CHAPTER 7 — The Council of Shadows
The black envelope felt heavier than a brick.
Vincent read the invitation three times before finally looking at Isabella.
"It's a trap."
She nodded.
"Of course it is."
"Then why send it?"
"Because they know you'll come."
The invitation contained only one location.
Blackwater Island.
An island that officially didn't exist.
No maps.
No government records.
No satellite images available to the public.
Yet every major crime syndicate in the world whispered its name.
Forty-eight hours later, Vincent and Isabella arrived aboard a silent speedboat.
The island looked abandoned.
Ruined stone buildings.
Broken lighthouse.
Empty docks.
Until the ground beneath them opened.
An enormous elevator descended into the earth.
Nearly two hundred feet below sea level...
they stepped into a city hidden beneath the island.
It wasn't a bunker.
It was an empire.
Rows of armored guards stood motionless.
Politicians shook hands with cartel leaders.
Corporate CEOs drank wine beside international arms dealers.
Generals.
Judges.
Bankers.
Kings without crowns.
The Queen walked slowly toward Vincent.
"Welcome."
"You've spent thirty years believing you ruled a city."
She smiled.
"We own nations."
Massive screens lit up around the underground chamber.
Every major conflict from the last forty years appeared.
Gang wars.
Political assassinations.
Economic crashes.
Government coups.
One symbol appeared behind every event.
The silver phoenix.
Vincent stared in disbelief.
"You started all of them?"
The Queen answered without shame.
"No."
"We simply made sure nobody stopped them."
Then she dropped the greatest bombshell yet.
"Father Gabriel worked for me."
"Marcus worked for me."
"Even your own brother..."
"...worked for me."
Vincent's knees nearly gave way.
"No..."
The Queen slowly produced an old cassette tape.
"Listen."
His brother's voice echoed through the chamber.
"If anything happens to me... tell Vincent I'm sorry. I never found another way."
Vincent closed his eyes.
For thirty years he had blamed everyone except the real enemy.
May you like
And now...
that enemy stood smiling in front of him.
