The Iron Protocol⁦(❤⁩

​The cold wind of the military zone bit through Mirana’s thin jacket, but she didn’t care. Her fingers, though trembling, were steady on the camera. Through the viewfinder, the world was different—sharper, more honest. ​Click. ​She captured the silhouette of the watchtower against the bleeding sunset. This was the forbidden zone, the heart of the "Iron Protocol." One more shot, and she could afford the medicine for her sister. ​Suddenly, the silence was shattered by the heavy thud of combat boots. ​"Drop it. Now." ​The voice wasn't a request; it was a physical weight that made the air feel thin. Mirana froze. She didn't drop the camera—it was her life. She slowly turned around, her emerald eyes meeting a pair of icy blue ones that seemed to pierce right through her soul. ​Captain William stood there, a shadow carved from granite. His black uniform was spotless, his expression unreadable, and his hand was resting dangerously close to his holster. ​"Do you know where you are, little bird?" William stepped into her personal space, the scent of cold rain and leather surrounding her. ​Mirana swallowed hard, but she didn't look down. She forced a small, defiant smile. "I'm in a place that has a lot to hide, Captain. And I have the lens that sees it all." ​William’s jaw tightened. He reached out, his gloved hand gripping her waist firmly, pulling her closer until she could feel the heat radiating from him despite the freezing air. ​"Then you just made the biggest mistake of your life," he whispered, his voice a low growl against her ear. "Because under the Protocol, what I find... I keep." The interrogation room was stripping away Mirana’s courage. It was cold, smelling of ozone and metal. William sat across from her, his presence dominating the small space. He had placed her camera on the table between them—the only thing separating his world from hers. "Name," he commanded, leanng back, his eyes tracking every breath she took. "Mirana Angelos," she replied, her voice steady despite the racing of her heart. "And I want my camera back. I haven't broken any laws." William let out a dry, mirthless laugh. He leaned forward, crossing his arms on the table. "In this city, Mirana, I am the law. And that camera contains images of a high-security sector. That’s espionage. The penalty is... severe." He stood up and walked around the table, stopping right behind her chair. He didn't touch her, but she could feel the heat of his body. "But I’ve been looking at your other photos. You have a gift for finding things that are meant to stay hidden." He leaned down, his lips inches from her ear. "I have enemies, Mirana. Rats hiding in the shadows of my own command. My soldiers are too loud, too visible. But a girl with a camera? No one suspects the photographer." Mirana felt a shiver run down her spine. "You want me to spy for you?" "I want you to be my eyes," William whispered, his hand finally resting on her shoulder, his grip firm but strangely protective. "Do this, and your father gets the best doctors. Your sister gets her medicine. Refuse... and you disappear." Mirana looked at her camera, then up at him. The deal was signed in steel. "I guess I don't have a choice, do I, Captain?" A slow, dangerous smirk played on William's lips. "Under my protocol, choice is a luxury you can no longer afford."