“Inside.”
I walk back in. The Council’s expressions are carefully neutral.
Viktor speaks. “We’ve verified the location through satellite reconnaissance. There is a disused timber plant at the coordinates you provided. Recent activity detected—vehicles, heat signatures consistent with occupation.”
I wait.
“The Council has voted,” Viktor continues. “Six to three in favor of conditional sanctuary.”
Professional assessment: acceptable odds. Personal reaction: I’m alive.
“There are terms,” Viktor says. “You’re confined to Aurora territory. No leaving without explicit authorization. Daily debriefing with the intelligence division. All movements monitored. Any violation terminates sanctuary immediately.”
“Understood.”
“You provide all documentation within twenty-four hours. If intelligence proves false or incomplete, sanctuary is revoked.”
“It’s accurate.”
“You assist in planning and executing the raid on Vex’s facility. Your expertise on security protocols and Syndicate tactics will be utilized.”
“Agreed.”
Caleb leans forward. “And you’ll have no contact with Nadia Frost until further notice.”
That hits differently than expected. Not just restriction—specific prohibition.
“Why?” I ask. Carefully neutral.
“Because her judgment regarding you needs evaluation, and we need to maintain professional boundaries while you’re being assessed. Non-negotiable.”
My dragon stirs despite suppression. Frustrated. I force discipline.
“Understood.”
“You’ll be moved from detention to restricted quarters,” Viktor says. “Level two. Monitored but with more freedom. Consider this probationary. Prove that your intelligence is valuable. Prove you can be trusted.”
Viktor stands. Others follow. Kael reaches forward and unlocks my suppression cuffs himself, our eyes meeting as he does it. The weight lifts. My fire surges back—not fully, still dampened by whatever field they’re running in this room, but present. My dragon unfurls slightly, testing boundaries.
The relief is immediate and disorienting.
“Welcome to the Aurora Collective, Commander Allon,” Viktor says. Formal. Cold. “Conditional sanctuary granted. Don’t make us regret it.”
We leave the room, and the guards escort me away from detention. Toward residential levels.
They stop at a door marked 2-14. Unlock it. “Your quarters. Meals delivered. Intelligence debriefing starts tomorrow, first thing. Don’t leave this level without authorization.”
Then they’re gone.
I step inside. The door closes. Not locked. But monitored; there’s a camera in the corner, and a sensor on the door.
Still contained. Just a better cell.
The room is functional. Bed. Desk. Chair. Small bathroom. Window.
Window.
I cross to it. The mountain range stretches beyond Aurora’s walls. It’s the first real light I’ve seen since I got here. The stars are out—full darkness now. It must be past midnight.
