STARLIGHT UNBOUND by Deus Ex Machina - HTML preview

STARLIGHT UNBOUND

Lucien took the weapon, tucking it into his jacket. It felt foreign, unnatural. But he didn ’t argue.

Lyra holstered her own without hesitation, then glanced at him. “Don’t overthink it. It’s a tool. Like your tech.” Her voice lowered slightly. “You use it when you need to.”

Her words were meant to reassure him.

Instead, they made his stomach flip.

***

In the back room, Lyra adjusted the straps of her gear bag, methodically checking the supplies.

Lucien fastened his wrist device, slipping a small data drive into his pocket.

Lyra glanced at him. “You ready?”

His voice was calm. Steady. “Not really. But that doesn’t matter, does it?”

Her lips quirked into a small, knowing smile. “No. It doesn’t.”

She reached out, fingers brushing his arm. “Whatever happens out there— we finish this.”

He nodded, his hand covering hers before they both turned toward the door.

***

Lucien ’s heart pounded as he followed Lyra and Corin through the narrow alley leading to the facility ’s side entrance.

Jaris ’s voice crackled through the comm in his ear. “You’re clear for now. No sign of Stewards near your entry point.”

Lyra glanced over her shoulder, her voice low but steady. “Keep moving. We’re on borrowed time.”

The facility loomed ahead, its sleek metallic walls reflecting the night sky like a dark mirror.

Lucien adjusted the pack slung over his shoulder and knelt before the small maintenance door, fingers flying over the device’s interface. The lock’s status bars began to progress on the screen, each second stretching unbearably long.

Behind him, Corin shifted, scanning the alley. “Tick tock, Lucien.”

“Just... give me a second,” Lucien whispered.

The device beeped. The lock disengaged with a soft click.

He stepped back as Lyra pushed the door open. “We’re in.”

The three slipped inside, the door sealing quietly behind them.

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