Dante Ravencroft rarely made mistakes.
His mind stored information like a perfectly organized archive.
Faces.
Events.
Patterns.
Even years later, he could recall the smallest details.
And tonight…
A forgotten memory suddenly resurfaced.
He sat alone in his private office reviewing the latest Dark Nexus attack logs.
The code patterns were extraordinary.
Efficient.
Strategic.
Almost… protective.
Which reminded him of something.
Or someone.
Years ago, during a covert investigation in Eastern Europe, Dante had been ambushed by an armed smuggling group.
He had survived the attack.
But not because of luck.
A young woman had helped him escape.
She wasn't a fighter.
Not a soldier.
But she had risked her life anyway.
Calm.
Gentle.
Brave.
Her face had stayed in his memory ever since.
Dante leaned back slowly.
Why was he remembering her now?
His fingers moved across the keyboard.
A surveillance feed appeared on screen.
A small café camera recording daily activity.
Customers entering.
Orders being served.
And behind the counter…
A young woman smiled as she handed a cup of coffee to a customer.
Aria Vale.
Dante froze.
The resemblance hit him instantly.
Same eyes.
Same quiet composure.
Same calm kindness.
He leaned closer to the screen.
"…Impossible."
But something deep inside his instincts told him otherwise.
He opened a new file.
And began watching.