The warehouse fire had barely cooled when Celeste found herself in the sterile hum of the city's Fire Investigation Unit. Her gear still smelled like smoke, but her focus burned sharper than ever. She wasn't just here as a firefighter—she was hunting answers.

The investigator slid a file across the table. "We pulled this from debris near the east exit. Unique ignition pattern. Purposeful."

Celeste opened the folder—and froze.

A jagged symbol burned into the metal scrap stared back at her: a spiral flame mark. The same one she'd seen etched into photos from the Vassar Mill fire. The same one tied to every family-linked arson.

"It's a calling card," the investigator confirmed. "We've seen it before. Whoever left this wanted you to know."

Celeste's jaw tightened. "Wanted me?"

The investigator hesitated. "Your family's been involved in too many incidents for this to be random. This... feels personal."

That evening, she sat alone in the station's dim gear room, turning the photo of the spiral mark over in her gloved hands. Her chest felt tight, as if the fire she'd just fought was still smoldering inside her.

"Deep in thought?"

Rafe's voice pulled her back. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching her carefully.

"I think we've been looking at this all wrong," she said, standing. "The arsonist isn't just targeting Vassar properties. They're leaving messages. For me."

Rafe stepped closer. "Then maybe it's time we start answering back."

Celeste shook her head. "Not until I know who's behind this. I won't risk another life on a hunch."

Rafe studied her for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Alright. We do this your way. But you're not doing it alone."

Their eyes locked, the weight of unspoken promises between them. For the first time, the hunt felt less like an investigation—and more like a war they were about to fight together.

Because whoever left that mark wasn't just starting fires.

They were starting one inside her.

Next chapter in 2 days – stay tuned!