Chapter 67: The Road Toward Shadows

The bunker was quieter now, but only on the surface.

Beneath every breath, every heartbeat, tension simmered like a storm waiting to break.

Alexander paced the length of the room, jaw tight, shoulders stiff, mind already ten steps ahead. He checked weapons, supplies, maps—then checked them all again.

Lena watched him from the side, still pale but recovering.

He hadn’t left her side for longer than a minute since she came back to life.

Elias leaned against the far wall, eyes closed, breathing slow and controlled as he fought to stabilize the purge inside him. Faint gold pulsed beneath his skin, but he kept it contained—for now.

Cassandra typed furiously at the main terminal, the screens filled with encrypted files, satellite paths, and intel from an underground network Lena didn’t know existed.

The group was silent… until Cassandra suddenly spoke.

“We need to move within the next two hours.”

Alexander snapped to attention. “Why?”

Cassandra turned toward them, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose.

“Because Sable knows Elias awakened.”

Lena felt her blood run cold. “How?”

Cassandra tapped the side of her head. “The purge. It’s not just power—it’s connection. When Elias stabilized, even for a moment… she felt it.”

Elias opened his eyes, tension tightening his jaw.

“So she knows where I am?”

“She knows the general region,” Cassandra said. “But she’ll narrow it down quickly. She always does.”

Alexander grabbed his backpack without hesitation.

“Then we’re leaving now.”

“No,” Cassandra said sharply. “Not without preparation. Sable is not like the Circle. She doesn’t send soldiers. She doesn’t waste bullets. She comes herself.”

Lena swallowed hard.

“So what does she want from us?”

Cassandra met her eyes.

“She wants the purge. And she wants Elias—alive.”

Elias looked away, guilt shadowing his features.

“Of course she does,” he muttered. “I’m the monster she always dreamed of creating.”

“No,” Lena said instantly, stepping toward him.

“You’re not a monster.”

Elias laughed weakly. “You didn’t see what I did to the bunker, Lena.”

“I did,” she whispered.

“And I still saw you.”

He looked up, eyes widening a fraction.

Alexander glanced between them, his expression unreadable but tense.

He clenched his jaw and turned away.

Cassandra stood. “We need to leave through the south exit. It leads to a private airstrip. We can be in the mountains within six hours.”

Alexander nodded. “Good. Let’s—”

But Cassandra held up a hand.

“There’s something else.”

The three of them froze.

Cassandra reached for her tablet and turned it toward them. A video played—grainy, taken by a security camera in a distant city.

A woman, dressed in black, walked through a crowded marketplace. She didn’t rush. Didn’t hide. Didn’t even pretend to blend in.

She moved like someone who feared nothing.

Her eyes, hidden behind dark glasses, never lowered.

People parted around her instinctively—like animals sensing a predator.

Lena whispered, “Is that her?”

Cassandra nodded.

“Sable recorded two days ago. She’s not running anymore. She’s hunting.”

Alexander took a slow breath.

His voice was deadly calm.

“She’s coming for us.”

“No,” Cassandra corrected.

“She’s coming for Elias.”

Elias straightened. “Let her come.”

“Elias—” Lena stepped forward, grabbing his wrist.

“You barely regained your mind. You’re not ready for her.”

His jaw flexed.

“I have to be. Because she won’t stop.”

Alexander slammed his backpack shut.

“We leave in twenty minutes. Cassandra, show me the route.”

Cassandra nodded and moved to the monitors.

Elias pushed off the wall and walked toward Lena.

She didn’t step back.

He spoke quietly, voice trembling.

“When I was inside the purge… I thought I’d die. I wanted to die.”

His throat tightened.

“But then I heard your voice. You were the only thing I could focus on. The only thing that kept me fighting.”

Lena’s breath hitched.

“Elias…”

“I don’t know if I can control this,” he said, holding up his glowing hand. “I don’t know if I’ll hurt you again. But I swear—if it comes to it… I’ll end myself before I touch you.”

Lena shook her head fiercely and grabbed his hand.

“Don’t you dare say that. You came back. That means something.”

Elias looked down at their joined hands, eyes softening—

for the first time since he awakened.

Then Alexander’s voice cut through the moment:

“Lena. I need you.”

She turned immediately.

Alexander’s voice was steady, almost too steady—the way someone sounds when they’re hiding fear.

“Stay close to me. No matter what.”

Lena nodded slowly.

“I will.”

He held her gaze for a second too long… then turned away.

Cassandra’s voice echoed through the bunker:

“Pack up. Sable won’t be far behind.”

Elias clenched his fists.

Alexander loaded his weapons.

Lena inhaled deeply.

Ready or not…

they were all walking into the lion’s den.

And Sable was waiting.