AB

The city of Vesper never truly slept. Rain polished the streets into black mirrors, reflecting crimson neon signs that buzzed above abandoned cafés and crowded alleyways. Somewhere beneath the glow, secrets were bought, sold, and buried. Lena Hart had made a career out of digging them back up. As an investigative journalist, she'd spent years exposing corrupt officials and crime syndicates. It earned her awards—and enemies. Tonight, one of those enemies finally caught up with her. Footsteps echoed behind her. She turned sharply, clutching the flash drive hidden inside her jacket. Three masked figures emerged from the darkness. "Hand it over." Lena's heart pounded. She backed away, searching for an escape. Then the streetlights went out. A blur moved between the attackers. One collapsed. Then another. The third barely had time to react before a woman in a dark coat swept his legs out from under him and disappeared into the shadows with impossible speed. Silence returned. The stranger stepped beneath a flickering sign. Short black hair framed sharp gray eyes. A thin scar crossed one eyebrow, and rain dripped from the edge of her hood. "You should run," she said calmly.