Chapter 5

  Selene and Kallen arrived at the hotel, its elegant exterior illuminated by the glow of lanterns hanging from ornate iron hooks. The atmosphere inside of it was one of quietness and luxury. The sounds of people talking and the soft clink of glass could be heard in the background as they walked in.

  Selene’s eyes scanned the room with precision. Her gaze settled on a comfortable sofa placed into an isolated corner of the main hall. She walked toward it and sat down, crossing one leg over the other. The leather cushions of the sofa creaked softly under her weight as she leaned back, her eyes closing in thought. Her fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest.

  Meanwhile, Kallen approached the receptionist. His grin made the young woman at the desk glance at him nervously. He leaned forward, his arms resting casually on the desk, his eyes watching her every move with unsettling intensity.

  “We have some business with the occupants of one of your rooms,” Kallen said smoothly. “Two women dressed like nobles and a young girl. Kindly inform them they have visitors waiting in the main hall.”

  The receptionist’s hands twitched as she nodded quickly, her gaze shifting to the side. She wanted to ask more details about who they were but was too afraid for that, hurrying to relay the message and disappearing through a side door. Kallen’s grin widened as he turned and walked back to where Selene was.

  “Done,” he said as he sat beside her, his hands resting on his knees. “They’ll be down soon.”

  Selene tilted her head back, gazing at the high ceiling. Her mind wandered to the two so-called nobles. She’d seen plenty of the type before—arrogant, entitled, and endlessly frustrating. But something about this situation made her cautious. It was rare for nobles of this city to intervene in the affairs of the organization, let alone take in a girl who’d clearly been through hell.

  “Perhaps we should be diplomatic this time,” Selene said aloud, her voice soft but sharp. “If they’re genuine nobles, they are probably not from this city, and pushing too hard could make things messy. It’s better to test the waters first.” Her gaze darkened as she added, “Besides, Valyria should be the one dealing with this.”

  Kallen’s grin didn’t falter. “You’re being far too generous,” he said, his eyes glinting with amusement. “But I’ll play nice… for now.”

  Minutes later, the soft click of heeled boots echoed down the hallway leading from the upper floors. Two women approached. Their presence was undeniable, as if an unseen force followed them, drawing many gazes in the hall. Their attire was immaculate, finely tailored, of the type that spoke of wealth and status. One had striking blue… and greenish eyes and flowing white hair that framed her sharp features. The other, a little taller and with an aura of quiet menace, had white hair and grey eyes.

  Selene rose from her seat, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in the sight of them. Her instincts whispered caution, but she pushed it aside. She stepped forward and extended her hand, her face a mask of polite calm.

  “Welcome,” she said smoothly. “I’m glad you’ve come to speak with us.”

  Sarah’s eyes met hers, unblinking. She reached out and shook Selene’s hand, a firm grip. “We’re here,” Sarah replied simply, her voice measured but firm. “I’m Sarah and this is Nami.”

  “Nice to meet you two. I’m Selene.” She gestured to the sofa. “Please, sit. Let’s discuss this matter calmly.”

  Sarah and Nami sat down across from Selene and Kallen. There was a clear tension in the air. Selene’s eyes shifted to Nami, who sat with an air of ease, her eyes passed a strange feeling… like a beast surveying its territory.

  “There’s been a misunderstanding,” Selene began, her tone gentle yet firm. “One of our workers, a young girl named Tuah, suffered a head injury recently. She’s been wandering in confusion ever since. We’ve been searching for her, and it seems she’s found her way to your care.” Her eyes darted between Sarah and Nami, watching for their reactions. “We’re grateful for your kindness, truly. We’re here to take her home now, where she belongs.”

  Sarah leaned back, arms crossed, her eyes narrowing ever so slightly. “The girl’s been through a lot,” she said slowly, her gaze fixed on Selene. “She’s frightened and injured. I’d rather keep her with me until I’m certain she’s safe.”

  Kallen’s grin grew wider, his eyes fixed on Sarah. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees, his voice smooth but sharp as a blade. “You’re outsiders here,” he said softly, his words carrying hints of a threat. “It’s best not to cause waves. Hand her over, and we’ll see to it that you’re… compensated for your efforts.”

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Selene’s gaze moved towards Kallen, her lips pressed into a thin line. She nodded slowly as if agreeing with him. “Yes, you’re not from around here, are you? It’s better to avoid trouble. Our city’s laws can be… unforgiving to outsiders.”

  Sarah’s eyes stayed on Selene, and her face was an unreadable mask. “We’ll think about it,” she said at last, her tone noncommittal.

  Nami’s smile widened slightly, a shift that carried an undeniable menace. Her grey eyes locked onto Kallen’s. “We’re very good at solving problems,” she said softly, her voice filled with dark amusement. “So good, in fact, that problems rarely stay problems for long.”

  Silence hung in the air for a moment, broken only by the distant clash of glass from the kitchen and the bar. Then Sarah and Nami rose from their seats.

  “As I said, we’ll think about it. We can find you guys if we need to.” Sarah said as she walked away, Nami following behind her.

  Selene’s eyes narrowed as she watched them leave. Her fingers tapped softly on the armrest of the sofa, a habit of hers. “Interesting,” she murmured. “Very interesting.”

  ***

  Sarah and Nami went up the staircase, their footsteps making soft sounds against the wood.

  “Next time, I’m not going to one of those meetings,” Nami muttered, her grey eyes narrowed with disdain. Her tall frame towered slightly over Sarah’s as she walked. “I had to hold myself back so hard just to not kill those two. It was torture.”

  Sarah’s lips curled into a small chuckle. “The trap is already set,” she replied, her voice calm and calculating. “We’ve refused to hand over the girl, so they’ll make a move. They’ll want to take her back, and when they do, we’ll respond.”

  Nami’s grin was faint but sharp. “I hope I can have fun with some of them when that time arrives…”

  They came to their room and entered, slamming the door shut. Tuah sat on one of the beds, her hands pressed together tightly, fingers clutched nervously onto each other. Her hair was a little messy, her face pale, and her eyes fixed upon the ground as if she could disappear if she only stared hard enough. Her physical wounds might have been healed, but her fear was still present.

  Her head tilted up slightly at the sound of the door, and her anxious eyes darted to Sarah and Nami. “Did… did they come for me?” she asked, her voice small and fragile.

  Sarah’s gaze softened ever so slightly, but her tone remained firm. “Yes,” she admitted. “They want you back.”

  Tuah’s breath became faster, and a tear rolled down her cheek. Her small body started to tremble as she stared at the ground, her eyes filled with terror. “Are you… Are you going to give me to them?” she asked, her voice cracking.

  Sarah’s expression didn’t change. She stepped forward and crouched down to Tuah’s eye level, her gaze gentle – an act, of course, but Sarah was getting good at it – as she looked into the girl’s eyes.

  “No,” she said firmly. “You’re safe here. They’ll have to go through me to get to you.”

  Tuah continued to cry, but this time they weren't born of fear alone, there was relief in her eyes as she nodded slowly. She sniffed, wiping her face with the back of her hand.

  Nami, meanwhile, had already thrown herself onto the other bed, arms behind her head as she sprawled across it in a relaxed pose. She eyed the ceiling with a look of disinterest, her grey eyes almost closing with boredom. “You’re too soft, Sarah,” she muttered, her voice carrying a hint of playful mockery.

  Suddenly, a shadow appeared beside Nami. Without warning, Arya materialized, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders, her crimson eyes glowing with mischievous energy. She lay directly on top of Nami, her grin wide with amusement.

  “Miss me?” Arya purred, her tone as playful as ever.

  “Get off,” Nami growled, shoving Arya off her with a single push. Arya tumbled onto the side of the bed, still laughing as if it were all part of the game.

  “So cold, Nami,” Arya said with a pout, propping herself up on one elbow, her crimson eyes glancing toward Sarah. “Anyway, I’ve got news.” She flipped onto her back, folding her hands behind her head. “I looked into that noble, Renard. The meeting he’s proposing isn’t a trap… or at least, it’s not meant to be. I’d say he’s too much of a coward for that.”

  “Oh?” Sarah’s gaze was sharp. “Then what’s his angle?”

  “Power, obviously.” Arya’s grin grew wider. “He’s a greedy little worm. Corrupt to the core, like most of them. But he’s not stupid enough to try something that’d risk his life. The meeting’s legit… well, as legit as anything a noble like him offers.”

  Sarah crossed her arms, her gaze contemplative. “Good work,” she said. “That’s one less thing to worry about.”

  Arya’s grin didn’t fade. “You’re welcome. But honestly, I still don’t get why you’re wasting time with these lowly humans,” she said, her eyes narrowing with disdain. “It’d be so much easier to just kill them all. Faster too.”

  Nami’s chuckle was low and dangerous. “Finally, something we agree on,” she said, her eyes flicking toward Sarah. “These humans are always so messy. It’s a wonder you’re so patient with them.”

  Sarah’s gaze shifted between her two subordinates. “You two really hate humans, huh?” she said with mild amusement.

  Arya’s grin sharpened. “Hate’s a strong word. Disdain, maybe.” She tilted her head toward Sarah, her crimson eyes narrowing. “What about you? You like them?”

  Sarah’s eyes narrowed in thought. “I’m indifferent. They’re just… people. No more, no less.” Her gaze moved to Tuah, who was listening intently, her small frame still curled up at the edge of the bed. Sarah’s eyes softened just a bit. “They’re fragile, that’s all.”

  Tuah's heart was almost bursting, and she curled into herself a little more, eyes down as she tried to avoid looking at Nami, Arya, and Sarah. The words weren't exactly comforting, but neither were they threatening. She really had no idea what to make of them. ‘They talk like they aren't even humans…’

  “Fragile…” Nami repeated with a snort. “That’s an understatement.”

  “Still, fragile things can have their uses,” Sarah said.