Chapter 8: A Deal with Shadows
Lena sat at the edge of a weathered chair in Kai's dimly lit hideout. The flickering light from the monitors cast an eerie glow, dancing across the wall of photos and documents. She leaned forward, her eyes locked on Viktor Kane's image, the man who seemed to hold the keys to her vengeance.
"So, what's your plan?" she asked, breaking the heavy silence.
Kai smirked faintly as he leaned back against the table. "You're assuming I have one."
Lena glared at him. "You dragged me into your little conspiracy web, so don't act coy now. If you've been tracking these people, you must know something."
Kai crossed his arms, studying her intently. "I know Kane's a ghost—untouchable, invisible to the law, and protected by people who'd kill you without blinking. If you want to get to him, you need more than rage and stubbornness. You need precision, resources... allies."
"Do I look like someone who can just call up allies?" Lena shot back.
Kai's smirk deepened. "Lucky for you, I have a few tricks up my sleeve."
He walked over to the wall and pointed at a grainy photo of a woman with short, dark hair and a scar running across her cheek. "Meet Raven. She used to work for Kane, running his underground operations. Now? She's on her own, and she has a grudge just like you."
"And you think she'll help?" Lena asked skeptically.
Kai shrugged. "She might, if we play it right. She hates Kane more than you do. But she's unpredictable. Dangerous. If we find her, you'll have to convince her that teaming up is worth the risk."
Lena frowned. The idea of relying on a stranger, especially one with a history tied to Kane, didn't sit well with her. But she couldn't ignore the logic. Alone, her chances of taking down Kane and James were slim.
"Fine," she said reluctantly. "Where do we find her?"
Kai moved to one of the laptops, tapping a few keys. A map of the city appeared on the screen, marked with several red pins. He pointed to one near the edge of town.
"She's been spotted here, at an old nightclub called Inferno. It's a front for all kinds of illegal activity—perfect place for someone like her to hide."
Lena nodded, her jaw tightening. "Let's go, then."
Kai raised a hand to stop her. "Hold on. If you walk in there looking like a lost puppy, you won't make it five feet. We need a plan."
"What kind of plan?"
Kai grinned, the glint in his eyes equal parts cunning and reckless. "Leave that to me. Just be ready to think fast and act faster."
Lena didn't like the sound of that, but she had little choice. The clock was ticking, and every second brought her enemies closer.
"Fine," she said. "But if this goes sideways, I'm holding you responsible."
Kai chuckled. "Wouldn't have it any other way."
As they prepared to leave, Lena felt a familiar mix of fear and determination. She was stepping deeper into the shadows, but she wasn't turning back.