The ride back to the Academy was quiet one. The hum of the stealth transport was the only sound. Colonel Boris sat in the corner. Glowing mana cuffs held her wrists. Her face was a cold mask of fury. No one even looked at her.
Jax leaned back, cleaning his knife slowly, in a calm way. Titus stood like a statue by the door, his big body still and strong. Draven stared at Jonah. His look was not angry anymore; it was a forced respect, learned from the recent mess.
Jonah just stared out the window, watching the rough mountains give way to rolling hills. He could feel Specter, a silent presence in the back of his mind, and the faint hum of his other Progeny resting in his Beast Space. They had walked into a trap, faced down a corrupt government agent, and won. It didn't feel like a victory, though. It just felt… finished.
Vanessa nudged him gently. "You okay?" she whispered, her eyes full of concern.
