The sun had only begun to rise across the edge of the horizon when Ava stepped back through the iron gates of the Reed estate.
Her hair was still damp from the motel shower, tied into a loose bun that spoke more of exhaustion than elegance. She didn't greet the guards. Didn't ask if Pearl was awake. Didn't glance toward the east wing where Eleanor and Selena typically worked through breakfast briefs.
She walked in silence, her boots trailing faint flecks of dirt across the gleaming marble foyer.
Straight to her room.
She didn't bother to change. She tossed her hoodie onto the floor, let her body collapse backwards onto the mattress, and stared at the ceiling for just long enough to feel the thud of her heartbeat begin to slow. Then darkness. No dreams. No thoughts. Just escape.
The sound that pulled her back was deafening.
Rotor blades. Sirens.
She blinked awake to flashing red and blue lights dancing across her ceiling.
Adrenaline surged before her feet even hit the floor.
