The air in the room was heavy with tension as Benjamin read and reread the note. The black feather felt symbolic—a warning of something sinister lurking just beyond his grasp. Clara stood beside him, her hand resting lightly on his arm.
"Who could this be?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with worry.
Benjamin set the note and feather down on the table with deliberate care, his expression hardening. "The Raven," he said, almost to himself. "They're making their move, and they want us to know they're watching."
Marcus cleared his throat. "This isn't just intimidation, boss. Dropping a package like that? It's a calculated risk. They're challenging you."
"I don't back down from challenges," Benjamin replied coldly.
Evelyn, who had been silently observing, stepped forward. "We need to approach this carefully. Whoever The Raven is, they're not working alone. They've already infiltrated Lucien's ranks, and now they're testing yours."
Benjamin nodded. "Double the security on the mansion. No one comes or goes without clearance."
"Understood," Marcus said, already heading out to relay the orders.
As the team dispersed, Clara turned to Benjamin, her eyes searching his face. "You're worried," she said simply.
Benjamin sighed, his shoulders relaxing only slightly in her presence. "I've faced threats before, Clara, but this... this feels different. The Raven doesn't just want power—they want chaos."
Clara stepped closer, placing a hand on his chest. "Then we face it together. You're not alone in this, Benjamin."
Her words were a balm to his frayed nerves, and he pulled her into a tight embrace. "I don't know what I'd do without you," he murmured.
---
The next morning, the mansion buzzed with activity. Guards patrolled every corner, and Evelyn worked tirelessly in the operations room, piecing together fragments of information about The Raven's identity.
Benjamin, meanwhile, prepared for a meeting with his most trusted allies. The conference room was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of leather and cigar smoke.
"I need answers," he began, his voice commanding. "Who is The Raven, and what do they want from us?"
One of his men, a wiry, sharp-eyed enforcer named Adrian, spoke up. "We've traced some of their movements to the docks, but it's vague. They're covering their tracks well."
"Not well enough," Benjamin growled. "I want surveillance on every shipment coming through the city. If The Raven's moving anything, I want to know about it."
As the meeting continued, Clara wandered into the kitchen, hoping to find some reprieve from the tension. The staff had been on edge all morning, and she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
She looked out the window, her gaze catching a figure lurking near the gates. Before she could call for help, the figure vanished into the shadows.
A chill ran down her spine.
The Raven was closer than they thought.