The room was dark.
Not because it lacked light
But because it was designed that way.
Controlled.
Secure.
Hidden.
A circular table sat at the center, its surface glowing faintly as holographic screens flickered to life.
Figures appeared one by one.
Not physically
But through projection.
Each one standing in a different location.
Different countries.
Different time zones.
Same purpose.
Adejo stood in the room alone.
Still.
Focused.
His posture straight, his expression unreadable.
But his eyes
Sharp.
Always watching.
"Status report."
The voice cut through the silence.
Calm.
Commanding.
Unquestionable.
Adam Valentine.
His projection appeared last.
And instantly
The entire atmosphere shifted.
Adejo bowed his head slightly.
"Sir."
Another figure spoke.
"We've confirmed movement again."
A map lit up across the table.
Red markers blinking.
Unstable.
Shifting.
"Same signature," another voice added. "He's testing defenses."
Adejo's gaze hardened.
"The Illusionist."
Silence followed.
Because even saying that name carried weight.
Adam Valentine stepped forward slightly.
His presence alone felt heavy.
"Casualties?"
"Minimal," one of the operatives replied. "But increasing."
"Patterns?" Adam asked.
"They're not random," Adejo said.
All eyes turned to him.
He continued
"He's probing. Looking for weaknesses. Studying response time."
A pause.
"He's preparing."
The room grew colder.
Not physically
But mentally.
Adam's voice dropped slightly.
"For what?"
Adejo didn't hesitate.
"…Her."
No one needed clarification.
Samantha.
Another operative spoke, tension in his voice.
"If that's true, then we should move her immediately."
"No," Adam said instantly.
Firm.
Final.
The room went silent again.
"She stays where she is," Adam continued. "Her current environment is stable. Controlled."
"With respect, sir," one of the voices pushed, "if the Illusionist is targeting her"
"He won't touch her."
Adam's tone didn't rise.
But it didn't need to.
Adejo spoke carefully.
"He already tried."
That got everyone's attention.
Flash
A broken door.
A fight in the dark.
Blood on the floor.
"The dorm incident," Adejo continued. "It wasn't random."
Adam's expression didn't change.
But his eyes did.
"…And you handled it?"
"Yes, sir."
"Good."
Another operative leaned forward.
"That confirms it. She's already on his radar. We can't pretend she's safe."
Adam turned slightly.
"And we can't turn her life into a battlefield either."
Silence.
Because that was the truth.
"She's not a soldier," Adam said quietly. "She's my daughter."
That line carried more weight than anything else he had said.
Adejo lowered his gaze slightly.
Respect.
Understanding.
But also
Concern.
Adam looked directly at him now.
"Adejo."
"Yes, sir."
"You are her shadow."
"Yes, sir."
"You are her shield."
"Yes, sir."
A pause.
Then
"You are her silence."
Adejo didn't respond immediately.
Because he understood what that meant.
"Under no circumstances," Adam continued, "does Samantha find out about this."
The room felt heavier.
"She's too intelligent," Adam said. "Too observant. If she senses something, she'll dig."
And they all knew
That was true.
Adejo spoke carefully.
"She's already asking questions."
Adam's gaze sharpened.
"…Then you make sure she doesn't find answers."
That was the order.
Clear.
Absolute.
Dangerous.
"Let her be a student," Adam said quietly. "Let her live a normal life for as long as she can."
A pause.
Then softer
"She deserves that."
Adejo clenched his fist slightly.
"…Understood."
The projections began to flicker.
Meeting ending.
Orders given.
War approaching.
But just before the connection cut
Adam spoke one last time.
"Adejo."
"Yes, sir."
"If anything happens to her…"
He didn't finish the sentence.
He didn't need to.
Adejo met his gaze.
Steady.
Unshaken.
"…Nothing will happen to her."
The screens went dark.
The room fell silent again.
Adejo stood there alone.
For a long moment.
Thinking.
Then
He reached into his pocket.
Pulled out his phone.
Checked a single notification.
Samantha's location.
Stable.
Safe.
For now.
He turned toward the door.
His expression calm.
But his eyes
War-ready.
"Normal life…" he muttered quietly.
Then he stepped out into the night.
"…I'll protect it."
Outside, the world looked peaceful.
Students laughed.
Lights glowed.
Life moved on.
But beneath it all
Something was coming.
Something patient.
Something watching.
And this time
It wasn't just observing.
It was planning.