Chapter 25: Breaking Point

The mountain mansion rose from the early mist like a modernist fantasy, with glass walls and sharp angles set on the outskirts of nature. Rory killed the Audi's engine half a mile away, allowing him to study the situation more clearly.

"Three teams of hostiles," she reported quietly. "Tactical gear with military accuracy. These aren't the typical syndicate thugs."

"Private contractors." Max's voice was tense in her earpiece. "Elites. Watch out for—"

"Body armor, infrared, probably sonic weapons." She smiled grimly. "Good thing I'm not exactly human anymore."

The formula pulsed through her blood as she moved through the trees, each sense razor-sharp. She noticed monitoring equipment and evaded it, approaching through the property's blind spot.

"Sofia and Lucas?"

"Still secure in the panic room." Keys clicked as Max worked remotely. "I can use supplementary power to create a diversion. Give me a window."

"Wait for my signal." Rory had reached the house's outer edge. "And Max?" If everything go wrong—"

"It won't." His conviction reassured her. "You are the most exceptional person I have ever encountered, augmented or not. "Bring our family home."

We are a family. The words warmed her chest as she got ready to move.

The first guard didn't see her coming. Her increased speed allowed her to become almost invisible as she incapacitated him, her movements precise and controlled. The second managed a surprised yell before collapsing into unconsciousness alongside his comrade.

"Now, Max."

The home's systems went haywire. Alarms blared, sprinklers activated, and security lights flashed in random patterns. In the hubbub, Rory slid inside.

In the main hall, she confronted three mercenaries armed with sonic weapons. A normal human would have been incapacitated by the high frequency bombardment. Rory pushed through it, allowing the augmentation to take the impact. Her counterattack left them sprawled across marble floors.

"East wing is clear," she breathed. "How many between me and the panic room?"

"Four. What about Rory? They're putting together something bigger. The energy readings are—"

Static surged across the communication system. Max's voice was replaced with one recognizable to him.

"Impressive work, little phoenix." Valentin's velvety voice made her skin crawl. "But predictable."

"Get off this channel."

"I'm trying to help you. Max isn't what you expect. What's the enhancement formula? He tried it on children before you. "Ask him about Project Nursery."

Rory's stomach constricted. "You're lying."

"Am I? Inspect his secure servers. Section P: clearance omega. The truth concerning your precious protector—"

More static, and Max returned. "Rory? "What happened?"

Valentin's words echoed in her mind, causing her to hesitate. "Signal interference. "I am fine."

The panic room door loomed ahead, protected by the remaining mercenaries. They carried powerful weaponry, experimental technology that alerted her augmented senses to danger.

"Max, I require a diversion. "Something huge."

"On it." A pause. "Rory... whatever Valentin said—"

"Later." She could not cope with doubts just now. "Just help me save them."

The house's environmental systems all overloaded at the same time. Oxygen sensors sounded fire alarms. Temperature controls went haywire. The mercenaries' focus was split for critical seconds.

Rory moved.

The conflict was harsh, with increased strength meeting military expertise. She took hits that would have killed an ordinary person and persevered through pain that should have been unbearable. When calm returned, she stood alone.

The panic room opened to reveal her palm print. Sofia held Lucas close, both pale but uninjured.

"Rory!" Lucas launched himself at her. She caught him one-armed, inhaling his familiar aroma.

"Time to go, pequeño." She guided them to the exit, keeping her senses on alert for potential attacks. "Max has transport waiting—"

A gunshot passed by her ear. She pivoted, pushing Lucas behind her, to see Valentin emerge from the shadows.

"Did you check those servers yet?" He pointed his weapon toward Lucas. "Or do you need more motivation?"

"Don't." Rory's voice lowered dangerously.

"Project Nursery." Twenty-three children. "Ask Max how many survived the enhancement process." Valentin's smile was razor-sharp. "Ask him why he really keeps Lucas hidden."

Sofia became rigid. Lucas whimpered.

"You are running out of time, tiny Phoenix. The syndicate is moving tonight. "Either you help me stop Max or—"

The house's glass walls exploded inwards. Max stood in the wreckage, helicopter buzzing behind him and rifle trained on Valentin.

"Get away from my family."

Valentin laughed. "Family? Tell her the truth about Lucas. Regarding the tests—"

Max fired. Valentin dove for cover and returned bullets. Sofia yanked Lucas toward the chopper as the commotion ensued.

Rory moved to follow, but Valentin's voice was heard above the shooting. "Server logs do not lie. "See for yourself!"

She paused, caught between flight and explanations. She paid the price for being distracted at that moment.

Pain flared in her shoulder, like an electrical round, interrupting the augmentation. Her muscles seized. Through blurred vision, she saw Lucas break free from Sofia and rush back to help.

"No!"

Time slowed. Valentin swung his rifle toward the youngster. Max charged forward, too far to intervene. Rory's body responded instinctively, enhancing his ability to fight through immobility.

She got to Lucas just as Valentin opened fire. The impact threw them both backwards. When her vision cleared, Lucas was safe in her arms, and Max was carrying Valentin away from the ledge where he had fallen.

"It's over," Max grumbled.

"Is it?" Valentin smiled with blood on his teeth. "Show her the files." "Watch everything crumble."

Max's expression stiffened. He struck Valentin once, precisely, knocking him unconscious.

The helicopter flight was stressful. Lucas held to Rory as Sofia treated her wound. Max piloted silently, his jaw tense.

"Project Nursery," Rory finally announced. "Was he telling the truth?"

Max tightened his grip on the controls. "Not here. "Not in front of Lucas."

"When?"

"Tonight. "I will show you everything." He looked into the reflection and met her gaze. "No more secrets."

Rory stared down at Lucas, recalling Valentin's statement regarding concealed tests and survival rates. The boy's little hand touched hers, trusting and innocent. Her heart hurt at the weight of the decisions ahead.

Her phone vibrated with a message from Valentin, just before she destroyed his weapon.

Server access codes are attached. See the truth for yourself. You have till midnight to pick whose side you are actually on.

The coast appeared ahead, and their cliffside hideaway awaited. But safety seemed further distant than ever.

Tonight, she would find out what kind of man she had married. Tonight she'd find out if love could withstand truth.

Tonight, everything would change.