The federal safe house was a nondescript building in a quiet residential neighborhood that resembled every other house on the street. Agent Torres pulled the SUV into the garage and closed the door behind them before anyone emerged from the vehicle.Inside the house, the atmosphere was surprisingly comfortable, with modern furniture and equipment that suggested it was used regularly for protecting witnesses and assets. David was already there with his laptops set up on a dining room table and Elena sat nearby holding sleeping Leo in her arms.Elena's face flooded with relief when she saw Marcus walk through the door. "Thank God you are alive. I watched the news coverage of the explosions and I was terrified that you might have been caught in one of them."Marcus went to her and gently touched Leo's sleeping face with his fingertips. "I am okay. We stopped the explosions before more buildings could be destroyed but the cost was still too high. Too many people died tonight because of de

The Covenant soldiers threw Marcus into the back of an armored transport vehicle with enough force that he slammed against the metal wall and felt pain shoot through his already injured shoulder. His hands were still zip-tied behind his back making it impossible to brace himself as the vehicle lurched into motion.Two guards sat across from him with weapons trained on his chest ready to shoot at the first sign of resistance. Marcus studied them carefully noting their body language and equipment looking for any weakness he could exploit when the opportunity arose."Where are you taking me?" Marcus asked even though he did not expect an honest answer.One of the guards smiled coldly. "Somewhere you will never be found. The Covenant has facilities all over this country where people disappear and no one ever asks questions about what happened to them.""You really think you are on the winning side? Victoria is using you just like she uses everyone else. Once you are no longer useful to he