Chapter 171
Lynette's POV
I didn't sleep.
Couldn't. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw that yacht. Saw Rezar's face. Saw a hundred ways this could go wrong.
At dawn, I gave up trying. Sat on the edge of my bed and stared at the small duffel bag I'd packed. Change of clothes. Basic toiletries. Nothing that would raise suspicion.
The door creaked open. Elara stood there in her pajamas, hair messy from sleep.
"You're really going," she said.
Not a question. A statement.
"Yeah." I zipped up the bag. "I am."
She crossed the room and sat next to me. For a minute, neither of us said anything.
Then: "You have to come back."
Her voice cracked on the last word.
I turned to look at her. Her eyes were red.
"Elara—"
"Promise me." She grabbed my hand. "Promise me you'll come back."
My throat went tight. I squeezed her hand.
"I promise."
She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small cloth pouch. Pressed it into my palm.
"I made this last night," she said. "It's herbs from the forest. For protection."
I stared at the little bundle. The fabric was soft, tied with a thin cord.
Something in my chest twisted.
"Thank you," I said quietly.
I tied it around my wrist. It smelled like pine and something sweet I couldn't name.
Elara leaned her head on my shoulder. I put my arm around her.
We sat like that until the sun came up.
---
The doorbell rang just after breakfast.
I opened it to find Drake standing on the porch. He had a plain canvas bag in one hand.
He glanced past me into the house, then lowered his voice.
"Kael wanted me to bring you something."
I stepped outside and closed the door behind me.
Drake handed me the bag. "Tools that'll pass security. But you need to be careful with them."
I unzipped it. Inside: a pen. A leather belt. A few hairpins.
I looked up at Drake.
He picked up the pen. "The tip unscrews. There's a steel needle inside, coated with a fast-acting sedative."
He set it down and lifted the belt. "The buckle is sharpened on the inner edge. You can use it as a weapon if you need to."
He showed me the hairpins next. "These are reinforced. They won't break if you need to pick a lock or... other things."
I examined each item carefully. They looked completely ordinary. Innocent.
"Don't use them unless you absolutely have to," Drake said. "If they catch you with these and realize what they are—"
"I understand."
He nodded. Hesitated. Then: "Watch your back in there. These people... they don't play by the same rules we do."
"I know."
Drake left without another word.
I went back inside and repacked the bag, tucking Drake's gifts carefully between my clothes.
---
The dock was quiet when I arrived just before dawn. Fog hung low over the water.
Kael was already there. He wore a long dark coat, hands in his pockets. When he turned to look at me, his eyes were sharper than usual.
He was already in that headspace. The one where you stop thinking about what could go wrong and just focus on what needs to happen.
I'd been in that headspace plenty of times before.
"Ready?" he asked.
"Yeah."
Other people were arriving. A woman with silver hair and a fur coat. Two men in expensive suits who didn't look at anyone. A thin guy with tattoos covering his neck.
All of them moved with that same careful awareness. Predators recognizing other predators.
The speedboat was waiting at the end of the dock. Small. Fast. Unmarked.
We climbed in. The engine roared to life, and we pulled away from shore.
---
The ocean was gray and restless. Waves slapped against the hull. Salt spray stung my face.
I stood near the back of the boat, hands gripping the rail. The cold air helped clear my head.
Kael came to stand beside me.
"Nervous?" he asked.
I shook my head. "Just getting ready."
He was quiet for a moment. Then: "If things go wrong—if it feels wrong at any point—we leave. Immediately. Don't try to be a hero."
I turned to look at him. "I won't slow you down."
His jaw tightened. "That's not what I'm worried about."
I didn't know what to say to that. So I just nodded.
We stood there in silence as the boat cut through the water.
---
About an hour later, it appeared.
A massive black ship rising out of the fog like something from a nightmare.
No markings. No flags. Just smooth black metal and rows of dark windows.
I estimated ten stories tall. Maybe two hundred meters long. Big enough to hold hundreds of people.
Figures moved on the deck. All of them wearing masks.
Kael pulled two masks from his coat pocket. Handed me one.
It was silver, covering the upper half of the face. Cold against my skin when I put it on.
Somehow, it made me feel safer. Like I could hide behind it.
The speedboat pulled up alongside the ship. A ladder hung down from the deck.
Kael went first. I followed.
My legs shook a little as I climbed. From adrenaline, not fear.
At least that's what I told myself.
---
Two guards stood at the top of the ladder. Both huge. Both with eyes that glowed faint gold.
They were using their wolves to scan everyone who came aboard.
I felt it when their attention landed on me. A pressure against my chest. My wolf stirred, defensive.
I forced myself to breathe normally. To look bored.
The guard on the left stared at me for what felt like forever.
Then he nodded and stepped aside.
I climbed onto the deck. Kael was right behind me.
The ship was even bigger up close. The deck stretched out in both directions, polished wood gleaming under dim lights.
More masked figures stood in small groups, talking quietly.
I caught fragments of conversation. Different languages. Different accents.
This wasn't just a regional thing. People had come from all over the world for this.
Kael touched my elbow lightly. "Stay close."
I nodded.
My heart was pounding. My palms were sweating inside my gloves.
But I'd made it onto the ship.
Now came the hard part.