Luna. Chapter 140

(Lyra's POV)

The next morning brought a flurry of activity as the rescue team finalized their plans. I sat in my hospital bed, surrounded by maps, communication equipment, and tactical gear, feeling frustrated by my inability to participate directly.

"The estate has three entry points," Iris explained, pointing to the detailed drawings Sage had provided. "Main gate, service entrance, and emergency exit near the underground facility."

"What's the guard rotation?" I asked.

"Six guards during day shift, reduced to three at night. But they're all supernatural—enhanced reflexes, heightened senses, combat training."

"Weapons?"

"Silver ammunition, supernatural restraint devices, and at least two guards with psychic abilities."

I studied the layout of the underground facility where the most powerful children were being held. "The access door requires a keycard?"

"According to Sage, yes. But Zara thinks she can hack the electronic lock."

"How long do you estimate for the extraction?"

"Twenty minutes maximum. Get in, locate the children, get out."

"And if something goes wrong?"

"Then we improvise."

It wasn't the most reassuring answer, but it was realistic. Operations like this always had unpredictable elements.

"What about transportation for the children once they're out?"

"Magnus has medical teams standing by at three different locations. The moment we extract them, they'll receive proper care."

"And legal protection?"

"Council advocates are prepared to take immediate custody and document everything for the investigation."

I looked around the room at the people who were risking everything to save children they'd never met. Iris, who could lose her Council position. Derek, who could be charged with treason. Zara and Adrian, who could face pack exile.

"I wish I could be there with you," I said.

"You are," Derek replied. "Every communication goes through you. Every decision gets your approval. You're running this operation."

"From a hospital bed."

"From the safest location possible while carrying the future of our bloodline."

He was right, but it didn't make the helplessness any easier to bear.

My phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number: "Enjoy your hospital stay. It may be your last peaceful moment. -C"

General Cassius was still monitoring our activities. Still threatening my family.

I showed the message to Iris. "They know something's happening."

"Do you think they know about tonight specifically?"

"Maybe. Or maybe they're just trying to keep us off balance."

"Either way, it doesn't change our plans."

A soft knock interrupted our discussion. Victor appeared in the doorway, his expression grim.

"We have a problem," he said without preamble.

"What kind of problem?"

"The kind where three of our Council allies just withdrew their support for any action against the royal family."

"Why?"

"Because they've been told that opposing royal authority will result in their territories being investigated for supernatural rights violations."

"That's blackmail."

"That's politics."

"How many allies do we have left?"

"Maybe six or seven Council members willing to publicly support us. Not enough to override royal authority."

I felt our carefully constructed legal protections crumbling around us. "What about the rescue mission?"

"Still happening. But if we're caught, we'll be on our own."

"No Council backing?"

"No official backing. Unofficially, some of our allies will support us. But they can't risk their own territories."

Derek cursed under his breath. "So if this goes wrong—"

"We'll be charged with terrorism, treason, and conspiracy against the Crown," Victor finished.

"And if it goes right?"

"We'll still be charged with terrorism, treason, and conspiracy. But we'll have evidence to support our case."

I thought about the children Emma and Sage had described, locked in underground cells, subjected to experiments, tortured for having abilities they didn't choose.

"It doesn't matter," I said finally.

"What doesn't matter?"

"The political consequences. The legal risks. The personal costs." I looked around the room at my family and friends. "Those children have been suffering for years while we worried about proper channels and political implications. No more."

"Lyra—"

"No, Dad. We're doing this. Tonight. Regardless of the consequences."

"Even if it means war?"

"If saving tortured children means war, then maybe war is what's needed."

Victor was quiet for a long moment. "You sound like your mother."

"Is that good or bad?"

"It's terrifying. Because she was willing to sacrifice everything for what she believed in too."

"And did she regret it?"

"No. She never regretted standing up for what was right."

I felt a surge of determination that had nothing to do with my supernatural abilities and everything to do with being a mother who refused to accept a world where children were treated as expendable resources.

"Then let's finish what she started."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean it's time to hold the royal family accountable for decades of abuse. It's time to make sure no more children disappear into their experimental programs."

"How?"

"By rescuing those kids and making sure their stories are heard by everyone who matters."

"The media?"

"The media, the international supernatural community, human government officials who work with supernatural affairs." I met Victor's eyes. "Everyone who has the power to stop this."

"That's a big risk."

"Everything worthwhile is a big risk."

"And if we lose?"

"Then at least we'll lose fighting for something that matters."

Derek smiled grimly. "In that case, let's make sure we don't lose."

As the team finalized their preparations for the night's mission, I felt the baby move for the first time—just a flutter, barely noticeable, but definitely there.

This child would be born into a world where the strong protected the vulnerable, where children's lives mattered more than political convenience.

I'd make sure of it.