Marcus stood on the balcony of Montgomery's estate, watching the sun set over the city, as his mind worked through possible scenarios and threats. Behind him, through the glass doors, he could see Elena sitting with Leo at the dinner table teaching him how to fold a napkin into different shapes.The domestic scene made his chest ache with a longing he had not allowed himself to feel in five years. This was what the Covenant had stolen from him and what he was determined to protect now that he finally had a chance to build it.David appeared on the balcony carrying his laptop. "Sir I found something you need to see. Jonathan Sterling has been posting messages on encrypted forums used by former Covenant members. He is trying to rally support for what he is calling a purification operation.""What does that mean?"David pulled up the messages on his screen. "He is claiming that the Covenant failed because it became weak and corrupt under Victoria's leadership. He wants to rebuild the org

The convoy screamed through the early morning streets with sirens blaring and lights flashing as Marcus tried repeatedly to reach anyone at the estate. Every unanswered call sent his anxiety higher until he could barely think past the fear crushing his chest.David was on his laptop in the back seat hacking into the estate's security system remotely. "Sir I am getting into the camera feeds now. Give me a few seconds to pull up the live footage."Those seconds felt like hours as Marcus imagined all the terrible things that could be happening to Elena and Leo while he sat helpless in a speeding vehicle still miles away from them."Got it," David said, and turned the laptop so Marcus could see the screen, which showed multiple camera angles from around the estate.The feeds showed chaos and violence. Bodies of Montgomery's security guards lay scattered across the grounds. Armed men in tactical gear moved through the house carefully clearing rooms. And in the main living area, Sterling hi