Anan’s POV

…

The presentation room was too bright.

I stood at the front beside the projector screen with a pointer in one hand, trying to keep my voice steady while I walked the senior staff through the residual magic patterns from the last three cases. 

Maps and diagrams glowed behind me in sharp blues and reds as top officials sat in the rows of chairs—the captain, two district supervisors, and a handful of senior inspectors I only knew by reputation and the weight of their silence. 

Jones leaned against the side wall near the door with his arms crossed, watching everything the way he always did when I was...