Chapter Ninety Four
Serena’s Pov
The night was long and restless. I barely closed my eyes. Every time I did, I saw Adrien’s face, pale and fading, calling for me. The paper the shadowy man had given me was still clutched in my hand when the weak light of dawn crept into the shed.
I sat up, brushing dirt from clothes. Marco was still asleep, leaning against the wall. The shadowy man stood outside, silent, as if he hadn’t moved all night.
Then I walked to him quietly.
“We don’t have time,” I whispered. “Forty-eight hours isn’t long." We need to act now.”
He turned his head slightly, his sharp eyes meeting mine.
“I know. But rushing in blindly will get us killed before we even find him.
I crossed my arms, frustration boiling inside me. “Then what’s the plan?" Because sitting here waiting doesn’t feel like one.”
He studied me for a moment, then finally said, “I have contact. Someone on the inside who owes me. He might know the route the syndicate is planning for Adrien’s transfer.
My heart leaped.
“Then let’s go to him. Right now.”
But the man shook his head.
“What's wrong?” I asked him, wondering what the problem was, this time.
“It’s risky. If they catch us meeting, he’ll be dead, and we’ll lose the only lead we have.
“I don’t care,” I snapped. “Every second we waste is a second." Adrien is closer to being taken away. I’m not going to sit and wait for someone else to decide when it’s safe.
His jaw tightened, but after a short moment, he nodded in agreement.
“Fine. But if you come, you follow my lead. No arguing, no sudden moves. One mistake, and we’re finished.
“I can do that,” I said quickly, though my racing heart made me wonder if it was true.
By mid-morning, we left the shed and made our way into the city. Marco limped beside me, still weak from his own captivity. The shadowy man who finally told me to call him Rafael, kept his hood low, his eyes scanning every corner, every shadow.
We reached a narrow street lined with old buildings. Rafael led us into a café tucked between two shuttered shops. It was small, almost hidden, the kind of place you’d miss if you didn’t know it was there.
Inside, the smell of coffee mixed with the sound of low conversations. A few locals sat at tables, sipping from small cups, and Rafael motioned us to a corner table.
“Stay here,” he whispered. “He’ll come to us.”
I sat stiffly, my eyes darting at the door every time it opened. Marco sipped water, his hands trembling slightly. I wanted to speak, to fill the silence, but my nerves kept my throat tight.
When things get better, Bella would definitely have a lot of things to hear, but as for now, it might have been a good thing to keep these things from her.
Finally, a man entered; thin, with graying hair and a nervous glance. He spotted Rafael and quickly slid into the chair across from him.
“You shouldn’t have asked to meet here,” the man hissed. “It’s too dangerous.”
Rafael leaned in, his voice calm. “You owe me, Mateo." And I need information.”
The man’s eyes drifted to me and Marco, then back to Rafael.
“Who are they?”
“Friends,” Rafael said simply. “Tell me what you know about the transfer.”
Mateo rubbed his temples, glancing around as if afraid of being overheard.
They’re moving him soon. But the route is tightly guarded. I only know whispers.
“Whispers are enough,” Rafael pressed.
The man sighed. “The tunnels. They’re using the old railway tunnels beneath the city. It’s less noticeable than the streets, and easier to control.
My heart stopped for a moment.
“The tunnels?” I repeated softly.
Mateo shot me a wary look, then lowered his voice. “That’s all I know." Please, don’t…”
The café door swung open suddenly, and my stomach dropped.
Three men walked in, their eyes sweeping the room like predators. One of them had a scar across his cheek. My blood ran cold.
Rafael’s voice was low and urgent.
“They’re here. Stay calm.”
But my hands were already shaking as the scarred man’s gaze landed on us. His lips curled into a cruel smile.
“Well, well,” he drawled, striding towards our table. “Didn’t I warn you not to keep poking your nose where it doesn’t belong?”
Marco tensed beside me, his knuckles while around his glass. Rafael stayed perfectly still, his hand resting near his coat as though ready for something.
The scarred man leaned closer, his breath hot and foul. “You think you can outsmart us?" That you can run around my city and not be seen?” His eyes flicked at me. “Especially you, pretty girl." Always looking, always asking.
My heart hammered, but I forced my chin up. “Where is he? Where’s Adrien?”
He laughed harshly. “You’re brave. Stupid, but brave.” He straightened, snapping his fingers.
Then two men behind him reached under their coats.
“Now,” Rafael hissed.
Without warning, he flipped the table towards the scarred man, sending cups and plates crashing. Marco grabbed my arm, pulling me towards the back exit as shouts filled the café.
We ran through the narrow hallway, Rafael right behind us. A gunshot cracked, splintering wood near my head, and I ducked instinctively.
“Faster!” Rafael barked.
We burst out into an alley, the bright daylight blinding after the dim café. My legs burned, but I kept running, my breath ragged. Behind us, the men shouted, their footsteps pounding closer.
“Left!” Rafael shouted, pulling us into another street crowded with people.
The chaos of the marketplace swallowed us for a moment.
Marco stumbled, nearly falling, but I grabbed him, dragging him forward. My chest ached, my body screaming at me to stop, but fear kept me moving.
Finally, after weaving through the crowd, Rafael shoved us into another alley, pressing us against the wall.
“Quiet,” he ordered, his hand up for silence.
We froze, listening as footsteps thundered past the mouth of the alley. Voices echoed, then slowly faded.
Only when the silence stretched did Rafael lower his hand. “They’re gone. For now.”
I slid down the wall, gasping for air, my whole body shaking. Marco leaned heavily against me, his face pale.
I turned to Rafael, my voice hoarse. “They knew. They knew exactly where we would be. How?”
Rafael’s expression was grim.
“Because they’re watching us. Always. Every step we take, they’re a step ahead.
The words chilled me. I thought back to the scarred man’s smile, his taunts. He wasn’t just threatening me. He was mocking me, showing me how deep their reach was.
I clenched my fists, forcing the tremors out of my hands.
That means we don’t have time to hesitate. They’ll move Adrien through those tunnels, and if we don’t act, he’s gone.
Rafael studied me, his jaw tight, but he didn’t argue. Instead, he gave a single nod.
Then we prepare tonight. Tomorrow, we go into the tunnels.
I nodded, but my heart was heavy. The enemy wasn’t just close, they were everywhere. And if they knew our moves already, then saving Adrien would take more than courage. It would take everything.