Jarek stepped onto the polished marble floor of the royal ballroom, forcing himself to look like he belonged.
It was hard.
He had spent most of his life dodging guards, not walking past them with a glass of wine in his hand.
Lena, beside him, exhaled through her nose. "This dress is awful," she muttered.
"You look great," Jarek whispered.
Lena's glare could have melted stone. "Say that again, and I will stab you."
Jarek wisely took a sip of his wine instead.
Across the room, Sylva was already blending in. She moved through the crowd like a shadow wrapped in silk, effortlessly slipping between nobles, a polite smile on her face.
Tobias, of course, looked far too comfortable.
The man thrived in places like this—charming noblewomen, exchanging pleasantries with rich fools who had no idea what a scoundrel he was.
Jarek sighed. "Okay. Let's go over the plan one last time."
Lena nodded. "Step one: Blend in."
"Step two," Sylva added, "find a way past security."
Jarek exhaled. "Step three: Steal the amulet and leave without dying."
Lena smirked. "Easy."
Jarek gave her a look. "You say that every time, and yet we always nearly die."
Sylva chuckled. "That's the fun part."
Jarek groaned.
The First Obstacle: The Noblemen
Before they could make their way toward the vault entrance, a problem arose.
Specifically, in the form of three drunk noblemen who had decided that Lena was the most fascinating thing in the room.
One of them—a pompous man with a feathered hat far too large for his head—smirked. "My lady, would you do me the honor of a dance?"
Lena's fingers twitched, probably resisting the urge to stab him.
Jarek coughed. "Actually, she's spoken for."
The noble raised an eyebrow. "And you are…?"
"Her husband," Jarek blurted.
Lena and Sylva both froze.
The noble frowned. "I wasn't aware Lady Mirielle had a husband."
Jarek blinked. Oh, right. She gave us her name to use.
He quickly forced a smirk. "A recent marriage."
The noble's eyes narrowed. "Then surely, you wouldn't mind proving it?"
Jarek blinked. "Proving it?"
The noble smirked. "A kiss, perhaps?"
Lena stiffened.
Sylva grinned.
Jarek panicked.
"Uh," he said. "I—"
Lena grabbed him by the collar and yanked him down into a kiss.
Jarek's brain shut down.
Her lips were warm, her grip firm. It was over in an instant, but it left his mind spinning.
Lena pulled back, eyes flashing dangerously. "Satisfied?"
The noble, blinking in shock, quickly stepped back. "Y-Yes. My apologies."
Lena turned to Jarek. "Move."
Jarek, still processing what had just happened, did as he was told.
Sylva smirked. "That was fun."
Jarek coughed. "We're never talking about that again."
Lena rolled her eyes. "Agreed."
Sylva just laughed.
The Second Obstacle: The Guards
They slipped toward the back of the ballroom, where two heavily armed guards stood near a gilded door.
Tobias, reappearing at Jarek's side, grinned. "Everything going well?"
Jarek scowled. "I got kissed against my will."
Tobias blinked. "Oh. I missed that?"
Jarek sighed. "Forget it. How do we get past those guards?"
Tobias hummed. "I could bribe them, but they look far too loyal for that."
Lena frowned. "Then what's the alternative?"
Sylva smirked. "Distraction."
Jarek frowned. "What kind of distraction?"
Sylva casually grabbed a full glass of wine and threw it across the room.
The glass smashed against the floor near a nobleman, splattering red wine across his pristine white coat.
The nobleman screamed.
The music halted.
The commotion drew every eye in the room.
Including the guards'.
Sylva grabbed Jarek's arm. "Move."
They slipped past the distracted guards, vanishing into the corridor beyond.
Jarek exhaled. "That was stupidly reckless."
Sylva winked. "It worked, didn't it?"
Lena sighed. "Shut up and keep moving."
The Third Obstacle: The Magical Seal
The corridor led downward, deeper into the palace, until they reached a large iron door engraved with glowing runes.
Jarek groaned. "I hate magic doors."
Tobias grinned. "Good news! I have a key."
Jarek blinked. "You do?"
Tobias pulled a small silver medallion from his coat and pressed it against the door.
The runes flickered—then faded.
The door swung open.
Jarek stared.
Tobias smirked. "What? You think I'd send us in completely unprepared?"
Lena exhaled. "For once, I'm impressed."
Tobias winked. "Careful, love. You might start liking me."
Lena rolled her eyes.
They stepped inside.
The Final Obstacle: The Vault Keeper
The Crown Vault was breathtaking.
Rows of golden artifacts gleamed under soft magical light. Gem-encrusted weapons, ancient scrolls, enchanted rings of immense power—all locked behind glass cases and heavy chains.
And, at the center of it all, a pedestal with a single amulet resting upon it.
The Amulet of Veilborn.
Jarek took a step forward.
A shadow moved.
A man in dark robes stepped out from behind a pillar. His face was hidden beneath a hood, but his presence was unnerving.
Jarek cursed. "Who the hell—?"
The man drew a curved dagger. "You do not belong here."
Tobias sighed. "Ah. Right. I forgot about the Vault Keeper."
Jarek turned to him. "YOU FORGOT?!"
The Vault Keeper lunged.
Jarek dove backward, barely dodging the blade.
Lena moved in an instant, drawing a hidden dagger from her dress. Sylva vanished into the shadows.
Tobias, of course, grinned like this was all part of the plan.
The Vault Keeper's dagger gleamed with dark energy. He was fast. Unnaturally so.
Jarek barely dodged his second strike.
Sylva appeared behind the Keeper, twin daggers flashing. She aimed for his throat—
But the Keeper twisted—inhumanly fast—and caught her wrist mid-strike.
Jarek's stomach dropped.
"Oh, hell."
The Keeper turned toward them, his dagger pulsing with dark magic.
"You should not have come here," he said.
Jarek swallowed. "Yeah. I'm starting to agree."