The Italian restaurant was nice but not exceptional. It was the kind of place that catered to high school students trying to impress dates without breaking the bank.Jason and Lyanna sat across from each other at a corner table, menus open between them."So what looks good to you?" Jason asked with his practiced charming smile.Lyanna scanned the menu without much interest."The pasta probably.""You should try the carbonara, I heard it's amazing here.""Sure, that's fine."The conversation had been like this since they arrived, Jason trying to engage while Lyanna gave minimal responses.She wasn't being deliberately rude but her disinterest was obvious to anyone paying attention.Jason either didn't notice or chose to ignore it."So your brother's pretty intense huh, I saw him at the school once when he picked you up, everyone was talking about it."Lyanna's expression tightened slightly."He's protective.""I bet, I mean with everything that happened to your family when you were you

Navine arrived at the downtown area three minutes after leaving the Morrison estate, his car cutting through traffic with precision born from years of tactical driving.He'd tracked Lyanna's phone to this location using the family tracking app and now he was scanning the streets looking for any sign of her.Smoke caught his attention immediately.Thick gray clouds billowing from an intersection near what looked like a restaurant, people coughing and stumbling away from the source.Navine parked and moved toward the smoke on foot.He covered his mouth and nose with his sleeve and pushed through the chemical haze until he found her.Lyanna lay unconscious on the sidewalk, her face pale, her breathing shallow.Navine dropped to his knees beside her and checked her pulse.Steady but weak.He lifted her carefully and carried her away from the smoke to clearer air.Once they were a safe distance away he laid her down on a bench and began checking for injuries.No obvious trauma, just the ef

Elena Morrison held Madison’s wrist in a firm grip, her expression calm but her eyes carrying unmistakable authority."Miss Madison, attempting to strike another student on school grounds violates multiple conduct policies."Her voice was measured and professional."Release my hand!"Madison tried to pull away but Elena's grip didn't budge."Not until you've calmed down and can behave appropriately.""Do you know who my father is?""I'm aware that your father sits on the school board, that doesn't give you permission to assault other students."Elena released Madison's wrist and stepped between her and Lyanna."All three of you will report to the principal's office immediately."The other two girls looked at each other nervously but Madison's face flushed with anger."You can't tell us what to do, you're just a teacher who got fired and crawled back because nobody else would hire you."Elena's expression didn't change."That may be your opinion but it doesn't change the fact that you

Darius sat in his hotel suite reviewing the files on Navine Garrett one final time.Every approach he'd considered involved extended surveillance, careful planning, and strategic positioning.All of which took time.Time he didn't want to waste.There was a faster way.He pulled up the background information on Elena Morrison, the woman Navine had protected multiple times, the one Corey Trump had tortured for information.She was currently working at a private academy in Newton City.The same school Navine's sister attended.Darius made a phone call."Assemble the team, we're moving now, target location is the private academy on Westbrook Avenue."He ended the call and stood.If Navine Garrett really was the War God, taking Elena Morrison would force him to respond immediately.And Darius would finally see what he was actually dealing with.At the academy Elena was teaching her fourth-period class when the fire alarm began blaring.Students looked around in confusion."Everyone remain

Navine stood at the warehouse entrance with Elena beside him as Darius's question hung in the air."Are you the War God?"Navine didn't answer.He just turned and moved Elena toward the rear exit, his hand firm on her arm.Darius tried to push himself up but his body wouldn't cooperate, the damage from Navine's strikes making movement excruciating."Wait—"Navine ignored him and kept moving.Outside the warehouse a black sedan was waiting with Marcus behind the wheel.Navine opened the rear door."Get in."Elena hesitated."Where are you taking me?""Somewhere safe, now get in.""Navine, what are you going to do?""Get in the car."His voice carried no room for argument.Elena started to protest but Navine's expression stopped her, she climbed into the back seat reluctantly."Take her to the safe house and don't leave until I call."Marcus nodded."Yes, Commander."Elena grabbed the door before Navine could close it."You're going back in there.""Yes.""Alone.""Yes.""That's not saf