Chapter 19 - THE FINAL SHOWDOWN AT THE ARMORYThe heavy steel doors of the subterranean armory hissed open, and Dante shoved Elina inside, quickly punching the override code to seal it shut behind them.
"We're safe for a few minutes," Dante panted, rushing over to the encrypted comms console on the back wall. His fingers flew across the keyboard, typing out a complex master override sequence to broadcast a distress signal to the remaining loyal faction leaders across the city.
Broadcasting... a green light flashed on the terminal. Signal locked.
"It's working," Elina breathed, watching the transmission progress bar tick upward. "We're actually going to get help."
Suddenly, the encrypted terminal screen flashed a blinding, aggressive crimson red.
ERROR. OVERRIDE REJECTED. SYSTEM LOCKED BY MASTER ADMIN.
Dante froze. His hands slammed down on the console. "No. Impossible."
"Looking for a rescue, husband?"
The smooth, chilling voice echoed from the doorway.
Dante and Elina spun around. Standing in the entrance of the armory was Elena, holding an assault rifle casually at her side, flanked by four heavily armed mercenaries. Behind her, cradling baby Leo in a soft wool blanket, stood Vera.
Elina’s breath caught in her throat. She looked from Elena to Vera, the ugly truth snapping into sharp focus. "You let us out. This whole thing... it was a trap."
"Of course it was, sister," Elena smiled, stepping into the room. She looked at Dante, whose face was a mask of cold fury. "Did you really think a bobby pin could bypass my father's ultimate security protocol unless I wanted it to?"
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Dante stepped in front of Elina, shielding her with his body, his eyes locked onto his wife. "You're insane, Elena. You're tearing everything apart just to sit on a throne of corpses."
"I am the throne," Elena whispered fiercely, raising her weapon. "And tonight, this family feud ends permanently."
