CHAPTER 6
Agent Nova's (Lara) Point of View
The night felt too quiet.
After everything that had happened—the chase, the hotel, Vesper—
This silence didn't feel peaceful.
It felt wrong.
We got back to the hotel after grabbing something quick to eat. Nothing fancy. Just enough to survive.
I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at my phone.
Blank screen.
No messages.
No updates.
That's not normal.
Raven always sent something.
Even if it was coded.
Even if it was just one word.
Something.
I stood up, ignoring the slight pain in my ankle, and walked toward the window.
The street outside looked empty.
Too empty.
Are we being watched?
A knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts.
Three knocks.
Slow.
Controlled.
Him.
I opened the door.
Vesper stood there, leaning casually against the frame like he had nothing better to do.
"Can I come in?" he asked.
"You're already halfway inside."
He smirked and walked in anyway.
Of course.
"What do you want?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"Information."
"Then ask."
He didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he walked around the room, checking corners, windows, even the ceiling.
Paranoid much?
Or—
Careful.
"There's a leak," he said finally.
My heart dropped.
"What?"
"Someone knew where you were in the hospital."
"That could be a guess."
"It wasn't.
His tone was calm.
Too calm.
"They came prepared," he continued. "Multiple vehicles. Timed entry. No hesitation."
I felt a chill run down my spine.
That means…
"They knew I would be there," I whispered.
"Exactly."
Silence.
Heavy.
Dangerous.
"So, what are you saying?" I asked slowly.
"That someone inside the system is feeding them information."
No.
"No, that's not possible," I said quickly. "Raven wouldn't—"
"I didn't say it was her."
"But it's someone," he replied.
My mind raced.
Handler.
School staff.
Students.
Onyx—
No.
I stopped myself.
Don't go there.
"Until we know who it is," Vesper said, "we trust no one."
His eyes met mine.
"Not even your former precious partner."
My jaw tightened.
"Don't call him that."
A small smile appeared on his face.
"Touchy."
"I trust him," I said firmly.
"Then that's your first mistake."
Before I could respond—
My phone buzzed.
Both of us froze.
I looked down.
Unknown number.
A message.
Just one line.
"Library. Tomorrow. Come alone."
My heart skipped.
Onyx.
It had to be.
I looked up at Vesper.
He had already seen it.
"Don't go," he said immediately.
"I have to."
"It could be a trap."
"It could also be him."
"And if it's not?" he challenged.
Silence.
What if it's not…
What if—
No.
I shook my head.
"I'm going."
"Of course you are," he muttered.
***
The next day—
Andrew High looked exactly the same.
Students laughing.
Teachers teaching.
Everything… normal.
Too normal.
I walked toward the library.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
My heart wouldn't stop racing.
Why am I nervous?
I've faced worse.
Much worse.
The library door creaked open.
Empty.
Silent.
Just like yesterday.
I stepped inside.
"Onyx?" I called softly.
No response.
I walked further in.
Rows of books.
Shadows stretching across the floor.
And then—
A voice.
Behind me.
"Right on time."
I turned.
Relief hit me instantly.
"Onyx—"
But the word died in my throat.
Because it wasn't him.
The person standing there smiled.
Cold.
Familiar.
Wrong.
My blood ran cold.
No…
"That's not possible," I whispered.
"But it is," the figure said.
And then—
They stepped closer.
Enough for me to see their face clearly.
My breath stopped.
My world tilted.
Because the person standing in front of me—
Was someone I trusted.
"Surprised?" they asked softly.
I couldn't move.
Couldn't think.
Couldn't breathe.
Because in that moment—
I realized something terrifying.
We were never hunting the enemy.
The enemy was already among us.