Geneva – League of Nations – November 16, 1937 – 10:34 AM
The League of Nations building looked like a cathedral of silence. Tall columns, gray marble, whispers tucked between tapestries and sealed archives.
Claire, Lorelei, Solène, and Émile entered with false badges, real signatures, and an impossible mission.
— "Room C," Lorelei murmured, walking with purpose. "Last hallway on the lower level. The root dossier is there. Code: LX-PEREGRIN."
—
Central Archive – Basement – 10:57 AM
A librarian in a black suit led them to the restricted wing.
— "You're here on Geneva's request, yes?"
Lorelei nodded.
Claire felt the chill in her stomach grow.
As the door opened, the librarian spoke:
— "Nothing may be removed. No documents may be copied. You have twenty minutes."
Inside, the room was smaller than they expected. But the air… the air was heavy as lead.
—
Back of the Room – 11:03 AM
The dossier was there. A simple envelope with a pale blue seal.
Claire opened it.
Inside, only one phrase:
"If you found this, it means they haven't forgotten."
And beneath… names.
Countries.
Signatures.
A system of legalized selective assassinations. Not just in France. Across nearly all of Europe.
She looked at Lorelei.
— "They knew. All of them. From the beginning."
Lorelei nodded.
— "And did everything to make sure no one else would."
—
Hallway – 11:18 AM
Two men in dark suits approached.
One touched the radio on his wrist.
— "Vaillant confirmed. Instructions?"
Silence.
Then the reply:
"Keep her alive… for now."
—
Inside the room, Claire held the most dangerous name on the list:
the next one.