CHAPTER 11: Dead Men Tell No LiesDarkness.Rowan couldn't tell if he was dead or dreaming. But his body... his body was screaming.Not in pain, at least, not the kind he was used to. This was worse. A dull buzz crawled beneath his skin like electric ants, crawling into his veins, making every muscle spasm in rebellion. He felt what seemed like an electric shock run through his body every few seconds. Every time it went through, it felt like his heart stopped. He couldn't move, he couldn't comprehend what was going with him. He was trembling. His system was silent. That’s what scared him most.Not the poison. Not the silence of the garage. But the fact that his system, his edge, his power, his truth sensor was completely, utterly gone. ‘[ERROR: SYSTEM OFFLINE. HOST CONSCIOUSNESS FRAGMENTED.]’Everything was pitch black, and slowly, Rowan lost control of his mind, feelings, and pain. Everything just went numb.****FEW HOURS LATERHis eyes flickered open. Fuzzy outlines. Flashing

CHAPTER 13: Wolves in SilkThe tension in the Stormont estate was thicker than the velvet curtains that lined the windows because of the recent break in. So Raven needed a break. Some fresh air. This wasn't how she imagined a life of wealth.She sat on the edge of the rooftop garden, in one of the luxurious buildings the stormonts owned, staring into the horizon. The city lights blinked like lazy fireflies in the dusk. She wasn’t used to this, being still. Her world had always been motion, control, combat. But lately, it was something else.Something deeper.Someone else.And then she felt it again, that lingering presence that was becoming oddly consistent.Footsteps.She didn’t look back, just adjusted her coat and waited.But prepared for anything."Beautiful view," a male voice said smoothly behind her.She turned, casually. The man was tall, lean, and dressed like the cover of a fashion magazine. White turtleneck under a dark brown coat, dark jeans, sculpted cheekbones and the kin

CHAPTER 15: A Fragile ThreadThe sun rays sliced through the Stormont estate like a golden blade, casting long, sharp shadows across the marble floors.Rowan sat in the tech chamber, his fingers digging into the armrests of the synchronization chair. ‘[SYSTEM UPDATE: TASKS ASSIGNED. TASK 1 – NEURAL COMPRESSION TUNING. TASK 2 – PULSE DECRYPTION LINKAGE. TASK 3 – SYSTEM SHIELD TRIAL. EST. TIME: 48 HOURS.]’“Three tasks, one host,” Rowan muttered. “Nothing I can’t handle.”He relaxed himself on his seat to get started.Except this time, the first task alone had him on the edge of unconsciousness.As the neural wave surged through him, his head jerked back and his teeth clenched so tightly he thought his jaw might break.“System… System override. Reduce intensity by…” ‘[DENIED. TASK MUST BE COMPLETED AT FULL INTENSITY.]’Sweat drenched his shirt. His pulse raced. But he pushed through.Meanwhile in her room, Raven groaned, slamming her fists against her bed, eyes close“I’m not

CHAPTER 17The boardroom was silent.Too silent.Rowan sat at the head of the long obsidian table, flanked by Raven to his right and a host of Stormont Corp’s board members in various shades of discomfort. The overhead lights reflected off polished glass, illuminating furrowed brows, anxious glances, and hands that fidgeted just a bit too much.“We received notice of the audit from an anonymous whistleblower,” one of the board members announced, pushing up his glasses. “No identity. Just a timed digital submission.”Rowan folded his hands, pretending to absorb the words.But he was barely listening.Because it was happening again…He could hear thoughts again.This time, it was clearer, Much clearer and it was only Raven’s. Everyone’s thoughtsClear, Sharp, Like a whisper in his own skull.**“…They’re too young. Too volatile…”****“…Wasn’t this supposed to be temporary? Why are the twins still in control?”****“…Raven’s really beautiful but terrifying. Rowan’s too cold. We should’ve s

CHAPTER 19Raven jolted upright, her heart racing, wrists aching from the tight cable ties digging into her skin. Her eyes darted around the dim warehouse, lit by a single flickering bulb overhead. She was gagged. Her hands bound behind her. Her ankles tied to the legs of the rickety chair she sat on.Second attack in less than a week.But this time... it felt planned.Coordinated.Too clean.She struggled against the restraints, breathing hard, when the door creaked open. Four men entered. One she recognized immediately, Carson Donovan.“What the hell…” she tried to scream, but the gag cut her off.“Easy,” Carson cooed, crouching in front of her with a sympathetic look that didn’t reach his eyes. “This wasn’t supposed to go this far, Raven. We didn’t want to scare you. But... well, you’re a hard woman to reach.”Behind him, Peter, Mr. Cooper, and Mr. Donovan watched silently. Each of them wore the same mask of faux concern. As if they weren’t the ones behind the whole show.Peter ste