Chapter 79 · No Second Warning

"Put the gun down, Warden. That's a direct order."

Lucas kept the barrel aimed at the three men blocking the tower door.

Vale black. Vale armor. The same silver crest stamped at their throats.

His father's soldiers had come to drag them out before the tower could broadcast Nora's testimony.

"I heard you," Lucas said. "I don't take Vale orders anymore."

The lead guard raised his weapon. "Your father signed the purge command. Step aside, and you walk out alive."

Lucas's finger tightened against the trigger. "And her?"

"She doesn't leave this tower."

Behind him, Evelyn's fingers dug into the cracked control panel.

"That's the part where you tell him to go to hell," she said.

Lucas glanced back.

Her face had gone pale. Blood streaked one sleeve, and a thin cut split her lower lip. The red emergency light caught on the wet edge of it.

He wanted to touch it.

Instead, he shifted his aim half an inch.

"You heard her," he said. "Go to hell."

The guard's jaw flexed. "You'd point a weapon at your own command for a wanted terrorist?"

"Don't call me that."

"Why not? It fits."

Evelyn's voice dropped.