Meanwhile, Maxine sat on a velvet couch, smiling at the infant asleep in the cradle beside her. Since she had taken the baby from Elliana, something in her had brightened. She had started moving with a younger, lighter air. The baby had filled her hours. At dawn, she checked the cradle; at night, she whispered into the dark.

Maxine was softly humming to coax a smile when a breathless subordinate burst in. “Ms. Griffiths, a group of intruders has breached the base.”

Maxine’s hand stilled. Her face hardened. “How did they get here?”

This place was a hidden stronghold in the mountains. It shouldn’t have been found, much less entered.

The subordinate cued the surveillance. “It’s these people. They have the Serpent Society’s sacred relics—the male and female serpent bracelets.”

Maxine watched the screen. A slow, sharp grin curved her lips. “I didn’t expect them to find their way here. Clever of them. Well, bring them up.”

The subordinate bowed and left.

Down below, the command was relayed. The lead guard addressed Elliana and Cole with sudden respect. “Ms. Marsh, Mr. Evans, you may proceed to the fifth floor. The others must remain here.”

Maxine’s willingness to meet signaled there was room for negotiation. Ordering all their operatives to force their way up would be reckless. Elliana and Cole told their people to wait and rode the elevator up with the lead guard.

The entire top floor was Maxine’s private quarters. The reception area was plush and expensive. By the time Elliana and Cole were led in, Maxine was already seated on the sofa, waiting for them.

The cradle stood nearby. The baby slept, tiny and calm. The air smelled faintly of milk.

A rush of hope hit Elliana and Cole. That baby was their daughter. They lunged for the cradle.

A glass wall slid down from the ceiling with a quiet hiss, sealing Maxine and the baby in a clear chamber.

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The barrier left Cole and Elliana frozen yards away.

The glass was bulletproof and unbreakable by human force. Through that clear wall, Elliana and Cole could only stare at their daughter. They could not touch her or kiss her.

“Maxine, give me back my daughter!” Elliana screamed, pounding the barrier.

Cole’s eyes burned with raw, murderous rage.

Maxine only smiled. Her voice was slow and taunting. “Elliana, you broke our promise. The deal was your daughter for your mother’s life. Why have you come?”

“That was your deal, not mine! I never agreed to it!” Elliana shot back. “I’ll save my mother, and I’ll take my daughter back!”

“So greedy,” Maxine mocked, lifting the baby from the cradle. She moved to the glass and held the infant up for them to see. “You miss her. Look, then.”

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