Elena sensed it before it happened.
Not fear—instinct.
The air shifted as she stepped beyond the inner gates, the garden quiet in a way that felt staged. Her guards walked a few paces behind, relaxed but alert, their presence familiar enough to feel safe.
Too safe.
A delivery van rolled to a stop near the outer wall. Ordinary. White. Unremarkable.
That was the problem.
Elena slowed. Her heel caught on stone—not enough to trip, but enough to buy half a second. She turned her head just as the van doors opened.
Everything happened at once.
Men moved with rehearsed precision. No shouting. No panic. One guard went down fast, controlled, silent. Another reached for his weapon and was struck from behind. Elena opened her mouth to scream and felt a cloth press against her face—sharp, chemi
