The Pact
The Architect’s smile was thin, calculating. "Your ambition is... refreshing. Dangerous, too. I like that. But before I welcome you into the fold, I need proof."
Lyra met his gaze evenly. "You think I'd come this far without having something in hand? I brought a gift."
From her jacket, she pulled a small USB drive and placed it on the table between them. The Architect didn’t reach for it immediately. Instead, he studied her like one might a venomous snake...fascinated, wary, and wondering just how close he could get before it struck.
"What's on it?"
"The Shadowmoon Pack's most recent patrol routes, a schematic of their underground armory, and a security schedule for the Alpha's quarters. The kind of intelligence only a high-level insider would have."
The Architect arched a b
