Episode 16: Waltz with Danger
The string-synth orchestra played a soft, elegant waltz as Martins spun Zahara across the marble floor like a pro. Around them, guests clapped and smiled — completely unaware that Senator Kalu's security had locked onto Zahara's position.
Martins whispered through clenched teeth, "Okay, keep smiling. Three men in black suits coming from your left."
Zahara leaned in, lips barely moving. "How do I still look fabulous when being hunted? It's a gift."
"You're not even sweating."
"Perfume with nanobot cooling tech. It's new. Want some?"
Martins smirked. "Tempting. But I'm more focused on not getting us tased in front of billionaires."
They twirled out of the crowd and toward the side corridor just as the music hit its crescendo. Zahara fake-laughed at something Martins didn't say, flipping her hair dramatically to hide her earpiece.
In his comm, Tunde said, "Okay, I've got your exit. Service corridor, left of the sculpture that looks like someone melted a spaceship."
Martins spotted the statue — a twisted mess of chrome and light.
"Got it," he muttered, guiding Zahara there just as two guards lunged toward them.
Without missing a beat, Zahara took off her high heel and chucked it. The heel struck one guard square in the forehead.
"YEAH!" Tunde screamed through the comms. "Weaponized fashion!"
Martins tackled the second, using the momentum to push open the corridor door. They stumbled into the dim hallway, breaths heavy, laughter bubbling between them despite the danger.
"That was close," Zahara said, brushing off her dress.
"You okay?"
"I just hit a man with designer heels. I feel great."
---
Back at the base...
Sophia slammed her fist on the table. "Kalu's not just a pawn. He's one of the co-founders of Project Architect."
Lukas leaned forward. "And he's not working alone."
Tunde pulled up a blurry image from the node Zahara had seen through the senator's bracelet. "Someone was on the other end of that connection — cloaked signal, voice-masked. But they said something weird..."
He hit play.
A digitized voice echoed:
"The override is compromised. Move the heart into place."
Zahara frowned. "Move the heart? What does that mean?"
Sophia looked at her. "It means they're getting ready for something. You're not the only one they need now."
Martins folded his arms. "Then we find them before they strike."
---
Later that night...
Zahara sat on the balcony, staring up at the stars again. Martins joined her, holding two mugs of something steaming.
She took hers. "Don't tell me this is romantic tea."
"No," Martins said with a straight face. "It's tactical hydration. For emotionally-charged rooftop bonding scenes."
She laughed. "Perfect."
There was a quiet pause between them.
"You really scared me at the gala," he said finally.
"You say that like it's new."
"It is," he admitted. "I've never cared this much about someone I was assigned to protect."
Zahara looked at him, eyes soft. "You're not just protecting me, Martins. You're fighting beside me."
Their fingers touched. Then laced.
And for a brief moment in a story full of chaos, war, and secrets — it was just them.