The dim light of the tavern flickered as the flame in the lanterns sputtered, casting wavering shadows that made the room feel like it was breathing. Aria’s pulse quickened as she exchanged a glance with Sebastian. There was no question now—Alaric Voss was the only chance they had of finding Samuel. But trusting him was a gamble, and one that could cost them everything.

Evelyn’s voice cut through the silence, steady and sharp. “You’re willing to betray them, Alaric? For what? A promise of survival?”

Alaric’s lips twisted into a smirk. “You could say that. Survival, power, a chance to be on the right side of history. The Underkeep has ruled this city for too long, and they’re more fragile than they let on. Samuel Hale knew that. And now, so do you.”

Sebastian leaned forward, his eyes locked on Alaric. “We don’t need promises, Alaric. We need information. You tell us what we need to know, and I don’t care who you owe your loyalty to.”

Alaric chuckled, the sound dark and mirthless. “You think it’s that simple?” He looked at Aria as if searching for a weakness in her resolve. “The Underkeep will be watching. The moment they see me talking to you, they’ll know we’re planning something. If we’re going to do this, we need to be smarter than they are.”

Aria swallowed, feeling the weight of their situation settle heavily in her chest. “So what’s your price, Alaric?”

Alaric’s eyes glimmered with a secret, one that spoke of betrayal and unspeakable bargains. “One of you needs to become a double agent. You’ll have to pretend to be one of them and gather intel from the inside. Only then can we get to Samuel.”

Sebastian’s face hardened, the muscles in his jaw tightening. “You want one of us to turn on our own? That’s not going to happen.”

Evelyn stepped in, her voice cutting through the tension. “It’s the only way. And you’ll need to decide quickly because if the Underkeep learns that we’ve come for Samuel, there’ll be no time to prepare. We’ll be hunted like prey.”

A heavy silence fell over them, each of them weighing the cost of what Alaric was suggesting. Aria felt the room close in on her, the air thick with the scent of old wood and the smoky tang of whiskey. She couldn’t help but think of Samuel, of what he had sacrificed to keep his secrets. If they were to save him, they’d have to be as ruthless as the people they were fighting against.

“I’ll do it,” Sebastian said finally, his voice low but resolute. “I’ll go in and pretend to be one of them. I’ll gain their trust, find Samuel, and bring him back.”

Aria’s eyes widened. “Sebastian, no. It’s too dangerous. They’ll see through you.”

He met her gaze, and for a moment, the storm in his eyes softened. “I have to. You know I do. I won’t let them take any more from you, from any of us.”

Evelyn nodded, her expression hardening as if the decision had already been made. “Then we start preparing. Alaric, you’ll make contact with us when the time is right. Until then, keep your head down and don’t make a move. We’ll do the same.”

Alaric stood, the subtle tension in his posture betraying his wariness. “Remember, trust is a fragile thing. If any of you falter, the Underkeep won’t hesitate to break you. And when they do, there’ll be no turning back.”

Sebastian’s voice was a low rumble, eyes burning with purpose. “We know what we’re risking. And we’ll pay whatever price is necessary.”

Alaric’s gaze flickered to Aria, a fleeting moment of something like regret passing over his face. “You’d better hope that’s true,” he muttered. Then, with a swift motion, he disappeared into the crowded tavern, leaving behind only the faint scent of smoke and the weight of what was to come.

The moment he was gone, Evelyn turned to Sebastian and Aria. “We don’t have much time. If we’re going to pull this off, we need to move fast.”

Aria nodded, fear and determination battling for control. “What do we do now?”

Evelyn’s eyes were hard and sharp, mirroring the glint of a blade. “We wait. And when the time comes, we strike. But remember this: even shadows can be betrayed.”

The city outside pulsed with life, oblivious to the storm gathering within its walls. As the night deepened, Aria knew they were standing on the edge of something much bigger than they had ever imagined.