p building was a cavern of wh

s. Heads turned immediately. Whispers hissed through the

he private elevators and

for them in his glass-walled office. He wor

the Director said. He gestured t

ach a thick pack

will be joining Design Group Two. It is our core evening we

tched her packet tightly to h

her. Group Two w

to look at Helena. His smil

aid. "You will be i

ng a clipboard suddenly looked down at her shoe

mach ti

er's team do?" Ala

"Group One handles... special pro

porate language, tha

floors," the Director said, standin

ed them back to the elev

topped on the

Alaina," H

f the elevator. The doors closed again,

tor began

m foot to foot. She looked at the se

spered quickly. "About Design Gro

" Helena asked, kee

y. "It is where they send designers who are too difficult to manage

cold knot form

tant added. "But he is notoriously eccentric. No on

ors. Hayward. He had arranged

at the twelfth flo

lls were covered in chaotic, spray-painted graffiti. Music thump

ed to the door. "Th

the elevator doors shut instantl

the metal door. She felt the familiar urge to r

breath. Hayward w

rabbed the heavy metal hand