Page 147 of Ranger's Wildflower

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Like he’s dragging the moment out.

Like he wants us closer.

I step in—

One more pace.

And that’s when I see it.

The blood.

Too much of it.

But not from the shot.

From something else—

Something tucked against his side.

“Back—!” I start.

Too late.

Daniel moves.

Fast.

Faster than he should be able to.

His hand jerks—

A small device hits the ground between us.

Flash.

Smoke explodes outward—

Blinding.

Burning.

“MOVE!” I shout, grabbing Tessa and yanking her back as chaos erupts again.

Gunfire snaps—

Blind shots.

Disoriented.

“Where is he?!” Beast growls.

“Lost visual!” Trigger shouts.

The smoke thickens, swallowing everything.

“Thermal’s scrambled!” Blaze curses through the comms. “I can’t see him—he’s gone—”

Gone.

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