Chapter 11 

Clara returned to the city.

The streets were filled with soldiers.

Her mother’s house was empty.

On the table lay a note.

Bring the Cross confession.

Clara knew what it meant.

They wanted the letter.

She found the hidden compartment beneath her mother’s bed.

Inside was the original confession.

Signed by General Cross.

It named every corrupt officer.

Every foreign agent.

Every secret payment.

And one final name.

Gideon Vance.

Clara stared.

Her father was listed as a collaborator.

She couldn’t breathe.

Had everything been a lie?

Julian appeared behind her.

She turned.

He was covered in blood.

But alive.

“Julian.”

He looked at the letter.

“You found it.”

“You knew?”

“No.”

“Then why is my father named?”

Julian took the document.

He read the final paragraph.

Then his expression changed.

“Clara.”

“What?”

“This isn’t a confession.”

“What is it?”

“A warning.”

He pointed to the final line.

Gideon Vance was forced to cooperate because his daughter was already marked for death.

Clara felt dizzy.

“Me?”

Julian nodded.

“The conspiracy began before you were born.”

A gunshot shattered the window.

Julian pushed Clara down.

Soldiers stormed the house.

He grabbed her hand.

“Run.”

They escaped through the back.

Outside, Marcus waited with horses.

“Commander!”

Julian climbed on.

“Where’s Gideon?”

Marcus shook his head.

“Missing.”

“And Eleanor?”

“Also missing.”

Clara looked at Julian.

“We’re losing everyone.”

Julian reached for her hand.

“No.”

He looked into her eyes.

“Not you.”

Then he gave her his father’s ring.

“I promised your father I’d protect you.”

Clara stared at the ring.

“What did he ask you?”

Julian’s eyes darkened.

“He asked me to make a choice.”

“What choice?”

Julian looked toward the burning city.

“Whether to save the country…”

He paused.

“…or save the woman I love.”