“I like it,” Nyk said. “Simple. Straightforward.”

“Suicidal,” Caillen mumbled.

Darling snorted. “All right. Suicide it is. Let’s do this.”

When Hauk took a step, Fain stopped him. “I’m going, too. Just in case.”

He wanted to argue, but knew that tone of voice. It wouldn’t be worth wasting time. And it was why he’d always adored his older brother.

So long as he lived, Fain would always be there for him.

Nyk signaled for everyone to dissipate and prepare for a hot evac.

Once Shahara was fully downloaded and had double-checked her medical kit, she gave a nod to Saf to lead them to the Phrixians who were guarding the facility as League soldiers.

Saf radioed them to meet by the back gate, away from cameras and other guards.

As soon as the Phrixian spies arrived, they saluted their prince, and explained the layout of the building.

Saf and Maris stayed at the gate to cover it while the two Phrixians led Shahara, Fain, and Hauk to the room where a dozen kids, ranging from ages three to six, were playing a game of chase and freeze. All in all, they appeared rather happy and normal. The only way to know they were League owned was the matching white uniforms they wore.

The Phrixians went in first to tell the instructor that they were there for a routine health screening. Either she didn’t care or it wasn’t unusual. Without looking up from her electronic reader, she told the kids to line up.

From the hallway, Hauk scanned the children as they fell into formation. His heart pounded as his gaze went to the girls. One of them was Sumi’s beloved daughter.

No.

One of them was their beloved daughter.

I’m a father now. That reality hit him hard. It was something he’d never thought to have. A dream he’d given up on a long time ago. Because of Dariana’s cruelty, he’d relegated himself to the role of uncle.

But one of those little faces would soon belong to him…

I will never let any harm come to you.

Swallowing hard, he tried to figure out which one they should test first. There were only three girls – two blonds and one with dark hair and enormous silvery blue eyes. He leaned toward the fairer haired girls, but something about the brunette was familiar to him. He didn’t know what, until they entered the room and the children screamed in terror, running for cover.

Except for the brunette. She folded her arms over her tiny chest and held herself with a defiance that sent a chill up his spine. He knew that tilt of chin and that fiery look that dared them to do their worst.

“Kalea?”

Staring up at him without fear, she narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips. “Who are you?”