Night had fallen, and the ck Hummer tore down the highway.


    The weather was no ally tonight. Nortia was a tropical country, and just as they neared the airport, thunder split the sky and a violent storm broke loose.


    Visibility shrank to nearly nothing. The wipers thrashed desperately across the windshield, rain battering the ss with relentless force.


    ir eased up on the gas. The world outside dissolved into streaks of water and shadows.


    Briony''s heart pounded. Every muscle in her body was taut, strung tight with


    nerves.


    ir kept murmuring reassurances, his hand resting on hers.


    They pulled into the airport grounds.


    A heavy-duty helicopter sat on the tarmac, rotors spinning, ready and waiting for them.


    ir parked and turned to her. "Wait here a minute. I''ll go grab a raincoat. I''ll be right back."


    "Okay," Briony replied, voice thin.


    ir jumped out and dashed into the downpour.


    Two pilots waited by the chopper, their silhouettes blurred by the rain.


    ir returned, soaked but determined, raincoat in hand. He yanked open the passenger door.


    A fierce gust sent sheets of rain swirling into the Hummer.


    Briony shivered, startled by the sudden chill.


    The next moment, ir slipped the raincoat around her, cocooning her trembling frame in its warmth.


    He helped her into the coat, then swept her up in his arms, striding quickly toward the waiting helicopter.


    One of the pilots ran over to meet them.


    Once on board, ir set Briony gently into a seat.


    "We''re on the ne," he said, his voice softer than he realized.


    Briony nodded, but anxiety still flickered in her eyes. "Are we leaving right now?"


    ir buckled her in. "Yeah. We''ll get out of Nortia first. When we reach Astara, someone will be there to meet us."


    "Who?" Briony asked, gripping the armrest.


    He fastened her seatbelt. "Mr. Seven."


    Briony stared at him.


    Mr. Seven?


    She hesitated. "How does Mr. Seven know about this?"


    ir crouched in front of her, rain dripping from the brim of his cap. His gaze was steady, full of unspoken emotion. "Mr. Dney realized you''d gone missing. He reached out to Mr. Seven for help.”


    So that was it. Mr. Seven knew James-and knew how close she and James were, practically siblings. If James asked, Mr. Seven would definitely lend a hand. Suddenly, headlights sliced through the darkness.


    One of the pilots shouted, "We''ve got cars approaching fast!"


    ir''s head snapped up. "Shut the doors! Take off, now!"


    The pilot mmed the hatch shut.


    Inside the cockpit, the captain gripped the controls. The storm was raging-flying


    in weather like this was nearly blind.


    ir slid into the seat beside Briony and buckled himself in.


    Those headlights sped closer, barreling toward them.


    ir nced out the window. In the leading car, he could almost feel someone''s gaze locked onto his, a silent battle waged across the rain-soaked tarmac.


    The helicopter''s massive des


    spun harder. Just as the convo clining into the stormy sky.


    closed in, the chopper lifted off


    Briony clung to her seat as turbulence tossed the cabin.


    ir''s low, reassuring voice reached her ear. "Don''t be afraid. I''m here."


    Briony''s breath caught.


    The helicopter soared into the night, leaving the storm-wracked earth behind.


    Down below, rainshed the runway.


    Inside one of the cars, Ferdinand watched the helicopter vanish into the clouds, a cold smile curving his lips.


    So you''d gamble with the storm just to get away from me?


    He pressed his lips together, his expression icy. "Bryn, if you survive, you''lle crawling back to me eventually."


    After all, only he could cure Briony''s eyes.


    Pet


    ...


    Sanctonia Private Estate.


    Mary had been sitting in her room for hours, unable to sleep.


    Ferdinand had found out much faster than they''d hoped.


    She''d helped Briony escape, working with ir behind the scenes. Ferdinand would be furious.


    She perched on the edge of the bed, hand resting over her stomach, eyes clouded with uncertainty.


    A car pulled into the driveway.


    Mary tensed.


    Minutester, the door swung open.


    Ferdinand entered.


    Mary stood up, summoning her courage, trying to act as she always did.


    "You''re back?" she said with a bright, practiced smile. "I thought you weren''ting home tonight!"


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!