The touch of glass

ChapterThree

Eliora Dante said, his voice terrifyingly calm. You're five hundred miles outside your jurisdiction.

I don't have a jurisdiction anymore, Dante,Eliora said softly, descending the curved timber staircase with slow, measured steps. Her heels clicked sharply against the dark hardwood. Not since Apex burned my clearance and made me a ghost. Just like your little scientist here.

Eliora stopped at the bottom step, her sharp eyes drifting past Dante to land on Aria. A faint, cold smile touched her lips.I must admit, Aria, playing dead suited you. For three weeks, I actually believed you died in that Zurich vault. Elena tapped the side of her encrypted datapad. Until Dante started moving private liquid assets through Zurich shell accounts. He always leaves a trail when he tries to protect something he considers his.

Aria felt her stomach drop. She stepped out from behind Dante's shoulder, her fingers tightening around his hand. You set the fire in Zurich. You killed my team.I cleaned up a liability,Eliora corrected smoothly, stepping closer. "And right now, you two are holding the only piece of synthesis data left on Earth. The board at Apex wants the formula. They don't care if I bring it back in a glass vial or from your memory banks.

Dante's arm barred Aria's chest, shutting down any forward movement. She isn't giving you anything. And you're not leaving this mountain alive.Eliora laughed a short, dry sound that lacked any real humor. Look around you, Dante. You built this fortress to keep out armies, but you gave the master override keys to your inner circle five years ago. Who do you think handed me the passcodes to your thermal dead-zones?

Dante went entirely still. The firelight flickered across his face, revealing a fraction of a second of raw, unadulterated shock before his mask hardened into steel.Marcus,Dante growled, his jaw clenching.

Your chief of security, Elena confirmed, her eyes gleaming. He sold you out two hours ago. Apex bought his silence, and he bought me entry into your sanctuary.

Before Dante could respond, the heavy glass doors of the upper balcony shattered inward. Cold mountain wind swept into the grand hall, sending snow swirling around the fireplace.

Four heavily armed operatives dropped from the rafters, their laser sights sweeping the room in thin, crimson lines. Red dots danced across Dante's chest and centered squarely on Aria's forehead.

Hand over the drive with the synthesis sequence, Dante, Elena commanded, holding out her hand. Or I let them take her apart right here in front of you.

Aria looked up at Dante. There was no fear in his eyes only a dark, violent flame that burned brighter than the hearth beside them. He looked down at her, his pale eyes searching hers for a single heartbeat.

Do you trust me?he whispered, his voice so low only she could hear it beneath the howling wind.

With my life, Aria breathed back.

Dante reached inside his heavy coat, slowly pulling out a dark, metallic cylinder the secondary encrypted drive containing the core research. He held it up in the ambient firelight, catching Elena's hungry gaze.

You want the formula? Dante said, his tone dripping with lethal grace. Take it.

Instead of tossing it to Eliora, Dante hurled the cylinder straight into the roaring stone fireplace.

No! Elena screamed, lunging forward.

In that split second of total chaos, Dante grabbed Aria by the waist and threw both of their bodies backward, tackling her over the edge of the low stone hearth as the first volley of silenced gunfire ripped through the air above their heads.