“Get the crowbar.”

I looked at the silver thumb drive, then at the small brass key still in the wall safe.

My hand crept toward the steel safe door, my fingers searching for the edge of the metal.

If I could just get to the override switch inside the safe, we might have a chance.

But Vanessa’s eyes flicked toward me, the gun barrel shifting slightly in my direction.

“Don’t move,” she warned, her finger tightening on the trigger.

The room was silent except for the low hum of the terminal and the sound of Sophie’s soft coughing.

The progress bar ticked to ninety-five percent.

Suddenly, the screen turned from green to a flashing, bright white.

A loud, synthesized chime echoed from the speakers, much louder than before.

*Transfer complete.*

*Initiating Protocol ‘Lullaby’.*

Vanessa’s face went completely pale as the lights in the hallway behind her suddenly died.

A deep, mechanical hum shook the entire floor beneath our feet.

“What did you do?” she hissed, her voice cracking with sudden panic.

“What is that?”

The sound of the house’s heavy security shutters slamming down echoed from the main rooms upstairs.