Alia followed Leona to Lord Allen's office, her footsteps silent yet purposeful. Despite Lord Allen's prominent status as the lord of Joy City, his office was not luxurious. The furnishings were simple, with only a large wooden desk, several bookshelves filled with scrolls and documents, and a few paintings depicting serene landscapes. However, the room was spacious, and a small bedroom adjoined the office, a clear sign that Lord Allen was a hands-on and dedicated leader, working long hours and staying close to his duties.
Alia had seldom been in the lord's office since her arrival in Joy City. She had always considered herself an outsider, her role in the city still unclear despite the passage of time. Nonetheless, she had been curious about Joy City from the start. The city thrived on trading special produce from the nearby Dark Forest, bringing in considerable wealth, yet the forest's terrifying reputation loomed large. Few humans dared to venture into its depths. Alia knew this all too well, having spent six harrowing months trying to escape the forest's dangers.
Joy City's soldiers, though dressed in lavish armor and equipped with powerful weapons, struck Alia as surprisingly ordinary. She had observed them during her time in the city, but never had the chance to join them in any missions. Playing the part of a meek servant girl while gradually revealing her abilities, she remained on the sidelines. Now, this mission was her opportunity to understand what truly set Joy City apart—its soldiers, and perhaps more importantly, its leaders.
"Leona," Alia began as they entered the office, "are we going alone this time? I know reconnaissance is my strength, but it seems risky without a larger group."
Leona grinned, turning to her companion with a playful glint in her eyes. "What's the matter, Alia? Don't you want some alone time with me? A little date for just the two of us?"
Alia rolled her eyes, unable to hide her amusement. "If you really want a date, come to my room tonight," she teased back, her voice light but edged with challenge.
Leona laughed. "We'll talk about that when we return. Don't you run off on me." Her expression shifted to one of seriousness as she added, "But in all seriousness, the lord said we won't be going alone. There's another top-tier fighter who'll join us. The three of us will be enough for this task. The lord believes fewer people will make things simpler inside the palace."
Alia nodded, her curiosity piqued by the mention of the mysterious third member. "So we're to provide support and reconnaissance while protecting this fighter?" she asked, though there was a slight disappointment in her voice. She had hoped for a larger team.
Leona nodded. "Exactly. The lord isn't here right now because he's off greeting the fighter."
As if on cue, the heavy wooden door creaked open behind them. Alia and Leona turned to see a figure entering the office. His posture was rigid, his expression resolute, and his presence commanding. Despite his casual attire, it was impossible to mistake the strength beneath. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and exuded a quiet confidence. Behind him, another figure appeared, even more imposing—tall, dark-skinned, with thick muscles that rippled beneath his simple clothes. His intense gaze and the way he crossed his arms gave off an unmistakable aura of warning.
Alia's instincts immediately went on high alert. This wasn't just any fighter; she recognized the subtle cues in his scent, the faint yet unmistakable air of dominance. He was a high-ranking werewolf. Though the enmity between vampires and werewolves had faded over time, the ancient blood feud still ran deep. Her heart raced as she silently hoped her disguise held strong. She couldn't afford for him—or anyone—to discover her true nature as a vampire.
For his part, the werewolf sensed something unusual about Alia. His instincts told him she was different, though upon closer inspection, he detected only the scent of a human. He shook off his initial unease. Lord Allen had vouched for her, and for now, that was enough.
"Alia, Leona, let me introduce you to Talon," Lord Allen's voice broke the tense silence as he entered the room. "He's a high-ranking warrior from the werewolf clan. I once helped him, and he's agreed to assist in exploring the palace with you two. Talon, meet Alia, our reconnaissance expert, and Leona, one of our finest warriors."
Talon offered a curt nod in greeting, his sharp eyes lingering on Alia for just a moment longer than necessary before turning his attention to Leona.
Leona, always one to break the tension, stepped forward with a mischievous grin. "Look at these muscles," she said boldly, reaching out to touch Talon's arm. "Impressive. Fitting for a werewolf."
Talon stiffened at the contact, suppressing a growl as he pulled back, clearly unamused by her antics. "Watch yourself," he warned, though his voice remained calm. "I don't appreciate being toyed with."
Leona smirked, unbothered by his reaction. "How about a spar? Let's see who's stronger."
"Anytime," Talon replied, his tone cold but unyielding.
"Enough," Alia intervened, stepping between them before things could escalate further. "We're on the same team. Save the competition for another time. For now, let's focus on working together."
Lord Allen chuckled softly from his desk. "Alia's right. You're both skilled fighters, and I expect you to cooperate, not clash. There's plenty of time for sparring once you've completed the mission."
Alia shot Lord Allen a grateful look. Though the werewolf hadn't shown outright hostility, she still felt the lingering tension. It would take time for them to fully trust each other, if that was even possible.
And as for Talon and Leona, no one knew what the future held for them. Perhaps fate had something unexpected in store, something far deeper than a warrior's journey.