Rania Chalybs
High street,
Bratovi.
Already perturbed by recent events, Rania stood up, her voice tinged with frustration. "I absolutely detest it when you insinuate that I'm incapable as an agent. I've dealt with blood threats scrawled on my doorstep in under 24 hours, forced to flee my own home, and yet you continue to undermine me when I find myself in situations like these simply because I'm an agent."
Exhaling heavily in frustration, Rania felt a weight lift off her chest after pouring out her emotions to Styx. She couldn't help but notice the sudden change in Styx's demeanor, as he paused his actions upon hearing about the threats she had faced. Dropping the knife, he approached her with concern etched on his face. Gently cupping her cheeks in his hands, he asked in a soft tone, "Are you alright?" "I'm managing," she replied, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.
After ensuring she was alright, he resumed his cooking, inquiring, "Where are you staying now?" "My boss offered me one of his vacant properties in Kali," Rania replied, touched by his concern. As he worked in silence, she couldn't help but compliment the aroma filling the room. "I'm surprised you're such a good cook," she remarked. "It's a hobby of mine. Cooking helps me relax. I've been under a lot of stress lately," Styx explained. Rania nodded in understanding.
"Where do you hail from?" Styx inquired of Rania. "I'm from Alexandria, up North," she replied. His expression shifted with surprise. "You don't strike me as a northerner; they're usually quite fair-skinned. And your family?" Rania arched an eyebrow, her hands planted firmly on her hips. "Why the interrogation? People often mistake me for a southerner, but I'm a true northerner. I relocated south when the Ecclesian Academy recruited me. As for my family, my father passed away. It's just my mother and two siblings now." Styx offered a small smile. "I'm sorry for your loss," he said softly. "It's alright," Rania replied.
In no time, Styx finished preparing the meal. Rania leaned over the counter, craning her neck to catch a glimpse of his creation. Fried rice adorned with an array of vegetables and roasted chicken lay before her. "Wow, this looks amazing. Let's hope it tastes as good as it looks. Can't say I trust a vampyre's cooking," Rania quipped, attempting to lighten the mood with a playful jab at the brooding vampyre.
Styx plated two servings and handed one to Rania. "Give it a try," he urged. "Alright, let's see," Rania replied with a hint of skepticism. "I hope this isn't some ploy to poison me and dump me in the Onyx River." Styx brushed his tongue over his fang. "That's not my method. I prefer a more direct approach that would typically involve sucking you dry, ripping your head off before I finally turn your corpse into ashes. Only amateurs leave traces," he warned. Rania's guard instantly snapped back into place as she realized she had momentarily let it down with the vampyre.
Styx portioned out two plates, serving one to Rania. As she sampled the meal, she was pleasantly surprised. "This is absolutely delicious, possibly the best I've ever had," she exclaimed with delight. Styx handed her a bottle of water while he opted for a bag of blood, a sight that sent a shiver down Rania's spine, serving as a stark reminder of his true nature as Styx of House Bratoviae. Despite the unsettling moment, Rania and Styx savored their meal in silence.
"Now that we've finished our meals, let's get down to business," Styx announced, breaking the silence that hung between them. "We've uncovered quite a bit in the past few hours. To start with, we've learned that the trafficking ring operates a weekly transport of victims using three different ships: the Magdalena, Catalena, and Gadalena. These ships purportedly sail to Medellin. However, our investigation revealed that the ship crew is only seen every three months, emanating a strong scent of the ocean. Based on this, we can speculate that the journey lasts three months, with a three-week voyage to Medellin. Therefore, Medellin isn't the final destination. That's all the information I have for you."
Styx drummed his fingers rhythmically on the stool beside his chair, contemplating aloud, "It's intriguing, especially with the uprising in Medellin. I wonder if there's a connection." Rania sighed, "I'll have more details for you when I return tomorrow, but this news certainly changes things. I'll pull some strings to track the ships and their owners. Keep in mind, we might need to head to Medellin soon." "Understood," Rania replied. "On another note, the regnis' decision to execute uprising participants without trial could pose problems. Innocent humans might be murdered under the pretext of being a part of the uprising." Standing up, Styx asserted, "This is my jurisdiction. I'm in charge, and I assure you, no such injustice will occur." Rania relaxed into her chair, offering a grateful, "Thank you."
"Our meeting seems to be over," Rania announces as she prepares to depart. "Rania, hold on a moment," Styx interrupts, approaching her with a leather bracelet adorned with a small red oval stone. Taking her hand, he fastens the bracelet onto her wrist. "If you ever find yourself in trouble, press the red button, and I'll come to your aid," Styx explains. "I don't need this; I can take care of myself," Rania asserts. "Consider it a symbol of our agreement," Styx insists. Rania offers a quiet thanks before exiting the warehouse.
As Rania journeyed home, she found herself pondering the sincerity of the vampyre while absently tracing the bracelet he had bestowed upon her. Though his unexpected display of care was unsettlingly rare, she couldn't shake the feeling that he harbored undisclosed knowledge. Her instincts warned of an impending storm, yet she couldn't ignore the lingering warmth she felt from the vampyre's gesture. Nevertheless, she knew she needed to create distance between them to avoid potential trouble in paradise.