just a woman at a table full of people who've also seen the dark and decided to live anyway.
I let myself smile.
Tiny. Barely there.
But real.
And that's when I catch Logan watching me—those storm-gray eyes tracking the curve of my mouth like it's a breach in his defenses.
Something flickers across his face, too quick to name.
Then it's gone, locked away behind walls I recognize all too well.
Careful, Sloane. Remember what happens to people who let their guard down.
Because I didn't come to Iron Hollow to be saved.
I came to finish what I started.
Even if it kills me.
