The Chronos Shard felt alive in Max’s hand. It hummed, a low vibration that seemed to settle deep in his bones. He had wrapped it in a piece of old canvas, tucked it into an old metal box, and then hidden the box beneath a loose floorboard in the only room of the mansion that was still somewhat intact – a small, dusty storage room that had somehow escaped the worst of the fire.He sat on an overturned crate, staring at the floorboard, even though he couldn't see the box. The hum was still there, a constant, quiet thrumming in the back of his mind."You okay, boss?" Bucky's voice came from the doorway. Max hadn't heard him approach.Max jumped, startled. "Yeah, Bucky. Just thinking.""About that rock?" Bucky asked, stepping into the room. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "It was something, wasn't it? Never seen anything like it.""No," Max agreed, his voice low. "Never.""Sarai's still talking to the insurance people," Bucky continued. "Ronald's gone to check on the East

Max was sat in the dusty storage room again, the floorboard pulled up, the metal box open. The Chronos Shard lay nestled in its canvas wrapping, its faint violet light a steady pulse in the gloom. He hadn't touched it since the car incident yesterday, but its hum was a constant companion, a low thrumming that felt like a second heartbeat. He was exhausted, but his mind was sharper than ever."Okay," he whispered to the silent room, "let's try this again. But carefully."He unwrapped the shard, its smooth, cold surface inviting his touch. He didn't press his whole palm to it this time. Instead, he just let his index finger graze its edge.The jolt was there, a familiar electric tingle, but it was softer, more controlled. No overwhelming visions, no dizzying time bends. Just a clear, quiet thought that popped into his head: *Check the old ledger, the one in the safe, behind the loose brick in the study's fireplace.*Max frowned. The study was a wreck. The fireplace was mostly rubble. An

The hum was a constant presence now, a low thrumming behind Max’s eyes, a silent guide. It had led him to the old ledger, to the name "E. Thorne," and then to the car accident, saving his life. Now, it was pulling him towards "The Collector," the black-market tech dealer Bucky had mentioned."You sure about this, Max?" Bucky asked, navigating the armored sedan through a maze of dimly lit back alleys. "The Collector isn't exactly known for his friendly demeanor. And his prices... well, let's just say he charges an arm and a leg, and sometimes a few other body parts too.""We need answers, Bucky," Max replied, staring out at the grimy buildings. "And he's the only one who can tell us what that ping was, what kind of energy signature the shard gave off.""Right," Bucky grunted. "Energy signatures. Still sounds like something out of a comic book to me.""Just focus on getting us there," Max said. "And keep your eyes open. This guy deals in secrets. He probably has more than a few enemies.

"We do," Max confirmed. "And we believe it might be connected to you. Or someone you know. A relative, perhaps. E. Thorne?"The mention of "E. Thorne" hit Thorne like a physical blow. His face went pale, and the wrench clattered to the floor. "E... Eleanor? How do you know that name?""She left behind a ledger," Max explained. "With your name in it. And notes about something called 'Project Chimera'."Thorne stumbled back, collapsing onto a stool. He buried his face in his hands. "Eleanor... my sister. She was involved. She always believed me. Even when everyone else called me crazy." He looked up, his eyes filled with a mix of grief and suspicion. "This is a trick. You're trying to get me to talk. To give up her secrets.""No trick, Doctor," Max said gently. "My wife, Sarah, was also involved. She had the ledger. She was working on something. And now she's in a coma. My home burned down. I think it's all connected. And I think you know why."Thorne stared at him for a long moment, hi

"What are you talking about?" Max demanded, his voice rising."Your brother's wife, Anastasia," Thorne said, his voice barely a whisper. "She wasn't who you thought she was."Max stared at him, his mind reeling. "Anastasia? My sister-in-law? What are you saying?""Anastasia was a deep-cover Syndicate agent," Thorne revealed, his words hitting Max like a physical blow. "She was planted years ago. Her mission was to infiltrate the Lucky family. To assess your 'luck,' your family's abilities. To identify any hidden Shards or knowledge your family might possess."Max felt the blood drain from his face. "No. No, that's impossible. Anastasia... she was family. She loved my brother. She loved Magnus.""That's what they do, Max," Thorne said, his voice filled with a grim understanding. "They play the long game. They build lives, create relationships, all for their ultimate goal. She was trained to be utterly convincing. To be a part of your family, to gain your trust.""But... Magnus," Max st