The darkness didn’t last long.
A second later, the emergency lights exploded back on, flashing a harsh crimson across the lab. My heart slammed against my ribs. Every instinct screamed danger.
That voice.
I knew it.
But that was impossible.
Vordon’s grip tightened around my hand. I felt the tension in his fingers, the silent fear he refused to say aloud.
“Veronica,” he said under his breath, “tell me you know who that was.”
I didn’t answer. Because I did.
And the truth felt like a blade sliding into my chest.
Across the room, Marcus slowly straightened from the console he had been crouched behind. The shock on his face was real this time. No arrogance. No smug control. Just raw confusion.
“You heard that too,” he muttered.
Dante’s amused expression had vanished as well. His shar
