Surrounded by high-security fencing and biometric scanners.
"The Obsidian Crescent Gala," I say. "An exclusive supernatural corporate charity event hosted by the Industrial Syndicate Council. Black-tie. Invitation-only. Maximum security."
I zoom in on the building's interior layout.
"Sentinel Dynamics will be in attendance. Their CEO, Marcus Hale, will be presenting a keynote address on corporate security innovation. And he will be carrying a biometric-locked data drive containing their encrypted master ledger."
I look around the room.
"We are going to steal it."
Commander Vex grins.
It is not a pleasant expression.
"Infiltration op?" he asks.
"Yes. High-profile. High-risk. We will have one opportunity to extract the data drive before their security protocols lock down the building."
"What is the security layout?" Kael asks.
I pull up the schematics.
"Three layers. Perimeter security—biometric scanners, facial recognition, armed guards. Interior security—motion sensors, pressure plates, encrypted access points. And personal security—Hale will have at least four bio-engineered enforcers with him at all times."
"So we need to get past three layers of security, extract a biometric-locked data drive from a CEO surrounded by enforcers, and get out without triggering a building-wide lockdown," Seraph says.
"Correct."
"That is insane."
"That is the job."
Tamsin clears her throat.
We all turn to look at her.
"Just to clarify," she says, her tone bone-dry. "When you say 'we,' you mean your tactical team, right? Not me. Because I am a massage therapist. I do not do heists."
I look at her.
At her compact frame, her sharp eyes, her absolute refusal to be intimidated by a room full of predators.
At my mate.
My equal.
My partner.
"You will be attending the gala as my date," I say.
Her eyebrows shoot up.
"Yourwhat?"
"The event is black-tie. Couples only. I can attend alone without drawing suspicion. And I need someone I trust at my side."
"Cyprian—"
