Chapter 9
CHAPTER 9
E mily stirred from her brief nap, the lingering haze of sleep gradually dissipating as she became aware of the fading light filtering through the windows. She had only slept for a few hours, just long enough for the sun to begin its descent beyond the horizon, casting long shadows across the room.
She rose from the bed and made her way to her wardrobe, selecting her attire for the evening’s mission. She opted for her trusty catsuit, its sleek design providing both comfort and flexibility. But knowing the importance of blending in, she layered a black cotton shirt, dress pants, and a matching suit jacket over the top, creating a look that exuded a sense of casual sophistication.
As she applied a touch of dark eyeliner to accentuate her eyes, Emily couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation building within her. This was the moment she had worked for, and she had to see it through, no matter the consequences.
Emily stowed her gear carefully into a large designer purse. One that conveniently converted to a backpack when needed. She felt a surge of confidence coursing through her veins as she stepped out into the hallway and rode the elevator downstairs .
Emily’s mind buzzed with anticipation, and her senses heightened as she exited her building. She noticed the man her uncle had sent to follow her, but she pretended to glance down the street without recognizing him before she made her way to the crosswalk. She would walk to the location, but she could take her time, appearing to make several calls on her phone as she navigated the darkening streets.
The flashing lights of passing vehicles cast fleeting shadows against the pavement, while the glow of streetlights illuminated the bustling thoroughfares, their warm illumination cutting through the darkness like beacons in the night.
With purposeful strides, Emily made her way to the apartment building situated across the street from Dark Industries. It loomed in the distance, a formidable presence that seemed to exude an aura of mystery and intrigue.
Entering the building, Emily rode the elevator upstairs. Once she reached the top floor, she slipped into the dimly lit stairwell that led to the rooftop, her heart quickening with anticipation as she ascended the stairs with silent determination.
Upon reaching the top, Emily paused briefly to catch her breath, the cool night air washing over her like a welcome embrace. With practiced efficiency, she shed the outer layers of her attire, leaving only her sleek catsuit clinging to her form.
As she carefully stowed her discarded clothing in her bag, Emily’s mind buzzed with anticipation, her senses sharp and alert. She pulled out her mini binoculars and began to scan the building she intended to infiltrate.
“Do you see anything interesting?” Logan said, startling her.
“Damn it, Logan. You can’t sneak up on me like that. How did you know I was coming here?”
Logan moved to her side, surveying the building across from them. “I didn’t. I followed you. ”
“Stalker much?” she snapped. Admittedly, she was more mad she hadn’t noticed his surveillance than him showing up.
“I suppose when it comes to you, I am.”
“How did I not see you? Where were you watching me from?”
Logan pointed up. “I shroud my presence. You had no way to detect me unless you reached for me with your mind.”
“Whatever. I need you to fly away. I am working.”
Logan placed his hands behind his back. “This activity is illegal, is it not?”
She put her binoculars down. “Do you actually care?”
“That depends on who you are stealing from.”
She should tell him to buzz off again, but she found she liked talking to him. “Dark Industries.”
His head snapped to hers. “What? No.”
Her jaw dropped slightly before she snapped it shut. “Excuse me?”
“You cannot go near this place. You don’t understand what you are messing with. It’s the last place a druid should be.”
“I don’t care if that place is owned by the devil himself. There is nothing that will stop me from completing this job.”
“Dark Industries is owned by the dark dragons.”
A shiver skated down her spine, but she didn’t back down. “It doesn’t matter. I have to do this. I would rather die than fail.”
His face flinched. “Why?”
“None of your business.” Pain sizzled in her heart. It was as if hurting him was cutting into her own soul.
Logan stared at the building in silence for a few moments. “May I ask what is of such importance?”
She shrugged. “It’s a jewel. But that is not what makes it precious to me.”
“Tell me.”
“This acquisition buys my freedom. ”
He turned to her. “Nobody owns you, Emily. You are ready to go and never return to this life. I will protect you. Always.”
He believed what he was saying, but he didn’t understand. “You can’t. Not from them.” She glanced at the building. “If you want to help me, then tell me what you know about Dark Industries and their security measures.”
Logan sighed. “I am not sure who their current leader is. Power struggles are frequent among the darks. But their security measure will include magic, which is why I advise against you moving against them. You are no match for them. Not yet.”
She turned and placed her finger on his chest. “I am going in, and there is nothing you can do to stop it, so help me, or back off.”
Logan glanced at the tiny finger pressed against his pectoral muscle. His eyes flickered with lavender before he nodded. “Do not enter that facility tonight. I will get as much information on the building as I can.”
She dropped her finger. “I wasn’t planning on it. I always do my homework.” That wasn’t entirely true. If she had seen an opening, she would have taken it, but there were still people in the building, and the guard was standing by the elevator.
Logan backed away from her before he sprouted his large purple wings and launched into the air. He seemed to shimmer and disappeared.
“Damn dragon angel.”
It’s an interesting description, but hardly accurate, he purred in her mind.
You are incorrigible.
Perhaps, but only because I am concerned about your safety.
I am surprised you left, actually.
Only because Siro is watching you.
Normally, that would piss her off, but the revelation she was stealing from the dark dragons had scared her .
She was about to leave when she noticed a familiar face.
Emily peered through her binoculars, her gaze fixed on the man who had just stepped off the elevator. At first, she was certain it was Logan. His features were strikingly similar, his presence commanding and familiar. But as she continued to watch, a sense of unease crept over her.
The man spoke with the large security guard stationed at the elevator, their conversation silent through the thick paned windows. Emily strained to catch every word. Her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to make sense of the scene unfolding before her.
As she studied the man more closely, her initial certainty began to waver. He wasn’t just similar to Logan—he was identical. From the angular lines of his jaw to the piercing intensity of his gaze, every detail mirrored that of her enigmatic guardian.
She lowered her binoculars, her mind buzzing with unanswered questions. The lines between friend and foe had blurred, leaving her to confront the unsettling truth that the man she had begun to trust may not be who he claimed to be.
The men moved to the window, and she froze, not wanting to call attention to herself.
I wondered when you would come.
This was the voice that haunted her dreams. She remained frozen and unmoving before she responded for the first time.
Who are you?
I am Lothos, and soon, I will be your new master.
The man, who looked like Logan, turned from the window and returned to the elevator.
Her skin was chilled, but there was no point in being stealthy. Her target knew she was coming. She had to come up with a plan that took that into consideration.
She wiped her sweaty palm on her catsuit before she put her suit back over it. She may have looked like a sophisticated businesswoman, but she was shaking inside. Logan had been right. She should have avoided this place like the plague. Now, she had to steal from the creature she was trying to avoid.
Emily swiftly made her way back to the elevator, her steps echoing softly in the empty stairwell. As the doors slid shut behind her, she descended to the lobby with the weight of uncertainty on her shoulders. She exited the building, stepping out onto the bustling street.
Her gaze scanned the sky, searching for any sign of the enigmatic figure with purple wings that had become a familiar presence in her life. But the night air remained still, the only movement, the gentle sway of the streetlights casting their golden glow upon the pavement below.
With a resigned sigh, Emily turned her attention back to the task at hand, her footsteps guiding her to a nearby coffee shop nestled amidst the bustling cityscape. As she pushed open the door and stepped inside, the warm aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped her like a comforting embrace.
The interior of the coffee shop was cozy and inviting, with soft lighting casting a warm glow over the eclectic decor. Patrons sat huddled in small groups, their voices mingling with the soft hum of conversation that filled the air.
Emily made her way to the counter, her senses heightened as she ordered a steaming cup of dark roast coffee with a hint of cinnamon. As she waited, she glanced around the room, her eyes lingering on the faces of the other patrons, each lost in their own world of thoughts and dreams.
With her coffee in hand, Emily found a quiet corner to sit and gather her thoughts, the comforting warmth of the cup cradled in her hands. She took out her phone and appeared to text.
She sipped her coffee and watched the world pass by outside the window for a few minutes before grabbing her bag and heading to the bathroom.
With practiced efficiency, Emily swiftly changed into a sleek mini skirt and a form-fitting tube top, shedding her suit and catsuit with determined purpose. As she slipped into the revealing ensemble, she felt a surge of confidence coursing through her veins; her attire was a carefully crafted disguise to blend seamlessly into the bustling nightlife of the city.
With a deft hand, Emily donned a long blond wig, the strands cascading in loose waves around her shoulders, obscuring her true identity with a veil of illusion. She had always been prepared for any eventuality, carrying a disguise in her bag for moments like this.
With her transformation complete, Emily stowed away her discarded clothing in her bag containing the essentials for her daring escapade. With a final glance in the mirror to ensure that her ensemble was flawless, she squared her shoulders and exited the bathroom. She made her way confidently past Ming’s watchful guard, who was preoccupied with his phone and oblivious to her presence.
With each step, Emily felt a sense of liberation wash over her, the thrill of the chase pulsing through her veins as she embraced the exhilarating rush of the night.
Emily walked with purpose down the dimly lit street. As she passed a group of young men loitering on the corner, one of them called out to her, his words laced with crude innuendo. Emily’s jaw clenched with irritation, but she kept her composure, her gaze fixed firmly ahead as she quickened her pace.
“I said how much?” the rude young man yelled as he ran toward her.
“Too much for you,” she said, turning to meet his leering glare.
“Oh, come on. I just want to party. ”
“I’m not interested,” she said.
He lunged, and his fake smile fell before he grabbed her arm.
Emily’s instincts kicked into overdrive. With lightning-fast reflexes, she twisted out of his grasp, delivering a swift elbow to his temple followed by a knee to his groin.
Despite her petite stature, Emily was anything but fragile. Her mother had always told her that she was tiny but tough, and she had never forgotten those words.
As the young man recoiled in pain, Emily wasted no time in making her escape, her thoughts consumed by the pearl and its elusive owner. With each step, she drew closer to home, her determination unshaken despite the dangers ahead.