The hum of tires against asphalt had become the soundtrack to my existence over the past four hours. I shifted in the passenger seat, trying to find a comfortable position as Ronan navigated the SUV through increasingly remote country roads. We'd left the main highway behind hours ago, following directions that seemed to lead us deeper into wilderness with each turn.
"Are you sure we're going the right way?" I asked, stifling a yawn. We'd set out shortly after dinner, and night had fully descended around us.
Ronan glanced over, his green eyes softening when they landed on me. "The archive isn't exactly advertised on Google Maps, but yes, we're on track. Another thirty minutes or so."
Two guard vehicles—one ahead and one behind us—provided a stark reminder that this wasn't a romantic getaway. The gravity of our mission weighed on me, even as exhaustion tugged at my consciousness.
