They mocked the woman in seat 22C—until two fighter jets aligned with her window, and a pilot spoke her name in a way that made the entire plane forget how to breathe.

slowed their suitcases to a crawl.

Voices called her name.

“Captain Mercer!”

“Olivia!”

“Night Viper!”

She did not stop.

Daniel walked beside her, neither shielding nor displaying her, just matching her pace exactly. Elena and the security officer created enough space to keep the path clear.

Large screens above the concourse were already running breaking-news continue reading …