e worst kind of secrets were the

was

deep that when someone finally forced them into the lig

ivate penthouse, trembling in designer heels, while he told her

she said. "The system-

ce. Your retinal scan. Your neural signature." "My-"

erview. We run high-level security clearances. But the system didn't choose you because I programm

sense," Ivy said. "Why

quietly. "You're a thinker. You challenge. You adapt

ared a

ompliment. But it sou

-

ced, tangled between AI systems, Redhawk threats, a

he lobby entirely. Damian had sent her a code for a bac

or. It was eerily quiet. She headed

flickering on as she passed. Her keycard

the s

s blinked in synchronized rhythm. At the far end, a biometric st

nded. She ste

the system said, voice neut

, then green. "Retinal

lean

er eye. "Verified. Neu

lse moved through her skin-a harmles

en blink

message

RANTED. We

swal

, Damian?" she whispered. Be

ned. An

Damian. It

lowly, gun holstere

. "But you're forcing my hand." "You're wor

ou just accessed-it's too powerful. No one shou

ard. "You're go

he said. "And if you get in

t the chance to

r voice rang out like thun

mi

oorway, gun in ha

way fro

her, Damian? You created this monster. Y

ou've got one chance." Ale

s mistake. Two

colla

backing into t

ers. "You're okay. I've got you. You're ok

oing to s

pooling on the floor. The server bli

or any of this. I built the system to protect people. Bu

ped. "N

oked

rotect you." She s

nod

own this behavior once before. It linked to your file. It rerout

locked you out?" He nodde

ly does this thing do?" He looked at h

gr

lobal ones. It's not just security. It'

s Chr

-

rity lockdown lifted, Ivy sat in Damian's office, hand

dows, still glittering, still obl

They'll follow you."

here without protecti

urs." He did

between th

d, "Was I ever ju

ooke

" And just like that, the wall

something," she

lly hire me?" Da

. "But I kept you because... you se

and started picking locks. You challenge me. You make

. Crossed

inches f

pered. "What are we?" Bu

hone

he screen. His

he asked. He he

w me

me out. So I l

. Of Ivy's apartment.

over the camera. A c

:1

's the AI, isn't it?" Da

st taken her