Fury and Flame | 3

8 | 5

J A K E

Looking more worn out than ever, Hunt began speaking as soon as he entered the compound. "The governments of Russia, Romania and Ukraine are still in shambles. But,"—he looked to Delphinium—"your killing Orion resulted in the deaths of the controlled leaders he put into place."

      "They're weak." Jaxon trailed off. "What if someone like Orion tries to take advantage of that fact?"

      "They won't. We have countless soldiers guarding the new government members. There will no longer be any room for an empire like Imperium to rise."

      "And their agents all around the world?" Benton leaned forward. "What about them?"

      Hunt gestured to Arezo, who sat quietly with her hands folded. "With her knowledge of Imperium's inner workings, we've caught three top war leaders already. They stand trial soon. More will fall as time goes on."

      The room was silent before Hunt said softly, "It's not the same without him, is it?" I raised an eyebrow, knowing exactly what he was hinting towards. The director had always cared too much for us.

      "No," Riley agreed, eyes on the floor. "Everything's different now."

      Dark eyes flicking to the uncharacteristically silent boy next to him, the director began, "Arlo—"

      "I'd rather not talk about it now," he said, too loud, too casual.

       Hunt instantly leaned back. "Of course. You need time. We all do."

       He stood. "Arezo." The soldier followed him to the doorway, going back to the ONNT headquarters for more interrogation. The director murmured a farewell to us all before leaving.

I listened as the sound of the car's engine started up and promptly disappeared. When I was sure he was long gone, I stood and prepared to leave myself.

I figured it was finally time to pay Hundsen that visit I promised.

▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂

Standing in the shadows of dusk, I watched the entryway of Hundsen's new lair. He had employed several more guards to stand before the doors day and night. That meant he was getting nervous that I would stride into the place and take the Club from him any one of these days.

That day was today.

I let the shadows fall from my body as I marched forward. The guards barely had time to raise their guns before all six were frozen solid. It did expel a large amount of my power at once, but it hardly mattered. My time for fighting Hundsen was over. It was time to take back what was rightfully mine.

The place was exactly as I remembered it, with its ornate wooden carved walls, high ceilings, and long hallway that branched off into smaller rooms to either side. The members sat around the long table, some crowded around the back of the room. Hundsen sat at the end, his back to me. But as soon as I stepped into the room, all eyes were on me.

No one moved but Hundsen, who stood. "You're back."

I took a step forward. "You remember the promise I made before I left."

His eye narrowed, but he said nothing to me. Instead, he threw over his shoulder at the Club, "You remember what the bastard said. He's here to take you under his control. Will you stand for that kind of mockery? Or will you fight?"

Still, none of them dared say a word. Their eyes darted between the two of us, knowing this was not their battle. They were only caught in between.