Seojin sat on the dusty floor of the abandoned warehouse, the weight of the night pressing down on her.
The betrayal was inevitable, she knew that much. But now, the task of uncovering the traitor—the one leaking their every move to the Council—was more urgent than ever.
She glanced at Minji and Kade. Both were working on keeping their wounds tended to, but the tension between them was palpable.
They hadn't spoken much since the explosion in the tunnel.
Seojin couldn't blame them.
Could one of them be the traitor?
Seojin stood abruptly, the silence in the room growing too thick for her to ignore.
She needed answers—and she needed them now.
Her eyes locked on Minji first. "We need to talk."
Minji looked up, startled by the sudden change in Seojin's tone. "About what?"
Seojin's gaze was hard. "About who betrayed us."
Kade's head snapped up. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Seojin's voice was cold. "The Council's attacks—they were too quick. They knew where we were at all times. Someone's been feeding them information."
Minji's brow furrowed. "We're all in this together, Seojin. Why would you think one of us is the leak?"
Seojin didn't flinch. "Because we have no other options. It's the only explanation."
The room fell into a tense silence.
Minji crossed her arms. "And you think it's me?" Her voice was laced with anger. "After everything we've been through?"
Seojin didn't look away. "I don't know. Do you have an explanation for how the Council has found us so quickly, every single time?"
Kade's voice broke through the rising tension. "Enough. Let's all calm down. Seojin, you're right about one thing—someone's been playing us. But pointing fingers won't get us anywhere."
Seojin turned to Kade. "Then what do you suggest? We wait until they finish us off?"
His jaw clenched, but he didn't answer.
Seojin's mind raced. Someone had to pay for their misfortune.
She turned back to Minji. "Did you ever contact anyone from your old life? Anyone who might have betrayed us?"
Minji's face flushed with anger. "No! I've been with you—both of you, every step of the way!"
Seojin's heart skipped. She wasn't convinced. "Then how did they know we were at the warehouse in the first place?"
Minji swallowed, the emotion in her eyes betraying her. "I don't—"
"Answer me." Seojin's voice was sharp.
That's when Seojin saw it.
The tiny crack in Minji's composure. The hesitation.
Minji stepped back, her hands trembling. "I didn't tell anyone," she said, voice shaking. "You have to believe me."
Seojin's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing.
Then, Kade stood. His expression was hard, unreadable.
"You think it's her, don't you?" Kade asked, his voice low.
Seojin felt a cold wave wash over her. "What are you saying?"
"I've been thinking about it, too," Kade said, eyes locking with Seojin. "And I'm starting to wonder if the betrayal wasn't from the inside at all."
Seojin blinked, confusion clouding her mind. "What do you mean?"
Kade's lips curled into a grim smile. "Maybe it wasn't one of us. Maybe it was someone we never even considered."
Minji's eyes widened. "Who?"
Kade didn't answer immediately. He paced, his steps echoing through the empty warehouse. "Someone who always knew where we were, even when we thought we were hidden."
Seojin's stomach twisted. "Who, Kade?"
His gaze met hers. "The one who gave us the location of the old Council facility."
Seojin's heart stopped.
It was Kade.
Her breath caught as realization sank in.
Kade's hands trembled as he set down his weapon. "I was the one who led us there, Seojin. I told you to go. But I didn't know it was a trap."
Seojin's body went numb. "You were working for the Council?"
Kade shook his head. "No. I was trying to protect you both. But I was—used."
Minji stepped forward. "What the hell are you talking about? Kade, why didn't you say something?"
Kade's face twisted in pain. "Because I thought they were going to kill you both, Minji. They had me in their grasp, too. They knew everything about you. About all of us."
Seojin stood still, the betrayal piercing her. "Then who's the real traitor?"
Kade's voice broke. "I never knew it was you they were planning to target, Seojin. But now... they have your mother. They want to use her to finish what they started. You have to stop them."
Seojin's chest tightened. "I thought we were finished. But now—now we fight back. We take everything from them."
End of Chapter 100
Thoughts for Readers:
Did Kade truly betray them, or was he just caught in the Council's web? What will Seojin do now that the true enemy is revealed? Who is the real puppet master behind this entire scheme?
Sneak Peek for Chapter 101:
With a new enemy revealed, Seojin and her team must prepare for a final showdown. But as they gather their resources, the real question arises—who can they trust?