Chapter 5 5

The windows shattered inward.

Ropes dropped. Men in black tactical gear rappelled into the ballroom. They moved with a fluidity that made the private security look like amateurs.

Within seconds, every armed man in the room was face down on the carpet, zip-tied.

The double doors opened again.

General Mullins walked in.

He was a mountain of a man in a dress uniform. Four stars on his shoulder. His face was a map of old scars.

Gasper Davidson stumbled down the stairs. He was sweating profusely, the effects of the gas making him wobble.

"General!" Gasper shouted. "Thank God. This terrorist attacked us! He used a biological weapon!"

Mullins stopped. He looked at Gasper.

"Silence," Mullins barked.

He walked past Gasper. He walked past the sobbing Chelsea. He walked straight to Gideon.

Gideon stood next to Celestia. He had his hands in his pockets. He looked relaxed.

Celestia stepped in front of him. Her voice was shaking, but her chin was up.

"General," she said. "He is my employee. He was acting in self-defense."

Mullins looked at her. Then he looked at Gideon.

His eyes fell on Gideon's left hand, specifically the ring on his ring finger. It was a simple band of black iron. But etched into the metal was a tiny symbol. A wolf's head with three eyes. The Shura.

Mullins's eyes widened. His spine snapped straight, the muscles in his neck cording with sudden tension. His right hand twitched upward, a reflex honed by decades of service, beginning to form a salute.

Gideon locked eyes with him. He gave a barely perceptible shake of his head.

Mullins froze. He caught the motion mid-air. He awkwardly turned the salute into a gesture of smoothing his lapel, clearing his throat loudly to cover the lapse.

He turned to Gasper.

"Who fired the first shot?" Mullins asked.

"It was him!" Gasper pointed at Gideon.

"Ballistics will tell us," Mullins said coldly. "But I see automatic rifles on your men, Mr. Davidson. Those are illegal in a civilian zone."

Gasper sputtered. "General, I am a donor to your-"

"You are a suspect," Mullins cut him off. He stepped into Gasper's personal space. "If you say one more word, I will have you arrested for domestic terrorism."

The room went dead silent.

Mullins turned back to Gideon. His voice changed. It was softer, respectful.

"Sir, we need to take you in for questioning."

"Of course," Gideon said. "I have nothing to hide."

Julian was being loaded onto a stretcher. He lifted his head.

"He poisoned her!" Julian screamed. "He fed her poison!"

Mullins looked at Gideon.

"Vitamin C," Gideon said. "She looked pale."

Mullins didn't smile, but his eyes crinkled.

"Clear the room," Mullins ordered. "Seize all footage. No one speaks to the press."