It was nighttime.
Zedd pushed open the door to a quiet restaurant on the outskirts of town, the warm glow of lanterns spilling onto the street. The faint hum of conversation and the clinking of cutlery greeted him as he stepped inside. Behind him, Elara and Reina lingered near the entrance, both visibly hesitant. Elara's fiery demeanor had softened, replaced by uncertainty, while Reina stood silently, clutching her hands together nervously.
Zedd sighed and turned to them, his voice low and calm. "Relax, you two. I won't leave you. I'm sorry for earlier."
Though the apology was simple, it carried weight. Elara and Reina exchanged glances, their tension easing slightly. They nodded, though their movements were stiff, and followed him inside.
The three of them settled into a corner booth, the shadows of the dimly lit restaurant providing a semblance of privacy. Zedd reached for the menu, his expression neutral. Though he didn't need to eat or drink thanks to the synthetic tissue replacing half of his body, he understood the necessity of blending in. Eating provided energy, sure, but more importantly, it helped him maintain appearances.
He skimmed the menu quickly and ordered a simple, unremarkable meal. His focus, however, wasn't on his food. He glanced at Elara and Reina, who were still eying him warily despite having taken their seats.
"You two order whatever you want," Zedd said, his voice firm but kind. "I'll pay the bill."
Elara's red eyes lingered on him for a moment, suspicious, but she nodded and picked up the menu. Reina followed suit, her fingers trembling slightly as she scanned the options. It wasn't long before they made their choices and placed their orders with the server.
When the food arrived, the atmosphere shifted. The sight and smell of the warm dishes seemed to melt some of their lingering tension. Elara and Reina began eating, their hunger apparent. Reina's shy demeanor gave way to quiet contentment, while Elara ate with her usual fiery determination.
Zedd leaned back slightly, observing them. Elara, though focused on her meal, kept one hand wrapped tightly around the edge of his cloak. She hadn't let go since they'd sat down, as if afraid he might vanish the moment she loosened her grip. He noticed but chose not to comment, guilt pricking at him. After all, he had tried to abandon them before. If they didn't fully trust him yet, it was no one's fault but his own.
As the two ate, Zedd allowed himself a rare moment of peace. But that peace didn't last long. A prickling sensation crept over him—the unmistakable feeling of being watched. He didn't react outwardly, keeping his posture relaxed and his expression neutral, but his senses sharpened. He could feel the weight of someone's gaze locked onto him, studying him intently.
Zedd's eyes shifted subtly to the glass of water on the table. Using the reflection, he scanned the room, and his instincts were immediately confirmed. Across from their table, a man sat alone, his posture casual as he picked at his food. But his gaze was anything but casual. It was fixed directly on Zedd.
The man appeared to be in his early thirties, dressed in plain, ordinary clothing that allowed him to blend in with the other patrons. But Zedd wasn't fooled. The man's eyes betrayed him. They were too focused, too calculating. This wasn't some random passerby or a curious onlooker.
Shadow agent, Zedd thought with a wry smirk. Amateurs.
He chuckled inwardly, almost pitying the man. Shadow agents were trained to operate covertly, to blend into their surroundings, and to track high-profile fugitives like him. Once they located their target, they reported back to the military, who would then deploy assassins or soldiers to deal with the fugitive. The higher the target's ranking, the more elite the operatives sent after them.
Zedd thanks to his training knew everything about shadow agents. To him, they were little more than a nuisance. This one, however, seemed especially sloppy. The man's attempt to blend in was laughable. He was pretending to eat, but his focus on Zedd was painfully obvious.
Shadow idiots, Zedd muttered under his breath, suppressing a grin.
Reina, who had been chewing on a piece of bread, noticed the faint smirk on Zedd's face. She tilted her head, her curiosity getting the better of her. "Hey, Zedd. What's the matter?" she asked softly.
Zedd turned his attention to her, his expression shifting instantly. He flashed her a charming smile, his tone playful. "Nothing," he said, leaning forward slightly. "You just look super cute when you eat, Reina. Like a little stuffed squirrel."
Reina's face turned a brilliant shade of red, her ears tinged pink. She stammered something incomprehensible and quickly focused on her plate, shoving another bite of food into her mouth to avoid responding. Zedd chuckled softly, finding her reaction amusing.
Elara, however, wasn't so easily distracted. She glanced between Zedd and the reflection in the glass, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly. She could tell something was off, but she didn't press him about it. Instead, she tightened her grip on his cloak, a silent reminder that she was still watching him.
Zedd's attention returned to the glass. The shadow agent hadn't moved. He was still sitting there, pretending to eat, but his eyes remained locked on Zedd. The man probably thought he was being subtle, but to Zedd, it was painfully obvious.
Eat up, buddy, Zedd thought, his smirk returning. That's gonna be your last meal.
He muttered the words under his breath, too quiet for anyone else to hear. His mind was already working out the details. He'd let the man enjoy his food for now, but soon enough, Zedd would make his move. He'd extract every bit of information the agent had—make him squirm, make him regret ever crossing his path. And then he'd end him.
For now, though, Zedd stayed still, letting the man believe he hadn't been noticed. The game had only just begun.