chapter357

Mount Gemspire was every bit as magical as its name made it sound. Hidden deep in the wildest part of the Triangle, it was a mountain rumored to be stacked with rare treasures. Technically, it was in northern Laos, surrounded by tricky terrain and rising anywhere from fifteen hundred to three thousand meters above sea level.

Potato let out a thoughtful hum. "I heard some big shot bought Mount Gemspire three years ago. They've got guards everywhere now, keeping an eye on all the herbs. Getting in isn't going to be as easy as it used to be."

The first time Lydia had gone to Mount Gemspire, it was still run by the local powers. She'd already broken in twice with her team back then. But ever since it was sold, she hadn't set foot there again.

People in that place only cared about money. No one bothered with favors or friendships. Lydia barely knew the new owner, and if she was turned away, then she'd just have to fight her way in again. It wouldn't be her first time. Places like this were all about survival, and she was used to that.

The helicopter's engine was getting louder by the minute, rotors spinning faster until wind and dust whipped all around them.

Lydia settled by the window and watched the city lights glitter beneath them. For a brief moment, it almost felt peaceful.

Her phone suddenly buzzed in her pocket. She glanced at the screen. Connor. She'd forgotten to text him.

She didn't want him worrying, so she ignored the call and waited for the buzzing to stop. Then she sent a quick message. [Don't worry. I'm just out running an errand.]

Connor saw her text and felt a bit better. At least she wasn't hiding anything from him.

[Where are you? What are you doing?] he replied.

He was still anxious, sensing that Lydia was up to something unusual tonight.

Lydia paused, then texted back, [Heading to the Triangle, just looking for an herb. It's nothing major, really. Relax.]

Since she wouldn't be back until the following night, she figured it was easier to just tell him now. Otherwise, he'd freak out when he couldn't reach her tomorrow.

As soon as Connor read her last message, his heart rate spiked. She was going to the Triangle? Did she really understand what kind of place that was? People disappeared there. It didn't matter how tough Lydia was. You couldn't just stroll in and expect to walk out.

Twelve hours later, they finally reached the Triangle.

The pilot's navigation was set for Mount Gemspire.

But as they started their descent, the ground below filled with soldiers in black tactical gear. Guns were pointed right at them, a wall of suspicion and firepower.

Potato let out a low whistle. "Wow. This is intense."

Sweet Potato, his partner, grinned. "If we even think about aiming back, they'll turn us into Swiss cheese."

Lydia shot Potato a look. "Can you ever just be quiet?"

Potato just laughed and leaned out, yelling to the soldiers below, "Hey, we're with Lydora! We're not here to cause trouble!"

Lydia technically had her own base

in the Triangle, but she barely checked in. It mostly just had her name on it, because honestly she was always too busy to manage herself.

She hadn't told anyone at Lydora she'd be coming this time. She just wanted to grab

the herb and go. No need to make a big deal out of it.

The soldiers on the ground hesitated when they heard Lydora, but none of them lowered their guns.

Potato huffed. Lydia, these guys are seriously rude. Why didn't we call our own people first?"

In the Triangle, it was all about who had more bodies and bigger weapons. That was how you got respect.

Lydia kept her eyes on the crowd below. "Just land."

They hadn't fired yet, which meant they were willing to give them a chance.

As the helicopter dropped lower, the soldiers came into sharper focus Lydia did a quick count in her head There were at least twenty ofthem, all ready for anything.