Mia moved quietly to his side, her dagger glinting in the faint light. “Still nothing?” she whispered.

Ethan shook his head, though his jaw remained tense. “I can’t shake this feeling,” he admitted. “Like someone’s out there, watching us.”

“Well,” Mia said, her tone light despite the tension, “whoever they are, they’re about to get a front-row seat to me kicking their—”

“Language,” Ethan interrupted, earning a glare from her.

“I was going to say ‘butt,’” Mia defended with a smirk. “Jeez, shadow boy, lighten up.”

Ethan chuckled softly despite himself. “Sure you were.”

The humor faded as the shadows around Ethan thickened, curling protectively at his feet. “We need to stay alert.”

“Already ahead of you,” Mia said, flipping the dagger in her hand.

---

Back near the couch, Nefera stirred, groaning softly as she sat up. Her wounds were still fresh, but color had returned to her cheeks.

“You should be resting,” Ethan said, walking over to her.

“Resting isn’t going to stop the Council,” Nefera said, wincing as she adjusted her position.

Mia joined them, hands on her hips. “Well, unless you want to bleed all over this charming safe house, you’re going to sit tight.”

Nefera smirked weakly. “I’m starting to think you enjoy bossing people around.”

“It’s a talent,” Mia quipped. “Now, eat.” She handed Nefera a packet of crackers and a bottle of water.

Nefera took the offering reluctantly. “You’re surprisingly motherly.”

Mia snorted. “Don’t push your luck.”

---

Ethan paced near the doorway, shadows flickering at his heels. The weight of everything—Alexander, the Council, the threat looming over their heads—pressed heavily on his mind.

“You’re brooding again,” Nefera observed, nibbling on a cracker.

“He’s always brooding,” Mia added.

Ethan shot them a glare. “I’m just thinking.”

“Thinking doesn’t solve everything,” Nefera said, her tone softening. “Sometimes you just have to trust yourself.”

“I trusted myself last time, and look where that got us,” Ethan muttered.

Nefera leaned forward, despite the pain it caused her. “You kept us alive. That’s what matters.”

Mia nodded. “She’s right. Plus, you’ve got me. And I’m awesome, so we’re basically invincible.”

Ethan sighed, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You’re impossible.”

“That’s what makes me fun,” Mia said with a wink.

---

Just as the tension began to lift, a sudden thud echoed from the rooftop.

Ethan’s shadows reacted instantly, spreading across the room like a living shield. Mia gripped her dagger, eyes narrowing.

“Company,” Ethan said grimly.

Nefera forced herself to her feet, her golden aura flickering faintly. “Looks like they found us.”

Ethan’s heart raced. Whoever was up there wasn’t making an effort to be subtle.

The sound of footsteps echoed above them, followed by the creak of metal.

Mia glanced at Ethan. “What’s the plan?”

“Stay here. I’ll check it out.”

“No way,” Mia said firmly. “We’re not splitting up. Haven’t you seen any horror movies?”

Ethan opened his mouth to protest, but Nefera cut him off. “She’s right. We’re stronger together.”

---

The three of them moved cautiously toward the rooftop access, Ethan leading the way with his shadows coiling protectively around them.

As they reached the top, the cold night air hit them like a wall. The city stretched out before them, dark and quiet.

Standing near the edge of the rooftop was a figure clad in dark tactical gear, their face obscured by a sleek black mask.

The figure tilted their head, their voice smooth and mocking. “Took you long enough.”

Ethan’s shadows flared. “Who are you?”

The figure chuckled. “Just a curious observer.”

“Well, curious observer,” Mia said, flipping her dagger, “you’re about to learn why curiosity killed the cat.”

The figure’s stance shifted, their hand moving to a holster at their side. “I’d like to see you try.”

Ethan stepped forward, his voice low and dangerous. “This is your only warning. Leave.”

The figure’s eyes gleamed behind their mask. “You really think I’m here to fight?” They spread their arms wide. “If I wanted that, you’d already be dead.”

Mia scoffed. “Big talk for someone about to get their butt kicked.”

The figure chuckled. “We’ll meet again, shadow boy. Sooner than you think.”

Before any of them could react, the figure activated a device on their wrist. A bright flash blinded them momentarily, and when the light faded, the figure was gone.

---

Ethan lowered his shadows, his heart still racing. “What the hell was that about?”

Nefera frowned. “A warning.”

Mia sheathed her dagger. “Great. Just what we needed—another weirdo with a flair for the dramatic.”

Ethan’s gaze hardened. “Whoever they are, they know about us. We need to be ready.”

Nefera nodded. “Then we start preparing now.”

Mia smirked. “Looks like we’re back in business.”

Ethan’s shadows flickered around him, steady and controlled. Whatever was coming, he knew one thing for sure—they wouldn’t face it unprepared.

Just as the tension began to ease, Ethan’s phone vibrated in his pocket, breaking the silence. The sharp buzz made all three of them jump.

Ethan frowned, picking up the phone.

“Who the hell is calling you now?” Mia asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I don’t know,” Ethan muttered, answering the call. “Hello?”

A voice crackled through the speaker, smooth and unsettling. “Ethan Cross... we need to talk.”

Ethan’s face went pale. The color drained from his cheeks as his shadows flickered wildly around him.

To Be Continued.....