"You will not be involved in the extraction," I say. "You will remain with me in the main ballroom, providing cover while Kael and Commander Vex execute the operation. Your role is to be visible. To be charming. To ensure that no one questions why I am there."
She stares at me.
"You want me to go to a high-society supernatural gala," she says slowly, "and becharming."
"Yes."
"I own one dress. It is from Target. It has a coffee stain on the hem."
"I will provide appropriate attire."
"Of course you will."
Kael coughs.
It sounds suspiciously like a laugh.
Tamsin shoots him a look.
"This is insane," she says.
"This is necessary," I correct.
She opens her mouth.
Closes it.
Opens it again.
"Fine," she says. "But if I have to wear heels, I am charging you extra."
"Agreed."
Commander Vex is definitely grinning now.
Seraph is trying very hard not to smile.
Even Lucien looks faintly amused.
I turn back to the holographic display.
"Kael, I need a full security analysis of the venue. Entry points, exit routes, blind spots in the surveillance network. Commander Vex, coordinate with your pack. I want a perimeter team on standby in case we need emergency extraction. Seraph, run financial projections. Once we have the master ledger, I want to know exactly how much damage we can do to their corporate structure."
"Understood," Kael says.
"On it," Commander Vex says.
Seraph nods, already pulling up spreadsheets.
I look at Lucien.
He meets my gaze.
"I assume you want me to handle the social engineering component," he says.
"Correct. You will be attending the gala as well. Your role is to engage Hale in conversation, keep him distracted while Kael moves into position."
"Consider it done."
