ELIANA
The ride back was quiet.
When we arrived at the underground base, I stepped out without waiting for anyone to open the door. Kael followed behind me like he always did, silent, alert, watching everything.
But my mind was already somewhere else.
"The girls," I said immediately. "Where are they?"
One of my men stepped forward. "Boss… we secured them."
"Where?" I asked sharply.
"They're being kept in the holding area."
Something in his tone made my chest tighten.
"Show me." He hesitated slightly before leading the way. Kael stayed close behind me as we moved through the dim corridor until we reached a reinforced section of the base.
Then I saw it, metal bars. A small enclosed space. A prison.
My steps stopped immediately.
For a moment I just stared, my mind refusing to accept what I was seeing.
"They were unstable," the man explained quickly. "Some were panicking. We thought it was safer..."
