The hallway erupted in gunfire.
The moment Vanessa fired, the Circle soldiers responded with a coordinated barrage that lit the corridor in flashes of white light. Bullets slammed into the wooden walls and shattered bookshelves lining the library entrance.
Vanessa ducked behind the corner pillar as splinters exploded across the hallway.
Marco dropped beside her, firing two quick bursts toward the enemy formation.
"One down," he muttered.
Vanessa leaned out and fired twice.
Another soldier collapsed near the library door.
But the Circle team didn't break formation.
Even under fire, they held their positions like trained military units.
Marco exhaled sharply.
"They're stubborn."
Vanessa nodded.
"They're professionals."
Across the hallway, the Circle commander moved behind the thick doorway frame of the library.
Even in the chaos of gunfire, he seemed strangely composed.
He fired only when necessary.
Precise.
Controlled.
Marco noticed.
"That guy's good."
