The request arrived the next morning, heavy and absolute, leaving no room for debate. The Vineyard command hall was packed when Snow Team assembled, the stone walls soaking up low murmurs that died the second Victor stepped inside. The atmosphere had shifted; there was no more posturing or sideways glances, only a respect so thick you could feel it on your skin.ff
Victor didn't break his stride as he moved through the crowd. The room parted for him like a current around a jagged stone, Damien trailing half a step behind. Not beside him—never beside him. The placement was a message. Voss brought up the rear, and everyone in that hall understood the math without a word being said. Victor, Damien, and Voss. The hierarchy settled over the space like gravity, inescapable and cold, until Felicity walked in between them.
