Night settled over the capital with unusual stillness. From the outside, Parliament looked exactly as it always had.
Its white stone pillars stood beneath pools of golden light. Flags hung motionless in the cool evening air. Security officers moved through routine patrols, unaware that beneath their feet rested secrets older than most of the nation's history.
By eleven forty-five, the building appeared almost deserted. Almost. A black SUV rolled quietly into an underground service entrance normally reserved for maintenance crews.
Director Hayes stepped out first.
He wasn't wearing his usual suit.
Instead, he wore dark tactical clothing beneath a plain overcoat. No medals. No insignia. Tonight he wanted to look like someone who didn't exist.
Sebastian climbed out behind him.
"So this is how Presidents spend their nights?" Magnus whispered as he closed the vehicle door.
"I was expecting something less illegal."
