Timeline: During Elijah inflictration in Jerkins base
Location: Fenwick District Safe House / Nexus Point Building
The apartment erupted into chaos. Elias lunged at Kia, his bound hands swinging wildly. But Kia was faster—she sidestepped his clumsy attack, her foot sweeping his legs out from under him. He crashed to the floor with a grunt, the air rushing out of his lungs.
"Seriously?" Kia said, her voice carrying a note of exasperated amusement. "You really thought that was going to work?"
She grabbed his arm, twisting it behind his back. Elias cried out, his face pressing against the dusty floor.
"Let go!" he shouted, his voice muffled. "I'll do anything! Just stop!"
Kia's grip tightened. "Anything? That's a dangerous thing to say to someone like me."
She pulled him up by his collar, her fist connecting with his jaw. His head snapped back, his glasses flying off his face. He stumbled, his vision swimming. Then she swept his legs again, sending him crashing onto the couch.
"Please!" Elias begged, his voice desperate. "I'll do whatever you want! Just stop hurting me!"
Kia stood over him, her chest heaving. Her eyes were cold, her expression one of controlled fury. She looked like she was holding back, like she could do so much more damage if she wanted to.
"Pathetic," she muttered. "You're really pathetic, you know that?"
---
The door swung open. Gerry stood in the doorway, his expression shifting from surprise to amusement.
"Well, well," he said, his voice carrying a note of dry humor. "Looks like I missed all the fun."
Kia glanced at him, her expression unreadable. "He tried to escape. Again. I had to teach him a lesson."
Gerry walked over, his steps unhurried. He looked down at Elias, who was still sprawled on the couch, his face bruised, his glasses gone. His chest was heaving, his eyes wide with fear.
"Rough day, buddy?" Gerry asked, his tone light.
Elias opened his mouth to respond, but no words came out. He was too scared, too exhausted.
Gerry's gaze shifted to Kia, who was still standing over Elias. He noticed the way she was positioned—one knee on the couch, her hand still gripping Elias's collar.
"Interesting position," Gerry said, his voice carrying a note of amusement. "You two look cozy."
Kia's eyes narrowed. "What do you want, Gerry?"
Gerry's expression shifted to one of businesslike efficiency. "I need our friend here to help with the cargo. He's going to be my new assistant. I need him to take the crates from me and load them into the trucks."
Elias's eyes widened. His head shook violently, his voice cracking with panic. "No! No way! I can't do that! It's like a crime! I'll get in trouble with the authorities!"
Gerry's gaze shifted to Kia, his voice carrying a note of exasperated amusement. "Are all men these days Karens? Whining nonstop instead of just doing what needs to be done?"
Kia's lips curved into a smirk. "It's losers like him who give girls like me chances to exploit." She glanced at Elias, her hand making a subtle gesture near her waist. "Though in other areas, I doubt they can handle more than... well, you know."
Elias's face flushed a deep crimson. His mouth opened, but no words came out. He looked utterly humiliated, his earlier bravado completely gone.
Kia tilted her head, her voice dripping with mock concern. "What's wrong? Can't handle the truth?"
Gerry let out a low chuckle, his hand resting on Elias's shoulder. "Come on, buddy. It's not that bad. You load a few crates, you earn some cash. No one has to know."
Elias shook his head frantically. "I—I can't. I just can't."
Gerry's hand tightened on Elias's shoulder. "It's not really a choice, pal. You're going to do it whether you want to or not. The only question is whether you'll do it with a smile or with a broken nose."
---
Gerry's phone buzzed. He pulled it out, his eyes scanning the screen. His expression shifted—a flicker of something that might have been concern, or maybe just annoyance.
Kia noticed. She leaned in, her voice carrying a note of teasing suspicion. "Let me guess. Your other situation. The one you're always trying to handle."
Gerry's jaw tightened. "I said I would take care of it. I meant it."
Kia's eyes narrowed. "Don't tell me you've fallen for her. She's not one of us. She's a marks."
Gerry's voice carried a note of cold authority. "I said I would take care of it. That's the end of the conversation."
Kia's expression shifted to one of wounded irritation. "What? You think you're too good for my concern? We're family, Gerry. My dad and your mom—they were siblings. They were top of the underworld guild, the best of the best. You don't get to shut me out like I'm some random street rat."
Gerry's voice carried a note of exasperation. "Family or not, you need to stop being so nosy. I'm not a child. I can handle my own affairs."
Kia's voice carried a note of bitter amusement. "Right. The guy who ended up caught between the belt and now is someone's lapdog. You've got it all figured out."
Gerry's eyes blazed. "Watch what you say. It's compliance, alright? And nothing more."
Kia raised her hands in mock surrender. "Fine. Don't be a big baby about it. I'm concerned for you, that's all."
Gerry's voice softened slightly. "I can take care of myself. Just make sure you keep this dumb guy in check. I'm paying you a couple of grand, so no questions asked, alright?"
Kia's expression shifted to one of sarcastic agreement. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, boss."
Elias stared at them, his eyes wide. He had been completely forgotten in their argument.
These people, he thought, his internal voice carrying a note of horror. They're really something else. What the hell is happening to me?
---
Nexus Point Building - Executive Floor
Priya sat at her desk, her fingers flying across the keyboard. Her eyes were tired, her shoulders slouched. The mountain of paperwork before her seemed to grow with each passing minute.
Another day, she thought, her internal voice carrying a note of quiet despair. Another day of this endless grind.
The door to Indira's office swung open. The woman herself emerged, her heels clicking against the polished floor. Her expression was one of cold authority, her gaze sweeping the room.
Priya straightened immediately. "Director Voss. How can I help you?"
Indira's voice was sharp, dismissive. "Those documents I assigned you. Are they finished yet?"
Priya's face paled. "Not yet, Director. But I'm working on them. I just need a little more time—"
Indira raised her hand, cutting her off. "Your attitude is exactly what I don't like. If you don't want to be tasked with more desk work, I suggest you be quicker with what's given to you. Understand?"
Priya's forced smile wavered. "Yes, Director. Of course. I'll get it done as soon as possible."
Indira's hand gestured dismissively. "Go. I don't want to see you until it's finished."
Priya nodded, her movements hurried. She retreated to her desk, her hands trembling slightly.
I hate this, she thought. I hate her. I hate this job. I hate everything about this place.
---
Indira's Office
Indira sat at her desk, the door closed behind her. Her expression shifted from cold authority to something else—a flicker of anticipation.
She reached into her drawer, pulling out a small, elegant jar. Its surface was smooth, its label minimalistic. Aethelora's logo was embossed on the lid, gold against white.
She unscrewed the lid, revealing a cream inside—pale and shimmering, like liquid moonlight. Its scent was subtle, floral, with an undertone of something else. Something ancient.
She dipped her fingers into the jar, scooping out a small amount. She applied it to her face, her movements slow and deliberate.
The effect was immediate. Her skin began to glow, its surface smoothing, any imperfections fading away. She looked younger, more radiant, her features somehow sharper, more defined.
She smiled, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.
---
Somewhere Else
Gerry sat in a dark room, his phone in his hand. A hidden camera feed flickered on the screen, showing Indira's office. He watched as she applied the cream, his expression shifting from curiosity to shock.
What the hell? he thought, his internal voice carrying a note of genuine surprise. What is that stuff?
He watched as her skin transformed, his jaw dropping slightly.
That's not just beauty cream, he thought. That's something else entirely.
His mind raced with possibilities.
The Aetherium Loom. The cargo. And now this. What is Aethelora really up to?
He pocketed his phone, his expression one of grim determination.
I need to tell Elijah. Right now.
---