Frozen Flame of Dawn - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Chapter 11: Unseen Threads_1

Aiden sat in his office, a brightly lit space with minimal furnishings. The room was nice, almost too neat, with documents neatly placed on his desk, a modern computer in the middle, and a warm cup of coffee close by.

Even though he glanced at the report in front of him, his attention was divided and his thoughts wandered.

Since the encounter with Black Phoenix, as what she called herself; he found himself unsettled. He had replayed her words a dozen times, the hints she’d dropped lingering in his mind, yet there was something more than just her advice that had gotten to him.

He shook his head, trying to dismiss the thought when a knock at the door broke his reverie.

Aiden’s mood changed right away, as he said, “Come in.”

Within a few second, a man walked in. The way he walked in made him look strict but casual, like he was used to coming in this way all the time.

The man in question was Aiden’s old friend from childhood and the unit’s vice-captain, Aiden gave him a faint nod, maintaining his usual stoic expression.

“What brings you here, Tommy?” Aiden asked, his tone neutral despite the small lift at the corner of his mouth. “Aren’t you supposed to be on vacation?”

Tommy let out a dramatic sigh as he closed the door behind him, his shoulders slumping in mock disappointment.

“And here I thought you’d be thrilled to see me back early, maybe even crack a smile,” he teased, placing a hand over his heart in exaggerated offense. “So much for my grand surprise return.”

Amusement glinted in Aiden’s eyes, though he kept his expression neutral. But Tommy, undeterred, grinned wider.

“Truthfully,” Tommy went on, “I heard from Cole that you’re finally making social moves. Apparently, you even talked to a lady. Now, how could I miss that?”

Aiden arched an eyebrow, his gaze cooling as he replied with mock displeasure, “Looks like some people are due for extra work since they seem to have plenty of time for gossip.”

Tommy chuckled, holding up his hands in surrender, “Hey, don’t take it out on the poor guys. It’s not their fault you’re in a mood.”

Aiden leveled him with a sharp look.

“I’m not in a mood,” he replied firmly, though Tommy didn’t seem to care, but he did smile.

With a sly smile, Tommy lifted the paper Aiden was reading and held it in front of him.

“If you’re not in a mood, then why have you been staring at the introduction page of this report for… who knows how long?” Tommy leaned closer, his voice dropping to a mischievous whisper. “Was her rejection really that brutal?”

“First of all, it wasn’t a rejection, she was busy that’s all.” Aiden defended, crossing his arms. “And secondly, I was just caught up thinking about something.”

Tommy gave him a slow, dramatic nod, his expression that of mock understanding.

“Ah, right, she was ‘busy’… I see that look.” He leaned forward, eyes gleaming with excitement. “You’re thinking about something… or should I say, someone? So, what’s she like? Beautiful, mysterious? You can’t expect me to let this go, Aiden.”

Caught off guard, Aiden shook his head, chuckling despite himself, “You’re relentless, aren’t you?”

“Relentless? Nah, I’d say I’m just curious.” Tommy’s grin grew wider. “You have to give me something. Just a hint.”

Aiden raised an eyebrow, feigning exasperation, “You’re really not going to drop this, are you?”

“Not a chance,” Tommy replied, his grin unwavering.

With a sigh, Aiden folded his hands and leaned forward, changing tactics.

“Alright, if you’re so curious… why don’t you tell me instead why you’re back early?”

At that, Tommy rolled his eyes, finally letting go of the topic with a shrug.

“Fine, fine, you get a pass this time.” He sighed, looking genuinely annoyed now. “Truth is, the girl I was supposed to meet didn’t show up. Can you believe it? I was actually looking forward to that date… and she just ghosted me. No message, no explanation, nothing.”

Aiden’s curiosity piqued, and he leaned forward, “Sounds rough. Did you try reaching out to her?”

Tommy nodded, scratching his head in mild frustration, “Tried everything. Figured I’d ask Eizze for help tracking her down. Just to make sure she’s okay, you know?”

As if on cue, a knock sounded at the door, and Eizze’s voice followed, “Sir? May I come in?”

Aiden and Tommy exchanged a glance, then Aiden called out, “Come in, Eizze.”

Eizze entered the room with her usual composed manner, giving Aiden a formal nod.

“Captain,” she greeted him, then turned to Tommy with a polite nod. “Vice-Captain.”

Tommy waved her off with a cheeky smile, “Relax, Eizze and quit being so polite, just tell us what you found.”

Eizze’s expression grew serious, and she hesitated for a brief moment, her eyes shifting toward Tommy.

“I looked into the woman you asked about,” she began, her tone measured. “But her location’s masked. Whoever did it knew what they were doing. I can find her, but it’ll take a day, maybe more.”

Aiden’s brow furrowed as he and Tommy exchanged glances.

“Masked?” Aiden asked, intrigued, “Any idea who’s behind it?”

Tommy raised an eyebrow, looking equally puzzled, “Yeah, that’s… odd. Didn’t think she’d be off the grid.”

Eizze’s face remained serious as she continued, “There’s more. While tracing her, I found out that she’s under Federation surveillance.”

Tommy’s expression shifted to surprise, his gaze darting to Aiden.

“What? Surveillance?” He looked back at Eizze. “Do you know whose orders? And why?”

Eizze took a steadying breath, her eyes flickering with unease, “She was part of the Phoenix Unit. When it disbanded, every elite member was tagged for surveillance. She’s one of them.”

Tommy blinked, visibly taken aback, “Phoenix Unit? She never mentioned it…”

Aiden’s face, normally calm, tensed as realization hit him. He leaned back in his chair, his mind racing through the implications. He cursed under his breath, the weight of the revelation heavy.

“Shit,” Aiden muttered, standing abruptly.

Tommy looked at him, confusion etched on his face, “Aiden? What’s going on?”

Aiden didn’t respond immediately, his focus shifting entirely, “Eizze, I need you to pull the entire file on the Phoenix Unit. I want everything on their captain. Now.”

Eizze’s eyes widened, but she nodded quickly, already turning toward the door, “On it, sir.”

As Eizze left, Tommy sat back, watching Aiden with a knowing expression.

The two shared a rare moment of quiet camaraderie, the weight of the situation settling between them.

For the first time, Aiden felt something pull at him; a curiosity that went beyond mere interest. There was something compelling about this woman, about the mystery she carried and the warning she had given.

Aiden sat quietly in his office, tapping his fingers rhythmically against the desk, his gaze fixed on the closed door.

The silence around him was thick, but his thoughts were louder, tumbling over each other as he tried to make sense of what he’d just uncovered.

Across from him, Tommy watched, his brow furrowed as he studied Aiden’s uncharacteristically conflicted expression.

“Alright, spill it,” Tommy finally broke the silence, leaning forward with an expectant look, “What’s rattling around in that head of yours?”

Aiden looked up, as though shaken from a trance. He took a deep breath, hesitating.

“I’m trying to decide whether to bring you in on this now or wait until I have all the facts.” He gave a weary sigh. “Just… give me a minute.”

The room fell silent once more, the tension hanging thickly in the air. Just as Aiden seemed ready to speak, another knock came, quick and purposeful.

Eizze stepped in, holding a thin stack of documents, her eyes taking in the tense atmosphere before handing the files over to Aiden.

Aiden flipped through the papers, his jaw tightening as he scanned each line. Tommy, unable to bear the suspense, turned to Eizze.

“So, Eizze,” Tommy started, crossing his arms. “Did you dig up anything? Or are we still flying blind here?”

Eizze shrugged, scratching the back of her head.

“Didn’t peek, if that’s what you’re asking,” she replied dryly. “Printed them out and brought them right over.”

Tommy rolled his eyes, “Figures,” he muttered, watching as Aiden’s face shifted from confusion to shock, then to a focused, almost dangerous intensity.

Aiden’s grip tightened on the final page, a look Tommy was all too familiar with; something significant had just clicked.

“Well?” Tommy urged. He tried to read his friend’s expression. “What did you find?”

“Yeah, Captain,” Eizze added. Curiosity was plain on her face. “What’s in those files?”

Aiden didn’t answer immediately. He took a slow, steadying breath, then closed the folder with a decisive snap, looking up at Eizze with a determined gaze, “Eizze, do me a favor and lock the door,” he requested.

Eizze’s eyes widened slightly, but she gave a curt nod, clicking the lock into place. She turned back to Aiden, her posture tense, waiting.