[Jake's POV]
The return to Apex Tower was a blur of agonizing pain and cold, calculated efficiency.
Darius bypassed the main garage entirely, utilizing a subterranean service tunnel that connected directly to the tower's private freight elevators. By the time we reached the forty-second floor, my vision was swimming with dark, heavy static, and the right side of my tactical sweater was soaked through with fresh blood.
Claire was waiting at the elevator doors with the medical team.
She didn't scream or panic when she saw the blood. She had evolved past the terrified girl I had met months ago. She was a Queen of Vanguard now, and she operated with terrifying, clinical precision.
"Get him on the table," Claire ordered the medics, her voice leaving no room for argument.
