Jasmine walked in, her shape outlined by the doorway as the fading light highlighted her features. She wore combat boots and a blazer, with a light sheen of sweat on her skin and an intense look in her eyes.
In her hands was a sleek black cube, about the size of a box of files, humming faintly with power. "You're going to want to sit down for this," she said in a steady voice. "Both of you."
Kaiden and I exchanged a quick glance before turning to face her completely. She stepped forward and placed the cube on the table between us.
"This," she said, tapping the top, "is what I found beneath the old Heart building."
I stepped around the desk, wary. "That's not standard tech."
"No. It's older than anything we've used in years. And it's not just tech." She exhaled. "It's magic."
Kaiden raised a brow. "Magic? From your father?"
She nodded. "It was hidden beneath the old foundation… literally. There was a vault hidden behind stone, and sealed by blood."