Julian Blackwood approached Lyra the moment she walked into the Research and Development Department, his face lined with concern.
"Lyra, please listen to me," he whispered urgently, pulling her aside. "Jasper Covington is on the warpath. If you don't want to get crushed, you need to side with him."
Lyra shook her head, gently extracting her arm from his grip. "I appreciate the warning, Julian, but I don't switch sides because the wind changes direction."
Julian ran a hand through his hair. "This isn't about the wind. It's a hurricane coming straight for you."
"Then I'll weather it," Lyra replied firmly, walking past him toward her team's workspace.
Group One members sat huddled at their desks, heads down, tension evident in their rigid postures. They looked up when Lyra approached, relief washing over their faces.
"Thank goodness you're here," Mia whispered. "They've been waiting for you."
"Who's been waiting?" Lyra asked, setting her bag down.
