Page 1 of Ex Meridian

Pinarhisar, Kirklareli, Türkiye

170mi from Istanbul

Meridian pulled his black hood lower on his forehead. He couldn’t see where his partner, Ex, was on the compound, but he could feel him. Meridian felt him in his mind, in his soul, and in his heart.

They were supposed to rendezvous at the south entrance of the gutted warehouse, but he had a surprise for his partner.

Ex knew Meridian’s every move, sometimes before he made it, so he’d been forced to request the assistance of the Brown Ravens.

Grace and Mirage had arrived in their colors, keeping their identities concealed behind their chestnut hoods and leather clothing.

Meridian’s instructions had been followed to the letter, and the three had made quick work of the remaining Grey Jade crime family.

He’d called on the Browns, and without hesitation, they’d answered. Because he was who he was. He wastheMeridian. The original. The only Raven who wore black colors.

Fitting for his dark soul.

It’d been the first time Meridian had seen them in action, and he hadn’t been disappointed.

Six ravens existed in the world—the deadliest, unfeeling, genetically engineered men—eliminating threats even the SEALS and SAS forces couldn’t reach.

Grace, the taller of the Brown Ravens, came around the side of the building, moving with the silent stealth of a pit viper. His partner, Mirage, was a few inches shorter and stayed concealed in Grace’s shadow. He’d revealed himself long enough to kill, then vanished just as fast.

Meridian remained still, silent, waiting.

“A debt is owed,” Grace rumbled in a fractured voice that sounded as if it was rarely used.

Meridian’s temple throbbed before he gave a stiff nod. He hoped thisdebtdidn’t come back to bite him in the ass.

Grace spun into a turn that resulted in his partner tucked in front of him. Meridian never got a chance to see Mirage, but he did see his arms and the glimmering steel of his twenty-inch fighting knives.

Meridian’s heart sped up. Not because of the deadly men behind him, but because of the one approaching.

He turned and looked toward the sky in time to see Ex rappelling down the five-story structure with the ease of a spider, landing inches from Meridian’s side.

He didn’t have to check behind him to know Grace and Mirage were gone.

“Intel is solid. North side clear.” Ex’s hood was too low for Meridian to see his partner’s eyes, so he kept his gaze on his soft lips.

“South entrance clear,” Meridian answered, shifting closer.

“We breach on your—” Ex paused and tilted his head, listening for a second before he eased his suppressed-fire .22 from behind his back.

“Ex—”

“Shhh. Someone’s here.” His partner pointed the business end of his weapon over Meridian’s right shoulder. “I can smell him…no…them.”

Fuck.

Meridian wrapped his hand around Ex’s wrist and lowered his arm, dragging the tip of his silencer down the center of his chest.

Ex’s head was bowed, and Meridian could feel his partner’s fiery gaze following the movement from beneath his cover.

“Mere…what are you…?” Ex released an impatient exhale.

Meridian leaned into Ex’s ear and whispered against the soft cotton of his hood. “On my mark.”

Ex’s voice was hushed and controlled. “Goddamn you.”

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