The vial was smaller than my thumb. Eight weeks ago, something like it had nearly decided the rest of my life. Now it sat inside a clear evidence bag on Roman's kitchen table. I did not touch it. Elena set the hotel physician's notes beside it.

"Before anyone gets e

Roman's command room had no dramatic map covered in red pins. It had a table, six chairs, three locked screens, and men who stopped talking when I walked in. I preferred the map. At least maps did not look offended by my existence.

Roman pulled out the chair beside him

Elena found the engagement announcement at 9:14 the next morning. I was eating cereal in Roman's kitchen when she sent it. Six months old. One photograph. One paragraph.

Bianca Vale stood under white flowers in a pale gold dress, smiling at Cole Mercer while he held a