Chapter 90: Ashes And Reckoning

The mountain burned behind them, flames licked the jagged cliffs, sending black smoke spiraling into the night sky.

 The facility—Hale's stronghold—was gone, reduced to rubble by his own hand.

 But the weight in Emily's chest told her it wasn't enough.

Hale was still out there and he'd planned this.

Emily tightened her grip on the data drive, feeling the cold edges press into her palm. 

It was the only proof they had of Hale's next move. Whatever was on it, he hadn't wanted them to escape with it.

That meant it was everything, Damien exhaled sharply beside her "We need to keep moving."

Lena, still catching her breath, scanned the horizon. "We're exposed here,there could be scouts watching the perimeter."

Kade was bent over, hands on his knees, his face pale from exhaustion "Just… give me a second," he panted "I've never run so much in my life."

Emily ignored the burn in her own muscles and looked toward the valley below.