Chapter 415
Chapter 416 A Risky Midnight Escape
Lyra first feigned surprise, then nodded with evident relief.
“That’s a relief.
Finished
“There won’t be another anonymous report or someone pretending to cooperate while working against us this time, will there p>
Kael paused.
Their eyes met; both understood exactly what the other meant.
“You have my word,” he said in reassurance.
The Guide had fully broken with the Federation and chosen to side with them. There was no sense making unnecessary moves that would alienate her further.
Lyra’s eyes crinkled. “When do we leave p>
“Soon,” Kael replied.
“From here p>
Kael nodded.
Lyra’s eyes darted thoughtfully.
She asked with feigned curiosity, “Was your original plan to transfer me out of the Oversight Council p>
Kael fell silent once more.
Lyra pushed for more. “Had you mapped all of this out long ago? Timing it for when I had almost no allies around me p>
Kael grew instantly alert.
“We only intended to persuade you to join us while Core Prime was tied up by war and had no spare resources to intervene. What happened with Hadrien was never in our plans p>
Lyra held his gaze for one full second before breaking into a bright smile.
She gave his hand a light shake. “I was just asking out of curiosity. No need to be so serious p>
“I simply do not want you to misunderstand the situation,” Kael said earnestly.
Lyra nodded neutrally, offering neither agreement nor argument.
Just then, someone knocked at the door.
A moment later, Zev walked in.
Finished
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Chapter 416 A Risky Midnight Escape
He froze upon seeing their hands clasped together.
“…Sorry to interrupt.
He made to turn and leave.
Lyra let go of Kael, stood up, and walked over to catch Zev’s wrist.
She typed quickly on his Star Brain. “You are noninterrupting anything. We weren’t doing anything improper, right, Captain Vossler p>
Kael gave a quiet nod, his gaze shifting between the two of them in scrutiny.
“I will take my leave now,” Kael said.
Lyra stepped aside with a smile, making no attempt to hold him back.
Zev watched Kael walk away, wondering when the two had grown so close.
Before he could dwell on it, warm fingertips brushed across his cheek.
He looked over to find Lyra smiling softly at him, her fingers tracing gently along his skin.
“What brings you here?” Lyra typed.
Zev dropped his eyes, his gaze flickering. “I–I just wanted to check if you needed anything p>
Lyra mouthed an “oh” and nodded, her eyes sparkling/
Her fingers stroked the clean line of his jaw.
She guided him, typing one prompt at a time. “What is the third word p>
Zev looked confused for a moment, then answered. “Want p>
Lyra nodded. “And the seventh word p>
Sull puzzled, Zev answered anyway, “You p>
Lyra’s smile widened. “Put them together p>
Realization hit Zev all at once. He darted his eyes away in complete embarrassment.
Lyra chuckled, watching the tips of his ears flush bright red.
She tilted her head and pressed him. “Say it p>
Zev’s eyes darted about, lips pressed tight, unable to force the words out loud.
Lyra nuzzled against his neck, persistent, pushing him to speak those two words out loud.
Zev’s breathing grew heavy, his broad chest tensing.
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Chapter 416 Risky Midnight Escape
Lyra’s palm came to rest over his hard pectoral muscle, and she gave it a curious little squeeze.
Zev’s steady breathing shattered instantly.
He stumbled one step backward, eyes wide, staring at her in disbelief.
A hot flush of embarrassment crawled across his cheeks and down his exposed neck.
Amused by his reaction, Lyra advanced on him like a mischievous pervert.
Zev retreated again, his face burning.
He could not meet her eyes, staring nervously down at the floor.
As Lyra kept walking toward him, his own heartbeat thundered lolidly inside his ears.
Finished
Night fell, and shift change arrived.
The new guards did not take up their assigned posts. Once the previous watch had departed, they headed straight for Lyra’s door.
Knock, knock.
Lyra peeked out and glanced down the corridor.
Only a handful of isolated lamps lit the long hallway.
The men handed her a set of uniforms.
Lyra changed into the Oversight Council’s standard guard outfit and stepped out of her room.
Even the smallest available size hung loose on her frame.
That did not matter.
She fell in behind them, and the group moved quietly forward in formation.
Lyra stared at the back of the man ahead of her, silently wondering how many moles had burrowed inside the Oversight Council. The whole place leaked like a sieve.
Outside the detention building, the night sky was pitch–black.
Sparse lamps dotted the grounds, with posted guards clearly visible beneath each light.
As they kept walking, she noticed silent figures standing watch even in unlit shadowed corners.
Lyra’s pulse quickened, and she fought to keep her breathing steady as she slipped past those ghost–like
sentries
Partly due to a Guide’s natural pull over Sentinels, partly due to her noticeably smaller build, many eyes lingered on her from near and far.
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Chapter 416 Risky Midnight Escape.
Finished
Yet rules forbade guards from leaving their posts. Though suspicious, none dared stop her.
Checkpoints lay further ahead; if something seemed wrong, those sentries would call for backup.
Lyra remembered every checkpoint from her previous time inside the compound.
The men at the front of their group exchanged a few words with the posted guard and moved through naturally.
Lyra walked upright at the rear of the line, until a voice called out as expected.
“Hold on p>
Her breath caught, and she stiffened.
The checkpoint guard walked over, casting suspicious up–and–down glances over this unusually short “fellow officer p>
He never noticed the two people at the front quietly turning and approaching from behind.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.