Chapter 12: You’re Being Watched
They never appeared in the news, and no one dared whisper their name, but the Sovereign Circle decided who lived, who ruled, and who vanished. Beneath the noise and busyness of the city's markets, business towers, and political meetings, they sat in silence, watching, pulling strings, and making kings out of men... or dust.
It was just after noon when a man in a grey coat was running through the streets with erratic breathing, his heart pounding with urgency. He moved quickly through an alley behind a private office building, one that bore no sign, only an embossed brass plate with the letters "OMEGA & CO. LTD" Its real identity was hidden from plain sight. The building was more than it seemed.
The man stepped inside, almost stumbling as he reached the lobby. A young, slim secretary with sharp eyes and a cold stare met him at the front desk.
"Can I help you?" she asked, barely glancing up.
"I... I need to speak with the boss. Immediately. It's urgent. Tell him it's related to a sighting," he said, trying to lower his voice.
The woman raised a brow. She turned around and picked up the intercom. Her voice was steady and practiced.
"Sir, there's a visitor... says it's urgent. A sighting."
A moment of silence passed. Then a response went through.
"Send him in."
She instructed him to go to the topmost floor and gave clear directions. He walked to the elevator, pressed the button, and when it arrived, the doors slid open automatically.
The man walked through a dim hallway and went past portraits of famous men and philanthropists. Each photo hung like a mask, some of them actual members of the Circle, hidden in plain sight.