Aran's breath steadied as the woman's sharp voice cut through the air, her patience having finally snapped. She was powerful—dangerous even—but there was an underlying desperation now. That made her vulnerable. Aran, crouching low by the crates, adjusted his position in the shadows, waiting for the opportune moment.
"You think you can hide from me?" she called out again, her voice resonating with magic. This time, her fingers flicked in the air, and a series of arcane symbols appeared around her. The symbols hovered for a second, then shot out in all directions, forming a wide-ranging net of magical detection.
Aran cursed silently. She was smarter than he'd hoped. If she completed that spell, his cover would be blown, and Kira's team would be compromised too. He needed to act now.
"Kira," he whispered into the earpiece, "Prepare for extraction, but wait for my signal. I'm going to draw her attention away from the crates."
"Copy that," Kira's voice replied, a mix of confidence and concern.
Without wasting another moment, Aran drew a small vial from his cloak, uncorking it and throwing it in the opposite direction of the woman. The liquid inside ignited upon impact with the ground, sending up a bright flash of light and a cloud of smoke. The thugs still guarding the yard stumbled back, startled, as the woman whipped her head toward the distraction.
It was enough. The detection spell flickered and dissipated as her concentration broke.
Aran seized the moment, darting from his hiding spot and moving closer to her, staying within the shadows. His mind worked fast, formulating the next move. He had no intention of fighting her directly—she was far too powerful for that—but if he could manipulate the situation just right, he could outmaneuver her.
The woman's eyes scanned the smoke, her posture rigid as she prepared for an attack. "Show yourself!" she demanded again, this time with more venom.
Aran reached into his cloak, producing another gadget—a pulse generator designed to interfere with magical signatures. With a swift motion, he activated it, sending a pulse through the air. The runes on the crates flickered and dimmed again, but this time, it also disrupted the magical energy around the woman.
She staggered slightly, her eyes narrowing in confusion as her magic momentarily faltered. It wasn't a long-lasting effect, but it was enough to unbalance her.
Aran smirked beneath his hood. "She's beginning to unravel," he thought.
The woman recovered quickly, her expression now furious. She muttered an incantation under her breath, summoning a gust of wind to clear the smoke, revealing Kira's team moving into position. Her eyes flashed with understanding, and in an instant, she sent a bolt of crackling magic toward them.
Aran had anticipated this. He clicked his earpiece rapidly. "Now, Kira!"
Kira and her operatives immediately scattered, vanishing into the shadows just before the magical attack struck. The woman cursed, frustration evident in her every movement.
"You're clever," she hissed, her voice colder now, more focused. "But you're not clever enough."
Her hands rose, and this time, she wasn't aiming blindly. Aran saw the tendrils of dark energy forming around her as she began weaving a spell he recognized—a binding curse that would paralyze anyone within its reach. If she completed it, everyone in the yard, including Kira's team, would be immobilized.
Aran couldn't let that happen.
Stepping out of the shadows, he revealed himself, hood still pulled low over his face. "You're right," he said, his voice calm despite the tension. "But you're also underestimating me."
The woman's eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed in suspicion. "And who might you be?" she asked, though it was clear from her tone that she wasn't interested in pleasantries. Her hands continued weaving the spell, though she now hesitated, unsure of what Aran's next move would be.
"Just someone trying to do business," Aran replied smoothly, his gaze never leaving hers.
She tilted her head, curious despite herself. "Business? You dare interfere with my operation for business?"
Aran smirked. "Let's just say your operation has attracted some unwanted attention. But I can help you. I know what you're after in those crates."
Her eyes flickered with intrigue, but she didn't stop the spell. "And what makes you think I need your help?"
"Because," Aran said, taking a step closer, "you're not the only one who knows how to handle volatile magical energy. Those shards in the crates—they're not stable, are they?"
For the first time, a flash of uncertainty crossed her face.
"You think you can control them, but you can't," Aran continued. "Those shards are from a different plane of existence, aren't they? They're powerful, yes, but their energy is too unpredictable. You need someone who knows how to refine them, how to make them safe to use."
The woman's fingers hesitated, the spell faltering slightly. She was listening now, even if she didn't want to admit it.
"And what makes you think you can do that?" she asked, her voice dripping with skepticism.
Aran's smirk widened. "I've spent years studying magical artifacts from other realms. I know their patterns, their weaknesses. I can help you unlock their full potential without the risk of them exploding in your face. But only if you stop that spell."
There was a long pause as the woman considered his offer. The dark energy swirling around her hands slowed, then dissipated. She lowered her arms, though her gaze remained sharp and dangerous.
"Fine," she said slowly. "But if you're lying to me…"
"I'm not," Aran interrupted confidently. "You want power? I can give it to you. But first, we need to talk."
The woman's eyes lingered on him, weighing her options. Finally, she nodded, a tight, controlled movement. "Talk, then. But if I don't like what I hear, you won't leave this yard alive."
Aran nodded in return, fully aware of the threat. But he had her attention now, and that was the first step. He could work with this. He could turn the situation to his advantage.
As the tension between them simmered, Kira's voice crackled in his ear. "What's the plan now?"
Aran smiled beneath his hood. "Now? Now, we play the long game."
The pieces were in place. Now it was time to make his move.