Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

CAGE

C age sat on the edge of the bed, the cool night air brushing against his bare skin. He glanced over at Willow, who was peacefully asleep beside him, her breathing even and calm. The events of the day had been exhausting for both of them—both physically and emotionally—but there was still work to be done. He quietly reached for his phone, careful not to disturb her, and stepped into the adjoining room.

The phone rang twice before Colby picked up. "Cage," Colby's voice was tense, a reflection of the urgency that had gripped their lives recently. "What's your status?"

"We're stable for now," Cage replied, keeping his voice low. "Willow's safe. Carlyle is dead, and we dealt a pretty good blow to the Shadow League—for now. But we need to strike while the iron is hot and deal with them in a more final way. I've got a lead on the Shadow League's main headquarters."

There was a pause on the other end. "Go on."

Cage took a deep breath. "Intel suggests they're operating out of a Schloss in Switzerland. We've pinpointed the location. If we hit them now, we might be able to cripple their operations for decades if not for good."

"That's risky," Colby said, the concern evident in his tone.

"I don't believe we're ever going to have a better shot at them."

"How soon can you move?" asked Colby.

"We're ready. I'll take a small unit and go in tonight. We can't afford to wait. They've already made it personal."

Colby sighed, the weight of the decision palpable even over the phone. "Alright. Be careful. We can't afford to lose you."

"I will. I'll update you once we're in position."

Cage ended the call and stood for a moment, gathering his thoughts. The mission was dangerous, but it was necessary. They needed to end this, once and for all.

He reentered the bedroom quietly, pulling on his clothes with practiced efficiency. Willow stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "Cage?" she murmured sleepily.

"Go back to sleep," he whispered, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "I'll be back soon."

"Be careful," she said softly, her eyes closing again.

"I will," he promised, feeling a pang of guilt for leaving her.

He knew she hadn't really understood what he was doing, but that was probably best. He had to do this. For her. For all of them.

Cage met with his team up at the landing strip. The long-range stealth helicopter was waiting for them. The air was thick with tension, the men and women around him steeled for the upcoming mission. They were a small, elite unit, each member chosen for their skill and loyalty. He briefed them quickly, outlining the plan and emphasizing the importance of precision and stealth.

"We move fast and quiet," Cage instructed. "Kill as many as you can and any room that has electronics or any kind of paper—files, maps, et cetera—take what information you can and destroy the rest. Scorched earth on the interior."

"What about the bodies?" asked Davis.

"Colby's got a clean-up crew. In and out. No mistakes."

His team nodded, their expressions grim and focused. They boarded the blacked-out helicopter, and within minutes, they were airborne, slicing through the night sky towards Switzerland.

The flight was silent, each member lost in their thoughts. Cage shut down his end of the link. Willow didn't need to be awakened or know how much danger they were in. His mind raced with the details of the mission, the potential dangers, and the stakes involved. He glanced out the window, the dark landscape below a stark reminder of the peril they were about to face.

As they approached the schloss, the pilot switched to hover mode, and Cage's team prepared to rappel down. The ancient castle loomed below them, its silhouette stark against the moonlit sky. The location was both strategic and fortified, but they had the element of surprise on their side.

Cage signaled, and one by one, they descended, landing silently on the schloss's grounds. They moved with practiced efficiency, spreading out to cover all possible entry points. Cage led the way, his senses heightened, every sound and movement amplified in the stillness of the night.

They breached the main gate, moving swiftly through the shadowy corridors. The schloss was a labyrinth of stone walls and hidden passages, but their intel had provided a detailed map. They navigated the twists and turns, avoiding detection as they approached the central hub of the Shadow League's operations.

Cage's heart pounded in his chest as they reached the control room. The doors were heavily guarded, but his team was ready. With a nod, they launched their assault, taking out the guards with precise, silent movements.

Inside, the rooms were filled with computer terminals, paper files, maps and surveillance equipment. Cage's eyes scanned the space, his mind racing. This was it. The heart of the Shadow League's operations. They needed to gather as much information as possible before destroying the rest.

"Secure the perimeter and get those explosives planted," Cage ordered, moving to one of the terminals. He inserted a flash drive, downloading critical data that could help dismantle whatever remained of the organization. His fingers flew over the keyboard, his focus unyielding.

Suddenly, an alarm blared, the harsh sound echoing through the stone walls. "We've been compromised," one of his team members shouted.

Cage cursed under his breath. "Finish the download. We need to move."

They worked quickly, the seconds ticking by with agonizing slowness. Finally, the download was complete. Cage yanked the flash drive from the terminal and signaled his team. "Go, go, go!"

They sprinted through the corridors, the schloss now alive with activity as the Shadow League's forces mobilized. Gunfire erupted around them, the echoes deafening in the confined spaces. Cage led the way, his instincts guiding him through the chaos.

They reached the extraction point just as the helicopter descended. Cage covered his team, firing back at their pursuers as they boarded the chopper. He was the last to climb aboard, the rotors kicking up a whirlwind of dust and debris as they lifted off.

As they ascended into the night sky, Cage hit the button that would detonate all of the explosives within the schloss with devastating results. Cage allowed himself a moment of relief. They had done it. They had struck a significant, if not fatal, blow against the Shadow League.

He glanced at the flash drive in his hand, knowing that the information contained within could be the key to cleaning up and ending the League once and for all. He looked out at the dark landscape below, determination hardening his resolve. For Willow, for his people, for all those who had suffered at the hands of the Shadow League, he had seen this through to the end, and he was glad of it.

The helicopter's rotors sliced through the night air, the steady hum a backdrop to the adrenaline still coursing through Cage's veins. His team sat in silence, each of them processing the mission's success and the close calls they'd faced.

He pulled out his phone and called Willow, eager to hear her voice and share the news. The line buzzed twice before she answered, her voice filled with concern. "Cage? Are you okay?"

"We're fine," he reassured her, his tone firm and steady. "We managed to hit the Shadow League where it hurts. They might not all be dead, but we've broken their backs. We're on our way to the island now; no casualties on our end."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, and he could almost hear her processing the information. "Thank God," she finally said, relief evident in her voice. "You'll be back soon, right?"

Cage smiled, imagining her expression. "Yes, babe, I'm headed home."

"We're going to live at the castle?"

"I suppose we can if you like, although I hate the heat. But you're my home now, and as long as I'm with you, I'm home. Babe, I need you to do something for me."

"Name it."

"I need you to not want to live at the castle. I don't like this fucking hot weather. I need my cave."

"Cave?" she repeated, her tone incredulous. He could picture her standing there, eyes wide, a mix of disbelief and defiance on her face. "I will not be living in a cave, sorry."

"It's a really nice cave," Cage countered, unable to keep the amusement out of his voice.

"Uh-huh," Willow said skeptically. "Define ‘nice.'"

Cage chuckled, imagining her reaction when she saw the place. "It's got all the modern amenities, trust me. Running water, electricity, even Wi-Fi. And it's cool and comfortable. You'll love it."

Willow's voice softened slightly, though the skepticism remained. "We'll see about that. But if you're lying to me, I swear I'll make you regret it."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Cage said, his tone growing serious. "Just pack our things and be ready. We'll be home soon."

"Alright," she agreed, a hint of affection in her voice. "Be safe, Cage. I love you."

"Love you too," he replied, feeling a warmth spread through him that had nothing to do with the tropical heat. "See you soon."

He ended the call and leaned back in his seat, staring out at the dark horizon. The mission had been a success, the war with the League was all but over. They had dealt with the Shadow League, but there were still enemies out there, still threats to be neutralized.

"How's Willow?" one of his team members asked, breaking the silence.

"She's good," Cage replied, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "She's packing our things. We're heading back to my cave."

There were a few raised eyebrows and smirks among the team. They all knew about Cage's preferred retreat, a hidden sanctuary nestled in the mountains of Alaska. It was a place of peace and solitude, a stark contrast to the chaos of their current situation.

"Did you tell her it's not just any cave?" another member teased.

Cage chuckled. "I tried. She'll see for herself soon enough."

The helicopter continued its journey, the schloss growing smaller behind them as they made their way towards the island. Cage's thoughts drifted to his cave, to the safety and comfort it represented. It wasn't just a place to hide; it was a home, a sanctuary where they could regroup and plan their life together.

He knew Willow would love it once she saw it. The cave was more than just a hole in the side of a mountain; it was a carefully designed refuge, complete with all the comforts of modern living. And most importantly, it was secure, a place where they could be safe from their enemies.

As the helicopter began its descent, Cage's resolve hardened. They had won. He would do whatever it took to protect Willow and his people, to ensure their safety and their future. And he knew that together, they were stronger than any threat they faced.

The helicopter touched down, and Cage's team disembarked quickly, moving with the efficiency born of countless missions together. They were a well-oiled machine, each member knowing their role and executing it flawlessly.

Cage led the way, his thoughts already on what remained to be done. They would regroup at the castle, assess the situation, and plan their next move. There were still things to do, but for the first time in a long while, he felt they had won.

As they approached the waiting vehicles, Cage's phone buzzed with a new message from Willow. He glanced at it, her words bringing a smile to his face despite the exhaustion weighing on him.

"Hurry home. We've got a lot to talk about, and I want to see this ‘nice cave' of yours."

Cage pocketed his phone. He would get them to his sanctuary, and with Willow by his side, he knew he was ready to solve whatever mysteries lay ahead. Together they could conquer anything.