The tour concluded an hour and thirty minutes later, the hum of the final laboratory fading as Sage gracefully steered them back toward the quiet elegance of the executive lobby.
The air here was cooler, the light softer. It was time for Valerie to depart.
As they reached the transport hub, Valerie turned, her entourage pausing a respectful distance behind her. With a smile that was both charming and deliberate, she bypassed Sage and Cassia, her focus landing entirely on Zaeryn.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Zaeryn," she said, her blue eyes sparkling with an interest that was far from diplomatic. She tilted her head, a playful thought crossing her mind. "I have a feeling we'll be seeing each other again, especially since your brilliant girlfriend is now a part of the Aegis Division."
He gave a simple nod.
