The morning dawned heavy with tension, the air thick with anticipation. Elena stood in the kitchen, staring blankly at the coffee machine as it sputtered and hissed. She barely tasted the first sip, her thoughts already racing toward the day ahead.
Mia was still asleep upstairs, her breathing finally steady after a restless night. Elena had stayed up longer than she should have, listening to her sister shift and murmur in her dreams. The weight of what they were about to do pressed heavily on her chest.
Lucian entered the room like a shadow, his movements quiet but commanding. He was dressed in his usual black attire, his presence as intense as ever.
"Ready?" he asked, pouring himself a cup of coffee without waiting for an answer.
"No," Elena admitted, setting her mug down. "But I don't think I ever will be."
Lucian smirked faintly. "Honesty. I like that."
Elena rolled her eyes. "Don't get used to it."
He leaned against the counter, studying her. "You don't have to come, you know. I can handle this."
Elena's jaw tightened. "Mia is my sister. I'm not sitting on the sidelines while you play hero."
Lucian's smirk faded, replaced by something that looked almost like respect. "Fair enough. Let's go."
They met Natalia at a nondescript diner on the east side of the city. The woman was striking, her dark hair pulled into a sleek ponytail and her sharp eyes scanning the room with practiced precision. She wore a leather jacket over a fitted black shirt, her entire demeanor radiating confidence.
"You must be Elena," Natalia said, her voice smooth and measured. She extended a hand, her grip firm. "Lucian's told me about you."
"Has he?" Elena replied, glancing at Lucian.
"Only good things," Natalia said with a smirk. "Mostly."
Elena couldn't tell if the woman was joking, but she didn't have time to dwell on it. Natalia slid into the booth across from them, spreading a map of the port across the table.
"This is where Kade's shipment is coming in," Natalia said, tapping a section of the map. "Dock 14. It's heavily guarded, but there's a service entrance here." She pointed to a side alley. "We can get in through there and avoid most of the patrols."
"And once we're inside?" Elena asked.
"We find the shipment and disable it," Lucian said. "If we can destroy it, even better."
Natalia nodded. "I've got explosives in the car. Small enough to carry, but powerful enough to make a statement."
Elena's stomach churned. "Explosives? Are you serious?"
"This isn't a game, Elena," Natalia said, her tone sharp. "If you're not up for it, now's the time to back out."
Elena glared at her. "I'm not backing out."
"Good," Natalia said, her smirk returning. "Then let's get to work."
The port was eerily quiet when they arrived, the only sounds the distant hum of machinery and the occasional cry of a seagull. The air was cold, the salty breeze biting at Elena's skin as they crept toward the service entrance.
Lucian took the lead, his movements smooth and deliberate. Natalia followed closely, her sharp eyes scanning their surroundings. Elena brought up the rear, her heart pounding with every step.
The service entrance was a narrow metal door tucked between two large shipping containers. Natalia picked the lock with practiced ease, and they slipped inside.
The interior of the warehouse was vast, the ceiling stretching high above them. Rows of shipping containers lined the space, their metal sides gleaming faintly in the dim light.
"This way," Natalia whispered, leading them toward the back of the warehouse.
They moved silently, their footsteps muffled by the concrete floor. Elena's nerves were on edge, every shadow and sound making her flinch.
When they reached the container marked on the map, Natalia pulled out a small flashlight and shone it on the lock.
"Give me a minute," she said, pulling out her tools.
Lucian stood guard, his sharp eyes scanning the room. Elena couldn't help but admire his focus, even as her own anxiety threatened to overwhelm her.
The lock clicked open, and Natalia swung the door wide. Inside, the container was packed with crates, each one marked with a symbol Elena didn't recognize.
"What's in them?" Elena asked.
"Let's find out," Natalia said, prying open one of the crates.
Inside was a collection of sleek black rifles, their surfaces gleaming under the flashlight's beam.
"Military-grade," Natalia said, her voice low. "Kade's arming someone."
"Or preparing for war," Lucian added grimly.
Natalia pulled out a small device and began attaching it to the crate. "This will take care of the shipment."
Elena's stomach twisted as she watched Natalia work. She knew this was necessary, but the thought of destroying so much firepower—and possibly drawing Kade's wrath—was terrifying.
"Hurry up," Lucian said, his voice tense.
"I'm almost done," Natalia replied.
Suddenly, a shout echoed through the warehouse.
"Hey! What are you doing?"
Elena's heart stopped as a guard stepped into view, his flashlight sweeping across the room.
"Move!" Lucian hissed, grabbing Elena's arm and pulling her behind a stack of crates.
Natalia ducked out of sight, her movements quick and silent.
The guard's footsteps grew louder, and Elena held her breath, her heart pounding in her ears. She felt Lucian's hand tighten on her arm, grounding her in the moment.
When the guard passed, Lucian moved swiftly, taking him down with a single, calculated strike.
"Let's go," he whispered, his voice urgent.
Natalia finished setting the explosives, and they slipped out of the warehouse as quietly as they had entered.
When they were a safe distance away, Natalia pulled out a small remote and pressed a button.
The explosion rocked the air, a fiery blast lighting up the night sky.
"That'll send a message," Natalia said, her tone satisfied.
Elena stared at the burning warehouse, her mind racing. They had struck a blow against Kade, but at what cost?
Lucian placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch surprisingly gentle.
"This is just the beginning," he said, his voice low. "Are you ready for what comes next?"
Elena turned to him, her resolve hardening. "I don't have a choice."
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