“Find everything you needed?” Martin asked, already returning attention to his datapad.
“Exactly what Varix requested. Thank you for your assistance.”
The walk back to their rendezvous point felt endless, every shadow potentially hiding discovery, every sound threatening exposure. But Tess and Kael waited exactly where he’d left them, tension radiating from their forms as they monitored the empty corridor.
“Any problems?” Tess whispered as he approached.
“Clean extraction.” Korran felt some of his anxiety ease at her obvious relief. “Two vials secured for analysis.”
Kael’s excitement was barely contained. “This could be the breakthrough we need.”
They moved together quickly toward the facility’s main exit, their footsteps echoing softly in the empty space. Korran’s bear remained alert, cataloging potential threats, but the building seemed completely deserted at this late hour.
Then voices drifted from the lobby ahead—a low, heated discussion that made Korran’s blood freeze in his veins.
He recognized both speakers immediately: Varix’s clinical tones and Malvek’s measured authority. The head councilor’s presence here after hours struck Korran as deeply suspicious, but before he could process the implications fully, they rounded the final corner and found themselves face-to-face with both men.
Malvek’s grey eyes sharpened as he took in their small group, his political instincts immediately assessing the situation. Varix looked distinctly uncomfortable, his pale features drawn with what might have been guilt or simple exhaustion.
“Prince Korran,” Malvek’s voice carried its usual controlled authority, though Korran detected underlying tension. “What keeps you here so late?”
Korran’s mind raced through possible explanations, settling on the most plausible cover story. “We lost track of timereviewing data. Then Dr. Holt requested a tour of the facilities, and I thought it better to accommodate her when the building was empty.”
Varix’s pale blue eyes studied them with uncomfortable intensity. “Rather late for all that, isn’t it?”
“Hospitality doesn’t follow conventional schedules,” Korran replied smoothly, letting his alpha presence fill the space. “We were just leaving.”
Malvek’s gaze shifted to Tess, and something calculating flickered in those cold depths that made Korran’s protective instincts flare. “Hopefully this little investigation is progressing efficiently. We can’t afford prolonged distractions from your father’s duties.”
Tess’s jaw tightened at the dismissive tone, but she remained silent—a restraint Korran appreciated given the delicate nature of their situation. The last thing they needed was confrontation that might draw unwanted attention to their true activities.
She’s learning to navigate clan politics. Good.
“Speaking of my father,” Korran interjected, “when is his next immunity booster scheduled?”
“Tomorrow, actually,” Varix answered, his clinical demeanor reasserting itself. “We’ve decided to administer it a few days early. His condition has been declining more rapidly, and he needs the therapeutic boost.”
The timing sent alarm bells through Korran’s consciousness. If their suspicions about the boosters proved correct, advancing the treatment schedule could accelerate whatever damage was being done. But he couldn’t voice those concerns without proof.
“Of course. We should return to the estate immediately.”
Malvek nodded curtly. “Naturally.”
Korran guided his small group toward the exit with carefully controlled urgency. Every step felt measured, calculated to avoid suspicion while moving them away from potential discovery.The cold night air hit them like a slap as they emerged from the building’s warmth. Korran’s breath formed crystalline clouds in the frigid atmosphere, but the chill felt like freedom after the claustrophobic tension of the lobby encounter.
As they approached his SUV across the nearly empty parking lot, Korran reached into his jacket and withdrew the stolen vials. The glass containers felt impossibly heavy in his palm—two small objects that might hold the key to his father’s salvation or damnation.
“Here,” he murmured. “Keep these secure during the drive.”
Her fingers brushed against his as she accepted the vials, and the mate bond flared with shared determination. Whatever those containers revealed, they would face the truth together.
THIRTEEN
TESS
The twin moons cast ethereal silver light across the parking lot as Tess clutched the stolen vials against her chest. She turned instinctively, watching Kael approach his modest vehicle to ensure he got inside safely.
“Thank you for tonight,” she called softly, her breath forming crystalline clouds in the frigid air. “I know you’re taking a huge risk helping us with this.”
