Chapter  340

LUMINA I wrapped my arms around him, holding him close while he cried against my shoulder. "They know," I said softly. "They're very aware of the danger they're in. But they also know that showing fear would give their captors power over them. So they chose to be defiant instead. To show strength through humor." "But what if they die?" Ollie asked, his voice muffled. "What if the last thing I ever see is Grandma making jokes about caskets?" "Then you'll know she died on her own terms," I said. "Still herself, still strong, still protecting her family the only way she could in that moment. That's not nothing, Ollie. That's everything." Riley had moved closer, his expression carefully controlled but his hands shaking slightly. "What are the actual odds of a successful rescue? Based on available intelligence and our current resources?" "I'm not going to lie to you," I said. "It's dangerous. There are a lot of variables we can't control. But your father is brilliant, Zade is experienced, a