Chapter 19: Chapter Nineteen

Bexley

Last night was just what we needed to boost our morale and embark on this mission with a positive mindset. I was ready. My men and I gathered around the messroom table, drawing up a plan of action.

“Here are the coordinates,” Asher explained, pointing to the red crosses on the map. He had placed mugs at either corner to prevent the sides from rolling up. “The five locations are Norway, Sweden, Austria, Spain, and Ukraine.”

Braxton scrunched his eyebrows as he viewed the markings, his eyes flitting to each position. Cruz peered over Dominic’s shoulder as he typed the figures into his laptop. I wondered why my mother had chosen these particular places; I was sure she had a reason, being the queen of secret messages. But before I could throw in any suggestions, I needed to know where each clue was hidden. They could be anything, numbers, letters, or words that made up a password. Until we found one of them, we were fumbling around in the dark.

“I think we have our locations, guys,” Dominic announced, tapping away on the keyboard. “The Sofia Church in Stockholm, Sweden; Sofiyivka Park in Ukraine; the Reina Sofia National Art Museum in Madrid, Spain; Laxenburg Castles in Vienna, Austria; and The Seven Sisters waterfall in Norway.”

Asher and I locked eyes as we made the same connection. “Did you say Sofia?” we spoke at once.

My mother’s first name was Sofia, but everyone called her Safi.

"Uh-hu," Dominic confirmed.

"It can't be a coincidence," Asher responded, seeming hopeful that we were on to something.

“All apart from the waterfall,” I added. “I wonder what significance that location holds.”

Asher nodded. “Yeah . . . me too. But knowing your mother, there would be another meaning behind it.”

I massaged my temples as I thought, wracking my brains to remember something.

“It’s called the seven sisters because there are seven waterfalls,” Cruz muttered, sounding downbeat. “Where the hell would we start? It will be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.”

Braxton groaned. “He’s right. The waterfall is located along the Geirangerfjorden in Stranda Municipality, Møre og Romsdal county. Its 410 meters tall with seven separate streams, the tallest has a free fall that measures 250 meters. I know because Dad dumped me there as part of my training. There’s nothing but river and mountain terrain for miles. If we are travelling there, we will need to be prepared. It’s a long walk back to civilization if things go wrong. I don't fancy being stranded out there for days on end.”

I thought for a moment, remembering all the stories my mum used to tell me about the star constellations. One in particular stood out: the seven sisters. Pleione was their mother; she was supposedly beautiful and had flowing red hair. She was known as the protector of sailors. Seamen would often get tattoos of her as a tribute. Dad had one on his chest with my mother’s name beneath it.

The memory hit me like a lightning bolt and I gasped with excitement. “They were known as the Pleiades, the seven daughters of the titan Atlas and the sea-nymph Pleione, born on Mount Cyllene. They were the sisters of Calypso, Hyas, the Hyades, and the Hesperides. Collectively with the seven Hyades, they were seen as the Atlantides and were teachers to the infant Dionysus. They were thought to have been tossed into the night’s sky as a cluster of stars and were associated with rain.” My men listened to me without interrupting. “Mum mentioned one in particular: Electra, the wife of Corythus, to whom she bore Lasion. Zeus seduced her, and she gave birth to his son, Dardanus. According to legend, she was the lost Pleiad, disappearing in grief after the demise of Troy. It always felt as if she was referring to someone she knew, but I never questioned her about it. Now I wish I had.”

Dominic scrunched his brows into a compassionate frown. “Don’t beat yourself up about it, Babe. How were you supposed to know what it meant? For all we know, it might have been nothing, not a metaphor for a cheating wife.”

Asher side-eyed Dominic. “One who was seduced into having another man’s child,” he raised a good point. “This might give us an idea where Aunt Safi hid the clue, but I’m hoping that’s all there is to it.”

“We must decide who’s going where,” Cruz commented, eager to complete the plan.

All eyes fell to the map, studying each location. Splitting up meant travelling to different countries. We wouldn’t be able to run to another’s aid if things went south. The anxiety was genuine, and my stomach was churning with dread. What if this was the last time we could all be together? We were standing upon the cliff edge, getting ready to take the plunge. The only thing that was keeping me going was the Wolfe brothers and the life they had promised me when all this is done.

Dominic’s laptop beeped with an incoming message, and we all glanced to see it.

“Alpha Two is secure. The coastguard found the wreckage, and they reported it as a tragic accident. They are searching for Bexley’s remains, but we all know it’s the pendant they want. Think of it as a head start, so don't waist the opportunity. When they don't find any bodies, they will assume you're still alive.” We viewed the note from Uncle Zane and my dad, relieved that their plan had worked out. “We’ll keep you posted if we hear anything else. As long as you remain under the radar, the British Secret Service will be blindsided. However, the Chameleon will not be fooled. He will see it’s a ruse to throw the agency off your scent. Remain vigilant and stay safe.”

Dom was quick to reply, “You too.” Then clicked the cross in the top right-hand corner of the message to shut down the chat.

I felt better knowing that Dad and Zane were out there, watching over us from afar. Alpha Two seemed like the perfect location to relax and unwind after all this is done. I imagined them strolling around on a hot, sunny beach, sitting beneath a palm tree in their swimming trunks, drinking from a coconut cup. You know, one of those exotic cocktails that has curly straws and paper umbrellas. Dad would be soaking up the warm rays, muttering about 'this being the life', and Uncle Zane would be perving through his Ray Bans on all the women, splashing around in their bikinis. Maybe they'd be topless and Dad would be looking too.

I've been here in the cold for far too long. If there was an ice bar, it wouldn't be as bad, but there's nothing for miles and miles.

I need something stronger than tea.

“Right, so —” Cruz said as he scrubbed a hand over his face, looking agitated. I pretended that I hadn't been carried away with my thoughts. “Who’s flying where?” he asked with a huff.

“I’ll go to Austria,” Dominic volunteered.

Asher looked at me, giving me a choice of where I wanted to visit. “We’ll take Spain,” I answered, craving a warmer climate. “I appreciate it's not a holiday, but I just need some fucking sun.” I left out the part where I was craving a cocktail.

“I’ll fly to Ukraine,” Cruz insisted. “I’ve been there plenty of times, I know exactly where to lie low if things turn ugly.”

Braxton shrugged. “Sweden it is then,” he uttered as if it made no difference to him where he went.

“That just leaves Norway—the Seven Sisters Waterfall,” Asher pointed out. “It’s the closest. What do you guys think? Do we save that one for last, or do we come back and explore the place together? Bexley mentioned Electra. She’s named as the second sister, so that narrows down the territory. I'm guessing we need to search around the second waterfall.” He turned to Braxton. “What do you suggest? You’re familiar with the terrain.”

Braxton exhaled a weary sigh. “It could take forever for one of us to search around the area. Five pairs of eyes are better than one, especially when we don’t even know what we’re searching for.”

“So, we save Norway until last, when we know what we're looking for,” I decided on behalf of everyone. “At least then, if anyone comes looking for us, we can retreat to Alpha One.” I never wanted to step foot onto Svalbard again, but if it meant that we would all be safe, then it will be worth the sacrifice.

Asher made a move to stand. Then we all followed suit.

“It’ll be wise to travel during the daylight hours.” He exhaled a tremulous breath. “Your prosthetics and hairpieces are ready." He turned to me, wincing his eyes. "Sorry, Bexley, I’m going to have to make you look like a sexy librarian,” he said with a chuckle. He didn't seem sorry at all.

Oh my god, this was happening. I couldn’t stop myself from shaking as we made our way down to Dominic’s bunker. Braxton placed his palm against the small of my back as he guided me through the door. Cruz noticed I was looking worried and took hold of my hand and kissed it. Dominic and Asher were there in a heartbeat, encapsulating me in a Wolfe clan group hug.

The moment had come for me to fulfil my mother’s legacy. It was going to be dangerous. We may not survive. I feared losing the most important men in my life — my dad included. Only time would tell if guardian angels existed or not, and if what my father said was true, my mother really was looking down on me from heaven. I closed my eyes in silent prayer, hoping she would take care of us. That she would bring my loved ones back to me, safe and sound.