Security swept the gardens for two hours. Found nothing.
No footprints. No cameras. No evidence anyone had been there besides us.
But I knew what I’d heard. The voice had mentioned the gardens specifically. The time of year. They’d been watching.
“Maybe they have access to the security feeds,” Cade suggested. Standing in Thaddeus’s office. “Could be monitoring remotely.”
“We’ll switch to a closed system,” Thaddeus said. Jaw tight. “No external access. And add more patrols. Double shifts.”
“That won’t stop them,” I said quietly. Everyone turned to look at me. “They’ve been one step ahead this whole time. More security just means they’ll adapt again.”
“So what do you suggest?” Thaddeus asked. “We can’t leave you unprotected.”
“I’m not saying that. I’m saying we stop reacting and start
