CHAPTER 75 — REED ONE
The commander called himself Adrian Reed.
Elias stared at him.
“My first son died before birth.”
“No,” Adrian said. “I was transferred to the Crown program.”
Mason and Jonah stood beside each other.
Adrian resembled both but carried himself with cold authority.
“The Anchor belongs under Crown protection.”
Olivia stepped behind Claire.
“My child belongs with me.”
Adrian looked at her without emotion.
“You were selected as a carrier.”
Jonah attacked him.
Adrian anticipated every movement.
He broke Jonah’s arm and threw him against the lighthouse wall.
Mason fired.
Adrian’s soldiers returned fire.
Ward’s agents took cover.
Rose and Iris dragged Sarah away from the windows.
The shooting stopped when Lily walked into the center of the room.
“Stop!”
Adrian’s soldiers froze.
Their helmets received the same frequency as the Blackwater bracelets.
Lily had unknowingly activated the beacon in Sarah’s ring.
Adrian stared at her.
“The singing child.”
Claire pulled Lily back.
Adrian lowered his weapon.
“The Council ordered her death.”
“Why?”
“Because she can command every conditioned family without carrying the Anchor.”
Sarah laughed weakly.
“Miriam built a second key.”
Adrian looked at Olivia.
“The unborn child controls the network’s structure.”
Then he looked at Lily.
“She controls the people connected to it.”
Claire understood why Miriam had kept Lily alive.
Together, Lily and the Anchor could either rule Gray Tide or destroy it.
Adrian offered a deal.
“Come to Washington. Help us stop the Vane line from seizing the Council.”
“And afterward?”
“The Council raises the children under controlled supervision.”
Claire aimed at him.
“No.”
Adrian looked almost disappointed.
“Then Miriam wins.”
A soldier entered with urgent news.
A replacement family had activated early inside the White House.
Ward checked her secure phone.
The president’s public schedule had suddenly been canceled.
A national emergency message appeared.
The president addressed the country.
His face looked normal.
His voice sounded normal.
But Lily covered her left ear.
May you like
“That isn’t him.”
The replacement president announced military control of all major cities.
