ing the cold metal railing, her reflection staring back at her in the polished surface. The lights flicke

that clung to the room like a thick fog. Every word Rayne had spoken had been deliberate, controlled-like a chess master moving pieces on a board, always

? She felt

le floors. The receptionist barely glanced up as she passed, but Juniper felt the woman's eyes following

that she was being tested. Bu

She took a deep breath, hoping it would clear the fog in her mind, but it didn't.

he sound of the door closing behind her feeling final-like the shutting of a door to her old life.

it fel

dim. She had no plans for the evening-no social obligations, no pressing matters-nothing. But she

iar skyline becoming a blur, her mind kept r

s she

d-pretend to be someone who had everything together, someone who was confident, powerful, in control. But the reality was that she felt none of th

tructure made of glass and steel. There was no sign, no indication of what kind of bu

, his voice low. "T

ghts snapping back to the

is evening," he replied,

ot one that involved this particular location. But she couldn't affor

ped out of the car and followe

ls. There was no receptionist this time, no welcoming committee. Instead, a tall

ted her with a slig

onto the top floor-an open, airy space filled with modern art and floor-to-ceiling windows that looked out over the city. T

as she entered, but the sense of authority in the room was palpable. The woman, whose sharp features rem

id, her voice clipped.

ying her with the kind of intensity that made Juniper's skin crawl. She sudden

e felt. She sat down at the table, trying to match th

to discuss. A situation has developed that requires immedia

dea what these people were talking about. Was this

sound calm, but the words wer

k. Information regarding our operations is being shared with outsiders-journalists

veryone had been so on edge today? Was this why R

f the leak," the woman continued. "But we need you

understand the implications of what they were asking. What was she suppos

uniper's face. "This isn't just about the leak. It

when Rayne had spoken to her-an unsettling awareness that she was being tested. Tha

said, the words feelin

ng up and signaling that the meet

e elevator, her mind raced. What was really going on? How deep did this conspiracy go

osh, and Juniper exhaled slowly. She didn't know how

no choice