Five p.m. sharp.
The office lights hummed softly, casting long shadows across the glass-walled room. The city outside was beginning to dim, but inside, the air felt sharpened—charged.
Nyx sat back in her chair, legs crossed, posture relaxed in a way that meant the opposite. Beside her stood James, tablet in hand, expression unreadable.
Across the table, Lucien leaned against the edge, arms folded. Elias remained standing, fingers resting on the back of a chair—alert, calculating.
Elias broke the silence.
"I've pulled what I could," he said. "Financial trails, internal memos, donor lists. But it's incomplete."
Nyx didn't interrupt.
Elias continued, "We'll need to wait for the fresher party. Important guests are attending—board affiliates, political connections, old money. Someone will slip."
Lucien glanced toward Nyx. "So the party's our window."
"It's our bait," Elias corrected.
Nyx finally spoke. "Fine."
All eyes shifted to her.
"But let me be clear about something," she added calmly. "Lucien and I will move together."
James stiffened slightly but said nothing.
Elias frowned. "Together?"
"You and James focus on intel," Nyx said. "Find me at least one suspect. One thread. Anything."
She leaned forward, elbows resting lightly on the desk.
"Lucien and I will remove your obstacles."
The word hung there.
Lucien straightened. "Obstacles?"
Nyx turned her head just enough to look at him. "Yes."
A pause.
"If they appear," she continued evenly. "Otherwise, we're clear."
Elias exhaled slowly. James adjusted his grip on the tablet.
Lucien studied her for a long moment. Then—no smile, no protest—just a nod.
"Understood," he said.
Elias looked between them. "You're comfortable making those calls on the ground?"
Nyx stood.
"I don't ask for permission," she replied. "I inform."
Silence followed.
Then James spoke quietly, "We'll start narrowing the guest list."
"Good," Nyx said, already moving toward the door. "Because once the party begins—"
She paused, hand on the handle.
"—nothing stays hidden for long."
The door closed behind her.
Lucien watched it shut, something unreadable flickering across his face.
Partners.
And the game had officially escalated.