There was nowhere else to hide things here. Even the documents were on the desk, or somewhere equally visible.

"Something's weird about this," Mike mumbled.

Lily turned at the sound of his voice. "What is weird?"

She followed his gaze, noticing the unusual atmosphere. A frown creased her brow; the entire office felt strangely off.

"Did we just walk into a trap?" Mike, increasingly uneasy, glanced back at the safe. "I suspect what we want isn't inside, either."

Lily withdrew her hand, her gaze hardening. "No, it's the opposite. What we want is precisely inside here."

Mike was puzzled. He wondered, If that were the case, what are they waiting for? Or is Lily unable to open the safe as well?

Lily straightened, her voice ringing out, "Come out!"

Mike felt foolish. He'd been looking around, yet hadn't noticed anyone else. He suspected a trap, assumed someone was waiting to ambush them, but hadn't seen a thing. Lily, however, seemed certain someone was present.

"Stop hiding," Lily continued. "Aren't you here looking for something too? And you didn't find it, did you?"

Silence. No one emerged.

Mike searched again, finding nothing. He looked at Lily doubtfully. "Is there really someone here? Or are you just tricking—"

Before he could finish, Lily's hand moved, and something flew across the room with incredible speed. Mike felt a cold gust of wind brush his face, then a man materialized from the direction of Lily's throw.

Mike was astonished, utterly bewildered. The speed and precision were beyond his comprehension. He hadn't known anyone could pinpoint a hidden person with such skill, or that someone was even hidden in the office.

The man wore black clothing, his face concealed by a black mask; only his eyes were visible.

Mike's wariness intensified. "Who are you?"

He hadn't expected anyone else—besides himself and Lily—to be here with ulterior motives. Are there other people wanting the organization's secrets, too? Or is this man from the organization, waiting to capture us?

He couldn't immediately place the man's identity, but he knew caution was warranted. Lily, however, remained silent, her gaze fixed on the newcomer. The man's build and features were familiar; he resembled the person who'd helped her in the lab.

Recognition flickered in her eyes. Despite seeing only his eyes, she knew who he was. A complex mix of surprise, doubt, confusion, and anger washed over her.

The man held a silver needle—the one Lily had thrown. He'd caught it with astonishing agility.

He said nothing, simply stared at Lily and Mike.

Then Lily spoke, her voice soft but firm: "Edward, is that you?"