The failure to capture The Viper had left a bitter taste in everyone's mouth, but Lysander and his team didn't have the luxury of dwelling on it. The Viper was still out there, plotting his next move, and they needed to be ready.

In the days that followed, they continued to gather intelligence and fortify their defenses. Dorian, eager to redeem himself, threw himself into the work with a fervor that surprised everyone. He provided invaluable insights into The Viper’s operations, ...