LOGINJudas glanced at the document on his desk. “There’s another matter.” Christy waited. “The man you brought with you from the plaza. Jace.” Her attention sharpened. “What about him?” “He’s undergoing medical assessment.” “You said that yesterday.” “The situation hasn’t changed.” “Why is he being held in a restricted section?” “His assessment requires controlled conditions.” “He’s not a dangerous animal.” Christy said, her gaze settled upon Judas hands on the desk. “I didn’t say he was.” “Then let me see him.” Judas studied her. “Why?” The question irritated her. “Because he was part of our group.” “He wasn’t part of your original expedition.” “He helped us.” “And you barely know him.” “That doesn’t mean I should abandon him.” Judas’s fingers rested against the edge of the document. “You’re willing to risk your position here for someone you’ve known for a few days?” “I’m not asking you to release him. I’m asking to see him.” “What if I refuse?” “Then I’ll know ex
Christy found the medical worker near the infirmary entrance. He was carrying a tray of supplies, his attention fixed on the clipboard tucked beneath his arm. When he noticed her approaching, he slowed. “Can I help you?” “I’m looking for information about one of the prisoners who was brought here yesterday.” The man glanced at her identification band. “Which one?” “The man who collapsed during the transfer. He was dehydrated and barely conscious when we arrived.” “I remember him.” “How is he?” “Stable. He’s receiving fluids and has been given food.” Christy felt some of the tension leave her shoulders. “And his wife?” The medical worker looked down at his clipboard. “His wife?” “He told me she was brought here too. He was asking for her before he collapsed.” “I can’t give you information about another patient’s medical condition.” “I’m not asking for her medical condition. I want to know whether she’s here.” The man hesitated. “That information isn’t
The folder remained hidden elsewhere, but that didn't mean she could relax. She had seen how quickly suspicion spread through the compound. If they found anything that suggested she'd taken the documents, she doubted they'd politely ask her to explain herself.The soldier near the cabinet straightened."Nothing here.""Check again," the man with the clipboard said.Christy turned toward him. "You just searched the entire room.""And?""And if you intend to search it again, at least tell me what you're looking for."He finally met her eyes."Restricted documents were removed from a secured department yesterday. We're checking whether any unauthorised materials have been taken into the residential quarters."Her stomach tightened.She kept her face still."Then perhaps you should be searching the people who had access to that department.""We are.""Well, we don’t have access to that department."The soldier watched her for a moment longer, as if waiting for her to say something else, s
The knock came just as Christy finished tucking the research folder beneath the loose lining of her travel bag. Three sharp raps. She froze, her fingers still inside the bag. "Christy?" Shedrack called from the other side of the room. "I heard it." Another knock followed, louder this time. She pulled her hand free, zipped the bag, and slid it beneath the bed. The folder was no longer inside it, but she wasn't about to let anyone see where she'd hidden it. "Open the door!" a guard ordered. Christy exchanged a glance with Shedrack. He looked tired, his expression guarded. Neither of them had slept particularly well after the previous day's escape attempt, and the arrival of armed guards wasn't helping. She opened the door. Three soldiers stood outside. The one in front carried a clipboard, while the other two wore rifles across their chests. "We're conducting a security search," the first soldier said. "Step aside." "Why?" "Orders." "Whose orders?" His expression hardene
“No.” She looked away. “I just thought you’d ask questions.”“I have questions.”“Like what?”“Why you thought he was dead. Why he looked at you like seeing you was the least surprising thing that’s happened to him today.” Shedrack paused. “And whether he’s the reason you were so determined to leave this place.”Christy looked down at her hands.“Some of that is complicated.”“I figured.”She almost smiled, but the feeling disappeared before it reached her face.“I didn’t know he was here. I didn’t even know he was alive.”Shedrack’s expression softened, though he didn’t interrupt.“He hurt me,” she continued. “That’s all I want to say about it right now.”“Then that’s all we need to talk about.”She studied him for a moment.“You’re not going to ask if I still love him?”“No.”“Why not?”“Because even if you answered, it wouldn’t change what we need to do next.”The simplicity of his answer caught her off guard.He wasn’t asking her to reassure him. He wasn’t turning her past into a
“Who told you those people were being experimented on?” Christy stared at him. “Does it matter?” “Yes.” “Why? So you can make sure they don’t tell anyone else?” Shedrack touched her arm, a quiet warning to be careful. She pulled away without looking at him. Judas glanced at the movement, then returned his attention to her. “You’ve made your point. Now lower your weapon before someone makes a mistake.” “Your soldiers have already made enough mistakes.” “Christy.” There was a warning in the way he said her name. She recognised it immediately. Years ago, that tone had meant he expected her to stop arguing and listen. Sometimes she’d obeyed because she loved him. Other times, she’d fought him until neither of them could remember what the original argument had been about. She wasn’t that woman anymore. “Don’t use that tone with me.” For a moment, neither spoke. Then a man behind Christy stumbled. She turned just in time to catch him before he fell. His knees buckled beneat







