LOGINGround Zero in the AlpsThe roar of the Thorne Group’s private Gulfstream G650 jet engines thundered at 40,000 feet, cutting through the darkness of night toward Zurich, Switzerland. Inside the luxurious cabin, the atmosphere was far from calm. The cabin lights were dimmed, leaving only the glow of medical monitors connected to Liora’s body.Mavric Thorne sat beside the emergency medical bed set up in the center of the cabin. His face, usually radiating authority, now looked gaunt. Dark circles hung under his eyes, and his black shirt was disheveled, stained with sweat and dust from the battle at the Tower of London. He held Liora’s hand, which felt ice-cold, occasionally kissing her knuckles with a desperation he never showed to the world."Her body temperature has dropped again to 34 degrees Celsius, Sir," reported Dr. Aris, Mavric’s personal trusted physician who had just joined them in London. "Her nervous system is shutting down. If we do not find the antidote or the recovery
The Labyrinth of the Blood TowerA light drizzle began to dampen the ancient stones of the Tower of London, a fortress that had witnessed thousands of years of betrayal and executions. Under the cover of darkness, the shadow of the White Tower loomed like a giant watching over the River Thames. To Mavric Thorne, this place was no longer merely a historical site; it was the arena where he would retrieve his mother or end the Konstantin bloodline forever.Mavric checked his weapon magazine one last time. He wore a fitted black carbon tactical suit, designed to absorb light. Beside him, Liora stood with a gaze just as sharp. Although Mavric had insisted she stay in hiding, Liora flatly refused. She knew that only her mind could hack the ancient security systems modified by The Labyrinth."Two locations, Alex. Westminster is the bait to draw the national security forces, while the Tower of London is where they keep their valuable 'assets'," Liora whispered through the encrypted commun
The Siege of Canary WharfStrong winds blew from the direction of the River Thames, carrying the cold scent of brackish water onto the balcony of the 45th-floor penthouse. London below looked like a giant, pulsating electronic circuit, but to Mavric Thorne, every streetlight now felt like the eyes of an enemy watching him. After Eleanor was taken or "rescued" by Konstantin’s units the previous night, Canary Wharf was no longer merely a financial center; it had become a besieged fortress.Mavric stood in the central control room, staring at rows of monitors displaying the building's perimeter. He was no longer dressed casually; he wore a tactical vest beneath his black shirt, and a weapon holster was strapped to his thigh. His face, usually handsome and arrogant, was now hardened, his jaw set firmly."They have cut off our logistics access at the private dock," Sebastian Vane reported through his headset. "London police are busy with an 'emergency drill' in Westminster, which means
The Queen Mother's Subtle TrapLondon welcomed Mavric and Liora back with a thick fog that enveloped the River Thames, as if the city itself was hiding secrets behind its grandeur.After the bloody events in the Paris Catacombs, Mavric did not take Liora back to the main mansion.Instead, he rented a secret penthouse apartment in the Canary Wharf area—a glass fortress known only to a handful of his most trusted people.However, the first surprise awaited them in the living room. Sitting gracefully on the dark blue velvet sofa was Eleanor Thorne.She looked far healthier than the last time Liora had seen her. Dressed in a pearl-grey silk gown with a diamond necklace encircling her neck, she held a porcelain teacup with a perfectly steady hand."Welcome back, my children," Eleanor said, her voice soft yet carrying a cold authority.Mavric immediately positioned himself in front of Liora, his right hand instinctively reaching for the weapon hidden beneath his jacket. "How did you find th
The Labyrinth Beneath the City of LightParis may be known as the most romantic city in the world, but twenty meters deep beneath its bustling pavements lies an entirely different world. The Catacombs of Paris a network of tunnels stretching hundreds of kilometers, filled with millions of skulls became the very real labyrinth that Mavric and Liora Thorne had to navigate that night.Mavric walked ahead, holding a high-powered tactical flashlight in his left hand and a .45 caliber handgun in his right. He was no longer wearing the tuxedo from the previous evening; instead, he donned a bulletproof tactical jacket that concealed his feral side. Behind him, Liora followed with steps that were cautious yet firm. She wore body armor specially designed by Sebastian to protect her midsection without restricting her movement."Mavric, the temperature has dropped drastically here. We’ve walked nearly two kilometers past the tourist boundary," Liora whispered, her breath visible in the beam of
The Bloody Auction in ParisThe Eiffel Tower sparkled in the distance, casting reflections upon the calm surface of the Seine, yet the atmosphere inside the Hotel Particulier hosting the charity auction that night was far from peaceful. Mavric Thorne stepped out of his black limousine, wearing a bespoke tuxedo from Savile Row that perfectly accentuated his athletic build. However, the attention of all the photographers and elite guests was not focused on him, but on the woman holding his arm.Liora looked stunning in an elegant dark emerald silk gown. The dress was specially designed to conceal her slightly rounding belly from the early stages of pregnancy, yet still radiated the grace of a corporate queen. Her calm face hid a sharp intellect, a stark contrast to the socialites present merely to flaunt their jewelry."Stay close to me, Liora. Do not let go of my hand for a single second," Mavric whispered, his voice low and filled with absolute possession. His eyes constantly sca
The Devil's TransparencyThe explosion on Level 0B of Thorne Tower slowly subsided, leaving behind a pungent stench of sulfur and burnt metal. At the shattered doorway, Silas White and Miles Thorne were forced to retreat. The Nemesis Protocol activated by Liora was more than just electronic inter
Shadows of the White PhoenixThe night before the Azure Gala was supposed to be a night of calm for Liora Thorne. Yet calm was a luxury she no longer possessed. Behind the tightly locked laboratory door, Liora sat surrounded by the blue glow of dozens of holographic monitors floating in the air.
The King’s DeclarationThe storm that lashed the city overnight left the morning air damp and cool at Thorne Manor. Yet the temperature in Mavric’s private library was far more frigid. Beatrice Thorne stood in the middle of the room; her usually haughty face looked wilted, with lines of exhaustio
The Half-TruthDawn had not yet broken over the London skyline, but inside the main laboratory of Thorne Manor, the space glowed brighter than midday. Liora Thorne sat upright, her fingers dancing across a transparent keyboard with the precision of a neurosurgeon. Beside her, Mavric stood like an







