“Keep him here.”
“Mom, what’s happening?”
“Stay with Claire.”
“I’m not six!”
“Lucas.”
Something in Maya’s tone stopped him.
The lights flickered back.
Adrian Vale was no longer in seat 18B.
“He’s moving forward,” Claire whispered.
Maya saw him three rows away.
Walking calmly toward the cockpit.
No panic.
No hesitation.
She followed.
“Mr. Vale.”
He stopped.
Slowly turned.
Several passengers were watching now.
Maya smiled.
“You dropped something.”
Adrian glanced at the floor.
That half-second was enough.
Maya closed the distance and caught his wrist.
The device beneath his sleeve flashed blue.
Adrian twisted away with extraordinary speed.
Not a civilian.
Maya knew instantly.
His elbow moved toward her chest.
She blocked it.
He tried to wrench free.
Maya drove him against the seatback.
Passengers screamed.
“Sit down!” Maya shouted.
Adrian smiled despite the pressure on his arm.
“You’re slower than you used to be.”
