The holding cell smelled of rust, stale copper, and the undeniable stench of subterranean dampness. Seraphina Vance was thrown onto the cold concrete floor with a bone-jarring thud. Her shoulders screamed in protest, the muscles torn and bruised from her brutal fight in the arena, but she refused to

"Move."

The command was a low, dangerous growl, barely audible over the harsh scrape of Seraphina’s boots against the concrete. Kaelen had holstered his weapon, but his face was a mask of furious denial. He grabbed her by the arm, dragging her out of the holding cell and down a long, dimly lit corr

The metallic echo of Julian Croft’s voice hung in the air, a venomous symphony that paralyzed the control room.

Kaelen Thorne stood frozen, his hand hovering over the locked console. His breath hitched, the icy realization clawing its way up his throat. He punched the override keys, his movements