Jasmine's POV
The warning message faded fast, but the chill it left did not.
I blinked at the screen. The words — "STOP DIGGING OR YOU LOSE HER." — hovered like a threat carved in ice.
I closed my laptop with a snap that echoed in the silent planning room. Ares's fingers tightened on the keyboard, then he turned to look at me. His face was stone.
"We need to end this." he said, voice low.
I nodded. Fear still crawled under my skin. But anger… hot, fierce… covered it like armor.
"Tonightm" I whispered. "We end it tonight."
We left the operations room walking fast, nearly running. The corridor lights flickered, shadows dancing on the walls. The building felt empty… too quiet.
Ares held the keys. "We cannot trust any door to stay locked," he said. "Zara might try to escape… or strike back."
My stomach twisted. "We need witnesses. Security, IT, the board's lawyer… anyone."
He nodded. "Elias and Claire are waiting in the war-room suite. We get them, then go."
