Chapter 73

The Aldenrian military headquarters stood at the borderlands, a fortress of steel and secrets.

Evelyn Carter had never set foot in this heavily guarded weapons facility before. The armored convoy rolled through multiple checkpoints before stopping before a gleaming skyscraper that pierced the twilight sky.

Following Liam Blackwood's imposing figure, she entered the elevator that whisked them silently to the penthouse level. Her fingers twitched nervously against her thigh as the numbers climbed.

The conference room doors slid open to reveal two dozen uniformed figures standing at rigid attention. "General Blackwood!" they chorused as one, their voices bouncing off the glass walls.

Evelyn's eyes darted across the assembly - white lab coats mixed with military dress uniforms, technical specialists in jumpsuits, and others wearing insignias she couldn't place. The entire defense leadership seemed present.

Liam took his position at the head of the obsidian conference table without ceremony, his expression unreadable as granite.

Adrian Castillo gently guided Evelyn to an adjacent lounge. "Mrs. Blackwood, the General has urgent matters to discuss. Please make yourself comfortable." He placed a steaming cup of coffee before her.

"Thank you," Evelyn murmured, watching the door close behind him.

After scrolling through her phone for twenty minutes, restlessness took hold. Why was she waiting like some obedient pet? The thought soured in her stomach along with growing hunger.

The fading sunlight painted the compound in molten gold as Evelyn slipped outside. The sprawling base stretched before her like a small city, all concrete and steel.

Hunger gnawed at her as she wandered unfamiliar paths. Despite having visited once before, the maze of identical buildings disoriented her. Shadows lengthened between the structures.

She found herself in a deserted recreation area, the basketball court's net flapping in the evening breeze. An unnatural chill ran down her spine despite the warm air.

Fumbling for her phone, Evelyn hovered over Liam's contact. But no - he was in that important meeting. She pocketed the device with a sigh.

The rustling came from behind. Evelyn whirled around, heart hammering. Darkness had fallen quickly, transforming bushes into looming shapes.

Something was wrong. She turned to retreat when a figure detached itself from the shadows.

The attack came without warning. A powerful shove sent her crashing onto the asphalt. Cold metal pressed against her collarbone.

"Help!" The scream tore from her throat as she fought against the weight pinning her down. The knife flashed downward.

Instinct made her grab the blade. White-hot pain seared through her palms as the steel bit deep.

The assailant growled, forcing the weapon downward. Evelyn twisted desperately, but the knife found its mark - a burning line across her upper chest.

As the attacker raised the blade again, Adrian's shout cut through the night. "Halt!"

The shadowy figure hesitated, then melted into the darkness between buildings.

Evelyn lay gasping, tears mixing with blood on her shirt. The stars above blurred as her body shook uncontrollably.

Pain anchored her to consciousness. That familiar terror - the brush with death - left her soul feeling scraped raw.

Adrian's panicked face appeared above her. "Mrs. Blackwood! Stay with me!" He lifted her carefully, sprinting toward the medical wing. His arms trembled around her. "Just hold on!"

She closed her eyes, clinging to his voice like a lifeline. The world narrowed to the pounding of his footsteps and her own ragged breathing.

In the sterile medical bay, Evelyn floated in a haze of antiseptic and bandages. The adrenaline crash left her mind eerily clear, replaying the attack in vivid fragments.

Then - pounding footsteps in the corridor. The door burst open with enough force to rattle the frame.

Liam stood in the doorway, chest heaving, his usually impeccable uniform disheveled. His eyes locked onto Evelyn's with an intensity that stole her breath.