Chapter 84: The Watchers' Crossroads

“You’re so full of yourself, Jira. You refuse to work with the police just because they didn’t follow your request, and you won’t team up with Kate Miller because her father didn’t cover the story about that unknown guy who butchered nine men,” Jim said, his tone sharp and biting. His words hung in the air like a challenge, daring anyone in the room to refute him.

Jira’s eyes narrowed, her fingers curling into the armrests of her chair. “You think this is about ego?” she shot back. “It’s not. It’s about trust—or the lack of it. Those people abandoned us when we needed them most. You know that as well as I do.”

“But you also know Jonathan Miller was recovering from gallbladder surgery at the time,” Jim added, softening his tone slightly. “He wasn’t in any shape to take on the case or give it his full attention. His reasons weren’t malicious; they were medical.”

Jira’s expression didn’t waver. “It doesn’t matter, Jim. The police and the media ignored us when we needed them the most. Why should we depend on them now? The Watchers have always handled things on our own, without outside help. And we’ve done just fine.”

Jim snorted, shaking his head. “Have we, though? Is that what you call losing the Rubaiyat twice?”

“We, The Watchers, are the guardians of the Rubaiyat,” Jira continued, ignoring his remark. Her voice took on a reverent tone as she addressed the room. “It’s our sacred duty to keep it hidden from the world. We protected it for generations, but then we lost it. That loss threw everything into chaos. Thankfully, we managed to get it back and hide it again. But the problem is, those Satanist cults never stop coming after it. This fight between The Watchers and their kind has been going on forever.”

Jim leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table as his voice rose. “And now, we’ve got a bigger issue.” His gaze swept across the room, lingering on each member in turn.

“A few years ago, we lost the Rubaiyat again. And for the first time in our history, we couldn’t get it back. The reason? The killer who has it now is ten steps ahead of us. He knows our strategies, our tactics, and it’s making it impossible for us to win. So the question is—what’s next? How do we get the Rubaiyat back?”

The room fell silent. A heavy tension settled over the group, the kind that felt like a physical weight pressing down on everyone’s shoulders. All eyes turned to Jim, waiting for his answer.

“We need help,” Jim said, his voice steady and unwavering. “Kate Miller and Jason Strauss are the best at what they do, and with their skills, we have a shot at finding the killer. Let’s be real—when we’re up against an enemy as dangerous as this, it’s not about pride or ego. It’s about stopping them before more people get hurt.”

Jira crossed her arms, her jaw tightening as she straightened in her seat. “The Watchers are the best equipped to find and protect the Rubaiyat. If we start working with the police and the media, it’ll look like we’re admitting we can’t handle this on our own. Do you know what that does to our reputation? To the trust people place in us to guard something this important?”

Jim didn’t back down. His voice was firm, unyielding, yet filled with an urgency that couldn’t be ignored. He leaned forward, locking eyes with Jira. “If we don’t act now, Jira, more people will die—and their blood will be on our hands. The Watchers’ mission has always been to protect, not just the Rubaiyat, but the innocent. Or have we forgotten that?”

His words struck a chord. The tension in the room shifted as several heads began nodding in agreement. For the first time, it felt as though Jim’s argument was truly landing.

“I think Jim’s right,” Albert said, breaking the silence. His voice carried a tone of quiet conviction. “We can’t let our pride get in the way. We’ll stay out of the spotlight, but we’ll work with the police behind the scenes to track down the killer and get the Rubaiyat back where it belongs. It’s the only way.”

Jira’s gaze lingered on the group, scanning each face carefully. Their silence spoke volumes, and the subtle nods were impossible to ignore. She clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms. Admitting that The Watchers might not be enough this time felt like swallowing shards of glass. The thought gnawed at her, eating away at her pride, her belief that they had always been the ultimate safeguard against chaos. If they couldn’t handle this on their own, what did that say about them?

Finally, she exhaled sharply, breaking the silence.

“Fine. Let me think it over. I’ll let you know my decision soon.”

The group nodded, their postures relaxing ever so slightly. They all knew one thing: once Jira made up her mind, her word was final. No one dared to go against their leader’s decisions—it was the number one rule.

Jim leaned back in his chair, his expression still serious but tinged with relief. The battle wasn’t over, but he’d gained a crucial foothold.

“Jim, go ahead and update us on the details about the missing girl,” Jira said, her tone signaling the discussion was far from over. She wasn’t ready to concede just yet, but the room could feel a shift. The wheels were turning, and a decision was brewing.

Jim nodded and opened his folder, the papers rustling as he prepared to speak. The group leaned in, the weight of their responsibility pressing down harder than ever. The fight for the Rubaiyat wasn’t just about them anymore—it was about saving lives.