CHAPTER 61: Lines Crossed

Shae receives a strained, long-distance call from Anden: the operation to kill Zapunyo worked, but the crew was ambushed afterward. Rohn Toro was killed. Anden and Wen survived; Anden is in shock, and Wen’s condition is uncertain. Shae arranges for Hami Tumashon to mobilize No Peak’s support at the hospital and secures a follow-up call from Anden.

Composed but shaken, Shae goes to the Kaul estate’s training hall, where Hilo is playing with Niko. She reports the success and the ambush: Zapunyo and his guards are dead, Anden and Wen are alive but hospitalized, and Rohn is dead. As Shae adds details, Hilo’s aura flares; he suddenly strikes Shae, and they clash with jade, their blows and Deflections shattering cabinets.

Ru and Niko witness the altercation. Hilo, consumed by grief and fury over Wen being endangered, yells for them to leave. After the boys retreat, Hilo breaks down and accuses Shae of crossing the one line he would never allow—risking his stone‑eye wife, whom jade cannot touch. He dismisses Shae as Weather Man, declaring she is “free.”

Shae refuses to go. She argues that Wen chose her role years ago, that Wen’s clandestine work enabled jade sales, intelligence gathering, alliances in Espenia, and ultimately Zapunyo’s death. Acknowledging her own culpability, Shae insists her actions served the clan, not against it. She urges Hilo to keep their family and allies together and reaffirms her oath to No Peak and to the Pillar.