"Commander Kyle," Eric McCalsky announced as he stepped into the office. The commander's coat gleamed with brass insignias, his posture sharp enough to cut steel.
"You sent for me?"
Kyle didn't bother to look up at first.
"Yes. You and Emma Adams will interrogate our new captive. Word is—" he finally raised his eyes, cold and piercing, "—his daughter escaped. Injured. Collapsed at some point. And yet… in the chaos, she vanished. Tell me, McCalsky, what does that suggest to you?"
The obvious answer slipped out effortlessly.
"Someone must have helped her escape."
Kyle's jaw tightened with satisfaction.
"Exactly. Someone with magic. Search every house if you have to. I will not allow her to slip through my fingers."
He dropped back into his chair, exhausted but still dangerous.
Eric bowed slightly and left, though his mind was already racing.
If she escaped… then she wasn't alone.
He knew exactly which direction to start looking.
---
The prison reeked of iron, blood, and humming Aetherytes. Emma Adams stood rigidly by the cell gate, arms crossed, her expression one spark away from an explosion. She'd already begun.
Inside the transparent Aetheryte walls, Andrew sat slumped in the corner, bruised, bloodied, breathing shallow. The man looked half-dead — but not broken.
"Emma," Eric said.
She spun around.
"McCalsky. You finally remembered you have a job."
He shrugged lightly.
"Only because Commander sent for me."
He peered into the cell. "What's the situation?"
Emma's voice was steel.
"Aetherytes picked up a massive spike in his house. He claims he used the magic, not the girl. Obviously trying to cover for her. Why run if she's innocent?"
Eric listened while acting indifferent, though inside, dread tightened his ribs. Every second here was a gamble.
Emma stepped closer to the cell, fire burning in her eyes.
"Listen, sir. Whether you talk or not, we will find her. And you'll both burn like the Daltons. Buying time won't save your daughter."
Andrew didn't move. Didn't speak.
He just breathed — painfully.
Eric exhaled sharply, stepping between them.
"Take a break, Adams. I'll handle him."
She scoffed, irritated and exhausted.
"Fine. Good luck."
Emma stormed out.
The moment the door clicked shut, the room seemed to hold its breath.
Eric lowered his voice.
"Mr. Andrew."
Andrew's head lifted slowly — shocked.
He hadn't given his name to anyone.
Eric crouched slightly, keeping his tone soft.
"My name is Eric McCalsky. And I'm not your enemy."
A beat.
"I might know where your daughter is. If I'm right, she's safe."
For the first time, something flickered in Andrew's eyes.
Eric continued quickly.
"I need your cooperation. Do you… have magic?"
Andrew hesitated — then decided to gamble on this stranger.
"Yes."
Eric nodded once.
"Does your daughter?"
"No."
He didn't mention the stone fused inside her chest — that didn't count.
Eric slid a scrap of paper and a pen through the gap.
"Your address. Now."
He knew lower officers would be sent there soon, tearing down walls, digging through everything. He had to get there first.
Andrew scribbled it down and slid it back.
Eric leaned in.
His voice became ice.
"Don't speak to me like a friend when others are around. Expect the same from me. But I will get you out. Save your strength. You'll need it."
Andrew nodded, exhausted but hopeful.
He touched the two stones hidden in his pocket — the only thing that mattered now.
He would accept Eric's help. For Amanda.
He had to survive long enough to see her again.
----
Amanda stirred hours later—barely.
A sharp inhale. A twitch of her fingers. The slightest shift against the couch cushions.
Jace was the first to notice.
"Hey—she's getting up."
I moved closer just as her eyes fluttered open.
"Amanda…?" I whispered.
Her lashes trembled before she finally lifted her gaze. Her eyes were unfocused at first, drifting like she was still stuck somewhere between sleep and nightmare. It took a few seconds before she finally saw me.
"Hunter…?"
Barely a breath. But it was enough.
Relief hit me so fast it almost hurt.
"You're safe. You're with us now."
She blinked slowly, confusion tightening her expression.
"Where… where am I? What happened?"
"You collapsed. You were being chased. Zayn and I brought you here."
At the mention of his name, Zayn appeared at my side instantly—like he'd been waiting for the cue.
"You were unconscious for hours," he said, softer than he'd spoken all week. "How do you feel?"
Amanda didn't answer. Her breathing hitched, and suddenly everything crashed back into her memory all at once. Her hand flew to her chest.
"My father," she whispered, panic rising fast. "Hunter—my father—did they—did they hurt him—?"
I held her shoulders before she fell apart.
"Hey. Hey. Look at me."
Her wet, terrified eyes met mine.
"We're going to get him back," I said. "I promise you."
Her lips trembled. "They took him because of me…"
"No," Annabeth cut in sharply. "They took him because the Purge Units are monsters. None of this is your fault."
Amanda shook her head, tears spilling over.
"I heard them say he had magic… that they sensed something from me… I don't understand any of it…"
Tyra stepped forward, voice soft but steady.
"You don't have magic," she said gently. "But something in your house triggered the Aetherytes. Until we know what, you need to stay here. You're safe with us."
Amanda wiped weakly at her tears.
"You don't understand… As long as they believe I'm a magic user… they'll kill him. They'll kill him just to get to me…"
Her voice cracked, and the words punched straight through me.
She tried to sit up too fast, wincing and clutching her ribs.
"Hunter, please—take me to him—please—I need to see him—he needs me—"
I caught her hands.
"Amanda, listen. Your father is alive."
She froze.
"You… you know that?"
There was only one answer.
"Yes."
Because whatever it took… he would be.
Behind me, Cody spoke quietly.
"We need to decide how to handle this."
Katara clenched her fists. "Exactly. We don't have time."
Iris turned to me.
"Who were you talking about earlier, Hunter? You said you knew someone who could help."
Yeah. Time to come clean.
"Yes," I said. "He was one of the Purge Officers who searched our house."
The room fell dead silent when Master Xavier's voice echoed behind us.
"You have connections with the Purge Units, Hunter?"
My heart dropped—but I forced myself to answer.
"Yes, Master."
Everyone stared, waiting for me to say it was some kind of joke.
"Eric McCalsky," I said. "He's a magic user… and a Purge insider. He's on our side."
"I can ask for his help. Then we can free Amanda's father."
Master Xavier leaned back into his seat slowly.
"And then what?"
"What?" I blinked. I hadn't expected that question.
"What happens after we save him?" he asked calmly. "They will need a place to go—a new life. An escape plan."
He was right. Saving her father was only step one.
"You don't need to worry about that," I said. "My father has another house in a neighboring town. We can go there."
"Then all we have to do is get you across the border safely," Jace said with a spark of excitement.
"This should be fun," Zayn added, practically vibrating with energy.
"Fun?" Iris sighed. "We're literally risking our lives."
Amanda looked at me again, her eyes full of fear and hope tangled together.
"Please… don't let him die."
"I won't," I said quietly.
And I meant every word more than any promise I had ever made.