Ava caught it too, stepping to the side of the hallway with silent instinct. "We've got company."
Lucas didn't blink. "Then it's rude not to say hello."
He slipped his coat open, flicked a small black device from his belt, and pressed it once.
The lights died.
Total darkness swallowed the corridor for half a heartbeat—enough time for confusion to ripple through the Syndicate comms.
Then Lucas moved.
He didn't run. He flowed. Like shadow folded in on itself.
Ava followed, but barely. Even with her enhanced tracking, Lucas was two steps ahead, every move precise and merciless.
A door opened just ahead—wrong sound, fast and loud.
Lucas was already there. A dart hit the first enforcer in the throat.
Thud.
The man crumpled silently.
Two more turned the corner, weapons drawn.
