Hell did not knock.
It never did.
The air in the rooftop twisted, folding in on itself like a wound being forced open. The sky darkened, even though the sun was still rising.
Lena felt it first.
"Asher," she whispered, "something's wrong."
"I know."
A presence pressed down on them—ancient, vast, amused.
Red light bled into the air.
AGENT VALE.
The voice had no source. No direction.
It was everywhere.
"You have deviated."
Asher stepped in front of Lena without thinking.
"I followed the contract," he said.
"You altered probability," the voice replied. "You protected an anomaly."
Lena's heart pounded. "This is about me."
"You are irrelevant," the Board said.
Asher's jaw tightened.
"You are being evaluated," the voice continued. "Your loyalty is in question."
"What happens if I fail?" Asher asked.
"Correction."
Lena grabbed his sleeve. "What does that mean?"
He didn't look at her.
"It means I stop being me."
The air thickened.
"However," the Board added, "you may yet be redeemed."
A new image appeared in the air.
A final assignment.
Lena.
COMPLETE HER DOWNFALL.
Asher's breath hitched.
"Do this," the voice said, "and you will be rewarded."
"With what?" he asked.
"Elevation. Freedom. Power."
Silence stretched.
Lena looked up at him. "You don't have to."
He met her eyes.
"I know."
The red light pulsed.
"Choose," Hell commanded.
Asher didn't answer.
But the way he tightened his grip on Lena's hand—
That was already a rebellion.