Adrian's POV
The storm outside my study had been building all evening, low thunder rolling over the estate like a restless giant unable to sleep.
The lights flickered once, then steadied, casting long shadows across the bookshelves lining the walls.
I stared at the shimmering map projected above it, dots moving across the city, some blue, some red, and a new cluster blinking yellow. Yellow was bad. Yellow meant uncertain, unverified, possible infiltration.
I ran a hand through my hair and leaned back.
There were too many moving pieces now, too many unknown threats near Elena, and worst of all, one of them was inside my ranks.
A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.
"Enter," I said.
The door opened, and Thorne stepped inside, closing it quietly behind him. His presence always brought a different kind of weight into a room, controlled, silent, dense. The man moved like a blade, clean, efficient, impossible to read unless he allowed it.
Tonight, he seemed sharper than usual.
