The CEO office occupied the highest executive level of Artemis Tower. Evening sunlight stretched across polished wood floors and reflected softly from the glass walls overlooking the city. Most employees had already left for the day. The remaining lights scattered throughout the skyline below looked like embers waking one by one as night settled over the recovering district.
Cael Alexander sat behind his desk reviewing a final contract when his phone vibrated.
Seraphina.
His attention shifted immediately.
They rarely spoke outside investigations or organization matters.
He answered. "I'm assuming something's wrong."
"Not yet," Seraphina replied.
That was not a reassuring answer.
Cael leaned back in his chair. "You're calling me directly. That's already suspicious."
"I need an hour," she said.
The tone caught his attention.
Not frightened.
Not urgent.
Deliberate.
"Where?" Cael asked.
She named a private café on the far side of town.
Expensive.
Secluded.
