Thursday morning broke cold and gray over Warsaw.
I arrived at the Thorn Publishing office at 7:45 a.m earlier than usual. The building was still quiet, security nodding as I passed without a word.
Kasia was already there.
She stood at the window of the executive floor conference room, arms crossed, staring down at the city. Black pencil skirt, cream blouse, the obsidian necklace catching the weak light. No makeup today. Eyes tired.
She turned when I entered.
"Fistoria's board meeting ended at 2:17 a.m. their time," she said without greeting. "They're preparing a public statement. Damage control. No mention of the clause yet just 'addressing community concerns' and 'reviewing feedback'."
I set my coffee on the table. "They're scared."
"They should be." She handed me her tablet. Open to a leaked internal email chain.
From: Legal Director
To: Board Chair
Subject: Immediate Threat Assessment – Clause 7.12b Exposure
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