“I’m joining the search party,” he answered.
“What?” Her voice rose, almost panicked. “No. You can’t.”
Before she could continue, Leora stepped forward. “There’s no time for this. The advance party leaves in thirty minutes. General Magnus has already approved Isaac’s involvement.”
“You can’t just send him—”
“Alice,” Isaac cut in gently. He reached out, took her hand, and squeezed it. “It’s okay. I’ll be careful. I’ll bring Selene back.”
Alice’s eyes welled up. “What if something happens to you?”
Isaac smiled, flashing that usual confident grin.
“Leora’s coming with me. She’s Champion rank. And I’ve got Tyr and the Deathwood Guardian with me. I’ll be fine. No one’s getting through that kind of protection.”
Alice looked like she wanted to argue more but didn’t. She lowered her eyes and nodded slightly.
Isaac turned to Emily and gave her a small smile, then followed Leora out of the shop.
As the door closed behind them, Catherine exhaled.
“He’s going to be fine,” she said softly.
Alice said nothing. Emily moved closer to her and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
…
Truthfully, Isaac had no personal feelings toward Selene. If she had vanished from the world, he wouldn’t have lost sleep over it.
But he wasn’t stupid.
The fight they’d had days ago would stir up rumors.
If he sat back now, people would whisper that he had a hand in her disappearance.
His reputation would take a hit. The image he was building, especially with his business, needed to stay clean.
Then there was Alice.
Saving her sister would earn Isaac a massive amount of points with her.
It wasn’t about seducing her, but rather about giving her peace of mind, proving he could protect the people she cared about, and her when the need arrived.
That was worth the risk. Not that there was much risk in the first place.
With Leora beside him, his safety was practically guaranteed.
Her strength was on another level. Add in Tyr’s and the Deathwood Guardian’s overwhelming combat power, and Isaac was one of the safest people heading out.
They arrived at the military camp quickly.
It was a wide area enclosed by steel walls and temporary magical barriers.
Inside, several tents had been set up. Soldiers and awakeners moved with around. Most wore serious expressions.
The tension in the air was thick.
General Magnus stood near the central table, going over maps with a pair of Champion-rank awakeners.
There were only four Champion-rank Awakeners in the Stronghold.
So when three of them got involved in the rescue mission within twenty minutes of receiving the news, it said a lot about how much Sanctum of Master cared.
Across the camp, familiar faces were scattered.
Kael and Nero stood at one end, checking their gear. They looked focused, dressed in combat-grade uniforms. Their weapons rested at their sides, ready to be drawn at a moment’s notice.
A little further away, Isaac saw Celia Rae. She was talking to one of her guildmates but caught sight of Isaac. She smiled and waved at him.
Isaac nodded politely in return.
Leora guided him to the center of the tent. General Magnus turned to look at him.
“Isaac Hargraves, are you sure you want to join the rescue mission?” His voice was gruff.
“Yes, sir.”
“You’ll be under Leora’s command. We’ll be deploying in five teams. Your group will move to the eastern grid.”
Isaac nodded. “Understood.”
General Magnus then stood at the center, his hand resting on the edge of the table as he addressed the gathered awakeners.
“We’ve identified several hideouts of a hidden organization that’s been interfering with the Sanctum of Masters,” he said, voice steady and firm. “We believe they are the ones who kidnapped Selene Calloway. The reason for our deduction is…”
He continued his explanation.
Isaac listened carefully.
A hidden organization? That had to be the assassins.
The same ones who attacked the academy.
The same ones who tried to kill him.
General Magnus continued, “Each of these locations will be attacked simultaneously. Our goal is to throw them off. They won’t have time to regroup or escape.”
Murmurs spread among the gathered awakeners.
“This is not a full-on assault,” the General added. “Our primary objective is to locate and extract Selene Calloway. If she is not at any of these bases or if resistance is too high, you are to retreat. The full-scale rescue will begin tomorrow.”
He paused, letting the information settle.
Isaac glanced around.
There were at least six Master-rank awakeners present. Two Champions. Several members of Titan Edge Guild.
Even though it was called an ’advance’ search party, the group could flatten a Sector if needed.
That much firepower for an advance mission?
It made sense. The Sanctum of Masters couldn’t afford to look weak. Not when one of the Calloways had been taken right under their nose.
Their reputation was at stake.
General Magnus continued, “You’ll be split into five units. Each will move to a separate location. Leora and Isaac, you’ll be Team Six. You’ll remain on standby and move only if a location yields solid intelligence or if reinforcement is needed.”
One by one, the teams were formed and dismissed.
The awakeners left the tent to make their final preparations. Weapons were checked, armor adjusted, and final messages were sent out.
Only Leora remained beside the General.
Magnus turned to her and asked, “Vice Principal, are you sure it’s wise to take Isaac with you? He’s talented, I agree. But this will be dangerous.”
Leora didn’t hesitate. “That’s exactly why I’m bringing him.”
Magnus raised an eyebrow. “Because it’s dangerous?”
“No,” she said calmly. “Because this kidnapping might be part of a larger plan to weaken the security around Isaac.
“If I left him behind and the assassins attacked while I was gone, it would be worse. With me, he’s far safer than he would be under any protective detail the stronghold can offer.”
Magnus exhaled. “You talk as if our entire security system can’t compare to you.”
Leora gave him a small smile but didn’t deny it.
Magnus rubbed his forehead. “Why not just stay back then? Guard Isaac here.”
Leora’s smile faded. “Because this has gone too far. The actions of the assassins have been eroding Sanctum of Masters’ credibility for months.
“The attack on the academy, the attempted assassinations… and now this. I’ve waited long enough for Catherine to pinpoint the right target.”
“You mean… you found their main base?”
Leora nodded. “Catherine found what she believes to be their core location. She’s confident.”
Magnus frowned. “Catherine told me about the smaller hideouts. She never mentioned a main base.”
“She probably didn’t want to risk spreading the information. But she told me directly.” Leora stepped away from the table and turned toward the exit. “While the other teams handle the side bases and stretch the assassins thin, I’ll be heading for the center.”
“You’re still taking Isaac with you?” Magnus crossed his arms.
Leora looked over her shoulder and smiled.
“He’s stronger than you think. He’ll be fine.”
Then she left the tent.
Outside, the base buzzed with energy.
Final equipment checks were done. Vehicles lined up.
Isaac waited beside Tyr, watching the other teams disperse into different directions. He had brought the poisonous flowers, and Deathwood Guardian along inside his spatial ring.
Nero passed him and gave a nod. “Stay sharp.”
“You too.”
Kael flashed a grin. “If you run into anything fun, save a piece for me.”
Isaac chuckled and waved him off.
Then Celia Rae walked by.
She was in light combat gear now, hair tied up, a staff across her back. She smiled at him.
“I didn’t know you were already strong enough to participate in missions.”