Chapter 220 Strength Of The Aetherial-Class
Liam’s grip tightened around the steering wheel as the black SUV sped down the deserted countryside road. The tires roared against the cracked pavement, and the headlights cut through the thick shadows of the night. His eyes were narrowed, sharp and alert, flicking back and forth between the road and the GPS. His jaw was clenched, muscles tight with pressure. Every second felt like a countdown to disaster.
The world outside was a blur of trees and moonlit brush. A single dirt path curved off the main road and led to the coordinates Ella had sent earlier. Liam took the turn without hesitation, tires skidding briefly before catching traction. Dust and gravel flew into the air behind them as the vehicle surged forward.
He slammed the brake as soon as they reached the clearing.
The car screeched to a halt in the middle of an open stretch of road, the kind of place that looked like it hadn’t seen traffic in years. No signs, no lights, no people—just silence and brushland. The entire space was wide enough for a small aircraft to land, but it looked like no plane had touched down here in a long time.
And more importantly, the jet wasn’t here.
"Fuck," Liam muttered under his breath, his voice barely audible but thick with frustration. His door swung open, and he stepped out, his boots crunching on the uneven gravel. The cool air hit his face.
Ann and Lana followed closely behind, both stepping out of the car and looking around. The three of them stood in the middle of the quiet stretch of road, the vehicle’s headlights casting long shadows behind them. There was no sound beyond the soft rustle of wind through the bushes. No birds, no engines—nothing.
Liam paced a few steps forward, scanning the empty sky above them. "Why the hell would she choose this place?" he asked out loud, though mostly to himself. "There’s nothing here. This isn’t even a damn airstrip."
He pulled out his phone, checking for updates. The screen lit up, and his brows furrowed. A new notification flashed—a message from Ella. It had been sent three minutes ago, and it included an attachment.
Liam opened it quickly.
A picture loaded—a shot taken from inside the jet. The cockpit window revealed the dashboard and a view of the night sky, clouds streaking past. The glow of interior lights illuminated Ella’s reflection faintly in the glass. She was on the jet.