THE SHADOW AGENT

Chapter 1: Echoes of the Past Maxwell’s POV The scent of blood, metal, and oil filled the warehouse. I saw the arms merchants below quarrel in thick Czech while crouching on the rafters. Between them, on the table, was a sleek black box, silver hair shining in the hanging lights. I had that case. A voice in my earpiece said, "Nova, you're live." I touched my temple with a finger. "Copy." One of the sentries shifted. I accelerated. Like a shadow, I fell from the ceiling and landed behind him. With a swift blow to the neck, he fell softly. I moved stealthily, keeping to myself, taking deliberate steps. There were two guards, three dealers, and one target: former KGB agent Anton Veskov, who now sells next-generation missile codes. He had the flash drive with him. I took out a smoke pellet and spread it on the ground. Boom. Yells. Perplexity. Leaping forward, I pushed one guard out of the way and grabbed the case off the table. As I raced, gunfire burst behind me. Glass shattered all around me as I tumbled across the alleyway roof after jumping through the window. I gripped the case and exhaled, "Target secured." However, my burner buzzed in my pocket before I could move again. Unknown figure. Only a message. They are aware of your identity. My blood froze. I glanced behind me. Nothing. No footsteps. Don't chase. However, someone was aware. The curtain had been pulled. I had changed by the time I entered the Blackwood Global skyscraper. Maxwell Blackwood is a multimillionaire. CEO: Pioneer. Charcoal suit with a tailored fit. Square pocket. No sign of Nova. My helper, Evie, smiled and stepped down next to me, saying, "Mr. Blackwood, the boardroom is full." Everyone is anticipating the announcement from VANTA. I gave a calm nod. "Let's perform for them." Cameras rolled and flashed inside the boardroom. With a hunger for figures, investors leaned forward. Everyone is watching me. I said, "Good morning," in a firm voice. We are on the brink of something new today. VANTA is adaptable intelligence, not merely artificial intelligence. Defence, security, and worldwide reaction. In real time. Courteous cheers. From the other side of the table, my COO, Dylan, gave it a thumbs up. I looked at the screen behind me, where the animation of the VANTA core was softly pulsing. It was lovely. Strong. And it would be disastrous if it fell into the wrong hands. My phone vibrated once more as I was leaving the room. They are aware of your identity. The same message. The same figure. No name. Someone was taunting me. When I entered my apartment, it was silent. Too silent. Before the motion sensor detected me, the lights flickered once. I didn't switch on the soft jazz that was playing over the speakers. I stopped in the hallway. Then I noticed it. The body. In my beloved leather chair, I fell asleep. Wide-open eyes. The head was c****d to one side. Lau Reggie. My former dealer in guns. Dead. I hurried over to check his pulse. Chilly. I took a step back and noticed that his hand was gushing blood; something had been drawn on the wooden floor by his fingers. Four red and jagged words: Nova, you're next. I froze when I lookd at it. Raced to the security panel after that. No more footage. A neat sweep. This individual was quick, cruel, and intimate. They wanted to do more than just frighten me. Their goal was to expose me. I picked up garbage bags, gloves, and bleach. My thoughts were racing. I was unable to contact the police. The police don't come to Nova. With my pulse pounding, I rolled Reggie's body onto a tarp. I had previously done this. Not in years, though. Sweat ran down my back as I pulled him toward the elevator. This cannot be taking place right now. Not while I'm being watched by the board. Not with Lara— Ding. The elevator swung open. I raised my head. And stopped. She was standing there wearing a grey blouse, black slacks, and a holstered badge. Her look met mine. Time paused. She opened her mouth. "Hi, Nova." My throat shut. "Lara," I said in a whisper. She took a step forward. The atmosphere between us became electrified. Even though her face was colder and her hair was shorter, I could recognise that voice anywhere. I whispered, "You're dead." "You—They informed me—" She disregarded me. Her look fell to the corpse at my feet. "I see you're still cleaning up messes." My chest constricted. "This isn't what it appears to be." "Isn't it?" Her eyes blazed. Because it appears to me that Nova is still alive. Still killing. And continuing to lie. I declared, "I'm not that man anymore." "I abandoned everything." "Really?" she inquired quietly. "So why was there a message in your house from Spectre?" I went cold. "Hold on—You are aware of Spectre?" Her face wavered—surprise, even regret. "Max, I know everything," she declared. "So you know I didn't kill him." "It's not important," she stated. "You remain a danger." "Lara—" She held up her badge. Blackwood, Maxwell. You are being investigated for kill, conspiracy, and espionage. I took a step back. "Avoid running," she said. "Never again." I glanced at Reggie's body below. On her rifle in her hand. And understood that I couldn't get away with lying. I did not attempt at all. "I'm no longer Nova," I said. She lookd at me. "You never stopped being him," they said. Between us, the elevator doors slid closed. I was also trapped.