Ethan sat behind his desk in the Nova Tech office, sunlight stretching across the floor like golden rivers. The air was still, almost too quiet, but his thoughts weren't.
He heard the soft knock before the door opened.
Maya stepped inside, dressed in her usual long coat, the one she always wore like a second skin. Her expression was unreadable, sharp eyes taking in every corner of the room before settling on him.
Ethan stood up out of respect. "Maya."
She nodded. "Ethan."
No titles. No posturing. Just names. That was how the Five Ghosts of Nemesis operated.
He gestured to the chair across from him. "Have a seat."
Maya walked over and sat, her movements smooth and precise. Even when she was still, she gave off the kind of presence that made people think twice before breathing too loud.
Ethan kept his voice steady. "I didn't expect you today."
"I wasn't planning to come," she replied. "But there's something we need to talk about."
He nodded. "Of course."
