LOCATION: Abandoned Vairo Safehouse, Coastal Region – 7:43 a.m.

STATUS: Unknown surveillance perimeter. Ember and Lucien in hiding.

The windows were boarded shut.

The salt air stung like truth.

Ember stood shirtless in front of the bathroom mirror, the scar under her jaw still raw and red. Her hands trembled not from pain.

From rage.

Not at Beta.

At herself.

"You let her walk," she whispered to her reflection. "You had the shot."

Lucien leaned in the doorway, arms crossed. ...