Cassie left the bar with Viktor's directions echoing in her mind. The old city wall loomed ahead, a relic of Prague's medieval past, weathered but still standing strong. She kept her pace steady, eyes sweeping her surroundings for any sign of a tail. Every instinct warned her that someone would be watching, waiting to intercept her the moment she got close to Sokolov. But this was her only lead, and she had no choice but to press on.
The safe house was nestled within a maze of narrow alleys and cobblestone paths, blending into the quiet, unassuming neighborhood. Cassie approached the door, feeling the weight of anticipation settle over her. She knocked twice, then paused, listening for movement on the other side.
A faint shuffling sound, then silence. The door creaked open just enough for a pair of sharp eyes to assess her. She met the gaze, unflinching.
"I'm looking for Nikolai Sokolov," she said, her voice calm but firm.
The man's eyes narrowed. "And who are you?"
"Someone who can help. Adam sent me."
At the mention of Adam's name, the door opened wider, and Cassie slipped inside, quickly scanning her surroundings. The room was sparse, with only a few essentials—a table, a couple of chairs, and a faint light casting shadows across the walls. A man stood by the far window, his figure half-hidden in the dimness, but she recognized him immediately from Adam's notes: Nikolai Sokolov.
"Adam's dead, isn't he?" His voice was hoarse, filled with a mix of resignation and bitterness.
Cassie nodded. "He wanted me to find you. He said you had something… something the agency was willing to kill for."
Nikolai turned, his expression haunted. "That list… it's more dangerous than you realize. Adam knew what he was risking, but he thought—" he paused, swallowing hard, "—he thought the truth was worth it."
Cassie took a step closer. "He was right. If there's even a chance to expose what they're doing, I need that list."
Nikolai let out a hollow laugh. "You think it's that simple? This isn't just about exposing secrets. The agency has people everywhere, people who will protect themselves at any cost. They're not just coming after me; they'll come for anyone who's seen the list. Including you."
Cassie squared her shoulders. "I know the risks. I didn't come this far to turn back now."
He studied her, his eyes hard but somehow searching, as if gauging whether she truly understood the danger. After a moment, he nodded. "The list is hidden. Only one other person knows where it is, and she's… well, she's not exactly eager to see me."
"Who is she?" Cassie asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Anya Voronin. She was my contact on the inside. We… we were close, once. But the agency found out, and they forced us apart. She's kept her distance since, and for good reason." Nikolai's face softened, a flicker of sadness crossing his features. "She doesn't trust anyone anymore."
Cassie nodded, taking in the information. "Where can I find her?"
"Anya runs a small café near the Charles Bridge. But don't be fooled—she's as sharp as they come. If you're going to approach her, you'll need to earn her trust."
Cassie didn't hesitate. "Then I'll find her. Just tell me what I need to know."
Nikolai held her gaze, as if weighing her resolve one last time. Then he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small slip of paper. "This is the address. And Cassie…" His voice dropped to a near whisper. "If you find her, be careful. Anya knows how to disappear, and if she thinks you're a threat, you'll never see her coming."
Cassie took the paper, her fingers brushing against his. "Thank you, Nikolai. For everything."
He gave a faint nod, his face etched with a mixture of fear and relief. "Just… just be sure you're ready for what you're about to uncover. The agency doesn't leave loose ends."
She left the safe house, the chill of the Prague night air biting at her skin. The city was quiet, but there was an undercurrent of danger in the silence, as if the walls themselves held secrets too dark to be spoken. Cassie walked with purpose, her mind already mapping out her next steps. Anya was her only lead now, and if she could convince her to talk, the truth was within reach.
As she turned a corner, a shadow moved in her peripheral vision. She stopped, her senses on high alert. But when she glanced back, the street was empty, save for the occasional flicker of a streetlamp. She shook her head, forcing herself to focus. She couldn't let paranoia get the best of her—not now, not when she was so close.
The café was a quiet, unassuming place tucked between two old buildings, its lights dim and inviting. She pushed open the door, greeted by the scent of coffee and faint murmurs from the few patrons scattered around. At the counter stood a woman with dark hair pulled back into a neat bun, her expression calm and reserved. Cassie approached, keeping her movements casual but deliberate.
"Anya?" she asked softly.
The woman's eyes met hers, a flicker of recognition passing over her face before she masked it with practiced indifference. "Who's asking?"
"A friend of Nikolai's."
Anya's gaze sharpened, but she didn't respond, her hands continuing to wipe down the counter as if nothing had happened.
Cassie leaned in, lowering her voice. "He told me you had information—about a list. People inside the agency who have been compromised."
Anya stilled, her eyes narrowing. "You shouldn't be here. You're putting both of us in danger."
"I know. But Adam died trying to get this information out, and I won't let his sacrifice be for nothing. Whatever you have, it could expose everything the agency's done."
For a moment, Anya said nothing, her face a mask of unreadable emotions. Then, finally, she nodded toward a door in the back of the café. "Follow me."
Cassie's pulse quickened as she stepped through the door, Anya close behind. They moved into a small storage room, dimly lit by a single overhead bulb. Anya turned to face her, crossing her arms.
"I loved Nikolai once," she said quietly, her voice carrying a weight of years gone by. "And because of that, I was forced into hiding, forced to betray the very people I trusted."
Cassie held her gaze. "And now? Do you still trust him?"
Anya's eyes softened, a trace of sorrow breaking through. "Trust is a luxury we can't afford. But… if he sent you, I'll help. For his sake."
Cassie felt a glimmer of hope. "Then tell me where the list is."
Anya hesitated, then spoke in a low, steady voice. "The list is hidden in a safety deposit box at a bank downtown. But the agency knows it's there. They've been watching it, waiting for someone to come for it."
"Then we'll have to be smarter than them," Cassie replied, determination hardening her tone.
Anya met her gaze, a faint smile playing at her lips. "I hope you know what you're getting into. Because once we start, there's no going back."
Cassie nodded, a spark of fire igniting within her. She could feel the pieces of the puzzle falling into place, the path forward coming into focus. The agency may have been watching, waiting for them to slip up—but she was ready for whatever lay ahead.
For Cassie, there was only one path now.