d beneath a low

usted the thin layer of tulle over her dark hair. The room was quiet. No bridal party filled th

ng carried

esc

ive lace. No glittering diamonds. No dramatic train trailing behind her.

, the deep rumble of engines v

ck armored Mayb

tment bu

ied to ope

it. A white boutonnière rested neatly against his lapel

Ciel a po

ian said smoothly, "I volunteered

elief for the first

pectful, and, most i

f her gown, and walked out of t

oor shut soft

leather back seat. Her hands rested quietly in her lap. She never checke

her through the

n her face unsettled him fa

he city disappea

oods. Thick fog drifted low through the forest, wrapping aroun

estate

ensors, and armed patrol points. The structure itself looked less like a re

stopped before a

ont door

oldier. His military buzz cut and black tactical clothing ma

. "I'm Flint Novak. General Deacon Cha

es examined

gaze withou

pected another f

calm enough to stand bef

and led

cted the pale light overhead. No flowers decorated the halls

faintly of antise

es," Flint said while walking down the central corridor. "

pped imm

N

t tu

oes to the ma

appeared betw

ioning as a medical facility. The Ge

ed direct

e said evenly. "Where my husb

econds, Flint

ce in his express

erst

l they reached a set of reinforced aco

ushed t

f medical equipme

e a massive king-sized bed po

nless at the ce

acon C

d into the

osed heavily

h, she was finally alone with the m