Later in the afternoon.

  As the clouds thickened, the rain grew heavier.

  Even after hours of waiting, the sky refused to clear. The streets were slick and desolate, neon signs casting fractured colors across the wet asphalt.

  Olivia, her mind elsewhere, pressed a hand against the glass. Her fingers drummed lightly, eyes flicking to every shadow moving through the rain-soaked streets below.

  Raindrops pelted the window, zigzagging down in erratic streams. The chill beyond the glass felt distant inside the heated hotel room.

  This place is very different from Triazils—or even Horizon, she thought. While Horizon is controlled by Orion and partially by the nine of us, I can’t ignore this weather.

  A rainy city in the heart of an arid region was too conspicuous to be ordinary.

  Red lights from enforcement vehicles glinted across the wide streets, drawing her attention.

  Again. The city pulsed with activity unlike any she had seen. Noctelagia had been chaotic, but its ruler had never turned so oppressively against his own citizens.

  Her mind flicked back briefly, comparing memory to the present. Distant sirens echoed across the city, muffled by traffic and the constant drizzle.

  Spinning on her heels, she sank into an armchair, her hair shimmering with dark particulates.

  According to Zara’s report, a powerful individual—or an organization—likely controlled this city.

  Whether Keleanos or herself, they had already been registered at the reception. The girls were too, except for those on spy duty.

  Crossing her legs, she rested a finger beneath her lower lip, thinking.

  Not only are we in a different world, but we are blind to our enemy’s schemes. One wrong step outside won’t just be a misstep—it could be a disaster.

  A deep frown did little to diminish the innate beauty of her face.

  We’ve been here less than twenty-four hours. We know nothing about this city beyond what Zara, Martha, Alisa, and Noelle brought back.

  Olivia had absorbed Zara’s report once Martha had returned to Keleanos’ group. Her mind raced, searching for connections between clues—so far, nothing.

  If we fail to realize we’re in enemy territory, this ends badly. I can’t let that happen… She rubbed her nose, weary.

  But I also can’t act recklessly. We must be swift, smart, and invisible.

  “Aaaagh…” She exhaled sharply, slumping deeper into the soft chair.

  “We know far too little. Unless we find a precise clue, we’re going nowhere.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, a figure approached.

  “Martha? You returned fast.” Olivia didn’t move from her slouched position, only turning her head.

  “I’ve been here the last fifteen minutes. Alice let me in earlier.” The soft-spoken woman bowed respectfully.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  “Oh. I didn’t notice at all. I’m sorry.” Rising, Olivia rubbed the back of her neck.

  “It felt inappropriate to disturb your thoughts, so I simply stood there.” Martha pointed toward the corner of the room, her expression unreadable.

  “That’s just you. Anyway, thank you for giving me space.” Olivia smiled, stepping closer.

  “That is nothing.” Martha nodded, her black hair falling in strands before settling.

  Olivia turned back to the picture window, crossing her arms. Martha followed, her footsteps so light they were nearly whispers.

  “So… what did they say?” Olivia asked, glancing at Martha, who remained fixed on the streets below.

  “…” Olivia exhaled slowly, studying the same rain-lashed view she had for hours.

  After a few quiet moments, Martha spoke, measured and confident:

  “Within this city, there is… a potential that a Devourer could be hiding. Keleanos admitted it.” Her eyes mirrored the raindrops streaking the glass.

  “What you said matches exactly what he and Eden mentioned. We know too little, and few reasons support this being the case.”

  Olivia nodded, her slender figure reflected in the glass. She let out a long sigh, condensation forming on the cold surface.

  “This is… difficult.” She murmured softly, leaning her forehead against the glass.

  The sound of the rain filled the silence. Olivia's eyes drifted to various spots within the city while biting her lower lip.

  After a minute, she straightened, blinking slowly to gather herself.

  "Alright, Martha," Olivia said, her gaze sharpening. "We stay here until we confirm that a Devourer isn’t present. Only once we’re certain will we move."

  The maid nodded solemnly, eyes closed.

  "In this city, we have no allies," Olivia continued, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear as she glanced at Martha. "It’s only us."

  Her fists clenched lightly. "Be careful out there."

  Martha’s gaze lingered on her master, the same quiet light she had carried since their first meeting sparkling once more in her eyes.

  The maid bowed and departed. The door closed behind her, and the quiet that followed seemed heavier than before.

  "Are you sure about this?" Alice entered with a steaming mug, the scent of coffee drifting in with her.

  Olivia’s shoulders sank as she let out a sigh.

  "What choice do I have?" She pressed her stiff fingers to her forehead, rubbing the ache away. "There aren’t many paths left to take."

  Alice offered the cup. The gentle heat soothed Olivia’s hands, and the first sip melted a thin layer of worry from her chest. A quiet smile returned.

  "If only..." She stared into the dark liquid, and for a heartbeat, his face surfaced in the reflection.

  No. I need to focus. She shook her head, letting the thought slip away.

  Her eyes drifted to the window once more.

  -

  Somewhere else in the city.

  Zara slipped through the narrow alleys, her steps quiet, her breath steady. Neon haze carved sharp lines across the puddles, and she wove between them with practiced precision, avoiding the stray dogs that prowled the shadows. Any sound could be enough to draw the wrong set of eyes.

  She trailed one suspicious figure after another, descending deeper into the city’s quiet, rotten heart — the place where crime clung to the walls, where chemicals soured the air, and where violence hung like a constant threat.

  What is this place… she thought. This is beyond anarchy.

  Only Zara had the nerve — or the stubbornness — to venture this far in search of the city’s buried secrets.

  Eventually, she stopped before a large, looming building.

  Is this a warehouse? She nudged the door. It opened without a sound.

  The door’s not creaking… People have been coming here. Way more often than the outside suggests.

  A faint smile tugged at her otherwise focused expression.

  Inside, the stench of rust and dust hit her lungs. She pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it lightly against her face.

  Voices drifted from deeper within.

  Zara moved past broken shelves and mold-eaten crates, her footsteps swallowed by the steady drip of water hitting puddles. The rhythmic droplets only sharpened the tension.

  She stopped beside a half-rotted door, pressing her back to the wall.

  I hope it’s some juicy info. I didn’t come all this way for nothing.

  A man’s whisper seeped through the cracks.

  “...Yes. As promi— This much—”

  A woman interrupted him. Her voice was steady, clearer than his.

  “Your bargaining could be a little better. Try again.”

  A pause.

  “So, if you want it, you’ll have to make a little effort. I’m not doing charity here.”

  The sharp, threatening edge made Zara frown.

  Who is this woman? Is some kind of transaction happening?

  But then—

  A dog barked from somewhere inside the warehouse, sharp and sudden. Zara stiffened.

  Footsteps approached. The door handle twitched.

  Damn it!