The war room buzzed with energy. Screens glowed with the captured data from the hackers, the secure system status, and the now-isolated signals of the Lessers. Wrath stood at the head of the table, eyes bright with approval.
"You did good," he said, voice deep and commanding, letting the words linger just long enough to make Kat's cheeks heat. "Better than good—exceptional. Took out four operatives and locked the system tighter than anyone could've imagined."
The room erupted in cheers. Rhage hooted, clapping his massive hands together, Butch and Z exchanged a grin, and even V—leaning against the wall with that ever-present air of judgment—gave the barest nod of acknowledgment.
Kat squirmed in her seat, eyes darting around. "I—uh... thanks," she muttered, brushing at her hair and trying not to meet anyone's gaze. She was equal parts flustered and proud, heart still hammering from the adrenaline of the day's events.
Wrath's eyes softened slightly as he looked at her. "You've earned a little leverage here. I say we let her speak."
Kat took a deep breath, chest tight. "So... I—uh... I need to get a few things from my old apartment. Just some personal stuff. During daylight. I promise I'll be careful."
V's head snapped toward her instantly, eyes flashing dangerously. "No." His voice was clipped, no room for debate. "Daylight is dangerous. You don't go out there alone."
Kat rolled her eyes, trying to hide her annoyance. "I was planning to sneak out anyway, so at least this way someone knows where I am."
V's gaze darkened, tension coiling in every line of his body. "You will not go. Period."
Wrath, as always, balanced the storm before him. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, thinking. "V's right about danger," he said slowly. "But... she's asking. And you can't just lock her in here forever. Let's make a compromise."
Kat blinked, hope flickering. "Compromise?"
"Yes," Wrath said, voice firm. "You'll go. But only with the twins, Beth and Arden. Since they are half human they can go in the sun. Daylight, three of you together. Safety in numbers. And before you even try to argue—they are going to keep an eye on you."
Kat let out a relieved breath. "Fine. I'll take it."
V's jaw tightened, braid swinging slightly as he moved closer, hands brushing the back of a chair. "You better not make me regret this," he murmured, low and dangerous, voice carrying the warning in a growl that made her shiver despite herself.
"I won't," she shot back, smirking despite the tension. "But thanks for... caring?" She raised her eyebrows, feigning innocence.
The room erupted in laughter at her sass, Wrath chuckled approvingly, and even V's lips twitched as he stepped back, though his eyes never left her.
Kat grinned, trying not to let her nerves show, already planning her route and making mental notes of what to grab first. She might be human, but in the Brotherhood's world, she was learning quickly just how dangerous—and thrilling—it was to be involved.
The morning sun hit the streets of Caldwell in a muted haze, but Kat barely noticed. She moved like a shadow between parked cars and alleyways, laptop bag slung over her shoulder, a small duffel of essentials clutched in one hand. Beside her, Beth and Arden kept pace easily, scanning the surroundings with alert eyes.
"You sure you packed everything you need?" Beth asked, voice low, glancing at the contents of Kat's bag.
Kat waved her hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah. Just the essentials. You know, clothes, toiletries, important hacking gear, snacks..." She trailed off, smirking despite the tension. "And a few little things I refuse to live without."
Arden chuckled. "You really are high-maintenance, Kat."
"And you're not?" Kat shot back, rolling her eyes. "You're both just lucky I let you come along, keeping me 'safe.'"
The three of them moved through Kat's old apartment complex with relative ease, checking windows and doors, making quick work of reclaiming what she needed. Everything was going smoothly, the day warm, the air buzzing faintly with the city's quiet energy. Kat felt a thrill in being out of the mansion, in control of her own little operation—even if the girls were watching her every move.
Until it didn't.
One second, Kat was crouched in front of the top drawer of her old dresser, rummaging through a stack of clothes. The next... she wasn't.
Beth and Arden froze, scanning the room. "Kat?" Beth called, voice rising slightly. Arden's hand went to her hip instinctively. "Kat!"
The room was silent except for the rustle of papers and the faint hum of the city outside. Then... a sharp, almost imperceptible scent tickled their noses: baby powder.
Arden's eyes widened. "No. No. That cannot be good."
Beth inhaled, tense. "V's going to lose it. She—she just... vanished. There's no other explanation."
The girls exchanged a glance, panic threading through their expressions. V was going to rip this world a new asshole to find her.
"We need to get out of here before they come back and find us," Arden whispered, voice tight. "Because if they do and they take us... all hell's going to break loose."
Beth nodded grimly, glancing around the empty apartment one last time. "And we're going to be right in the middle of it."
Outside, the air was deceptively calm. Inside, the storm was already gathering.
