Chapter 1898

chapter1898

Mirabella stopped in her tracks when James's grip tightened on her wrist. She turned back to look at him, the clarity in her eyes slowly fading away. "What's up?" she asked.

James's gaze was intense, his brow furrowed since they'd stepped into this place. After a moment, he decided against sharing everything on his mind. Shaking his head, he said, "I was just thinking, the mechanics here are unlike anything I've ever seen..."

Mirabella stood on the stone steps, slightly leaning, listening to James's unfinished thought. She seemed to catch his drift, her eyebrows lifting a bit. "You really think I'd bring you in here just to leave you high and dry?"

Life's already a tough gig, and she's learned to value it.

James looked at Mirabella, her playful words easily throwing off the serious mood. He let out a small sigh, "Seems like I'm the one slowing us down, not knowing a thing about these contraptions."

Wyatt, following behind them, almost missed a step and nearly tumbled down the stairs. Once steady, he glanced up at James with a look that said: Keep spinning your yarns.

"Just stick with me," Mirabella said, turning to continue her ascent.

The stone staircase wasn't very long, and soon enough, they found themselves facing a grand, heavy door. The ancient carvings on it bore the marks of time's passage.

Mirabella reached up, skillfully working the central lock. With a few turns and a satisfying click, the door began to open on its own.

The Massolio family, reclusive for over a century, couldn't dodge this moment forever.

...

In the hidden chamber.

Maverick seemed to sense something, his eyes flicking open and settling on an unseen spot in the air. A mysterious smile played on his lips She's back," he murmured

His voice was soft, as though it had traveled through time and space. Beneath the lone stone platform in the middle of the chamber, a figure sat motionless, seemingly lifeless. But Maverick's words stirred them. "Given the timing, it was bound to happen," Maverick's voice echoed again.

With effort Paxton turned his head. His face was ghostly pale, lips drained of color, yet the fierce- determination in his eyes didn't waver as he stared at Maverick. "You won't succeed."

"Oh, really?" Maverick stood with an air of command in the high-tech chamber, hands clasped behind his back.

A cryptic smile crossed Maverick's face. "You probably don't know, but she's already tracked down those two meteorites."

Paxton's eyes widened in disbelief. "No way. Those meteorites were... Who are you?"

This guy seemed to know the Massolio family's secrets inside out. He must have a connection, but Paxton couldn't match him to anyone in his memory. ? ?s? ?s find?novel.net

Maverick turned slowly, directly facing Paxton, shaking his head with a soft laugh. "Who I am doesn't matter."

What matters is who he's going to become.

Paxton glared at Maverick, repeating himself, "No matter who you are, you'll never reach your goal."

The meteorites' power was mysterious and elusive, known only to Rea's mentor. No one else, not even Rea, knew how to harness it.

But Rea's mentor was long gone.