The Grand Plaza Hotel rose from the city's skyline like a golden fortress, its marble columns and crystal chandeliers designed to impress—and intimidate. Kael parked the car two blocks away, the engine cutting through the fog-shrouded silence as they prepared to make their way to the entrance.
"Remember the plan," he said, his hand resting on the door handle. "We split up once we're inside. I'll meet Lena at the service entrance and get her the device. You'll work the main ballroom, keep an eye on Thorne and his men. If anything goes wrong—"
"I get out and send the signal," Elara finished, touching the small earpiece hidden in her ear. "I know. And if I don't check in every ten minutes, you come find me."
Kael's lips curved into the ghost of a smile. "You're learning."
They walked to the hotel, the sound of their footsteps echoing on the wet pavement. At the entrance, uniformed doormen held open the massive glass doors, bowing slightly as guests streamed past. Elara felt a flicker of nervousness as they stepped inside—the lobby was filled with Blackwater's elite, men and women in expensive suits and gowns who moved through the world as if they owned it.
"Enjoy the gala, Ms. Vance," the receptionist said, checking their invitations and handing them each a glass of champagne. "The mayor will be giving a speech in thirty minutes."
Elara nodded politely, her eyes scanning the room. The ballroom was just ahead—an enormous space with a high ceiling draped in white fabric, crystal chandeliers hanging like stars above polished wooden floors. Already, guests were gathering near the stage, where a podium stood waiting for the mayor.
"I'm heading back," Kael whispered in her ear, his breath warm against her skin despite the cold formality of the room. "I'll be in position in twenty minutes. Stay sharp."
He melted into the crowd before she could respond, moving with the effortless grace of a predator in its natural habitat. Elara took a sip of champagne, letting the bubbles calm her nerves as she made her way into the ballroom.
She spotted them almost immediately—Victor Thorne standing near the bar, surrounded by his inner circle. He was everything she'd imagined and more: tall and broad-shouldered, with silver hair cut perfectly and eyes that held a cold cruelty that made her skin crawl. Even from across the room, she could feel the power radiating from him—the kind of power that came from knowing you could get away with anything.
"Elara Vance, isn't it?"
She turned to find a man standing beside her, his smile too wide, his eyes too bright. He was dressed in a tailored gray suit, a gold watch glinting on his wrist. "I'm David Croft—city councilman. I've read your work in The Chronicle. Brave stuff, going after corruption like you do."
"Thank you," she said carefully, keeping her tone neutral. "I just believe people have a right to know the truth."
"Of course they do." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "But sometimes the truth can be… dangerous. There are forces at work in this city that you can't possibly understand. Forces that keep things running smoothly, even if the methods aren't always pretty."
Elara's hand tightened around her clutch. "Are you threatening me, Councilman?"
"Just giving you advice." He patted her shoulder lightly, his touch lingering for a moment too long. "Some stories are better left untold. For everyone's sake."
He walked away before she could respond, joining Thorne's group at the bar. Elara glanced at her watch—ten minutes had passed. She pressed her finger to her earpiece.
"Kael, do you copy?"
"Loud and clear," his voice came back, low and steady. "Lena has the device. We're moving to the meeting room now. ETA five minutes."
"Croft just approached me," she said, keeping her eyes on Thorne's group. "He knows who I am. He tried to warn me off."
"Stay away from him," Kael said sharply. "He's one of Thorne's most trusted men. He won't hesitate to hurt you if he thinks you're a threat."
Elara watched as Thorne and his group turned and headed toward a set of doors at the back of the ballroom—exactly where the meeting room was located. Her heart began to race.
"They're moving early," she said quickly. "They're heading to the meeting room now."
"Already? That's not on the schedule." There was a pause on the other end of the line, then the sound of footsteps. "Lena's almost there. We'll get the device planted before they arrive. You stay put—we can't risk them seeing you near the room."
Elara nodded, even though he couldn't see her. She took another sip of champagne, her eyes never leaving the door Thorne had disappeared through. A few minutes later, her earpiece crackled to life.
"Device is in place," Kael said. "Transmission has started. Everything's working perfectly."
Relief washed over her. "Good. Now we just need to wait for them to start talking, then get out of here before they realize what's happening."
She moved to the edge of the room, pretending to admire a painting on the wall while keeping an eye on the back doors. The mayor's speech began, his voice booming through the speakers as he talked about progress and prosperity in Blackwater City. Elara almost laughed at the irony—while he spoke of building a better future, Thorne was in the next room plotting to take control of the city's most vital resource.
Ten minutes passed. Then fifteen. Just as Elara was about to check in with Kael again, the back doors burst open. Thorne stood in the doorway, his face twisted with rage, his eyes scanning the room like a predator searching for prey.
"Shut down the ballroom!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the mayor's speech. "No one leaves. Not until we find what we're looking for."
Elara's blood ran cold. She pressed her finger to her earpiece. "Kael, something's wrong. They know."
"I know," he said, his voice tight with urgency. "They found the device. Lena got out, but they're searching the hotel. You need to leave—now. Use the service exit by the kitchen. I'll meet you there in five minutes."
Elara slipped away from the wall, moving through the panicked crowd as security guards blocked all the main exits. She made her way toward the kitchen, her heart hammering against her ribs. As she rounded a corner, she ran straight into David Croft.
"Leaving so soon, Ms. Vance?" he asked, his smile gone now, replaced by a cold sneer. "I thought you wanted to hear the mayor's speech."
"I'm not feeling well," she said, trying to move past him, but he stepped in front of her, blocking her way.
"Thorne wants to talk to you," he said, grabbing her arm tightly. "He thinks you have something that belongs to him."
Before Elara could react, a hand closed around Croft's shoulder—strong, steady, and unyielding.
"I think you have the wrong person," Kael said, his voice low and dangerous. "She's with me."
Croft turned, his face paling as he saw who was standing behind him. "Riven. This doesn't concern you."
"Everything concerning her concerns me." Kael's grip tightened on Croft's shoulder, making him wince. "Let her go. Now."
For a moment, Croft hesitated. Then he released Elara's arm and stepped back, his eyes filled with fear and anger. "This isn't over, Riven. Thorne won't let you get away with this."
"Neither will I." Kael pulled Elara close to his side, his hand resting on the gun at his waist. "Now get out of our way."
Croft backed away, and Kael led Elara down the hallway toward the service exit. They could hear shouts behind them, the sound of running footsteps getting closer.
"The server is still recording," Elara said as they burst through the exit into the alley behind the hotel. "Even if they found the device, we already have what we need."
"Good." Kael pulled her toward a black SUV parked at the end of the alley, starting the engine as soon as they were inside. "But we can't stay in the city. Thorne will have every one of his men looking for us."
"Where are we going?" Elara asked as they pulled away from the hotel, speeding through the fog-shrouded streets.
"Somewhere safe," Kael said, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. "Somewhere Thorne will never think to look for us."
As they drove out of the city, leaving the lights of Blackwater behind them, Elara looked at Kael's profile in the dim glow of the dashboard. They'd gotten the evidence they needed, but at what cost? And would they live long enough to see justice done?