16. The Hunt Begins

The city streets had never seemed so quiet. As the car cruised through the night, Faye watched the urban sprawl stretch out before them, the neon lights of the skyline flickering in the distance. Despite the looming threat, there was a calmness to the scene—a calm before the storm, she reminded herself. Alaric drove with focused intensity, while Nikos sat in the backseat, scanning the streets with a watchful gaze.

Faye, nestled in the passenger seat, couldn't stop replaying their plan in her head. It was simple, too simple perhaps. They were going to draw Meline out, force her into a corner, and confront her before she had the chance to strike again. Alaric had insisted it was the best way to gain the upper hand, but Faye couldn't help the nagging feeling that something would go wrong. Meline was unpredictable, and they were playing a dangerous game.

"You alright?" Alaric's voice broke the silence, his eyes flicking toward her for a brief second before returning to the road.

Faye forced a smile. "Yeah, just thinking."

"You've been quiet," Alaric said, his tone softening. "I know you're worried."

She glanced at him, studying his profile. The sharp angles of his face were illuminated by the passing streetlights, his jaw clenched in determination. "I can't help but think there's more to this. Meline's obsession with you—it feels personal. She's too invested."

Alaric's hands tightened on the steering wheel, the tension in his body palpable. "It is personal. She's always wanted power, control, and when she couldn't get it through business, she tried to get it through me. But I never gave her what she wanted. Now, she's lashing out."

"She's not just after power," Faye said, her voice low. "She's after you. And she'll use anyone to get what she wants. Even me. Even the twins."

Alaric's jaw flexed as he processed her words. "She'll never touch you or them, Faye. I'll make sure of that."

The conviction in his voice should have comforted her, but it only heightened her unease. Meline was calculating, and no amount of planning could account for the lengths she would go to in order to hurt them.

As they neared their destination, Faye's phone buzzed. She pulled it from her pocket, her pulse quickening when she saw the name on the screen—an old contact from her days working in the city. She hadn't spoken to him in years, but he was the kind of person who knew things, someone who had access to the city's underworld and could provide the information they desperately needed.

She answered the call, her voice steady despite her nerves. "Dylan. I didn't think I'd ever hear from you again."

"Likewise," Dylan's voice crackled through the line, low and cautious. "But I heard you were asking about Meline. Thought I'd help an old friend out."

Faye exchanged a glance with Alaric, who nodded for her to continue.

"What do you know?" Faye asked, her heart racing.

"Meline's been moving fast," Dylan said, his tone shifting to something darker. "She's got people everywhere, and word is she's planning something big. I don't know the details, but she's been meeting with some dangerous players. Whatever she's planning, it's going to shake things up."

Faye's stomach dropped. "Do you know where she is?"

"Not exactly, but I've heard whispers she's been hiding out in one of the old industrial districts. There's a warehouse—abandoned, but heavily guarded. If you're looking for her, that's your best bet."

The mention of the warehouse sent a chill down Faye's spine. She had spent enough time in the underbelly of the city to know that warehouses were where the most dangerous deals took place. "Thanks, Dylan. I owe you one."

"Just be careful, Faye. Meline's not the only threat out there."

The line went dead, and Faye pocketed her phone, her mind racing. She turned to Alaric, who had been listening intently. "She's holed up in the industrial district. There's a warehouse—it's heavily guarded."

Alaric nodded, his expression grim. "Then that's where we'll go."

Nikos leaned forward from the backseat. "It's a trap, you know that, right? Meline's expecting us to come after her."

Alaric's gaze darkened. "I'm counting on it."

Faye's heart pounded in her chest. She knew they didn't have a choice, but the idea of walking into a trap felt like stepping into the lion's den. She glanced at Alaric, his face set in a mask of determination. He was prepared for whatever awaited them, but was she?

The car pulled to a stop a few blocks from the industrial district. They couldn't risk drawing attention, so they would have to approach on foot. As they stepped out into the cool night air, Faye pulled her jacket tighter around her, the weight of her decision settling over her.

Nikos moved ahead, scouting the area while Alaric stayed by her side. The tension between them was palpable, but there was something else, something unspoken. Faye felt the connection between them growing stronger with every step, the bond forged not just by their shared danger, but by something deeper—trust, loyalty, maybe even love.

"I need you to stay close to me," Alaric said, his voice low and serious. "I don't want you putting yourself in danger again."

"I can handle myself," Faye replied, her voice firm. "I'm not going to sit on the sidelines while you confront her."

Alaric stopped, turning to face her. His eyes burned with intensity. "This isn't just about you, Faye. It's about our children. I need to know you're safe."

Faye met his gaze, her resolve unwavering. "And I need to know that you're safe, too."

They stared at each other for a long moment, the weight of everything unsaid hanging between them. Finally, Alaric nodded, his expression softening. "Alright. We do this together."

As they approached the warehouse, Faye's heart raced with anticipation. The building loomed ahead, dark and foreboding, its windows shattered and its walls covered in graffiti. Nikos signaled that the coast was clear, and they moved forward, slipping into the shadows.

The hunt had begun.