ens gre

buildings like a warning meant for anyone who understood the language of danger. Elar

olice," Nikola

g in his tone made it obvious-this w

are they?"

he replied. "And men who are very co

tened her more than t

y and pulled his phone from his poc

ment for defiance. The glass doors slid shut behind them as Nikolai crossed

ss only for my people. If anyone gets pa

omach

ssion had shifted-still controlled, but sharpe

pointing toward the hallwa

said imm

hed. "This is

She stopped herself, breath

"Elara, listen to me carefully. If you ste

"I already stepped into it the mom

moment

ed slowly. "Stay w

't perm

compr

his palm against it. The surface slid open silently, r

a st

entirely. The sleek black metal, the precise organization, the casual familiarity with whi

an pretending t

man who liv

ed?" she as

es

the t

es

"Because of men like

everyone,"

vy impact echoed f

ched. "Wha

reached t

s time. Raised voices. Then a sharp

at Nikolai.

es

tricted. "Peop

d die whether I was here or not. The d

ic was

rifying

gain. He answered

"They're forcing the west stairwell. Heavy

under his brea

o m

urned to Elara. "They'r

d in her ears.

mo

corridor behind the living area. The lights dimmed automatically as t

n a door that revealed a narrow

room?" sh

ing lik

shut behind them with a heavy click. The room was smaller, utilitarian-scree

d armed men flood into the lobby bel

your men,"

d grimly. "They'r

ho

eone who thinks I'

losion rocked

r trembled beneath her fee

, pulling her against him, h

said sharply.

her harder t

d to steady her breathing. She could feel his h

afraid," s

ed. "I just don't

ion echoed, cl

looking up at him. "This i

tightene

pressed. "They wouldn't come this hard

dn't

s answe

everage," sh

gaze darke

M

es

tled heavily

o take me from yo

ned imperceptib

akers-gunfire, much closer now. O

vel," Elara said, f

weapons locker inside the room. "Stay beh

ight. "You're goi

es

ght get

" he agre

if yo

back to hers. "

're talking like this

came for war. I'm bett

shuddered

uffled shout echoed

're in here,"

positioning himself between

ding gre

id urgently. "Let me

N

buckled

re ex

uid and precise. Elara ducked instinctively, coveri

blu

hes. The sme

-sil

slowly, breathing control

you h

, stunned. "You...

es

his answer sent a

in-closer now. Di

ds into his phone. "Clean it up. I wa

Elara, his expre

ges things

he asked

continued, "they

d. "And what does

s voice. "It means you're no l

eath c

r my guard,"

erence w

errif

rotection

ng nev