“Your allies have less than five minutes before the bunker is overrun.”Adrian stared into the endless white.Five minutes.Elias was outside fighting men who wanted House Vale buried forever. Vanessa had already been kidnapped once tonight. Lucian might be an ally, a traitor, or something between the two.And Adrian was trapped inside a trial.“End it,” he said.Ghost answered immediately.“The First Crown Trial cannot be terminated without failure.”“I didn’t say terminate it.”Adrian looked toward the fading image of the First Guardian.“I said end it.”The Guardian studied him.“How?”“You said this trial measures judgment.”“Yes.”“Nathaniel said a king is the person forced to choose who suffers.”The Guardian remained silent.Adrian stepped forward.“So stop showing me dead cities and asking philosophical questions.”His voice hardened.“Give me the decision.”The white void trembled.For several seconds, nothing happened.Then the Guardian smiled.“Very well.”The world changed

“Your father was still inside.” Elena’s voice faded into static. Vanessa kept the pistol trained on Seraphina. Adrian didn’t move. Neither did Seraphina. The abandoned station suddenly felt smaller. “Put the gun down,” Adrian said. Vanessa looked at him. “She killed your father.” “I said put it down.” After a moment, Vanessa lowered the weapon. Adrian kept his eyes on Seraphina. “Now you.” Seraphina’s expression remained composed, but her hands had tightened at her sides. “Explain.” “There is nothing I can say that will make what happened simple.” “Good.” Adrian stepped closer. “I’m tired of simple answers.” Ghost projected the historical record above the open case. CROWN CHAMBER EXECUTION SYSTEM ACTIVATED: 23:43:07 AUTHORIZED USER: SERAPHINA VALE Adrian read it once. “Did you activate it?” “Yes.” Vanessa inhaled sharply. “Was Alexander inside?” “Yes.” “Did you know?” Seraphina met Adrian’s eyes. “Yes.” Three answers.

“But you missed forty-eight.”Cassian’s voice disappeared.The station fell silent.Adrian stared at the map.Almost a third of his newly awakened Transport network had turned black.Twenty-three vehicles.Four warehouses.Two underground stations.Three logistics hubs.And something beneath Blackthorn Tower that Ghost could no longer identify.Adrian had held the First Crown for less than an hour.Someone was already stealing it from him.Vanessa broke the silence.“So let me make sure I understand.”She pointed toward the map.“Your supposedly dead relative just stole part of your secret empire and claims your supposedly dead mother is alive.”Adrian looked at her.“That appears accurate.”“And this is considered a normal night for your family?”“I found out I had this family tonight.”“Fair.”Seraphina wasn't listening.She stared at the black circle on the screen.“Cassian.”Adrian turned toward her.“Start talking.”She remained silent.“Thirty-one years ago,” Adrian continued, “

“Yours.” Adrian stared at Ghost. The word should have been simple. It wasn't. “Explain.” Ghost’s face remained on the damaged station monitor. “An encrypted memory partition exists within your historical medical archive.” “My medical archive?” “Correct.” “Why would my memories be stored in a computer?” Ghost hesitated. That hesitation was becoming something Adrian hated. “Answer.” “Because they were removed.” Vanessa slowly lowered the pistol. “Removed?” Adrian didn't look at her. “From me?” “Yes.” The station seemed to become colder. Adrian had spent eighteen years beli

DO NOT TRUST YOUR MOTHER. Adrian stared at the message. Twenty minutes ago, Elena Vale had been the dead mother he barely remembered. Then she became the woman who had survived. Then a scientist whose research had changed his mind. Now a stranger from his erased childhood was warning him against her. Vanessa read the message over his shoulder. “Your family really hates trust.” Adrian almost laughed. Almost. “Ghost. Arrival time?” “Six minutes, forty-one seconds.” “Can you communicate with the vehicle?” “Yes.” “Open a channel.” “Connection refused.” Adrian frowned. “By whom?” “Passenger.” Seraphina stepped toward the map. “She wants to control the meeting.” “Then she remembers me.” “Or she knows who you became.” Cassian remained visible on the small device. “Do not meet her alone.” Adrian looked at him. “You're giving me advice now?” “I’m trying to keep you alive.” “You stole a third of my division.” “I quarantined it.” “You hid my mother.” “To keep you a