Keira and her team set out under the cover of night.

Standing on the deck, Keira stared ahead. The night sea was an endless stretch of pitch black, an abyss with no bottom in sight.

Lewis stood behind her and asked, "You scared?"

"Of what?" Keira shot back.

This dark, empty sea was just like the life she'd lived in the shadows—nothing new or frightening about it.

Lewis's tone remained calm. "It's about a four-hour trip to the Country A border. No signal out here, just satellite phones. I just got word that Professor Barry Brandt's already en route. We shouldn't run into any trouble. If everything goes smoothly, we'll pick him up and head straight back home."

Keira nodded, then asked, "And if it doesn't go smoothly?"

"Then we move to Plan B. Don't worry—we're getting him back, one way or another," Lewis said with the kind of steady confidence that put Keira at ease.

She didn't know much about Lewis's connections abroad, but hearing him speak so assuredly made her nod again. "You know people in Country A?"

He nodded. "I know a few."

He then reached out and gave her a reassuring pat on the head. "Either way, no need to stress tonight."

Keira nodded once more.

"Teehee…"

A teasing laugh interrupted their conversation. Both of them turned to see Erin leaning casually against the ship's railing, still snacking on pistachios. Noticing their attention, she grinned. "Go on, don't mind me. Watching you two lovebirds is way more entertaining than I thought. Even someone like Mr. Horton knows how to tell little white lies, huh?"

Keira frowned. "What lies?"

"If there's really no danger, why would Mr. Horton be here with you in person? You two are the strongest fighters

shot her a

mimed zipping her lips shut. "Alright, alright, I'll stop poking holes in your story! But honestly, Keira's

Lewis's face darkened further.

I remember hearing something

Keira's gaze turned sharp.

more menacing, but Erin wasn't the least bit scared of him. It was

tough but at least

attention back to

comment had hit close

in fact, uneasy. The ocean had almost taken her life once, and it had claimed her sister's. Those memories

words had eased that tension, but Erin's insistence

her brows and

boat sped across the waves, and true to Lewis's word,

they neared the shore, all the lights and engines were shut off. They let the boat drift in silently until

"Five minutes. Professor Brandt should be here

noticed shadows moving along

"Border patrol," Lewis explained.

They'll be gone in under a minute. We've timed everything

with their

finally exhaled a breath she didn't

heavier. "This is so nerve-wracking… feels like we're pulling

just shot her an exasperated look before returning her

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