The silence of the Old Foundry was a heavy, artificial thing. Two days after the Aegis-1 had painted the harbor in white phosphorus, the world outside was still screaming for answers. On the television in the corner of the medical bay, news anchors were frantically spinning the unprecedented atmospheric anomaly that had saved the capital from an invisible strike.Kadmiel sat on the edge of the bed, his torso wrapped in heavy medical gauze. Every breath felt like a serrated blade was being drawn across his ribs, but he didn't show it. The stillness of the prison cell had taught him how to bury pain until it was nothing more than a tactical data point."You should be lying down," Bella said, walking in with a tray of clean bandages. She looked different. The polished, corporate armor of the CEO’s daughter had cracked. She was wearing one of his old tactical shirts, her hair tied back in a messy knot."I've spent enough time lying down, Bella," Kadmiel said, his voice a low gravel. He lo