Code of Shadows

Chapter 66 - A Wedding Interrupted

The warmth of the sun kissed my skin, the scent of blooming flowers filled the air, and everything about the day felt perfect. Ethan stood beside me, looking as handsome as ever, adjusting his tie and glancing around, instinctively on alert. This was supposed to be our moment. Our wedding. After everything we'd been through, this was the day we'd dreamed of. But there was a tension in the air I couldn't shake, the familiar weight of our work hanging over us.

We were surrounded by close friends, the people who had fought beside us time and time again. Luther, with his calm and thoughtful presence, stood beside Ethan, a rare smile on his face. Benji fidgeted with his phone, no doubt checking for updates on anything out of the ordinary, even at a wedding.

I caught Ethan's eye, and for a brief second, the world seemed to melt away. His smile was soft, the kind that always made me feel like we could survive anything. I took a breath, trying to steady the emotions swirling inside me. After everything we had been through—the missions, the near-death experiences, the sacrifices—this moment should have felt like peace. But deep down, I couldn't let go of my doubts. Could we really live a normal life? Could I ever fully let my guard down?

The celebrant began the ceremony, his voice soothing but distant, his words fading into the background as I focused on Ethan. My heart swelled with love and fear all at once. I had never been this vulnerable, and it terrified me. I trusted Ethan more than anyone, but trust had always been a challenge for me. I had spent so many years building walls, protecting myself from the pain that comes with losing someone you care about. And now, here I was, committing my life to him.

Just as we were about to say our vows, a sharp, familiar buzz cut through the moment.

Ethan's phone.

I froze, the world crashing back into focus. My stomach dropped, and I saw the shift in Ethan's expression before he even looked at the screen. The calm, confident man I knew was still there, but the weight of duty loomed large in his eyes. His hand hovered over his phone for a second, as if he were debating whether to answer it, but we both knew the answer.

He glanced at me, his jaw tightening. "I'm sorry," he whispered.

I gave him a small nod, forcing a smile, even though my heart was sinking. This was our life—this was what we had signed up for. There was no use pretending otherwise.

He checked his phone, his expression hardening as he read the message. He turned to me, and I didn't need him to say the words.

"We have to go," he said quietly, his voice full of disappointment.

I nodded again, a lump forming in my throat. "I know."

The world around us, the beautiful setting we had chosen for our wedding, seemed to blur as we stepped away. The ceremony came to a sudden halt, our friends watching with knowing eyes. This wasn't the first time duty had interrupted our lives. But this time felt different. This was supposed to be our day.

As we hurried to leave, the weight of the moment hit me. The life we had planned for ourselves—at least, for today—was slipping away. But there was no time to dwell on the what-ifs. We had a mission.

We boarded the plane with the familiar urgency that came with every mission. The hum of the engines was a harsh reminder of the life we led. I tried to shake the sense of loss, but it clung to me. Would we ever truly have a day that was just ours?

Ethan's hand found mine as we settled into our seats. He didn't say anything, but the tension in his grip told me everything. He was as disappointed as I was. But this was the life we had chosen, and we both knew that there was no escape from it.

As the details of the mission filtered through, my heart sank even further. This wasn't just another villain out to cause chaos or destroy the world. This new enemy had a personal vendetta. The file flashed on the screen, and Luther's voice filled the cabin as he briefed us.

"They're not just after global domination," Luther said, his tone somber. "This is personal. They've been tracking you both. Every move, every decision—it's all been part of a larger plan. And now, they're coming for you."

I felt a chill run down my spine. This was different. We were always prepared to face danger, but we had never been the direct targets before. This enemy knew us, studied us, and was coming for us. I glanced at Ethan, and for the first time, I saw something close to fear in his eyes. Not fear for himself, but for me.

"We'll handle it," Ethan said, his voice steady, though I could hear the tension beneath it. "We've faced worse."

I wanted to believe him. I wanted to trust that we could get through this like we always had. But something about this mission felt darker, more dangerous. My instincts were screaming at me that this was different, that we weren't prepared for what was coming.

Ethan's hand tightened around mine, pulling me from my thoughts. "Whatever happens," he said softly, his voice low so only I could hear, "we're in this together."

I nodded, though my heart was pounding in my chest. Together. It was the one thing I could hold onto in the midst of all this chaos. But as the plane ascended into the sky, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was the beginning of something far more dangerous than anything we had faced before.

As the plane cruised through the clouds, Ethan and I received the final briefing. The face of our new enemy appeared on the screen, a cold, calculating figure who had been watching us for years. This wasn't just about saving the world—they were coming for us. We were in the crosshairs, and I could feel the danger closing in.