Chris’s POVThe cabin in the Ardennes was larger than our last place, with more rooms and enough space to actually stretch out for a change. Hidden deep in the dense forest, it felt safer—remote, isolated, far from the eyes and ears of anyone who might try to track us. The only sounds here were the whisper of the trees and the occasional rustle of wildlife in the underbrush.Emily and I were both exhausted from the journey, but Marc and Luc insisted that we couldn’t rest until they had set up the system they’d devised for us to contact our loved ones. So, as I unpacked, they busied themselves at the large wooden table in the center of the cabin, assembling the shortwave radio they’d somehow gotten hold of. Marc glanced over at me, his expression serious. “This radio,” he said, holding it up, “is the only way you’ll be able to contact Elijah safely. It’s low-tech but effective for our purposes. It doesn’t rely on cell towers or internet, which makes it difficult to trace.”Luc nodded,
Sophia’s POVI stood in Emily’s studio, amidst the familiar flurry —the soft whir of sewing machines, the quiet chatter of the design team as they pored over fabrics and patterns. It was strange, almost surreal, how much had changed in the time since Emily had gone into hiding. Yet, in some ways, it felt like she was still here, her presence still felt in every stitch, every design choice, every carefully crafted piece.Beside me, my best friend Kayla was flipping through a sketchbook, her focus sharp as she reviewed the latest designs. We’d both taken it upon ourselves to oversee the operations of Emily’s studio, to make sure her vision continued, even if she couldn’t be here. We owed her that much.I leaned in closer to Kayla, lowering my voice. “Kayla,” I began, unable to keep the excitement from my tone, “there’s something I need to tell you.”She glanced up, immediately catching on to the seriousness in my voice. “What is it?” she asked, setting the sketchbook down.“They’re ali
Sophia’s POVThe moment we arrived at the cafe, tension filled the room, tangible and suffocating, as if it had a life of its own. Morgana opened the door, her face pale, her hands twisting nervously in front of her. “Thank you for coming,” she said quickly, stepping aside to let us in. The normally vibrant glow she’d been emitting lately had vanished, replaced with an anxious energy. “I’m so sorry for calling you like this, but I couldn’t reach Elijah, and Lila… she was asking for the two of you.”“It’s fine, Morgana,” I said gently, though my heart was already racing. “What happened? Are you okay? Is Lila okay?”Morgana swallowed hard, closing the door behind us. “She’s in my office resting, but… here.” She handed me a crumpled flyer, her hand shaking slightly. “This was left outside the cafe this morning. And it’s… it’s been passed around the neighborhood. Posted on walls. Stuffed into mailboxes. It’s everywhere.”I took the flyer from her, my stomach sinking further with every wo
Sophia’s POV“THIS CAFE IS FOR WHORES!”The sight hit me like a punch to the gut. My breath caught as I stepped closer, the metallic smell of paint strong in the air. Morgana turned toward us, her face pale, her lips trembling.“Who… who would do this?” she whispered. Kayla let out a low whistle, shaking her head as she stared at the mirror. “This isn’t just a threat anymore. This is public humiliation.”My fists clenched at my sides as I struggled to contain my anger. “We shouldn’t take this lightly anymore. It’s not just a prank or a rumor. This is serious.”Clara stepped back, hugging herself tightly, her eyes darting nervously around the room. “Do you think… they were here recently? I mean, we’ve had customers all day. Anyone could’ve done this.”Lila’s face crumpled as she took in the hateful message scrawled across the mirror. Her breaths grew shallow, and her hand flew to her chest, her knees buckling slightly.“Oh my god…” she whispered, her voice breaking. Her eyes fluttered
Sophia’s POVAn hour had passed since the chaos in the restroom, and the cafe had settled back into its usual rhythm. The maintenance staff had scrubbed the mirror clean, the restroom remained closed off with a polite sign explaining renovations, and none of the patrons seemed to have noticed the earlier commotion. It was as if nothing had happened.But I knew better.I sat with Kayla and Lila in a cozy corner booth, surrounded by the chatter of diners that filled the air. However, our table felt like an island of unease amidst the calm.Lila stirred her drink absentmindedly, her gaze distant. “I just don’t get it,” she said, her voice heavy with frustration. “Who would want to do this to us? I don’t know of any enemies I might have.”Kayla leaned back, arms crossed, her sharp eyes scanning the room. “You’re a public figure, Lila,” she said pointedly. “It could be anyone. Jealous fans, internet trolls, someone trying to make a name for themselves by taking you down.”Lila sighed, her
Sophia’s POV“Gotcha,” I murmured under my breath, my heart skipping as I swiped through the photos on my phone. There she was, the woman who had called me Sabrina. She appeared in several shots, always on the edges of the room, blending in but never quite engaging fully with anyone. Her dark hair was neatly tied back, and she had the kind of presence that felt understated but deliberate.I didn’t waste another second. I headed straight to Morgana, finding her at the counter as she finished a conversation with a barista. “Morgana, can I show you something?”She turned to me, her expression still lined with stress but curious. “Of course. What is it?”I handed her my phone, scrolling to one of the clearest photos of the woman. “Do you recognize her? She was at the party. Apparently, she was invited.”Morgana furrowed her brow, leaning in to get a better look. “Hmm… she does look familiar,” she said slowly, her fingers drumming on the counter. “Give me a moment.”I waited, watching as h
Sophia’s POVI stood outside the modest two-story house, its neat garden lined with blooming flowers and a white picket fence. The afternoon sun was brightly shining, and yet I could not manage a relaxed and friendly smile. I was too much on edge. My hand hovered over the doorbell, unsure if I was truly ready for this. I hadn’t planned what to say, but something deeper than logic had pushed me to come here. Luana Miller held a thread of my past—one I desperately wanted to untangle.Finally, I pressed the doorbell. The chime echoed faintly from within, and my heart thumped hard as footsteps approached the door. It opened to reveal Luana, a warm smile spreading across her face.“Sabrina,” she greeted, her voice carrying a familiar softness that tugged at something deep inside me. “It’s so nice to see you.”I managed a smile, though my nerves made it shaky. “Hi, Luana. I hope I’m not intruding.”“Not at all,” she said, stepping aside to let me in. “Come on in, make yourself at home.”I
Sophia’s POVEmily’s studio was once again alive with energy, a controlled chaos of bustling staff, racks of flowing dresses, and the constant sound of conversation. I stood by one of the long tables, reviewing the latest sketches for the upcoming fashion show while Kayla worked beside me, her usual sharp, efficient self.“Alright,” she called to a group of assistants who were sorting through fabric samples. “The cobalt gown goes with the amber accessories, not the pearl set. Let’s keep it consistent with Emily’s original palette, people.”The assistants nodded quickly and got to work, their hands moving deftly through the fabrics. Kayla turned to me, arching an eyebrow. “Sophia, are you with me, or are you somewhere far, far away?”I blinked, realizing I’d been staring at the sketches without really seeing them. “Sorry,” I said with a sheepish smile. “I’m here. Sort of.”“Sort of,” she echoed, crossing her arms. “What’s going on? You’ve been zoning out since we got here.”Before I co
Sophia’s POVWe always tried to set aside our concerns whenever we got together for meals at home with the kids. Tonight’s dinner turned out to be lively, especially because we’d invited Phoebe to join. Jared was animated, recounting his favorite parts of the school performance to Phoebe, who listened with rapt attention. It was sweet to see the bond forming between them—Jared had taken to her so naturally, as though some invisible thread tied them together.“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the show,” Phoebe said, her tone genuinely regretful. She reached over to ruffle Jared’s hair. “Work’s been hectic, and I just couldn’t leave my new job.”Jared shrugged, smiling at her. “It’s okay, Aunt Phoebe. There’ll be more performances. You can come next time.”“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Phoebe promised, her eyes softening.Roxy, who had been unusually quiet throughout dinner, suddenly spoke up. “Royce wasn’t in school today.”I paused mid-bite, glancing at Elijah. He stilled too, h
Elijah’s POVDespite Morgana’s absence, Bella Sera was bustling with activity when I arrived. The place seemed to be running like a well-oiled machine. Clara, Morgana’s assistant, was standing by the counter, speaking animatedly with one of the chefs.I made my way to her, and she noticed me immediately. “Elijah,” she said with a smile. “Good to see you. Morgana mentioned you might stop by.”“How’s everything going?” I asked, leaning against the counter.Clara handed me a clipboard with the latest reports. “Sales have been steady. We’ve introduced a few new menu items, and they’re doing really well. Customers seem to love the seasonal specials. Morgana’s been signing off on everything remotely, but honestly, she’s been distant. Understandably so.”I nodded, flipping through the reports. The numbers looked solid. “You’re doing great, Clara. Morgana will appreciate this.”Clara gave me a grateful smile, but before she could respond, I felt a hand on my arm—a touch too familiar. I turne
Sophia’s POVLila opened the door slowly, and for a brief moment, the porch light framed a familiar figure. Relief flooded through me when I realized who it was.“Adrian!” I exclaimed, a smile breaking across my face.He stood there with his signature easy grin, dressed in a dark jacket with his hands shoved into the pockets. His eyes met mine briefly before shifting to Lila, softening with concern.“Hey, Sophia,” he greeted warmly. “Glad to know you’re here.”Before I could respond, Lila let out a soft cry and threw her arms around him. Adrian caught her effortlessly, wrapping her in a tight embrace. Her shoulders shook as she buried her face into his chest, and he murmured something soothing into her hair.“It’s good you showed up,” I said gently, stepping back to give them space. “You’re just what she needs right now.”Adrian led Lila inside, still holding her close. She clung to him as though he were a lifeline, her earlier composure crumbling into quiet sobs. It was clear that th
Sophia’s POV“We should’ve gone to see Morgana sooner,” I said softly as Elijah and I drove to his stepmother’s house. “Lila says she’s not herself. Refusing to leave the house? That’s really not like her.”“She’s probably overwhelmed,” Elijah replied. “Lennon’s disappearance, the uncertainty… it’s a lot. But we’ll get through to her.”I nodded, staring out at the rain-speckled window. “She’s always been so strong. A fighter, you know? It’s hard to imagine her like this.”“She’s human,” Elijah said with understanding and concern. “Even the strongest people have their breaking points.”For a moment, we were quiet again. Then my mind drifted back to the preschool show we had recently attended, to the moment Victoria had dropped that prison visitor’s log.“Elijah,” I began, my tone tentative.“Hmm?” he murmured, glancing at me briefly before focusing back on the road.“I didn’t tell you everything about what happened at the preschool.”His eyebrows furrowed slightly. “Go on.”“Victoria d
Chris’s POV“How do we even know we can trust them?” a gruff voice broke through the murmurs. It belonged to Alain, one of Luc’s more skeptical allies, his thick arms crossed tightly over his chest. “This Arcane Network—how do we know they won’t just use us and leave us out to dry?”A ripple of agreement moved through the room, a few others nodding or muttering under their breath. The air was charged, heavy with tension and doubt.Étienne straightened in his chair, his sharp gaze slicing through the dissent. “Because they have as much to lose as we do,” he said firmly. “They’ve been tracking Les Ombres Écarlates for years, and they’ve suffered their own losses to the mob. We have a shared enemy. This partnership makes sense.”“They could still double-cross us,” Alain pressed, his voice tight with suspicion. “What if this is a trap?”Before Étienne could respond, I leaned forward, my hands resting on the table. “I understand the hesitation,” I began, my voice steady but loud enough to
Chris’s POVThe narrow dirt road twisted and turned as Luc drove us deeper into the countryside. Rows of grapevines stretched across the landscape, their gnarled roots anchored in the fertile soil. Everything was so beautiful I almost forgot why we were here. Luc pulled the car to a stop in front of a sprawling stone estate, its rustic charm blending seamlessly with the idyllic surroundings. The sound of birds chirping and the faint rustle of leaves in the breeze felt like a balm after the chaos we’d endured.“Welcome to La Vigne Tranquille,” Luc said, stepping out and motioning for us to follow. “The perfect place to disappear.”Emily and I exchanged a glance before climbing out of the car. The cool, fresh air was invigorating, a stark contrast to the cramped and suffocating spaces we’d hidden in before.“This place is owned by Étienne and Colette Moreau,” Luc explained as we approached the house. “On the surface, they’re just a charming couple running a successful vineyard. But ben
Sophia’s POVMy hands clenched into fists at my sides as I watched Victoria walk away, her heels clicking sharply against the polished floor. She was moving fast, as though she couldn’t get away from me quickly enough. That fear in her eyes when I’d mentioned Charlotte Vega—it was there, no matter how well she’d tried to hide it.Without thinking, I began to follow her.Victoria strode purposefully down the hallway, weaving through small groups of parents and staff still lingering after the performance. I kept a safe distance, careful not to draw her attention. My heart thudded in my chest, the rhythm growing louder with each step I took. This wasn’t like me—this sneaking around, this impulsiveness—but I couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling that I was onto something important.She rounded a corner, and I ducked behind a row of lockers, peeking out just in time to see her head toward the backstage area of the auditorium. Her phone was in her hand now, and her lips were pressed into a th
Sophia’s POVThe preschool auditorium felt warm and cozy, a stark contrast to the chill of the winter air outside. Parents and children bundled in coats and scarves had trickled in earlier, leaving trails of melting snow near the entrance. A faint scent of pine lingered in the air, mingling with the aroma of hot chocolate from a small concession table in the corner.Elijah and I had shed our heavy coats, leaving them draped over the backs of our chairs. Even now, I could feel the lingering cold on my fingertips, which I rubbed together absently as the performance unfolded.“They look so happy,” I whispered, my voice almost drowned out by the laughter and applause around us. Roxy and Jared stood at the center of the stage, their faces glowing with pride as they sang in perfect harmony with their classmates.“They take after their mom,” Elijah said, his voice low and filled with warmth. He gave my hand a brief squeeze, and for a fleeting moment, I felt the tension between us ease, like
Sophia’s POVMy heart was pounding so loudly, I was certain Elijah could hear it. Lucas was a topic neither of us wanted to dwell on, but there was no avoiding this conversation. He had to know what I’d discovered—what I now remembered.I drew in a deep breath and looked him in the eye. “Lucas was there,” I said softly, the words hanging between us like a fragile thread.His forehead creased slightly. “What do you mean, there?”“The day I went missing,” I clarified. “He told me he was at the ski resort with his uncle. He followed us into the snow.”Elijah leaned back slightly, his shoulders tense, his eyes sharp and assessing. “He followed you, even after you were separated from the rest of us?”I nodded, feeling the knot in my stomach tighten. “Yes. He said… he wanted to see me. To spend time with me. But he also admitted he saw something.”Elijah leaned forward now, his attention fully on me. “What did he see?”I closed my eyes for a brief second, willing myself to stay calm. “He s