Julian stood there, the encrypted coordinates for Mara’s Andean sanctuary downloaded to his device, his mind already calculating trajectories, logistics. The Andes await. His hand still instinctively went to his Seal of the Guardian, its deep blue-green light a fragile beacon against the encroaching shadow. And so does the truth.
"Julian?"
Liam's voice, usually a cheerful rumble, was a thin, reedy whisper that cut through Julian's profound focus, pulling him back from the distant mountains. Julian turned, his gaze snapping from the holographic map to his friend. Liam stood just inside the Nexus Control Room entrance, his face ashen, starkly pale beneath the harsh overhead lighting. His usually neat hair was dishevelled, his smart suit rumpled, as if he had slept in it. Dark circles bruis
