Chapter 57: Partnership

Fox's POV

My men prowled through the thickets and brush outside Scar's fortress walls, concealed amongst the shadows. I had sent them here to intercept Lena once she made her escape. That foolish girl was the keystone to unlocking the power contained in the dragonheart crystal I now possessed.

But as the hours wore on with no sighting of her, a restless unease took hold in my gut. Had she already fled this place without my knowledge? The notion left a bitter taste in my mouth. I could not afford to lose her trail now when I was so close to glory.

Pulling out my burner phone, I typed off a quick encrypted message to my inside source, Sage.

Target still not emerged. What is her status? Do not fail me again.

Sage's terse reply came shortly after:

I warned you Lena is not the same as before. I've done all I can from within. Do not contact me again.

I swore vehemently, drawing a few cautious glances from my nearby men. So the little raven had already flown the coop then, it seemed. But