The ride to Sector 12 was quiet.
Kael and Aelina sat in the back of a black armored vehicle, both in tactical gear. Outside, the city passed in blurs of neon and shadow. Inside, tension simmered just below the surface.
Aelina broke the silence. "Five people died because we hesitated."
Kael's hands flexed on his knees. "No. Five people died because Graye escalated this. Because he's done waiting."
"He was never waiting. He was playing. And now he's winning."
Kael turned his head, met her eyes. "Not for long."
They arrived at the ruins of the safehouse. Smoke curled into the dawn sky. The building was scorched and half-collapsed. Emergency lights flickered.
Kael stepped out first, followed by Aelina. His team was already securing the perimeter.
"Any survivors?" Aelina asked one of the agents.
The woman shook her head grimly. "None. But we found this."
She handed over a small charred device. Kael examined it.
"Encrypted tracker. Embedded in one of our outgoing data relays. That's how they found the location."
Aelina frowned. "So we've got a mole?"
Kael nodded slowly. "And now we know where to dig."
Hours later, back at Kael's private command center, they traced the breach to one name: Lieutenant Aven Ryse — part of internal logistics. Trusted. Quiet. Smart.
Too smart.
Kael slammed a fist on the desk. "I vouched for him."
Aelina placed a hand on his shoulder. "And now we use him."
Kael's eyes darkened. "You mean turn him?"
"No. We feed him false intel. Let him think he's winning while we twist the knife."
Kael stared at her for a moment, and something softened in his gaze. "That's why I need you."
"You need someone who can lie well?"
"No." He reached for her hand. "Someone who reminds me I'm not the monster he wants me to be."
That night, Aelina stood on the balcony outside Kael's room, watching the city. Her arms were folded, the wind pulling strands of her hair across her face.
Kael joined her, quiet for a long while.
Finally, he asked, "Do you regret it?"
She glanced at him. "Regret what?"
"Coming into my world."
She exhaled. "I've lived on the edge for years, Kael. I've just never had someone willing to fall with me."
He stepped behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"I'm not falling," he whispered against her ear. "I'm choosing. There's a difference."
Aelina leaned back into him, her voice softer. "Then choose me again."
He turned her gently, kissed her with slow intensity. It wasn't desperate. It was grounding. A promise.
They moved inside, the balcony door left ajar as the night wind drifted in.
Kael peeled off her shirt, fingers tracing her skin like he was relearning it. She tugged his belt free, pulling him down on top of her.
The world faded as they came together—this time not out of urgency, but connection. Trust. Maybe even hope.
After, tangled in sheets, she rested her head on his chest.
"I used to think I couldn't belong anywhere," she whispered.
Kael brushed her back. "You belong here. With me."
"I don't want to be a weapon anymore."
"You never were."
She looked up at him. "Then what am I?"
He smiled, rare and real. "You're the one thing I'd fight the world to protect."
The next morning brought fresh chaos.
Aven Ryse had disappeared.
The bait they'd set was gone. The trail was cold.
Kael stood in the war room, fury barely restrained.
Aelina entered, holding a sealed envelope. "This arrived anonymously."
He took it, ripped it open. Inside was a photo.
Aelina, unconscious. In a cell. Bloody.
Kael's hands shook.
She took the photo, confused. "But I'm right here—"
There was a second image. Zoomed. Time-stamped for the next day.
A threat.
Kael looked at her. "They're planning to take you."
She squared her shoulders. "Then let them try."
He shook his head. "No. We don't let them try. We burn them first."
She smiled coldly. "Now you're thinking like me."
Kael pulled her close. "We end this. Together."