She didn't dare think further. Her stomach knotted as she stepped aside to give them room. "Mr. Simpson, I'll leave you to your mission. I've got something else to take care of." Her eyes slid toward Natalie, sharp and deliberate. "See you soon." Natalie lifted a brow. That line was definitely aimed at her. But what did it mean? Before she could piece it together, Selene mumbled under her breath, "I'd better find something warmer to wear. The old lady with white hair is soaked." She put extra weight on white hair. Natalie caught it right away. Natalie traded a glance with Cassian. Neither said a word. Anthony didn't question any of it. He was too focused on getting back to report to Fiorella, so he started walking again, expecting them to follow. As they passed, Natalie glanced back at the woman. Selene looked over her shoulder at the same time, and for a brief second, their eyes met. Selene smiled, calm and polite, her meaning hard to read but impossible to miss. Natalie turned away and followed Anthony without another word. Selene finally exhaled, her chest rising sharply. It felt like she'd just cheated death by an inch. She watched their figures disappear down the street, her thoughts racing. Fiorella's last resort had to be the cursebug technique and the backup from the other two leaders. But that couple... They had more than just those massive guns that could mow down a whole squad. They had something hidden—something dangerous. Fiorella had never once failed to trap her victims at the inn. Yet these two had walked away untouched. They were smarter. Much smarter than that foolish woman ever was. After a few quick calculations, Selene slipped into a nearby vacant house. She searched the place from corner to corner until she found a pen and some paper. She tore the paper into strips and began scribbling, her handwriting fast and urgent. When she finished, she held the strip between her fingers, her face tense with determination. Her survival now rested on this one note. It was a gamble, and in the past three years, she'd never lost one. She prayed her streak wouldn't break now. Meanwhile, Anthony led Cassian and Natalie through the narrow alley toward Cloudshade Hall's base. He looked toward Fiorella's small building but didn't go near it, keeping his distance as they passed. These two were dangerous, and Anthony knew it. He couldn't afford to let Fiorella fall into their hands. He stayed far from her place. He didn't even approach the small building in the alley they used for meetings and guests. The last thing he wanted was for them to notice where she lived. He kept his gaze straight ahead and moved like the street was no different from the ones before it, pretending they were just passing through. But Natalie and Cassian weren't easy to fool. They noticed right away.After days of heavy snow, every house they'd passed earlier had thick drifts piled high against the gates, turning them into solid white mounds. This alley, though, was different. Each house showed signs of life—clear footprints going in and out. Judging from how the tracks overlapped, people had been visiting one another. It was obviously a small, close-knit settlement. Natalie narrowed her eyes and studied the two-story house at the center. That one looked the most run-down. If she were the leader and didn't have a storage space for protection, she'd pick that dump too. It was the perfect cover. Their boss had probably thought the same. Cassian's voice broke the silence. "Is Fiorella under your command too?" He already knew the answer. If a newcomer like Anthony could become deputy leader, then that innkeeper's wife had to outrank him—she was either the head, a leader, or at least a second-in-command. He was only fishing for confirmation, trying to figure out what kind of person she really was. Anthony took the bait instantly. Without hesitation, his face filled with pride. "Of course not. Fiorella runs an entire hall on her own." Cassian and Natalie exchanged a look, then turned their attention back to the same two-story house. Neither spoke. They just locked the location in their minds. They'd seen that yellow flare earlier. In times like these, no one wasted fireworks for fun. It had to be a signal for help. Now they just needed to wait and stay composed. If they handled this right, they could take down the entire gang in one strike. Anthony led them and the pets toward the shopping mall area, which served as Cloudshade Hall's dormitory. Aside from the group he'd led out earlier—now completely wiped out—the other two groups were still there. Even the group leaders who lived nearby were inside at this hour, drilling their men in the dorm. Anthony decided to leave Natalie and Cassian there, guarded by the others, while he went to report to Fiorella. The mall had three floors, one for each group. The first floor belonged to Group Three. As soon as they entered, silence filled the air. Not a single sound came from within. Anthony reached into his pocket and pulled out a whistle. He blew hard, the sharp sound cutting through the stillness. "Groups One and Two, gather up!" A moment later, a swarm of broad-shouldered men charged down the stairs.