Neon City’s streets blurred as Ava and Jace sprinted from the downed drone, the implant at Ava’s neck pulsing like a beacon. The woman’s voice—cold, familiar—rang in Ava’s mind, stirring memories of her childhood mentor, Professor Mara Holt, who’d taught her to chase truth. Was Mara tied to the Order? Assassins’ footsteps echoed, and Ava’s heightened senses caught their scent—metal and malice. Jace’s hand gripped hers, his touch electric, fueling her resolve.

“Keep moving,” Jace said, pulling her into a subway tunnel. His eyes scanned the dark, and Ava felt his heat, her implant amplifying desire despite the danger. “Lena’s lab is underground. We’re close.”

Ava’s breath hitched, her body hyper-aware of him. “You trust this Lena?”

“With my life,” Jace said, his voice rough. “She’s ex-Order, like me.” His gaze dropped to her lips, and Ava’s pulse surged, craving him even now.

The tunnel’s shadows parted, revealing a hidden door. Inside, a lab hummed with screens and vials, and a woman—mid-30s, sharp-eyed, with cropped blonde hair—greeted them. “Jace, you’re late,” Lena said, then eyed Ava. “This the journalist?”

“Ava Reed,” Ava said, her implant flaring under Lena’s scrutiny. “Can you kill this thing?”

Lena scanned the implant, her face grim. “It’s neural tech, bonded to your nervous system. Removing it could kill you. But I can jam its signal—for now.” Her hands worked fast, attaching electrodes, but Ava’s senses locked onto Jace, standing close, his hand on her shoulder. The implant made every touch a spark, and she leaned into him, their lips brushing in a quick, hungry kiss. His fingers tightened, sliding to her neck, and Ava gasped, desire pooling hot and fierce.

Lena cleared her throat. “Focus, lovebirds.” But her smile was knowing.

The jammer activated, dulling the implant’s pulse, but an alarm blared—Order assassins had breached the tunnel. Lena grabbed a rifle, and Jace drew his pistol, but Ava’s senses caught a familiar scent—Mara. The door exploded, and Mara Holt stepped in, her eyes cold, a glowing device in her hand. “Ava, you were always too curious,” she said, raising the device. Did it control Ava’s implant, and could she fight her mentor before it consumed her?

Cliffhanger: Does Mara’s device control Ava’s implant, and can she resist her mentor’s betrayal?

Chapter 3: Pulse of Danger

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