Rachel nodded. "I’ll introduce you around, make it seem like you’re a friend from out of town. After tomorrow, you’re on your own for future visits, but the first impression is crucial."
"What about the costu?" I asked
"Already taken care of." Sarah appeared in the doorway, holding a garnt bag. "I took the liberty of shopping for you. Masquerade formal, masks included."
After the briefing, I retreated to my room to process everything. This was bigger than the Castellano job – more moving parts, higher stakes, and a target who was exponentially more dangerous.
But also more rewarding.
My phone buzzed with a text from Vivienne.
Vivienne: Still on for dinner tonight? I’m making risotto.
: Wouldn’t miss it.
Vivienne: Good. Bring wine. Sothing red and expensive.
I smiled.
That evening, I showed up at her townhouse with a bottle of wine that had cost more than I’d hoped to spend. She answered the door in casual clothes – jeans and a sweater – looking more relaxed than I’d ever seen her.
"You actually brought expensive wine," she said, examining the label. "I’m impressed."
"I pay attention."
Dinner was excellent, the conversation easy. We talked about art, magic, the supernatural community’s gossip. She ntioned an upcoming coven eting that she was dreading, and I told her carefully edited stories about "acquisitions" I’d done in other cities.
"You know what I like about you?" she said over dessert.
"My sparkling personality?"
"You don’t ask questions." She swirled her wine. "Lots of people I et want to know everything. About my magic, my business, my coven politics. You just... accept things as they are."
"Everyone’s got their secrets. I’m not going to judge yours when I’ve got plenty of my own."
"See? That. That’s refreshing." She stood, moving around the table to straddle my lap. "Want to skip dessert and move to more interesting activities?"
"I thought risotto was dessert."
"Smart ass." But she was smiling as she kissed .
We ended up in her bedroom, and despite having done this multiple tis now, it hadn’t gotten old. Vivienne was passionate, adventurous, and clearly enjoyed our arrangent as much as I did.
[Energy Transfer: Moderate]
[ 4.0 Fragnts]
[Repeated corruptions provide diminishing returns]
[Current Total: 164.2/1000]
[Recomndation: Seek new targets for optimal gain]
Afterward, we remained lying in her bed – having conversations about things that wouldn’t matter after tonight.
I left her place around 12 am, walking through the quiet streets back to the warehouse district. The city felt different at night – more alive with supernatural energy, shadows deeper, sounds sharper.
My phone buzzed with a text from Marco.
Marco: Costu fitting tomorrow at 2. Don’t be late. The Velvet Room job is important.
: I’ll be ready.
Back at the safehouse, I found Sarah still awake, cleaning weapons in the common area.
"Can’t sleep?" I asked.
"Never can before a big job." She set down the gun she’d been working on. "You nervous about tomorrow?"
"Should I be?"
"The Velvet Room isn’t like anywhere you’ve been. It’s..." she searched for words. "It’s where the real players go. The ones with actual power. You’ll be swimming with sharks, and they’ll sll blood if you show weakness."
"Good thing I’m not weak."
"You’re confident. Everyti." She studied . "Just rember – Selene Blackwater isn’t like Vivienne. She’s older, more dangerous, and she’s survived centuries by being paranoid. Don’t underestimate her."
"Never."
"Good." She went back to her weapons. "Get so sleep. Tomorrow’s an interesting one."
In my room, I tried to follow her advice, but sleep was elusive. Tomorrow I’d be walking into a club filled with supernatural elite, trying to fool a five-hundred-year-old vampire into thinking I was just another interesting face in the crowd.
No pressure.
[Quest Preparation: The Velvet Room]
[Ti Until Infiltration: 18 hours]
[Current Status: Ready]
[Recomndations:]
[- Study provided intel on club layout]
[- Practice cover story with Rachel]
[- Maintain confidence but not arrogance]
[- Rember: Selene is the primary long-term target]
[- Short-term goal: Establish presence and access]
I pulled up the files Marco had given , studying Selene’s image again. Silver hair, cold eyes, the kind of beauty that was carved from ice rather than warmth.
She was dangerous. Powerful. Exactly the kind of challenge that would either make stronger or destroy .
But I’d been Heaven’s executioner. I’d killed demons and angels. I’d survived a fall that should have ended .
A vampire nightclub owner, no matter how powerful, was just another obstacle to overco.
I finally drifted off to sleep, dreaming of masked faces and silver hair, of a club where predators danced and deals were made in shadows.
Tomorrow, I’d step into that world.
And I’d make damn sure I belonged there.
---
The next afternoon, the costu fitting was an experience. Sarah had sohow acquired a perfectly tailored black suit with subtle silver threading, formal but not stuffy. The mask was elegant – black with silver accents, covering the upper half of my face while leaving my mouth visible.
"You look good," Rachel said when I erged. She wore a deep red dress that probably cost more than my entire outfit, her mask matching in crimson and black. "Like you belong in that world."
"Mmm, that’s the idea."
We went over the cover story one more ti.
I was Alexander Cross – yes, using the sa alias from the Vivienne job because consistency was easier than rembering multiple identities – an independent supernatural consultant from the West Coast, in town for a few months. Rachel and I had t through mutual business contacts, and she’d invited to experience the city’s nightlife.
Simple, vague enough to be flexible, specific enough to be believable.
"One more thing," Marco said as we prepared to leave. "Selene likes gas. If she takes an interest in you, she’ll test you. Questions with no right answers, situations designed to see how you react. Don’t try to win. Just be interesting."
"Cryptic advice."
"Best I’ve got." He clapped on the shoulder. "Good luck. Check in tomorrow."
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