Daniel’s phone buzzed softly against the kitchen counter. He picked it up, eyes narrowing at the unknown number flashing on the screen. Hesitation curled inside him like a coiled serpent. Every call, every message could be a trap—Hunter’s reach was long, and Daniel had learned to expect poison in the guise of help.

But the desperation clawed harder than caution.

He answered.

“Daniel,” a voice whispered, barely audible. Distorted by layers of encryption, but familiar. “We don’t have much time.”

“Wraith?” Daniel’s voice cracked, a mixture of relief and anxiety. “Did you find anything?”

“Enough to get us moving,” the voice said, urgent. “But you need to disappear for a...