The Matchmaker (by Sophie Smith) novel Chapter 43

The Matchmaker

CHAPTER 43

Saphira and Nikolas authed at the meeting point where the others had alerede fingen gathering. The tention wat perpared be exchange their findings

Nikolas took the lead, snice firm and meaned. “What did

bed and Asher exchanged a look before speaking.

sedila, heavy with unricipation as they

“We saw something.” led said first. “A glimpse of a dragon. But in siest was blocked before we could get a dear look.”

Ashet nodded, his expression tight. “It was definitely movement, through Mat

Saphira swallowed, her pale quickening at the erediens

Nikolas turned to oven. “And you?”

Raven exhaled, rolling her shoulders before responding. “I tapped into the energy around the guards were stationed at ”

There

figures made that mom–the one the

Saphira’s breath hitched.

Two. Asher’s mother. And Zafira.

Nikolas absorbed the information, then asked, “Did you sense anything else?“.

Raven

en shook behead. “No Elders. No additional presence beyond them.”

Finn and Anura stepped forward. “We found two more guards,” Finn reported. “Back entrance. Armed, but not heavily.”

Amira nodded. “They don’t seem to expect anyone coming from that deaction”

Nikola a hand through his hair, processing.

Saphira took a step forward, adding her own findings. “Nikolas and I spotted to guard at an entrance we believe to be the front. They were pacing in front of a doorway–stationary, focused on guanling whatever’s inside.”

Nikolas nodded in agreement. “That’s four guard’s total. No sign of Elders, no additional reinforcements He glanced at the group. “This means we have to be smart turing forward”

Nikolay stood in the

stood in the centre of the group, his golden eyes sharp with determination as everyone gathered close, ready for the final planning before they moved in.

“We need to move in one motion,” he said, voice steady, commanding “Jasper and Raven will take the back tu, led and I will handle the front. We take “them out at the same time–no hesitation, no delays.”

Jasper smirked slightly, rolling his shoulders. “Nice and clean, got it.”

Baven exhaled, flexing her fingers as a subtle hum of magic crackled at her fingertips. “I’ll suppress their ability in teact before larper maves us. We don’t need unnecessary noise.”

Nikolas nodded approvingly, then turned to the rest of the team. “Finn, Amara, Asher, and Saphira–you hold position and keep watch. If anything unexpected happens–reinforcements, an Elder aring–you signal immediately. We cannot risk getting rought in an ambush “

Saphira swallowed, the weight of the responsibility settling deeper into her chest. It was a solid plan–unit, ficient–but the risks were still suffocating,

Asher elenched his fists at his sides, jam tightening “We need to be quick. The longer we’re here, the higher the chance they notice something’s off.”

Nikolas nodded. “Exactly.” He scanned the faces around him, making sure no one was second–guessing, ensuring everyone was ready. “Dace the guards an down, we regroup mediately, then prove in”

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CHAPTER 43

Finn exchanged a look with Antara befour speaking. “And if we run lato more than expected?”

Nikola gaze handened. “Then see adapt. We don’t lose contin- adpt the plan at needed. But whatmer happen, er keeping

Saphira turned to Nikelas, keeping her voice low but wegent. “If all goes to plan with the grands,” she starte

How exactly are we doing that?”

Nikolas met het gaar, his golden eyes unwering. He had already been thinking thead she could see it in the way his jaw tightened, in the remand terath he took before amerring.

“we go in,” he said singly. “We assess their conditions first, If they’re weak, injured if they can’t move on their man–e carry them t

Saphira exhaled, nodding slightly. That part had always been clear. But there was more. “And if they’re restrained? If they’re too far prone to even try to

Nikolas clenched his fists, his voice steady but edged with quiet determination. “Then we find a way. No matter what.”

Silence stretched between them, the weight of his words pressing into her.

Because Nikolas meant it

They weren’t walking away without aher’s mother.

And if this was Zafira–if Nikolas sister was truly behind the doors

Then no force in this world would stop him from getting her out.

Saphira felt the same resolve settle into her bones

No matter how fast they had to move,

No matter what they Exced inside.

They were getting them out.

Together

Kaven stepped forward then, rolling her shoulders, her fingertips twijthing with

“) can try using a spell to make it safe for travel,” she offered. “Th

wouldn’t last forever, but even if it gives us a window of time when we’re harder to track, it’ll be worth it.”

Jasper smirked slightly, adjusting the daggers strapped to his belt. “And if we need speed, I can run them back–one at a time, as fast as I can.” His vampiric mature meant he could move faster than anyone else in the group. “It’s not subtle, but if it comes down to getting them out now, I’ll make sure they don’t get left behind.”

Nikolas nodded, taking in their offers, calculating, strategizing,

“We use everything we have,” he decided. “Magic, speed, strength–all of it.”

Saphira felt her pulse study at his words. Because no–this wasn’t just a rescue mission

It was a fight for freedom. And they weren’t leaving anyone behind. Not today.

“Then we have our plan,” she said, modding to Nicolas,

Nikolas met her gaze, his golden eyes unwave

with silent intesity. “Let’s go.”

But before parting, he stepped closes, his pesence grounding her in a way only he could. His fingers curled lightly around her wrist, his lorehead pressing against hers, warmth radiating between then

“Be careful,” he murmured, his voice lower now, edged with something raw. “I cannot lose you

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CHAPTER 43

Saphira exhaled, stendying hensell, absorbing the quiet vidnerability lated beteren his wonde

“I will,” she assumed him, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “You be careful toð. I don’t want to have to nece que

She winked at the last part, Injecting light into the heavy moment,

thing past the tension that

Nikolas smiled, the corner of his mouth lifting just ennigh before he leaned in, stealing a quick bits–brief but full of umpoken proscars

Then–just like that–he tuned and left with Jed, slipping into the shadones

Saphira watched him go, holding not the warmth for a moment longer

before she felt movement behind

“Come on, Sis.” Finn’s voice pulled her back, grounding het in a different way. She turned to see him standing there, his expression confiul belief unshaken.

They would pull this off.

They had to. Because failure wasn’t just unacceptable.

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