Early the next morning, Amara returned to the studio. She didn't bother greeting her uncle or his family, who were gathered around the breakfast table pretending she didn't exist. She'd learned to return the favor - silence was easier than pretense.

The soft morning sun spilled through the studio's glass windows as she stepped inside. The familiar scene was oddly comforting. Sora and Selene were already there, sitting side by side in front of a laptop, their expressions unusually serious.

"Hey, guys. What's up?" Amara asked casually, tossing her bag onto the couch and bouncing onto it with a carefree grin.

Selene didn't smile. "Come take a look at this," she said, her tone low but firm.

Curious, Amara stood and walked over. Her eyes fixed on the screen - and within seconds, her playful expression vanished.

She stared in silence, as she turned to look at them. Selene gave a small nod. "We might need your help with this, Amara," she said seriously.

__

The atmosphere inside the studio had shifted - from serious to deceptively light.

Empty snack wrappers lay scattered across the table as the three women lounged around, munching without a care in the world.

"So, what's our next move?" Sora asked between bites, cheeks puffed as she chewed noisily.

Selene leaned back on the couch, her expression unreadable. "According to the information I managed to gather, the mayor is hosting a private gala at his residence tomorrow night," she began calmly, her voice cutting through the sound of crunching chips. "He'll be welcoming a big shot - someone important enough to have the entire security detail on edge."

Amara raised a brow. "A big shot, huh? And what's so special about this event?"

Selene's eyes flickered toward her laptop screen. "It's rumored there'll be an exchange that night - something classified. A prototype... a high-tech microdrive capable of wiping or rewriting digital records in seconds."

The room fell silent for a moment. Even Sora stopped chewing.

"Our mission," Selene continued, "is to obtain that microdrive and deliver it to the contact waiting near Raven's Bridge before sunrise."

"Sounds simple enough." Sora finally spoke again, swallowing. "Except for the part where we have zero intel. You're saying they didn't even leave you a trace?"

Amara crossed her legs, grabbing another snack. "Yeah, Selene, what's going on? You always have details, blueprints, routes, security layouts... something."

Selene's gaze darkened. "That's exactly the problem. The post went up on the dark web under a high-tier bounty tag, but every attempt to trace the source hit a dead end. It's almost like whoever posted it doesn't want anyone finding out who's behind it."

"That's not normal," Sora said, her tone losing its usual playfulness. "If even you can't dig anything up, this isn't just risky, it's suicidal. People don't back out of high-paying jobs unless there's a damn good reason."

Selene nodded slowly, her fingers drumming against the table. "It's been on the board for days now, but one by one, teams are withdrawing. Some vanished completely. No trace. No message. Just-gone."

The three of them exchanged looks, unease filling the air.

"The object?" Sora asked hesitantly.

"No," Amara said quietly, shaking her head. "It's not the object. It's the person. The big shot they're all afraid of."

Selene's eyes met hers, her gaze calm, calculating, and yet faintly troubled. "Exactly," she said softly. "And whoever he is... he's the reason this mission feels like walking straight into a trap."

"Sora", Selene called, "I need you to pull every security feed and activity log for the mayor's residence - everything from the past week, and anything within a one-hour radius of the place. Find us patterns".

"On it," Sora said, already sliding over to her customized laptop. She hooked into the software at the side and her fingers flew over the keys, the screen filling with grids of timestamps, camera IDs and movement trails.

Amara and Selene kept talking while Sora worked, voices low and serious.

"So how do we even get into the gala?" Amara asked.

Selene glanced up, eyes narrowed with a plan forming. "The gala's a masked event. Everyone will be in disguise - which makes things both harder and easier. Harder because of the crowd, easier because masks give us anonymity." She tapped the laptop as if it punctuated her point. "We need to know who we're facing before we move."

"First," she added, turning to Amara, "we go shopping. You need to look the part."

Amara blinked. "Me?"

Selene's mouth tilted. "Yes. You're going in. I can get us through - with the studio's connections and my aunt's influence. But we need to steal an identity for you. A believable one. Someone who can get past guest lists and security without a second glance."

Sora didn't look up, eyes flicking across feeds. "I've found three blind spots in the south perimeter cameras. If we time it right, we can sneak in through the service entrance." She smirked. "Also-there's a delivery route that's rarely checked. Good for a discrete exit."

Amara swallowed, feeling the pulse of adrenaline push at her ribs. "So we dress like guests, slip in through a service entrance, grab the microdrive, and disappear?"

Selene nodded once, calmly. "Exactly. We get the object and we move it to Raven's Bridge before dawn."

"Sora," Selene said, her tone sharp and focused, "other than the mayor's residence, can you track any big shots who've entered the country within the past week?"

Sora tilted her head, still tapping away at the keyboard. "Hmm... there are a bunch of them swooping in. Guess it's a major event after all." She began reading off names from the screen - a list of prominent families and business figures. "The Lin family, the Harts, the Veyrans... and-" she paused, eyes narrowing, "Blackwood Enterprise."

"Wait." Selene straightened in her seat. "Hold on right there."

Sora froze mid-scroll. "What, the Blackwoods?"

Selene's voice dropped, serious and sharp. "I have a feeling the person we're looking for might be tied to them."

Amara frowned, confusion flickering across her face. "The Blackwood Enterprise? What do they have to do with this?"

Selene leaned back, eyes darkening in thought. "That's what I want to find out."

Amara's voice trembled slightly. "My uncle... he's planning to sign a contract with one of their subsidiaries. Maybe that's why they're here."

Selene arched a brow, her tone laced with disdain. "You really think the Blackwood family would send someone personally to deal with your uncle's small-time business?"

Sora glanced up from the screen, curiosity lighting her expression. "Hold on, who exactly are the Blackwood family? You're talking like they're royalty."

Selene gave a humorless laugh. "Royalty? They might as well be. The Blackwoods run one of the most powerful conglomerates across Veyra and beyond - tech, arms, pharmaceuticals, even politics. They've got influence everywhere. If someone from their bloodline's involved..." she trailed off, her voice lowering, "...then this mission just became a lot more dangerous."

The air in the studio thickened, tension buzzing like static. Sora's fingers hovered uncertainly over the keyboard. "You're saying the big shot the mayor's welcoming could be a Blackwood?"

Selene's gaze was sharp, and calculating. "I'm saying-if it's them, we're walking straight into a lion's den."

Somewhere in another city in Liora, the air inside a grand study room was still and heavy. The curtains were drawn, leaving the space cloaked in dim shadows. On a long leather lounge near the window, a man lay languidly, one leg bent, an arm draped across his eyes, his entire presence radiating quiet dominance and restrained menace.

The silence was broken by a soft knock at the door.

Click.

A sliver of light slipped into the dark room as the door opened. The man on the lounge frowned at once, his brows creasing at the unwelcome brightness.

Elias stepped in carefully, closing the door behind him. He knew better than to provoke his master's temper. The young master's mood had been sour for days, his mind clearly disturbed by something. Ever since the sea incident, he had been restless. They had searched for the mysterious woman he spoke of, but every lead had ended in nothing. Some even believed he might have been imagining things, but they dare not voice it out.

"Young Master," Elias began cautiously, "we found where the seal on the card is connected to."

At that moment, he opened his eyes slightly. His gaze, dark as ink and equally cold, flickered with faint interest.

"Speak," he ordered.

"The wallet belongs to the mayor's stepson from the city of Ravenscout," Elias explained, his voice steady despite the tension in the air. "But we found no trace of how it could be linked to a woman."

Damien's frown deepened, his jaw tightening. Impossible. He remembered her, even in his half-conscious state, he could still hear that soft, trembling voice and the faint warmth of her hand, in his when he held her out of instinct. That was no hallucination.

"Find a way to get me there quietly," Damien said coldly, sitting up slowly "I want to confirm something myself."

Elias hesitated. "Young Master... I found a way. One of our tech subsidiaries under the Blackwood Enterprise has recently developed a high-tech drive - a prototype that's been attracting a lot of attention. It was sold at a private auction, and the mayor of Ravenscout happened to win the bid."

Damien's gaze sharpened. "Go on."

"The device is scheduled for delivery by the head of the subsidiary. The mayor plans to hold a gala to welcome him, partly to celebrate the contract, and partly to flaunt his connection with the Blackwood Enterprise," Elias said carefully.

Damien rose from the lounge in one fluid motion. He walked toward the window and pulled the curtain open. Sunlight spilled into the room, momentarily blinding him, but he didn't flinch. His pale skin glowed faintly under the light, his sharp features now illuminated, a breathtaking contrast of beauty and danger, like a fallen ancient monarch.

"I see..." he murmured, his lips curving slightly. "Inform the head of the tech facility that I will personally deliver the device. No one is to know of my identity - only that I'm representing the Blackwood Enterprise."

Elias bowed deeply. "Yes, Young Master."

Damien turned his gaze toward the skyline outside, his expression unreadable.

That woman...

He narrowed his eyes.

I'll find you.

--

Somewhere in Ravenscout, Amara, Selene, and Sora strolled through the bustling mall, their laughter echoing softly as they moved from one boutique to another. They were shopping for the gala happening the next day-though Sora wouldn't be attending, she insisted it wouldn't be fair to leave her out of the fun.

As they browsed through the racks, a particular gown caught their attention.

It was a red mermaid dress, its silk glimmering under the warm store lights. The design was elegant yet daring, the kind of dress that turned heads.

Selene's eyes widened. "Amara, you have to try that on. That shade of red will look perfect on your skin!"

Sora nodded eagerly. "Yeah, it's totally your color. You'll steal the entire show."

With a small smile, Amara took the dress and disappeared into the fitting room.

Just then, the atmosphere shifted.

Melissa and her little entourage strutted in like they owned the place, heels clicking, with their heavy perfumes in the air, and expressions dripping with superiority.

"Well, well, look who we have here," one of Melissa's lackeys sneered. "If it isn't Sora and Selene-the country bumpkins from high school who used to sleep their way to the top."

A ripple of laughter followed. Heads turned. Shoppers and sales clerks alike began whispering, their eyes filled with judgment.

"Hey, stop it, Clara," Melissa said sweetly, pretending to scold her friend. "You don't have to say things like that. I'm sure they... have their reasons."

Her fake concern only made things worse.

"Melissa, you're too nice," another girl chimed in. "These two acted like they owned the school back then. Karma's finally catching up, huh?"

Selene sighed, unimpressed. She exchanged a look with Sora, who yawned dramatically.

"Let's not lower our IQ over idiots," Sora muttered under her breath, turning her attention back to the fitting room.

Melissa's crew faltered, irritated that they were being ignored. But before they could say another word, the fitting room curtain slid open.

And the world seemed to pause.

Amara stepped out in the red gown, her golden hair falling loosely over her shoulders. The fabric hugged her curves perfectly, highlighting her graceful silhouette. The dress shimmered with each step she took.

The sales clerks froze.

Even the boys who came with their girlfriends couldn't stop staring.

Selene blinked in awe. "You look... stunning."

Sora let out a loud squeal. "Oh my God, Amara! You look like a goddess! No-scratch that-like vengeance wrapped in velvet!"

Amara smiled softly, spinning once. "So... should I get it?"

Selene turned to the sales assistant. "We'll take it."

The clerk practically beamed as she rushed off to prepare the packaging-no doubt thrilled by the hefty commission.

But before Amara could return to the fitting room, Melissa stepped in her way, voice sickly sweet.

"Amara," she said loudly enough for everyone to hear, "you don't have to do this for money. You're too beautiful to throw yourself away following them. If you ever need help, I can-"

Her words cut off when Amara's hand shot out, gripping her wrist tightly.

Amara leaned in, eyes cold as frost. "You'd better keep your little schemes to yourself, Melissa," she said quietly. "Marry the trash I decided to throw out and stay out of my way, before I ruin you."

Melissa gasped in pain as the pressure in Amara's grip increased, the faint sound of cracking making her eyes widen.

With a final shove, Amara released her, brushing past as if nothing had happened.

Sora and Selene calmly settled the payment. As they passed Melissa, who was now surrounded by her worried friends, nursing her wrist, while bad mouthing them. Melissa still tried to put up the front of a caring sister. Sora snorted.

"What a green tea bitch," she muttered coldly.

Selene gave a small smirk. "How pathetic."

And with that, they walked out together, their confidence leaving a trail that Melissa could never hope to match.

The girls returned to the studio to finalize their plans, gathering and checking every piece of equipment they would need for the mission. As usual, whenever they worked on a major operation together, they decided to spend the night at the studio - their unofficial headquarters and safe space.

By the next day, the atmosphere was charged with anticipation. The gala was set for that evening, and every detail had to go perfectly. Amara disguised herself as one of the workers at the mayor's residence, slipping in quietly to observe and assess the environment from within.

Meanwhile, Sora was at her station, fingers flying across the keyboard as lines of code streamed down her screens. Selene, the strategist of the group, stayed on comms, coordinating their movements through the earpieces linked between them.

Everything was falling into place. The mission had begun.

--

It was finally the night of the gala. The mayor's residence gleamed like a palace under the golden evening lights, music drifting softly from within as luxury cars pulled up one after another.

Selene and Amara were dressed elegantly for the event - Selene in a sleek midnight-blue gown that shimmered subtly under the light, while Amara's red mermaid dress hugged her curves perfectly. Selene had managed to secure an official invitation for herself thanks to her family connections, but Amara... not so lucky.

That left them with one option.

Outside the venue, Amara scanned the line of guests until her eyes landed on a young woman dressed in an elegant black gown and lace mask, clutching her invitation card proudly. Perfect.

Amara approached with a sweet smile. "Oh my God, your dress is stunning!" she gushed dramatically, stepping closer. "Where did you get it?"

The woman blinked in surprise but smiled back, clearly pleased. "Oh, it's custom-"

Before she could finish, Amara pretended to trip on her own heels and grabbed the woman's arm for balance. "Ah! I'm so sorry-your perfume's so strong, it's making me dizzy," she said in mock distress.

The woman, flustered, waved her hands. "No, no, it's fine-wait, are you okay-"

That was when Amara discreetly pressed a small device against her neck. The woman blinked twice, slumped to the side, and Amara caught her effortlessly before anyone noticed.

Moments later, Amara emerged from behind a decorative hedge wearing the woman's elegant black mask and holding her invitation card. Her red lips curled into a sly smile as she adjusted her hair and smoothed her gown.

She handed the card to the security at the gate, who scanned it and let her through without question.

"Phase one accomplished," she whispered through the earpiece with a confident smirk, her voice calm and teasing.

Across the grand hall, Selene caught sight of her. Amara gave her a subtle nod, her expression unreadable beneath the mask - the game had officially begun.

The gala began in full swing.

Music drifted through the grand hall, a graceful waltz mingling with laughter, clinking glasses, and the low murmur of conversations. The mayor's mansion gleamed with gold accents and crystal chandeliers, every corner filled with the city's wealthiest elites flaunting smiles and status.

Amara and Selene moved carefully among them, each keeping their composure behind elegant masks. To anyone watching, they were just two more beautiful guests.

The mayor eventually took the stage, raising his glass for attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began proudly, "tonight marks a new era for Ravenscout. We have acquired a revolutionary device that could change the future of technology itself. And this evening, it will be officially delivered by our distinguished guest from the Blackwood Enterprise."

The moment that name was mentioned, the crowd stirred. Murmurs broke out, the air thick with curiosity and awe.

Those who didn't know whispered, Who are the Blackwoods?

Those who did... fell silent.

The grand doors opened.

A small entourage entered, men in black suits, their steps synchronized, with unreadable expressions behind dark glasses. But it was the man in the center who made the entire room still.

Tall. Composed. His presence heavy, and commanding.

Even behind his elegant mask, his aura was impossible to miss - cold, lethal, and unmistakably powerful. People instinctively cleared a path.

The mayor rushed forward, his smile almost trembling with excitement.

"Welcome, welcome! It's an honor to meet the head of the Blackwood subsidiary!"

Elias, walking just a step behind the tall man, spoke smoothly, "Correction, we're not from the subsidiary. We represent Blackwood directly."

The mayor froze for a heartbeat before his face split into a shocked grin.

"Directly... from Blackwood?" He nearly bowed. "This is-this is a great honor! Please, this way!"

He guided them toward a private section, keeping up a stream of praise and small talk, though it was clear the tall man barely listened. He exuded quiet dominance, the kind that made people afraid to speak too loudly around him.

The presentation went on, ending with the mayor receiving the prized high-tech device amid applause and camera flashes. But as Selene and Amara observed from the sidelines, both exchanged a knowing glance.

That wasn't the real device.

Years of experience told them that the one presented on stage was a decoy, the real transfer would happen later, away from the public eye.

As guests began preparing for the exclusive dinner event, Selene frowned, checking the details again.

"Damn," she muttered under her breath. "My invite doesn't include the private dinner. But I think the one you took... does."

Amara's lips twitched. "Guess I'm going solo."

Selene's voice came through the hidden mic in her ear, soft but serious.

"Be careful. That man - something about his aura feels wrong. I think the real exchange will happen after dinner. Stay sharp, Amara. I'm counting on you."

"Copy that," Amara murmured, swirling her wine glass calmly even as adrenaline coursed through her veins.

Across town, in their studio, Sora's fingers flew across her keyboard, her high-tech glasses reflecting the live feed from the event. "All systems stable. I'm seeing through your angle clearly, Amara. Don't mess this up - you're too pretty to die."

Amara smirked faintly, whispering, "Not planning to."

She sat elegantly among the other guests, her eyes darting subtly toward the man who now had everyone's attention without even trying.

He sat like a king among mortals, bored yet powerful, a faint shadow of amusement in his cold eyes as if the entire world was beneath him.

Amara studied him discreetly, analyzing every movement, and every interaction. If the device isn't with the mayor... it's probably with him.

But perhaps she stared too long.

Because suddenly, Damien's dark eyes lifted - straight at her.

His gaze met hers across the hall, sharp and piercing like a blade. The air in her chest caught; she choked slightly on her wine and turned away quickly, cheeks burning beneath her mask.

Sora's teasing voice came through the mic.

"Oh no... target spotted you, didn't he?"

Amara exhaled shakily. "Shut up."