The Blackbird glided across the midnight waters like a ghost.
It was sleek, dark, and deadly—part luxury yacht, part surveillance fortress. Hidden in international waters and untraceable by satellite. The kind of place that didn't exist unless you knew exactly where to look.
Lucien had been here before.
Too many times.
Aria hadn't.
She stood at the edge of the landing platform as the drone-boat docked. The air smelled of sea salt and secrets. Her eyes swept the ship's angular silhouette, where digital camouflage shimmered against the night sky.
"You trust her?" she asked quietly.
Lucien adjusted the shoulder holster beneath his black coat.
"I trust her to always want the upper hand. That's why she's still alive."
The door opened with a hiss. A woman stepped out.
Sable.
Tall. Lithe. Wearing black combat boots and a midnight blue jumpsuit that hugged her like sin. Short silver hair swept back. Dark skin. Icy eyes that missed nothing.
And the moment she saw Aria, those eyes sharpened like blades.
"Well," Sable said. "So this is the girl who's getting you shot at."
Lucien stepped forward. "We need your help."
"You always do." She turned, already walking. "Come inside. Try not to bleed on my floors."
---
The interior of the Blackbird was all obsidian glass and low lighting—part tech haven, part high-security vault. Screens lined the walls, each showing a different encrypted feed. Aria caught glimpses of black site blueprints, drone schematics, and—
Was that her face?
Tracked. Tagged. Circled in red.
She stiffened.
Sable noticed.
"Don't take it personally," she said smoothly. "I've got files on every threat I can't buy, bribe, or bury. You made the list last year."
Lucien watched the tension stretch between the two women like a drawn wire.
"We found K-0X," he said.
Sable paused.
"And he's alive?"
"Barely," Aria said. "But Stroud has him."
Sable's lips twisted into a humorless smile. "Of course he does. That bastard always liked his puppets perfect."
She walked to a console and tapped in a few commands. The screen changed.
A grainy lab video flickered to life. K-0X strapped to a table. Eyes empty. A name burned into the corner:
> ASSET: K-0X
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: NEUTRALIZE ARIA QUINN
Aria froze.
Lucien's hand clenched at his side.
"Stroud's reprogrammed him," Sable said. "He's not just holding K-0X hostage—he's turned him into a weapon. One with your name on it."
Aria swallowed hard.
She remembered that boy. Not a killer. Not this.
"We have to stop him," she whispered.
Lucien stepped beside her, voice like steel.
"We will."
But Sable's eyes narrowed. "You're risking everything for her. That's not like you, Lucien."
Lucien didn't look away. "Maybe I've changed."
Sable laughed softly. "No. You've just finally found something you're willing to lose for."
The silence that followed was raw and real.
Then Sable turned away, typing rapidly. "I'll give you everything I have on Orion's location. But when this is over—if you survive—don't come back to me with regret. I won't take you a second time."
Lucien didn't respond.
But Aria's hand brushed his.
And she knew: whatever came next, they were in this together now.