“He has critical intelligence,” Viktor says carefully. “Information that could save lives. Prevent attacks.”
“I don’t care.”
“Nadia—”
“I said I don’t care.” She pushes off the wall. Heads for the door. “You want to give him sanctuary? You want to protect a murderer because he has useful information? Fine. That’s your choice. But I won’t stay here and watch it happen.”
“Nadia, wait—”
The door slams.
The room explodes. Half the people arguing they should refuse sanctuary. Half saying intelligence is too valuable to pass up.
“When does he arrive?” Caleb’s voice cuts through.
Viktor’s expression is grim. “Seventy-two hours. He’s traveling from the East Coast facility under protection. Secure route. Armed escort.”
“And the council’s decision?”
“We vote tomorrow. But given what he’s offering…” Viktor pauses. “It’s likely we’ll approve sanctuary.”
“Even knowing what he did?” Elena’s voice is tight.
“I don’t like it,” Viktor says. “But we’re at war. If Allon has information that saves even one life—”
“Then we’re trading Nadia’s pain for tactical advantage,” Dorian says coldly.
More arguments. More raised voices.
But all I can think about is Nadia.
The way she looked. The control it took to not shift right there in the briefing room. The trembling hands she tried to hide.
Five years of grief. Five years of mourning.
And now the man who killed her mate is coming here. Protected. Untouchable.
“We need to check on her,” I tell Kael quietly.
He nods. We slip out.
The hallway is empty. We head toward Nadia’s quarters.
She’s not there.
We check the gym. The training rooms. The armory.
All empty.
“She left,” I say. “Right after the meeting. She’s gone.”
“To hunt,” he says, immediately assessing the situation.
“Most likely.” I nod. “She has seventy-two hours before Allon reaches Aurora protection. Seventy-two hours to intercept him. To find him before he gets here.”
“We should tell Viktor—”
“And say what? That we think Nadia’s going to hunt down the man who killed her mate? Viktor already knows. That’s why he looked at her like that when he made the announcement.”
