Chapter 200

"I need you to swear. Swear on the honor of Firehunters that you'll get Stella out of Raven safely." Lena's throat tightened. A Firehunters' oath wasn't just for show—breaking it meant dragging the whole organization through the mud. She clenched her jaw and drew the Firehunters' symbol over her chest. "I swear on Firehunters, I'll protect Stella at all costs." That gesture made Charles's head throb. A flash of memory cut through the haze—he saw himself standing on the Firehunters' podium, making the same vow with the same hand sign. And Lena was there, watching him with that same look of admiration in her eyes. Pain slammed into his temples, and he staggered, gripping the edge of the table. His laser blade clattered to the ground. Why did he have memories like that? Was he really part of Firehunters too? The thought made his skin crawl. He could go ask Lena right now if he'd been one of them. If it were the old him, he'd probably charge straight in and deal with it. But now? Now that