Then he started walking again.
Anya hesitated for half a second before quickly following him, staying close again without needing to be told. The hallway ahead opened into a larger section of the mansion, the energy shifting slightly as they moved deeper inside. Voices became more structured, more focused. This wasn't the casual gathering area anymore. This was controlled space.
Liam pushed open the door at the end of the corridor without slowing down.
The moment it opened, the atmosphere changed again.
Inside the room was a large setup with multiple screens, maps, and technical equipment spread across a wide table. A woman stood in front of one of the monitors with her back turned, fingers moving quickly as she worked. She had the posture of someone fully locked into her task, focused to the point where everything else didn't matter.
The door opened.
She turned immediately.
And the moment she saw Liam her entire expression changed.
