For the first time that morning, Kade almost felt a flicker of pity for whoever had engineered this. They had not only taken Dakota and Takoda; they had summoned the whole Nightshade family. Nightshade did not forgive its own—least of all when children were involved.
Minutes later the executive elevator opened. The tone in the room changed instantly: employees straightened, guards stepped forward, voices fell. Sera Nightshade emerged first—perfect, composed, and radiating a cold authority that left no room for softness. Dimitri followed; his rage was not contained behind a mask.
Sera did not offer greetings. She looked at Kade and said only, "Tell me."
Kade met her without equivocation. "Dakota and Takoda were taken."
Sera closed her eyes for a fraction of a second; when she opened them the warmth that sometimes softened her expression had vanished. "Find them," she said. The order was short, absolute.
