n a classroom. Glass walls, a floor-to-ceiling view of the city, sleek black desks arranged in a

cial Officer – Sterlin

n. Out of every company in the w

nario - we had thirty minutes to make a decision about a fictional overseas a

sat across the room, his gaze steady and unreadable. Adrian was n

erms like "ROI" and "equity dilution." I barely heard them. The numbers on my t

ogic. It wa

realized I knew how to make. Every move felt inevitable, like I was

ion was projected at a 14% higher retur

ed on the main screen,

ly. "Impressive work, Miss Vale

eks, but before I coul

tion. She anticipated the board's

nces at me. I hated the sudden attention, but Dam

hings when his voice

with

as already heading to

, the late afternoon light fi

ned in ther

numbers," I

said. "That was instinct

Is that a complim

ot

city stretched out in golden light. He studie

ietly. "But sooner or later, you're going to have to stop runn

ms. "And that s

offering to teach you how to win. Wha

er, he stepped asid

one of the glass atriums. Champagne flowed freely, the

g to stay long -

that absorbed the light. He was speaking to a man I didn't re

e. The city glittered beyond the glass, the sound o

so tense," a voice d

inst the railing, his tie loose

ow you were

r was spending a lot of time with a c

eyes. "You'r

e railing. "Let me guess - Damian told you he can protect you, Serena

. "How

said, his grin tinged with something darker.

holding mine. "The trick is not to

inside faded, replaced by the

ping. "You should know - Damian isn't the only o

h caught

e champagne tower. Woman in the green dress

settled in my chest. "Wh

ple cornered," he said. "Unless

de exit. The rain had stopped, but the air was damp and

orm, I heard foo

and Victo

out being noticed," he said, almost ap

nvisible," I said, thou

t air. "That's good. Because the Gala will not be a place for ghosts. It wi

lid into me

going,"

on had already been made. "And when you do, you'll

ned and disappear

the window, the city a sea

drian's warning.

s tightenin

it, the more I could feel the pull - not just

d of hunger w