"One mission at a time," I say finally, resisting the urge to reach for her. "Tonight, we focus on saving lives. Both human and magickal."
She takes a deep breath, squaring her shoulders and nods.
I've dodged her question. We both know it.
What happens when she must choose? When there's no middle ground left to stand on?
The thought gnaws at me. My wolf wants certainty—wants to hear her declare allegiance, pledge herself to our side, to me. But the man in me understands impossible choices. Understands duty and honor and oaths sworn.
I watch her steel herself, armor sliding back into place. Professional. Focused. The agent reclaiming control.
It's easier this way. Safer. For now.
But the question remains. Will echo in my mind long after I leave her apartment. Will haunt my dreams until answered.
When forced to choose between worlds, which will she pick?
And what will I do if she chooses wrong?
We return to the table, where Cormac has already begun marking entry and exit points on the blueprint with a red pen.
"The timing will be crucial," he says. "We need to be in position here—" he taps the rear of the building, "—before your team breaches the front entrance. As soon as the distraction begins, we'll move in."
"How many prisoners are we looking at?" Astrid asks.
"At least twelve, according to Tharin," I answer. "Possibly more. They're being held in specialized containment cells that suppress their magickal abilities."
"Which means they'll likely be weakened," Cormac adds. "Some may need to be carried out. We’ll manage fine, but it will slow us down a little."
Astrid nods, her tactical mind clearly working through the logistics. "And where will you take them? Back to this ranch place?"
"Initially," I confirm. "We'll get them back to their home worlds as quickly as possible."
"How? You guys have a spaceship somewhere?"
I can't help the snort that escapes me. "A space-ship?" The word feels ridiculous in my mouth. "No, we do not have boats that travel between planets."
The corner of her mouth twitches. Progress.
"We do have sirens, though," I answer, letting a smug grin spread across my face. "We can travel through any body of water."
Her eyes widen and she pauses. "Can anything from your worlds move through water like that?"
"I suppose." I shrug, enjoying her fascination a little too much. "No one can travel the water portals without a siren, though.”
She nods. "Sirens. That's how they disappeared through the fountain."
"Who did?" I ask, my amusement fading.
“The Chimeras we were tracking. They jumped into a fountain and disappeared.”
Fuck. What are the sirens doing with Chimeras? I meet Cormac’s gaze, but he shakes his head.
“Do you know anything about them? The chimeras?” Astrid asks.
“No.” Cormac crosses his arms. “Chimeras are nearly extinct. I haven’t seen one in centuries. And they’re not exactly friendly. I don’t know how they would communicate with a siren.”
“Fen?” She turns to me.
