Michael gave a subtle nod, the corner of his mouth twitching with amusent.
Felicia leaned down through the passenger window, arms folded on the edge of the fra.
"Red BMW, huh?" she teased. "What are we doing tonight, Mr. 'I don't date'? Dinner and breaking into a museum? Or just dinner?"
Michael smiled slightly, a glint in his eye. "That depends. You planning on stealing anything while we're out?"
She grinned. "Only hearts, darling."
He unlocked the door with a flick of his finger. "Get in. Let's see if you can steal mine."
Felicia slipped into the car like liquid silk. The door shut with a solid click, and in monts, they sped off into the city night, two shadows of power cloaked in charm and danger.
Nightti Drive – Manhattan Streets
The red BMW glided through the veins of the city, its engine a low growl under the hum of streetlights. Inside, the tension between Michael and Felicia wasn't the hostile kind—it was the kind that danced like fire between fingertips.
Felicia crossed one leg over the other and looked sideways at him.
"You're quiet," she said. "That's not like you."
Michael didn't glance at her. "Maybe I'm just thinking."
"Oh? About how to impress ? Or about if I'm going to rob you tonight?"
He smirked faintly. "If you could rob , I'd already be impressed."
Felicia chuckled. "Careful. A girl like loves a challenge."
They took a sharp turn onto a quieter street overlooking the river, lights casting long shadows across the dashboard.
Michael slowed the car and pulled into the private parking of an upscale rooftop restaurant—one that was supposedly closed for the night. But as they stepped out, the maître d' was already waiting.
"Mr. White," he greeted respectfully. "Everything's prepared."
Felicia raised an eyebrow. "You had the whole place shut down for us?"
Michael shrugged. "Why fight for a reservation when you can own the view?"
***
The night sky stretched endlessly above them. City lights blinked below, but up here it was calm, intimate, dangerous in all the right ways.
Felicia sipped wine, watching him. "So… Michael White. The man who makes world shiver from his na, find moonlights as a romantic?"
Michael leaned back in his seat, unbothered. "I don't moonlight. I do exactly what I want. And tonight, I wanted this."
She tilted her head, her smirk fading into sothing softer. "Why?"
His answer ca without hesitation. "Because you're not like the others."
Her eyes narrowed. "That a line?"
"No." He t her gaze fully. "You break into vaults for fun. You don't trust anyone. And yet, here you are. Sitting with , trying not to admit you enjoy it."
Felicia held his gaze… then finally exhaled, smiling slightly. "Maybe I just wanted the wine."
Michael didn't blink. "Maybe you just wanted soone who sees past the thief."
She went quiet for a mont.
And that mont lasted longer than either of them expected.
anwhile, back at the White Estate, Steve, Natasha, and Bucky were deep in concentration.
All three were seated in a training circle, the Basic Aura Manuals open in front of them, glowing faintly as the symbols began to shimr and stir.
Blue energy swirled faintly around Steve's fists. Natasha's aura flickered a sharp crimson, pulsing like a blade waiting to strike. And Bucky—his aura erged a deep steel gray, quiet but unyielding, coiling around his tal arm like a serpent.
Mia stood by the door, watching them in silence.
"They're starting to wake up," she whispered.
Rose, standing behind her, nodded. "Good. They'll need it. If what Michael said is true…"
Mia finished her thought. "Hydra's not just crawling in S.H.I.E.L.D. anymore. It's rooted deeper. In governnts. In systems."
Rose turned. "Then let's hope the next ti Michael cos ho, it's not to bury another ally."
As the soft hum of training energies echoed faintly from the hall, Rose turned toward Mia, a flicker of curiosity in her crimson eyes.
"By the way," she asked, "what's your current Aura level now?"
Mia smiled modestly and lifted her right hand.
A flow of black icy energy swirled around her palm, instantly chilling the air. Shards of frost shimred in the currents, carving delicate snowflake patterns in the air before fading.
"I'm at Level 3 now," she said confidently. "You can tell by this."
She let the black mist rise and twist like frozen smoke before closing her fist.
"Level 1 is Awakening and Sensing—you beco aware of aura, your own and others'.
Level 2 is Emission and Intent—you can project your aura outward with force or aning.
Level 3 is Shaping—you mold it into tangible forms, like my Black Icy Lotus."
Rose nodded with faint approval. "That's when aura stops being a feeling—and starts becoming a weapon."
Mia smirked. "And what about you, Madam Rose? Surely you've gone beyond that."
Rose's lips curved slightly. She raised her hand—and without a word, the space around her shimred.
A radiant blend of silver light and blood-crimson aura wrapped her arm, crackling with quiet intensity. It didn't just follow her movents—it moved with her, like it was her.
"I'm at Level 5," she said simply.
Mia blinked in awe. "That's... Aura Fusion."
Rose gave a gentle nod. "Level 4 is Coating—when you wrap your entire body in aura, enhancing your physical stats dramatically.
But Level 5... that's when the aura becos part of you. It fuses into your soul, amplifying everything—your instincts, your perception, your reactions. And it grants you a unique ability... one no one else can replicate."
Mia watched her for a mont, the frost around her hand fading. "No wonder the young master says you are born to be an Aura cultivator."
Rose let the aura fade, her arm returning to its natural state.
"He doesn't say it aloud, but I know," she said with a small laugh. "That's why he left the estate's inner defense to . Not for show—but because I can hold the line."
She looked toward the hallway, her gaze thoughtful.
"But Michael... his growth is terrifying. He hit Level 5 in under a month. At this rate, even if he lazes around, Tier 6 isn't far off."
Mia smiled, her gaze softening.
"Well, maybe... but whether it's tonight or many nights to co, let him enjoy it."
Rose turned back, one elegant eyebrow arching.
"He's with Felicia Hardy."
A rare laugh escaped Rose, warmth flickering through her usually poised expression.
"Oh dear. That cat burglar might lose sothing tonight."
"Her virginity?" Mia teased with a mischievous grin.
Whack.
Rose brought a swift chop down on Mia's head.
"Her heart, you perverted maid," she scolded.
Mia giggled, rubbing her head.
*******
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