Chapter 36 Ava
Ava
The city glows beneath us.
Clean lines of light. Traffic flowing. Windows lit like nothing is wrong.
Too normal.
Too calm.
Like the world hasn’t realized it’s standing on the edge of something about to break.
“Target is here,” Jonah says in my ear.
A new set of coordinates blinks onto my tablet.
I tilt the screen, studying the layout as the helicopter banks—angles, entry points, choke points.
Luxury hotel.
Glass facade. Multiple access levels. Private summit sealed behind layers of security.
On paper, it looks tight.
It’s not.
“They’ll hit from inside,” I say.
Ronan’s gaze cuts to me. “You’re sure?”
I zoom in—service corridors, staff elevators, blind spots stitched between coverage.
“Yes.”
Because I know how this works.
Because I’ve been on the other side of it.
“They won’t risk an external breach,” I continue, tracing a path along the screen. “Too visible. Too many variables. This will be clean. Controlled. Fast.”
“Like you,” Aaron mutters.
I don’t look up.
“Exactly like me.”
The words sit heavier than I expect.
Ronan nods once. Decision made.
“Then we go in quiet.”
Ethan steps in close beside me—close enough that his shoulder brushes mine as he looks down at the screen.
“What’s your read?” he asks.
I shift the map, highlighting a narrow corridor tucked behind the main conference hall.
“Service access. Limited surveillance. That’s our entry.”
His eyes track the route once—then lift back to mine.
No hesitation.
Just trust.
“Then that’s our way in.”
The helicopter dips lower.
Closer.
Too close now to think about anything but execution.
Adrenaline kicks in—sharp and clean.
I welcome it.
Missed it.
Needed it.
Ethan leans in, voice low enough that only I hear it.
“Stay with me.”
I glance up, meeting his eyes.
A small smile pulls at my lips.
“Try and keep up.”
Something shifts in his expression—darker, sharper.
Yeah.
There it is.
Even now.
“Five minutes,” Ronan calls.
Mag checks.
Comms live.
Harnesses loosened.
We settle into position as the city rises up to meet us—
ready for war.