Chapter 20: The Ikemba Fortress
The sleek black car glided through Lagos traffic with uncanny ease, guarded yet inconspicuous amid the urban chaos. Karen sat quietly, absorbing every detail—the vibrant colors of market stalls, the distant calls of street vendors, the warm buzz of a city alive with endless stories.
Joshua's expression was tight, his usual calm edged with urgency. Marie and Leslie exchanged looks, sensing the weight of the moment. Jim sat beside Karen, offering a steady presence, while Cassandra, unusually silent, stared out the window with thoughtful eyes.
At last, the car pulled into a vast compound guarded by towering walls embedded with shimmering soul energy seals — a fortress disguised as a corporate headquarters.
Rose Ikemba awaited them in the polished lobby: poised, elegant, and radiating a quiet but undeniable authority. Her sharp eyes swept over Karen, then lingered on Joshua.
"Welcome back to the real world," Rose said softly, a hint of warmth breaking through her icy exterior. "I've been expecting you."
Karen's heart fluttered with a strange mixture of awe and apprehension. This was the Ikemba legacy—power, protection, and a price she was just beginning to understand.
Rose turned to Joshua. "We will do everything to keep Karen safe from the Veil's shadow. But understand, the battle has only just begun."
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