Tarquin pressed his lips together, his eyes burning with a mix of pride and hate.

    His parents had given their lives because of the real Gen-8 virus.

    They died saving their people.

    That made him proud-damn proud.

    But thinking about those foreign powers who plotted against them made his blood

    boil with rage.

    Stepping out of the Lucian family''s mansion, Tarquin paused at the front gate and stared straight into the security camera.

    "If you want the real Gen-8 virus,e and get it," he said, his voice cold. "Let''s talk face-to-face, if you''ve got the guts."

    This was meant for the mysterious watcher. Tarquin was sure the guy was keeping tabs on Lucian''s ce.

    He''d yed defense for too long. It was time to go on the attack-not just to take down the shadowy enemy, but to blow their whole operation sky-high.

    Anyone who hurt his country deserved to pay.

    Outside, Tarquin found Axel leaning against the car, arms crossed. Axel didn''t say much he never did-but he shot Tarquin a look, clearly picking up on his mood.

    Tarquin stood next to him, tempted to pull out a cigarette. He stopped himself, remembering how much Elysia hated the smell.

    With his hands shoved in his pockets, Tarquin stared at the street and asked, "If you found out someone close to you betrayed you, would you ever forgive them?" Axel''s reply was icy. "Never. Showing mercy to an enemy is cruelty to yourself.”

    Tarquin narrowed his eyes at Axel, then smirked. "You''re right."

    With a deep breath, Tarquin opened the car door and slid into the driver''s seat. He called over, "Hop in. Lucian doesn''t need watching tonight. Go home, get some rest. Tomorrow,e ski with us."

    "Skiing?" Axel raised an eyebrow. "What about Sabrina Stevenson and Zane? We''re just letting them go?"

    Tarquin shook his head. "If we''re always hovering, they''ll never make a move. Let''s back off, give them room. Don''t worry-I''ve got it covered."

    Axel nodded. "Alright."

    When Tarquin got home, Elysia was still awake, propped up in bed, studying her grandmother''s old notes. Medicine wasn''t her passion, but she''d promised her grandma she''d learn, and she meant to keep her word.

    She''d actually been learning a lottely.

    Seeing Tarquine in, she closed her notebook and asked, "You''re homete. Did you eat?"

    "Yeah, grabbed a bite."

    He sat on the bed and kissed her. "Kids and your folks asleep?"

    "Out like lights."

    "Why aren''t you sleeping?"

    "Couldn''t. Figured I''d read Grandma''s notes. Oh, by the way, Old Mr. Stevenson -Victor-arrived in Jindale City."

    "Yeah, he got in this afternoon."

    Elysia looked worried. "What''s the n with the antidote? I heard Sabrina and

    everyone from the Medical & Pharmaceutical Association are infected."

    Tarquin shrugged. "Don''t stress. There''s an antidote, nobody''s dying."

    "But how are you getting it to them?"

    “Benjamin Lawson will handle it. Trust me, no one''s going to suspect your grandma or you."

    Elysia let out a sigh of relief.

    "One more thing-did you see the

    news about Zane and Winona?

    Winona totally wrecked Zane,

    Gand

    now Prisci is threatening to press

    charges against her."

    Tarquin grinned—he actually enjoyed hearing that. He couldn''t stand Zane.

    He snorted, "Let her try. If she does,

    the cops will go for her son first. They''ve got no proof it was Winona. Don@worry, Zane''s not that stupid. He won''t let his mom sue

    Then something clicked. Tarquin turned to Elysia and asked, "Wait-how''d you

    hear about Zane getting taken down? Did Winona tell you herself?"