Closer.
The office door shook.
Kael's eyes flashed.
"Richard. Get the employees out."
"What about you?"
"I'll get Lara to the secure stairwell."
I immediately shook my head.
"No."
Kael turned.
"What?"
"There are people downstairs."
"Yes."
"People I work with."
"Lara—"
"I'm not leaving them."
His jaw tightened.
"This isn't the time."
"Exactly."
I grabbed my father's journal and shoved it into my bag.
Then the map.
The crystal.
My mother's letter.
Everything.
Richard stared at me.
"What are you doing?"
"Making sure they don't get what they came for."
Kael stepped closer.
"You are what they came for."
"I know."
The words felt strange.
Terrifying.
But true.
I looked towards the smoke rising through the atrium.
"If they're focused on me, maybe everyone else can
