The cabin was dark, the only light coming from the small, flickering lantern in the center of the room. It cast shadows across the worn floorboards and rough-hewn walls, making the small space feel even more isolated. Serena sat at the wooden table, staring down at the map in front of her. Her mind churned with possibilities, each one more dangerous than the last.
Rebecca was in the corner, working on a small portable computer, her brow furrowed in concentration as she tried to scan for any movement around the perimeter. Alex lay on the couch, his breathing steady but labored, his body still recovering from the brutal treatment at the hands of the Covenant. He was tough, but Serena knew they couldn't keep running forever, especially with him in this condition.
"We need to find out who else is in this game," Serena muttered, breaking the heavy silence that had settled over them. "Adrian warned us about other players, but we're flying blind. If they're as dangerous as he says, we can't afford to be caught off guard."
Rebecca glanced up from her work, her eyes sharp but tired. "Do you think he was bluffing? Trying to scare us into handing over the artifacts?"
Serena shook her head. "No. Adrian might be a liar, but he's too smart to make something like that up. If there are other forces hunting the Sangreal and the Crux Ignis, we need to know who they are and what they're after."
Rebecca bit her lip, turning back to her computer. "I've been trying to tap into some of my old contacts, see if I can get a lead on anyone else interested in these artifacts. But most of them are either laying low or not picking up at all. Something's spooked them."
"That's not a good sign," Serena said grimly, her mind racing with what that could mean. The world of artifact hunting and black-market dealings was already dangerous, but when people started going silent, it meant someone bigger was involved.
She tapped her fingers against the table, her eyes narrowing. "If Adrian's right, we're dealing with more than just rival collectors. This is bigger. We need to figure out who's pulling the strings."
"And how do we do that?" Rebecca asked, glancing over at Serena. "Everyone who might have answers is either running scared or dead."
Serena's gaze shifted toward Alex, who was resting but alert enough to listen in. "We need someone with knowledge of the underground artifact scene—someone who's been in this world long enough to know who's making moves. There's one person I can think of who might help."
Rebecca frowned, picking up on Serena's hesitation. "Who?"
Serena let out a slow breath. "Elena."
Rebecca's eyes widened, her surprise quickly turning into skepticism. "Elena? You mean Elena, the woman who almost got us killed in Cairo? The one who tried to steal the Eye of Set right out from under us?"
Serena nodded, her expression grim. "That's the one."
"Serena, she's not exactly trustworthy," Rebecca said, her tone cautious. "Last time we saw her, she was willing to sell us out for a quick profit. Why would she help us now?"
"She might not want to," Serena admitted. "But Elena knows things. She has contacts in every corner of the artifact world. If anyone knows who's after the Sangreal and the Crux Ignis, it's her. And right now, we need information more than we need trust."
Rebecca looked uncertain, but after a moment, she sighed. "I'll admit, we don't have a lot of options. But how do we even find her? Elena's always been good at disappearing when she wants to."
Serena gave a small, humorless smile. "I know where she'll be. There's an auction coming up in two days, just outside of Paris. It's the kind of place where high-level buyers gather to trade rare and dangerous artifacts. Elena wouldn't miss it."
Alex, who had been silent up until now, shifted on the couch, his voice rough but steady. "If Elena's at that auction, she'll have protection. She's made a lot of enemies. We'll need to be careful."
"We'll go in quietly," Serena said. "Get the information we need and get out. We're not looking for a fight, but if she has information on these other players, we can't afford to let her slip away."
Rebecca nodded, though the tension in her shoulders was clear. "I'll start prepping the cover identities. We can't risk being recognized, especially if any of the Covenant's people are there."
Serena stood, her mind already moving to the next steps. "I'll make contact with our Paris safehouse and get us the gear we need. We move tomorrow."
As Rebecca returned to her work, Serena walked over to the couch where Alex lay. His eyes met hers, and though he was still recovering, the fire in his gaze was unmistakable.
"You shouldn't be coming with us," Serena said quietly, kneeling beside him. "You need to rest."
Alex grimaced, shifting to sit up slightly. "I'm not letting you go into that auction alone. I can handle myself, even like this."
Serena's lips thinned into a line, torn between wanting to protect him and knowing he wouldn't back down. "Fine. But if things go south, you get out. No playing the hero."
Alex smirked, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "I'll leave the heroics to you."
Serena stood, her mind already spinning with the possibilities of what they might encounter at the auction. Elena was their best lead, but dealing with her was always a risk. She was as slippery as they came, and Serena knew better than to underestimate her.
Later that night, after preparations were made and Rebecca had finalized their identities, Serena stepped outside the cabin to clear her head. The cool night air was crisp, the stars scattered across the sky like a thousand glittering pieces of glass. She stood by the treeline, her thoughts heavy with the weight of what lay ahead.
The Covenant wasn't just a dangerous enemy—they were a relentless one. And now, with Adrian's warnings about other players in the game, the stakes had risen even higher. The Sangreal and the Crux Ignis were more than just relics. They were weapons, capable of reshaping the world, and everyone knew it.
Serena's phone buzzed in her pocket, pulling her from her thoughts. She pulled it out and saw a message from an unknown number.
You're running out of time. The Covenant isn't your only problem anymore. Don't trust anyone. – A
Serena's heart skipped a beat. Adrian.
His cryptic warning sent a fresh wave of unease through her. Adrian's help had come with a price, but now it was clear he wasn't telling them everything. The message was short, but the implication was clear: more players were in the game, and they were closing in fast.
She tucked the phone back into her pocket, her jaw tightening.
The storm was coming, and they had just stepped into the eye of it.
Tomorrow, they'd meet Elena, but there was no telling what they'd find—or what new dangers would emerge. They were in deeper than ever now, and the path ahead was murky, with allies and enemies blending into one another.
But Serena knew one thing: they couldn't stop now. Not when they were this close.
She turned back toward the cabin, her mind already on the mission ahead.
The game was still being played, and they had no choice but to keep moving forward.
Because turning back was no longer an option.