Disguise 106_The Matchmaker

CHAPTER 106 

 They stood in a loose circle at the edge of the clearing, the hush of the forest pressing in around them. The tension that had hung between them like fog now sharpened into purpose. Saphira shifted her weight, arms folded tightly across her chest, her gaze flicking between the others. 

 Niks broke the silence. “Right. Amara, you approach Ruby as soon as we get back. Try and start that friendship. The rest of us will contact both groups- inform them what’s happening and get an update from their end.”

 Amara gave a short nod, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Sounds good.”

 The decision settled over them like a final stone in ce. Amara would be the one to face Ruby first.

 “She goes by Megan here,” Zafira added, her voice low but firm, eyes narrowing slightly. “Don’t slip.”

 Amara’s mouth tightened, her posture straightening. “Got it.”

 Saphira watched her closely, a flicker of unease tightening in her chest. She’s brave. But Ruby’s dangerous in ways that don’t show until it’s toote. Her fingers curled into her sleeves, the fabric rough against her palms. One wrong word and everything could fracture.

 Niks turned to the rest of them, his tone shifting. “While Amara’s with her, we’ll stay in the meeting room.”

 Then his gaze locked onto Saphira and Finn, sharp and unwavering. “You two need to stay out of sight. If Ruby sees either of you, it could unravel everything.”

 Saphira nodded, her jaw tight. “We’ll be careful.” Her voice came out steadier than she felt. She already knows too much. I won’t give her more.

 Finn gave a quiet “Yeah,” his voice clipped, his arms crossed as he stared at the ground.

 They started walking back toward the pack house, the forest closing in with its usual hush. Saphira’s boots crunched softly against the earth, each step heavy with the weight of what wasing. Every move matters now. No second chances. 

 Niks reached for her hand, his fingers threading through hers with a gentle squeeze. She nced at him, the warmth of his touch grounding her. She’s not going to take this from me. Not again.

 Back at the pack house, Amara peeled off at the stairs, her footsteps light but deliberate. Saphira paused at the base, watching her ascend. Trust her. Trust the n. Her throat tightened, but she forced herself to turn away.

 The rest of them entered the meeting room. The air inside was cooler, stillced with the scent of old wood and ash. Saphira slid into a seat beside Zafira, her fingers tapping a restless rhythm against the table’s edge. The others settled in with the kind of quiet that came before strategy.

 Niks pulled out his phone. “I’ll try jed.”

 Finn moved to the firece, leaning against the stone as he dialled. “I’ll try Asher.”

 Saphira’s eyes flicked between them, her pulse ticking faster. Come on. Someone pick up.

 No answer. 

 Niks frowned, lowering his phone with a sigh. Finn, shook his head, already redialling, his thumb tense against the screen.. 

 Saphira leaned forward, her elbows on the table, heart thudding.. 

 The silence in the meeting room stretched thin, faut as wire, Finn and Niks kept trying–again and again but still, no answer. The soft beeps and clicks of failed calls only made the quiet louder. 

 Saphira leaned forward, elbows braced on her knees, fingers <bced so tightly her knuckles ached. The rhythmic tapping she’d been doing earlier had stop

 now her hands were motionless, clenched in/stillness. Why aren’t they picking up? Her breath felt shallow, like her lungs had forgotten how to expand fully

 Niks lowered his phone with a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. Let’s wait a moment, he salivolcs low and strained where they can’t speak 

 Saphira’s stomach twisted. Or worse. What if they’re not just busy? What if they’re already caught in something? The thought slithered through her mind. unwee but persistent. 

 Zafira crossed her arms, her brow furrowed deep. “I don’t like this. Something feels off.”

 Anastasia, seated near the window, nodded slowly. “I agree. It’s too quiet.”

 Saphira didn’t respond, but the unease wed at her ribs. Ruby turns up out of nowhere, spinning lies–and now neither group is answering? Her throat tightened. It’s suspicious. Too suspicious.

 Niks gestured toward the sofas by the firece. “Let’s sit. We wait.”

 They moved slowly, as if the air itself had thickened. Saphira sank into the corner of the nearest sofa, pulling her legs up slightly and wrapping h around her knees. The fire crackled beside them, casting flickers of light across the room, but it didn’t reach the chill in her chest.

 arms

 Finn and Niks paced in opposite directions, their footsteps uneven, restless. Zafira sat beside Saphira, her gaze locked on the mes. Anastasia stared at her hands, fingers twitching every so often like she was holding back the urge to act.

 Time stretched. The silence grew heavier, thick with unspoken fears and the weight of too many possibilities.

 Then–Finn’s phone rang.

 He snatched it up instantly, breath catching. “Asher?”

 Everyone froze.

 Saphira’s heart leapt, then mmed against her ribs. She leaned forward, eyes locked on Finn, trying to read every flicker of his expression. Please let it be good. Please let it make sense.

 “We’ve got a situation,” Finn said into the phone, voice taut. “My sister from Silvermoon is here. She’s iming a fabricated story. Something’s happening.”

 Saphira’s breath hitched.

 Finn fell silent, nodding slowly as he listened. “Mm. Yeah. Okay.” A pause. “Understood.”

 Niks nced at Saphira, his jaw clenched. She met his gaze, her own eyes wide and searching. What is Asher saying? What aren’t we hearing?

 Finn’s expression shifted–tightening, darkening. “Make sure you all be careful. Keep us updated.” Then he hung up.

 Finn stood still for a moment after hanging up, his phone still clutched in his hand. The firelight caught the edge of his jaw, casting sharp shadows across his face. Then he turned to the group, his expression unreadable but alert.

 “Asher has some information,” he said, voice low. “It’s… interesting.”

 Saphira straightened slightly, her arms stii! wrapped around her knees. Interesting? That could mean anything. Her pulse quickened. She scanned Finn’s face for clues, but he was already moving toward the centre of the room.

 Niks stopped pacing and stepped closer. “What kind of information?” 

 Finn hesitated, ncing at the fire as if the words needed warming before they could be spoken. They look to be training children 

 Saphira gasped, the sound sharp and involuntary. Her hand flew to her mouth, fingers trembling slightly. Children? Her thoughts reeled. That’s not preparation that’s indoctrination. 

 12:09 Mon, 4 Aug

17kNovel

Disguise 106