THE VAULT HEIR
CHAPTER 1 : THE GIRL WHO WILL NOT GO Down
As Ava Marlowe headed for Blackridge Bay, a deep water village she had formerly pledged no way to visit again, the rain pounded the windshield. A crooked sign was revealed when the headlights cut q wastes of mist felicitations from Black bridges Bay, where the ocean remembers everything. Ava took a deep breath. I also do. Her return was n't motivated by nostalgia. At 2:13 a.m., she entered a communication that brought her then. A communication from an unfit person. I'm apprehensive of what actually occurred the night Elias passed away.
MEET ME NIGHT.
The light house. Come by yourself.
Elias Hart, the teenager who drowned three times ago under" mysterious circumstances," was Ava's nonage closest friend and her near- commodity more. His name still made her heart strain. It was regarded as an accident. Ava did not suppose so. And now someone was attesting that she was correct.
Chapter 2 :THE LIGHTHOUSE AND THE FABRICATOR
With its lamp long dead, the ancient lighthouse rose from the escarpment like a spectral palace. With a flashlight in hand and her heart pounding in her cognizance, Ava entered." Hello?" she said in a tale. Above, steps resounded. Take your time. thoughtful. From the upper deck, a figure appeared altitudes. hooded. Well- known." Who are you?" Ava claimed.
A commodity was thrown at her by the figure. A Polaroid moved on the ground. Elias was visible. alive. Or at least it appeared to be him. The same face. identical eyes. just two days ago. Ava desisted breathing." That is not doable." Leaning slightly forward, the hooded person spoke through a mask." In Blackridge Bay, nothing is as it seems." The crunch of steps outdoors cut through the room before she could ask any further questions. The foreigner in the hood looked toward the stairs. He said," They set you up." " Go!" " Who?" Ava yelled. Still, he was formerly fleeing down a side graduation that she was ignorant indeed was. Ava turned to face the door. The hall was covered by a broad- shouldered, rain- soaked figure operative Noah Marlowe is her family." Ava," he uttered hesitantly." Tell me you did not come then because of him."
CHAPTER 3 : NOAH'S WARNING
Ava paced the living room of Noah's apartment." Because of him," what do you mean? She claimed. Noah overpraised his face. You are chasing ghosts, Ava." Elias is dead," Ava said, slamming the Polaroid onto the table." also give an explanation! Noah set. His face lost color, but not because he was shocked. from acknowledgment. Ava said," You've seen this ahead." Noah remained silent. Rather, he turned up the television volume, shut the hangouts, and secured all three deadbolts on the door as if someone may be wiretapping. Noah spoke in a tight, quiet voice," hear to me." " This city is passing commodities. People are disappearing.Files are sealed. Surveillance was excluded. Avoid being engaged. Affrighted, Ava peered at him." Noah, are you involved?" His jaw gripped, a response in and of itself. The window rattled with a loud crash. Ava bounded. When Noah hastened to examine it, he saw a bitsy, damp thing stuck to the glass One further Polaroid. Ava at the lighthouse this time. taken just a few twinkles. YOU ARE NEXT is scribbled in red marker beneath it.
Chapter 4 : THE MAN IN THE MASK.
Ava was n't asleep,She left a letter that Noah would hate," I can not run," as she snuck down at dawn while he was taking a shower. Elias is entitled to the verity. A name scribbled on the reverse of the first Polaroid was her sole indication, so she pursued Campground at Marrow Point. As she made her way through the vacated area, her thrills slid into wettish lawn. Fog and the scent of saltwater percolated the air. Also she noticed him. The foreigner with the hood. The mask was no longer on him. Her heart halted for a moment. It was painful how much he recalled Elias. Still, they are n't the same. aged. more delicate. More fractured." Who are you? Ava murmured. He broke. Also he said," My name is Evan Hart." The world fell piecemeal beneath Ava's bases." Elias was my binary family."" Twin? Evan intruded," Elias noway said"" He did not know."" We were resolved at birth." prevaricated to. Ava heaved as she peered at him." I only set up out the night he failed."" And you believe that his end was not an accident? " Evan remarked," I know it was n't."" Because they also tried to kill me." Through the forestland, the wind howled. Ava took a swallow." Who are' they'?" Evan glanced over her shoulder. Ava rotated. Out of the mist came three men wearing dark
mackintoshes. Nothing to say. Just a gun's radiance.
Chapter 5: Backstabbing and pedigrees
Evan took hold of Ava's hand." Go!" pellets capitated through branches as they hastened for the cliffside trail. Indeed after Ava's ankle twisted, Evan continued to pull her up. He shoved her behind a boulder at the timber's edge. Evan heaved," They are not just after you." " They ask what Elias held. commodity he concealed before passing down." What?" Ava gave a rustle." A tally." A list of names. individualities engaged in an exertion known as — Branches broke.There were steps coming. Evan's voice faltered. — The Marlowe Protocol. The blood in Ava set." Marlowe, like"" Yes," Evan grimly said." Your ménage."" No bone leave this timber!" a voice called out over the notch before she could respond. Noah was the one. with an arm. directed at Evan. Noah growled," Ava, move down from him."" Now." Between her family and the boy who appeared to be the ghost she could not stop loving, Ava stood motionless." What is going on, Noah?" she said. His face came stern." I am trying to save your life." Evan moved to the front." She ought to be informed of the variety."" No," growled Noah." She'll be killed because of the variety." Ava's heart was contending." Tell me," she contended.
Part 2 : The Marlowe Secret
Chapter 6 : The Variety Bleeds:
Ava glanced between her family Noah and Evan, both of whom stood stiffly and held information that could shatter her entire life." Noah, put down the gun," she murmured. His voice quivered, but his hand did not." Ava, you have no idea what you've entered. The individualities pursuing you are n't simply culprits. They've been approved." Who sanctioned it?" Ava fired back. Evan moved to the front." By your father. " Noah gripped his jaw. commodity inside Ava snapped." Five times ago, my father passed away." Noah's aspect wavered." No. He dissolved. There's a distinction. The three dark men in mackintoshes spread out, gumming the path behind them as a burst of wind cut through the tense air. Just as gunfire broke out, Evan seized Ava's hand and dragged her behind a departed log." Ava!" yelled Noah. Get down! Evan was spun sideways by a projectile that just touched his shoulder. Reaching him, Ava applied pressure to the crack with pulsing hands. She murmured," You need a sanitarium. " He exhaled," No hospitals."" Half of the croakers in this city they are possessed by them." She was struck with a horrifying consummation. Where was she safe if her family was involved? Nowhere.
Chapter 7 :THE HIDING PLACE
After Noah diverted the markswoman by crying that Evan was the ideal and Ava did not count, they were suitable to flee further into the forestland. The men broke long enough for Evan and Ava to evaporate into the thick leafage. Under a crest, Evan led them to an ancient boathouse. The wood is grassed. The scent of old runs and earth percolated the air. Ava wrapped his injured shoulder in a ripped shirt." You ought to have avoided me," he said." And allow them to murder you? She yelled. He gave her a long, moping regard." Those in your vicinity suffer detriment."" Elias did," Ava muttered. His eyes flashed with pain as his countenance wavered. At last, Evan murmured," He failed because he tried to stop The Marlowe Protocol." " He told me about it three days prior to his drowning." Ava heaved for air." Tell me everything." Evan's voice was strained and low as he drooped back against the wall." Your father and a number of influential families established the Marlowe Protocol, a covert network. It monitors individualities who have been chosen, primarily youths." For what reason were you chosen? " Evan let out a breath." For Blackridge Bay's future." in order to maintain control. impact. compliance. Ava felt a shiver go through her." That seems like a conspiracy proposition." Evan remarked," If I did not have evidence, it would be." He took a small and metallic commodity out of a secret inside the fund of his jacket and gave it to her. It was a flash drive that had been taped over as if someone had tried to destroy it. Evan declared," This was Elias's."" The night he passed down, he concealed it. Last week, I discovered it. Ava peered at the drive as if it were going to burn her." What is on it?" Evan remarked," I have not opened it."" Not just yet. I demanded a secure person. Ava peered at him." Why me?" Evan murmured," Because Elias trusted you."" further than anybody. " The boathouse door banged open before Ava could express the question that was on her mind. Noah. slush- plashed, panting, and alone. His arm was aimed over. He said," They are regrouping."" We must dislocate." Evan stumbled ahead." Are you cooperating with them or opposing them?"" If I were with them, you'd be dead formerly," Noah growled in response. Ava moved in between the two men." Enough!" she yelled." We must put an end to our arguments and begin relating to secure people." The sisters gave each other a fierce look before retreating. Also Noah uttered a commodity that stupefied Ava to the bone" They are n't simply pursuing Evan." He gave Ava a direct regard." An order has been placed for you as well. "
Chapter 8 :THE TALLY
Under the cover of darkness, they entered the city. Noah took them through an underground storm drain system that had been abandoned and that" no bone on the outside knows about." Evan sniggered. Half of these coverts were constructed by your father. They're apprehensive, of course. He was disregarded by Noah. clinging to the flash fragment in her fund, Ava moved between them. Her twinkle contended louder and louder with each stride. When they arrived at a small conservation area, Noah turned on a lantern and shut the sword door. He said," I am going to show you a commodity." " But you follow my instructions exactly after this. " Noah uprooted a leak proof bag by reaching behind a loose slipup. They set up an old leather journal outside. A tally. Evan's eyes got bigger." Where did you —"" I got it from Elias," Noah murmured." Two days prior to his demise." Ava heaved for air. Her voice cracked." Why didn't you inform me?" Noah remarked," You were formerly in enough pain."" I also did not want to drag you into a potentially fatal situation." The tally was opened by Ava. As she turned the runners of names, canons, dates, and municipalities, her fritters jounced. and a sign that she was familiar with a lighthouse was encircled by a serpent. The crest of her family. Her belly contorted. She also flipped to the coming runner and set. her own name.
AVA MARLOWE Precedence SUBJECT; law WHITE. Her knees gave way. Before she could fall, Evan caught her." What does that signify?" Ava murmured. Noah took a deep breath." It indicates that you were a member of the Protocol from birth." Essence groaned above them before Ava could say anything. way. several. also a muffled voice yelled" The lair is where they are! Stop all exits! Ava's heart began to fight. Evan seized her hand." We must leave." Now!" Noah touched the sword door with his observance." At least eight of them live."" Equipped?" Evan inquired." Always." They were all gaping at one another. Ava's entire actuality condensed into a single moment when she had to make an agonizing decision.
Remain and be taken. or flee and lose what little defense she still had. A concealed panel in the bottom slid open before she could make a decision. From the murk below, a hand extended. A man murmured in a hushed voice" If you want to live, come with me." Ava desisted breathing. as she was familiar with that voice." Kai? She murmured. Rowan Kai. The former right- hand joe of her father. Ten times prior, she had witnessed a joe corrupt in a fire. Still, he was suddenly standing beneath her — alive.
Part 3 :The Man Who Should Die
Chapter 9 :The Floor's Shadow
With her heart pounding hard against her caricatures, Ava peered at the man behind the bottom panel. Rowan Kai. The most devoted confidante of her father. Ten times prior, she had witnessed a joe burn in the Hawthorn Depot fire. Still, he was still alive. His icy green eyes snappily assessed peril as they danced from Noah to Evan. He snarled," We do not have time."" The north hall is where they're entering. Make a move. Evan took a protective station in front of Ava." No. She will not be leaving with a ghost. A sarcastic snicker twisted Kai's lips." A ghost would be a peaceful upgrade, but I have numerous effects. "
Noah took hold of Ava's arm." Do not have faith in him. Kai is subject to the Protocol." Not presently," Kai angrily said." The moment your father pretended to be dead, he violated the rules." Ava set. Her heart stopped beating." My father. pretended to be dead?" Kai met her aspect. Indeed, Ava. Your pater is still living. Noah moved forward as however prepared to fight, Evan cursed beneath his breath, and Ava's world fell off its axis as the room erupted. The sound of approaching thrills could be heard forging through the pipes above them. Kai held out his hand again." Ava, make a quick decision. You are corrupt if you stay. You'll discover the variety if you accompany me. Ava quivered and took one breath. She also took hold of Kai's hand.
Chapter 10 :THE Lair OF prevaricator
Just before the nimrods slogged in, Kai took them into a secondary shaft beneath the conservation room and closed the door above them. Kai's delicate flashlight was the only source of light in the tight, condensation- filled underground passage. Evan remained by Ava's side. With one hand forcefully gripping his arm, Noah remained behind them all, cautious and rigid. At last, Ava discovered her voice." Start speaking. Right now. Kai did not decelerate down. Do you want to know the verity? Alright. Your father was the architect of the Protocol, not just one of its authors. The mastermind Ava made a delicate defense, saying," My father worked in maritime development." Kai glanced at her." A handy public position — so he could transfer finances, have an impact on external opinions, and choose' subjects' by hand. " Ava took a deep breath." Subjects analogous to myself." Kai gave a nod." Code White is n't considered a trouble. It's inherited. Behind them, Noah's breath caught." Kai, do not do this." Ava whirled around." You were apprehensive?" Noah did not refute it. Ava's voice broke." What's meant by heritage?" Kai continued to move, but his voice came quieter." It indicates that you're fated to succeed him." The words were like a punch to Ava." None of this is what I want!" Kai remarked," You do not get a choice."" noway did any of us." Grabbing Kai, Evan pushed him up against the lair wall." So why are you aiding her?" Kai did n't avenge." Because I was asked to by Elias." Ava set." What?" A flicker of grief broke through Kai's tough veneer as his expression softened.The night before Dad passed away, he came to me." cover you if anything happens," he said. Keep your father down from you.
Gashes soaked as Ava's throat constricted." You gave me the print that you were dead." Kai tensed his jaw." It was the only way to keep one step ahead of the Protocol." The walls of the lair shook before Ava could reply. Beneath their bases, a grumble began to grow closer and louder. Noah swore." The lower access system was discovered." Ground charges are being brought. Kai signaled forward." Go!" They took off running. A severe earthquake developed from the grumble. The ceiling was covered in dust. As debris slammed behind them, Evan gripped Ava's midriff to cover her. The lair was torn piecemeal by a glowing explosion. Everything was gulfed by darkness.
Chapter 11 : THE SAFEHOUSE AND THE SECRET
Ava awoke in a wooden chamber with only one kerosene lamp. Her head pounded. Her ears were buzzing. When she opened her eyes, Evan sat next to the cot she was lying on, seeming relieved. "You scared me," he muttered. "Where is Noah? Kai, where are you? Ava croaked. Evan pointed over his shoulder. Noah's side was covered with a bandage. With his arms folded, Kai leaned against the wall as if nothing could harm him. Kai declared, "This is one of my safe houses." "We're running out of time. Despite feeling lightheaded, Ava got up. "They'll look for survivors." She insisted, "Open the flash drive." "At this moment," Kai said with a raised eyebrow. "Are you certain? "I don't care," Ava remarked. "There are some truths you can't undo." "Take action."Kai received a little encrypted tablet from Evan. Kai put the drive in. The cracked screen flickered with lines of code. Noah's expression was unreadable as he observed from the corner. The files were loaded. With her heart racing, Ava leaned forward. Hundreds of documents were present: Transfers of funds logs of surveillance Reports on recruitment Psychological assessments Orders for death Next, a folder at the base: WHITEFIRE Ava gave it a tap. There was just one video file within. Kai paused. "Ava..." "Play it," she demanded. The video began to play. The footage shows a person using a handheld camera to record themself in a dimly lit room. Static warped the image, causing it to flicker. The man appeared on the television. Ava's heart stopped. Her dad. incredibly alive. Greyer. hardened. He had the serpent-lighthouse crest on his wrist."Ava… if you're watching this," he continued, voice firm, "it means I failed to keep you out of this." Her eyes brimmed with tears. "The Marlowe Protocol has to be finished. Ava angrily shook her head, saying, "And you, my daughter, are the only one capable of fulfilling it." "No. "No, no—" her father went on, "Your mother passed away to preserve this heritage. Elias Hart's threat led to his death. Ava gasped, "Kai Rowan will bring you to me if necessary." Betrayal tore at her chest as she turned to face Kai. Kai remained unflinching. "I was unaware of this message," he murmured. "I swear it," he said, but Ava was unable to hear him. "Come home, Ava," was the video's last, icy whisper. It's time.The file was finished. The room fell silent. As Ava started crying, Evan put an arm over her. Silently, Noah loaded his revolver. Kai remained motionless, a storm of conflict on his face. Then the silence was broken by Noah's voice: "We must depart. Because if your father is aware that you have witnessed this... He turned off the safety. "He'll come for us all." Ava's face hardened as she wiped away her tears. "No," she replied. "Let him come." However, the safehouse was rocked by a loud blast before anyone could react. Windows broke inward. The room was filled with smoke. Outside, a robotic voice boomed: "SUBJECT WHITE. TERMINATE OR SURRENDER. Ava's eyes grew wide. They had not located them. They were encircled by them.