POV: Ferdinand King

Ian stood in the center of the warehouse with Emilia beside him.

Not restrained exactly, but clearly unable to leave. Some combination of psychological manipulation and genuine threat keeping her in place.

"Welcome," Ian said as we fanned out around him. "Thank you all for coming. This is exactly what I'd hoped for."

"Let Emilia go," I commanded. "Whatever point you're trying to prove, it's over."

"It's over when I say it's over. When I've demonstrated that my theories ...