Chapter 055: Unseen Allies

Ava’s POV

The suspense in the atmosphere was as dense as the blackness all around us. Lucia's motions quickly and deliberately led us down twisting lanes and across abandoned streets. I kept beside Eli, each stride reminding us of how dangerous our circumstances were. Though he had severe bruises, he persisted, his jaw tightened with will.

"Are we almost at it?" I murmured, the quiet of the city weighing down on me.

Lucia said, "Close," with an almost discernible voice. She didn't slow, and I sensed she was testing us—watching our distance before we broke. I resolved not to let her experience of me faltering satisfy her.

At last we came to a generic structure with an uninteresting outside. Lucia keyed in a combination on the corroded keypad, and the door creaked open to see a dimly illuminated stair spiral below. She signaled for us to come in.

"After you," she said, her voice as cutting as the knife she held fastened to her thigh.

I hesitated, then looked at Eli. His eyes locked with me, a silent conversation over here. Though we had no other option, this was a gamble—a risky one. We entered together, the door slamming behind us with a finality that shivered my spine.

More like a bunker, the safe home was. Concrete walls, little illumination, and a stifling cold that permeated my bones. Lucia proceeded deliberately, flipping on a few more lights to see a table laden with maps, papers, and weaponry. It was a war room, and she clearly had years of experience getting ready for this battle long before we arrived.

She said, "Sit," pointing at the seats gathered around the table. You both seem to be poised to drop.

Eli stiffly slipped into a chair. I paused for a bit before joining him; my eyes never left Lucia. "What's the plan?"

"The scheme?," asked . She leaned across the table with folded arms. "Survival is the agenda. You have created strong rivals who are closing in quickly.

We know, I responded, my voice harsh. This is why we are here.

Lucia's eyes darkened. Ask you? From where I am standing, you seem to be far over your heads.

I bristled, but Eli spoke before I could. We have no time for this. We had to be ready as Marconi's friends will visit us.

She nodded after spending some long time studying him. "Fine." Here's what we know: although Marconi's network was large, it was not motivated only by money and authority. He was linked to a bigger web run under darkness. We are discussing political impact, black-market dealings, killings. Declaring him dead marked only the start.

"Great," I whispered. We have so pricked the hornet's nest.

"Exactly," Lucia responded, her voice devoid of compassion. And now they will arrive for you with all they own.

The room fell into a deep quiet. Her comments seemed to weigh down on me. Though the war was just getting started, we had won a fight.

So, what then do we do? I asked, attempting to keep my voice from reflecting the terror.

Lucia twisted her lips into a chilly grin. "We hit them first.."

The next hours were a haze of preparation and organizing. Lucia laid out what she knew, and we tried to put together a plan from all the bits. Though almost suicidal, it was dangerous yet our only opportunity.

Eli's fingers touched mine as we examined a city map. I looked at him, and for a minute the anarchy cleared. Are you alright? I spoke gently.

He nodded, but his eyes clearly showed distress. "I'll be." We cannot afford to break apart in luxury.

I said, "I know," my heart was hurting for him. For us specifically. We will, however, get through this. All together.

His hold got tighter around mine. " Together."

We all stiffened at the unexpected sound at the door. I felt my pulse speed as Lucia's hand rushed to her weapon. The door groaned open, and a guy entered. He had black hair and a scar running down his jaw; he was tall. His gaze was icy, frigid, calculated.

Lucia responded, "Adrian," her voice a blend of astonishment and something else—probably respect.

"So it is true," the guy remarked, looking at Eli and me. "You have created rather the mess."

"Good to meet you too," I answered, cynicism tumbling through my voice.

Though Adrian's lips shook, his gaze stayed firm. You're either terribly stupid or brave.

"Why not both?," Eli answered, a little grin flickering on his lips despite the stress.

Adrian moved closer, his presence demanding. "You will need more than bravado if you are to live. You will require supporters. Assets. And a readiness to do everything it takes.

We're ready, I responded, staring him in the eye. Just let us know what has to be done.

He nodded after a brief study of me. "On the fringes of the city sits a warehouse." One of their centers is where they keep weapons, cash, and knowledge. We strike it and forward a note.

Lucia widened her eyes. "That location serves as a fortification.

"Which is why they won't see it coming," Adrian remarked. "They believe you are too weak, too scattered to defend."

Eli remarked, resolving to sharpen his voice, "then let's prove them wrong."

The scheme developed fast, everyone of us assuming a part. Though the risk was great, doing nothing seemed to be worse. I was both terrified and resolved as we got ready to go. There was this. None of turning back.

Eli drew me aside before we headed out into the evening. His voice low, he cautioned, "Be careful."

My chest constricting, I said, "I could say the same to you."

Leaching in, he gave me a short, forceful kiss. We will make it through this.

I nodded and couched the knot in my throat. I know.

And with that, we descended into the night prepared to meet whatever was ahead.

Ahead the warehouse rose, its form sharp against the black sky. We proceeded silently, every stride carefully. Led by Adrian, his motions were exact. Lucia watched for any indication of danger as she protected our flank.

I sensed the weight of the occasion descend over me as we neared. Nowadays, this went beyond just survival. It was about asserting power and about rebating.

"Are you game?" Eli murmured, his breath warm against my ear.

"Always," I said, my voice firm.

We snuck in, the air charged with conflict. Every squeak of the flooring, every far-off noise made my nerves jumble. Still, we persisted with great determination.

Adrian lifted his hand to indicate for us to stop. He mouthed "guards," pointing ahead toward the shadows.

Heart thumping, I tightened my hold on my firearm. This was it. < You're not running anymore. No more secret-keeping.

The battle started with a single shot—a spark setting off the anarchy. Every step, every breath of war, we moved as one. I lost all sense of time, of anything but the desire of continuing. to survive.

Bruised but alive, we stood among the debris until the dust fell. Though the warehouse was disorganized, we had done it. We had written a note.

Looking around, gathering my breath, I felt hope—something I hadn't felt in a long time. Not by a long stretch, we were not done. Still, we had started the process.

Eli came to stand by, his eyes sharp. "This is only the starting point."

I nodded and a smile pulled at my mouth. "I understand."

And I knew we were ready for whatever happened next as we turned back into the darkness. Collectively.