[Volkov Compound, Northern S-City — 2:14 AM]
The moment Ivan accepted the order, the atmosphere inside the mansion shifted invisibly. Nikolai felt the subtle change in the air around him.
Though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Somewhere beneath the estate, ancient steel doors groaned open with an ancient beast's roar that reverberated through the marble floor beneath Nikolai's boots. Hidden systems dormant for years slowly came alive beneath the mountain foundations of the Volkov compound.
Outside the office doors, the Maid Corps moved immediately.
Polished heels clicked faster against black marble hallways while encrypted communication devices lit up beneath sleeves and gloves. Several maids who had stood calmly moments earlier now carried silver-plated rifles across their backs, while others disappeared into hidden corridors behind moving walls.
The scent inside the mansion itself began changing.
Old parchment.
Wine.
Lavender perfume.
