Is this destiny?

Five limousines made their way slowly through the main base of the Voronin family while following one deep green jeep that was leading the way.

Now that it was daytime, Sarah and Aiden could clearly see that the buildings in the outer circle are more modest than in the middle circle where even the streets are wider and the pavement is in better condition. Between circles was a security checkpoint through which they passed without any delays.

The base was like a small city that had walls that separated circles and Sarah thought that it reminds her how medieval cities were built on the hill with an outer layer made for peasants, and as one goes to the top of the hill, the status of citizens is increasing until it reaches the peak where the castle is with the royal family in it.

Whoever saw the procession of cars, stopped what they were doing, to observe the unusual sight.

Aiden chuckled and said to Sarah: "Wave, love. You are like royalty. They are only missing little flags to wave at us in greeting."

Sarah rolled her eyes and leaned into his embrace, making sure to control her urge to wave. It would look silly.

As they approached their destination, everyone focused on the screens that were inside limousines where they were able to see the live video feed from the drones that were escorting them silently from above.

"They are ready for us…", Konstantin mumbled when he noticed snipers on the buildings.

Sarah smiled. "And we are ready for them."

Konstantin was not sure what Sarah is talking about, but she didn't want to tell him about Eve who is controlling the drones. If anyone applies the slightest pressure on the trigger of a firearm, Eve will take him out. This time, they are prepared and if things don't go as planned, they will knock everyone out.

The vehicles stopped in a circular-shaped square at the center of the base. Tall buildings surrounded them, each sporting a flag that had a black crow on it, a symbol of the Voronin family.

With one glance they could see numerous soldiers at the rooftops, all pointing their weapons at them.

When Sarah and Aiden stepped out of the car, Michael, Oni, Haru, Nala, Ron, Zula, Aaron, and Noah were lined up and waited for them because they were in the first car.

Others swiftly got from their cars and lined up in two rows.

Kitty emerged from the third car and made her way toward Sarah.

Sarah gave a small nod to everyone who came, and that included Ade, Hande, Julius, Allen, Imani, Jamari, Bo, Francisca, Wing, Azra, Souta, Camila, Zack, Masika, Tejan, Rosa, Daniel, and Xiaohui who all wore matching black business suits.

Even Konstantin, Stella, Owen, Vuk, Bogdan, Elder Todor, and Elder Dimitri had matching outfits.

Only Hong was slightly off. He wore a black hoodie which partially covered his face.

JoAnna and Sophia wanted to come, but Sarah told them to stay in the Lebedev base with Edward, Jeff, and Felix and to act as the command center. After all, the tunnels beneath them are full of soldiers from the Army of Chaos, and someone needs to issue commands at the right point in time.

And it is more than just in the tunnels. Numerous bases and facilities that belong to the Voronin family around the world are currently surrounded by members of the Army of Chaos and their allies, all waiting for the signal to strike simultaneously. It will be done in one quick sweep before they realize what is going on and before they can alert others.

"Grand Elder Konstantin…", a man from the Voronin family greeted Konstantin, and no one corrected him. "We are expecting you. Please, follow me."

The man led the way inside one of the buildings, to the large hall which had seating arranged similarly like a courtroom with one long table facing many chairs.

The seats at the long table were occupied by ten Elders of the Voronin family, and two chairs in the middle were vacant. Simeon and Maksim were missing and Sarah guessed that they will fill those spots in the middle.

Chairs on the right and left were for seniors of the Voronin family.

The man navigated our group toward the front row of chairs that were facing the long table with Elders.

"Grand Elder, please, sit here…", the man gestured toward the chair that was in the middle of the front row.

"Thank you", Konstantin responded and glanced at Sarah who sat in the spot where the man gestured. The man blinked, but then shrugged and walked to the side to join other seniors.

Sarah sat with Kitty on her right and Aiden on her left while others sat around her and in the second row.

The third row and others in the back were filled with people from the Voronin family.

It was eerily silent, and Sarah noticed Elder Sergey and several others who observed her and Aiden with confused expressions. That told her that Simeon didn't share information about their identities.

The door from the side opened, and Simeon made his way inside with Maksim trailing two steps behind him. Just as Sarah guessed, the two of them sat at the middle of the long table, with Simeon's chair opposite from Sarah's and Maksim on Simeon's' right.

Maksim glanced over the newcomers and how they are wearing matching sharp black outfits and he thought that he is underdressed with his camo military pants and light green shirt.

"Grand Elder…", Simeon trailed, waiting for Sarah to complete his greeting by filling in her name.

"Sarah White", Sarah said her name that got a small smile on Aiden's lips. He loves when she uses his last name.

"May we know to what we owe this surprise visit, Grand Elder Sarah?", Simeon asked.

Sarah gave a small nod, pleased that the man is skipping unnecessary pleasantries. She didn't want to address him as Grand Master, because that is not who Simeon is.

"We are here to issue a challenge."

Simeon frowned and people on his left and right him exchanged nervous glances.

Voronins have a similar system like Lebedevs where fighting techniques are passed to the family and they serve as confirmation that someone is eligible to lead the family. However, in order to become an Elder, a blood relationship with Voronins is not necessary, but only the technique. 

"A challenge?", Simeon asked.

"For the position of an Elder.", Sarah said.

"You want to be an Elder in my family?", Simeon asked with mockery in his voice.

Sarah ignored his attitude. "No. I don't qualify. But there is a person who arrived with us and he qualifies. We are here to ensure that he will get a fair chance to obtain his position."

Simeon tilted his head. "And how are you going to do that?"

Sarah smiled and snapped her fingers. In the next moment, a live video feed was shown on every TV screen and computer monitor that belongs to the Voronin family. One large screen was on the wall for Simeon and other Elders from the Voronin family to see.

They all looked around anxiously as they realized that Sarah is controlling their network.

"You hacked into our system!" Elder Sergey was outraged.

Sarah waved her hand like it's not a big deal. "It's just to ensure fair treatment. We want everyone to know that one Elder is getting his position challenged."

Simeon leaned forward. "Who is the lucky Elder?"

Sarah touched her chin with her index finger and then her index finger created an invisible line that connected the faces of ten Elders who were seated in front of her. Each of them fidgeted nervously until her finger moved to the next target. And then she pointed at one face which frowned at her.

"Elder Sergey Voronin!"

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