e rest of the compound. The lights flickered overhead,

xactly. But she knew how to navigate systems of people, of information, of silence. She'd

se waited. One no one touched. One Emil

ulling a thin tool from her boot, and slipping it bet

ner transfer file dated two weeks

gers ti

already in motio

rint. The signature at

beth

cou

basin. The woman who stared back looked tired. Not weak. Not br

burn scar ran along her jaw. Raphael had neve

d. Not to the scar. Not t

t unsettled

man he used to be. She want

le like that. Monsters

r eyes and br

rattled

," sh

er boots quiet. "

ened. "What ki

e document down without a word

. "This says he was de

"And Elizabeth s

s mind

d been planted. Surrendered. Not

ge. A b

tr