The tension in the room had begun to fade as Sarah and Helena adjusted to the presence of Ryan's most trusted team. Seraphine's dangerous allure, Shade's silent menace, and Aria's sharp intellect had all created a thick atmosphere of power, but there was something about their loyalty to Ryan that had, at least slightly, reassured his sisters.
Helena, ever the curious one, couldn't resist striking up conversation. She stepped forward, her eyes still flickering between the formidable figures who stood before her.
"So," she began, looking directly at Seraphine, "you're an assassin. I've never met one before."
Seraphine's lips curled into a playful smile, though her eyes remained sharp. "Not many do. And those who do rarely live to tell the tale."
Helena swallowed, her nerves barely concealed, but she smiled back. "I guess it's good that we're on the same side, then."
Sarah stood a step behind Helena, her gaze more cautious, watching each member of Ryan's team carefully. She understood that these were dangerous people, and though they were loyal to Ryan, they still felt like predators.
"How long have you all worked for him?" Sarah asked, her voice calm but probing.
Aria, without looking up from her screen, responded first. "Long enough to know that he's the only one worth following."
Shade simply nodded in silent agreement, while Seraphine tilted her head, giving Ryan a knowing glance. "He saved me from a rather… unfortunate fate. I've been loyal ever since."
Helena's curiosity sparked even further. "Saved you? From what?"
Seraphine smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Let's just say that people in my line of work don't often get second chances. Ryan gave me mine, and I intend to repay that debt, no matter the cost."
Helena's eyes widened. "That's… intense."
Before Helena could ask more questions, the heavy steel door at the far end of the room slid open with a soft hiss. The air seemed to shift as the newest figure entered—a girl, no older than sixteen or seventeen. She had a youthful, almost innocent appearance, with short, messy hair and large round glasses that gave her an almost comical appearance. She wore a loose hoodie, oversized for her petite frame, and carried a tablet under one arm. Her smile was wide and bright, contrasting sharply with the dark, dangerous energy that filled the room.
Helena's eyes lit up immediately, and she rushed forward with excitement. "Wait! Is that—?"
The girl's face broke into an equally excited smile. "Helena! It's been so long!"
Helena grinned, running up to the girl and embracing her, much to Sarah's and Ryan's surprise. "I can't believe you're here!"
Sarah, standing further back, watched the scene unfold with bewilderment. She shot a glance at Ryan, but he simply watched the two girls with the same stoic expression he always carried. Helena and the girl laughed together like old friends, exchanging excited greetings.
"Do you know each other?" Sarah asked, her voice cutting through the moment.
Helena nodded, pulling back from the girl, her face bright with joy. "Yeah! This is Iris! She's one of the best hackers in the world. We met online years ago. I didn't know she worked with you, Ryan!"
Iris giggled, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. "I didn't either until I found out who your brother was. Small world, huh?"
Helena turned back to Sarah, her face glowing. "Iris is amazing, Sarah. She's hacked into systems I could only dream of. She's like a wizard with technology."
Sarah frowned, her protective instincts flaring. She looked the young girl up and down, seeing only a fragile teenager—a stark contrast to the deadly assassins and warriors surrounding her. "You're… what, sixteen? Seventeen?"
Iris nodded, still grinning. "Seventeen, yeah. But I've been doing this for a long time."
Sarah's confusion deepened, and she shot a glance at Ryan. "What is she doing here? In this world? She's just a kid."
The room fell silent as Sarah's question hung in the air, the weight of it pressing down on everyone present. Ryan's face remained impassive, his eyes flicking briefly toward Iris before meeting Sarah's gaze.
Iris, sensing the tension, shifted uncomfortably but kept her smile. "I know what you're thinking," she said softly, her voice losing some of its cheerfulness. "But… this world isn't just for the old and ruthless. Some of us have to fight our battles, too."
Helena glanced between Sarah and Iris, her excitement dimming slightly as the seriousness of the moment set in. "Sarah, it's not like that. Iris is smart. She's not in any danger."
Sarah's eyes narrowed, but before she could respond, Ryan stepped forward, his voice quiet but firm. "Iris is one of the best in her field. She's here because she's earned her place."
"But she's just a teenager," Sarah insisted, her voice trembling with emotion. "She doesn't belong in a world like this, with killers and assassins."
Ryan's gaze darkened slightly, his voice colder now. "This world doesn't care how old you are. It only cares how useful you can be."
Iris gave a small, sad smile, her earlier excitement replaced with a quiet understanding. "It's okay, Sarah. I know this isn't normal. But this is where I belong."
Sarah's chest tightened. She looked at the young girl standing in front of her, so full of life yet surrounded by shadows darker than she could imagine. Her heart ached at the thought of someone so young being drawn into this world of danger and violence. It was one thing for Ryan, who had chosen this path, but for Iris…
"Why?" Sarah whispered, her voice barely audible. "Why is a girl like you here? In a world like this?"
The question hung in the air, unanswered. The room remained deathly still, the tension thick enough to choke on.
Ryan's eyes flicked toward Iris, but before anyone could speak, he turned sharply, his face unreadable. "That's enough for today," he said, his voice carrying a finality that silenced any further questions.
Without another word, Ryan turned and walked toward the door, leaving the room heavy with the unspoken mystery of why a seventeen-year-old girl had found her place among the deadliest shadows in the world.