The Fifth Sector Data Repository was now silent, dark, and politically crippled. Adrian and Lila moved swiftly through the destroyed core, following the quiet path Adrian had established. The alarms were blaring outside, but the internal defense systems were offline.
Adrian didn't spare a glance for the damage. His focus was entirely on getting Lila to safety and securing the next phase of his plan.
"The Shadow Council will know this strike was in direct retaliation for the trap at the Falls," Adrian said, leading her back up the metal stairs. "They will move to their final contingency. We need to reach the Academy before they mobilize their political assets."
As they climbed, Lila felt a peculiar heat rising in her body. It wasn't the heat of the chase, the adrenaline was beginning to fade. This was deeper, a strange, internal warmth that felt both comforting and highly unsettling. She dismissed it instantly.
It must be the sheer stress, Lila thought, pressing a hand to her suddenly warm forehead. Climbing, being kissed, being poisoned, blowing up a building—anyone would have a fever.
Adrian noticed her slight stumble on the steps. He paused, gripping her arm, his silver eyes flicking down to her face.
"Are you compromised, Assistant?" he asked, his voice sharp with clinical concern. "The toxin exposure was minimal, but the stress levels were high."
"I'm fine," Lila insisted, pulling her arm back. "Just tired. And the air down here is stifling."
Adrian didn't argue. He simply changed his tactic. He didn't pull her, but he shifted his pace to match hers, his immense presence acting as a constant shield.
They reached the roof. Adrian's Beta security detail had secured the perimeter and stood ready. The moment Adrian and Lila stepped onto the roof, the Elemental Extraction Skiff immediately dropped its ramp.
Inside the sterile cabin, Adrian dismissed his guards, leaving only himself and Lila. He moved to the small, runic kitchen counter and prepared a drink.
He returned with two cups. One was a deep, dark tea, heavily scented with pine and spice. The other was a simpler cup of warm water. He handed Lila the water.
"Drink this," Adrian commanded. "The water contains a mild Beta calming agent. It will counteract the adrenaline overload and stabilize your energy."
He took a slow sip of his own tea. Lila stared at the simple glass of water. It was the first act of actual, non-manipulative care she had received from him since she was brought to this world.
She drank the water quickly. It didn't stop the internal warmth, but it did quiet the frantic beating of her heart.
"Where is Elara?" Lila asked, setting the glass down.
"Elara is safely secured at my private estate," Adrian replied, settling into a chair opposite her. "She is currently being debriefed by my medical team, not for information on the Shadow Council, but on the effects of her loyalty on her Beta energy signature. She will be compensated handsomely."
He leaned forward, placing his teacup down, his silver eyes fixed on her. "Now, we have time for the debriefing of my Asset."
"The kiss," Adrian started, his voice completely level. "Your reaction was highly instructive. The physical manifestation of your anger (the slap) indicated a profound violation of your societal norms. I have filed the report. I will not repeat the mistake."
He paused, a flicker of that dark amusement crossing his face. "However, your emotional loyalty to me during the trap was genuine. You chose to protect my data over your freedom. Why?"
Lila looked away, embarrassed by the directness of the question, and embarrassed by the sudden, distracting feeling of tingling in her fingers. It was the elemental sense, but weaker, less like a warning and more like a gentle buzz.
Just nerve fatigue, she decided, rubbing her hands together.
"It wasn't loyalty," Lila said, choosing her words carefully. "It was logic. The Shadow Council wants to use me as a political weapon. You want to use me as a research subject. You are the less chaotic variable. If you die, I get thrown into political chaos, which has a 95% chance of resulting in my death. I chose the 5% chance of survival."
Adrian listened intently, nodding slowly. "Flawless reasoning. You are an organism that prioritizes its own survival based on probability. Fascinating."
He leaned closer, his voice dropping slightly. "But you are also exhibiting signs of elevated energy. You are warm, your focus is slightly frayed, and your pheromone output is changing. What is the analysis of this physiological shift, Assistant?"
Lila blushed, pulling her jacket tighter, feeling self-conscious about the sudden, uncomfortable heat radiating from her.
"I told you, it's the stress," Lila countered quickly, avoiding his gaze. "My body is reacting to the intense adrenaline dump. It's hormonal fatigue. Maybe I need to sleep."
Adrian didn't press the point. He simply accepted her explanation, but the intense, analytical look in his silver eyes suggested he was filing away her data for later analysis.
"Very well. We are minutes from the Academy, but we will not be returning to the main campus," Adrian stated, rising from his chair.
"Where are we going?" Lila asked.
"To a secure, hidden wing," Adrian said, retrieving a final, specialized magical device from the panel. "Your identity and status have been compromised. We are going to a place where only my most trusted scientific personnel are allowed. I am putting you into Deep Isolation."
Adrian stepped toward her. Lila felt a sudden rush of warmth and panic, a mixture of fear and that strange, underlying biological hum. She was about to be sealed away entirely, alone with the terrifying, now slightly amused, True Blood Alpha.
"I need to run one final, critical test on your unique energy signature, Assistant," Adrian said, his silver gaze intense. "A test that requires absolute privacy and control."