The lab was a storm of shadows and sound. Sparks danced across the floor like fireflies on a collision course. My heart thudded in my chest, sharp, unrelenting, a drumbeat of tension that refused to fade. Fear, pride, jealousy, and fury all tangled into a knot too tight to unravel. Vordon’s hand found mine again, steady, grounding, but even that warmth couldn’t calm the surge of panic twisting through me.
“Veronica,” he hissed, jaw tight, eyes flashing with a mix of fear and pride. “It’s ready. The link is open. Are you sure you want to?”
“Yes,” I snapped, cutting him off. My voice was hard, sharper than I intended, fueled by adrenaline and the pulse of every memory I’d buried. “There’s no choice. We either end this now, or we lose everything.” Pride surged through me, bitter and sweet,
