"You've been very busy, Zayn Carter," the woman’s voice, synthesized and chillingly calm, echoed in the room. Her sleek, unfamiliar weapon hummed with latent energy, its barrel leveling at Zayn. "Too busy playing games. Now, the real negotiation begins."
Zayn’s heart hammered against his ribs. System, critical alert. Hostile entity detected: Crimson Dawn Operative, wielding experimental energy weapon. Threat level: Alpha. Recommend immediate evasive maneuvers and counter-offensive protocols. He had a choice: retreat, and risk Aria's safety once more, or stand and fight, facing an enemy whose power he could not yet comprehend. The hum of that weapon was a promise of the storm that had finally arrived.
"No negotiations," Zayn growled, his hand tightening on his pistol. He saw the cold calc
