Cassandra woke to the soft knock at the door, her eyes snapping open in the dim light of dawn filtering through the cracks in the stone walls. She sat up quickly, her hand instinctively reaching for the dagger under her pillow before she realized where she was. Safe. In the catacombs. At home.
Across the room, Rainne stirred, groaning as she pulled the blanket over her head. "Too early…"
The knock came again, firmer this time.
"Get up," Cassandra muttered, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She cracked open the door to find a young guild messenger standing there, his expression serious.
"Master Vansemos needs to see you and Rainne," the boy said, his voice hushed but urgent. "There's a new mission."
Cassandra nodded, already alert. "We'll be right there."
Closing the door, she turned to Rainne, who was still buried under the blanket. "Get up. Eryx has another job for us."
Rainne peeked out from under the blanket with a groan. "Does he ever sleep?"
"Probably not," Cassandra said, smirking as she quickly dressed. "But he's not the one who just walked for three days through wraith-infested forests."
Rainne dragged herself out of bed, rubbing her eyes. "Great. What now? More monsters?"
"Maybe it's another horse for you to pet."
Rainne groaned, "I'm never going to live that down, am I?"
"Not with me around, you're not." Cassandra smirked.
—
Eryx Vansemos stood in his usual place, behind the large table in his chamber, studying a map spread out before him. The air was thick with anticipation as Cassandra and Rainne entered. Without looking up, Eryx gestured for them to approach.
"I have news," he began, his voice calm but with an underlying edge. "It appears the wraiths you encountered in the forest are not isolated. There have been more sightings, this time closer to the city's edge."
Rainne frowned, crossing her arms. "How is that possible? They never come near cities."
"That's what we thought," Eryx replied, his eyes meeting hers. "But something is drawing them closer. Which is where your next mission comes in."
Cassandra stepped forward, her mind already racing with possibilities. "What do you need us to do?"
Eryx slid a folded parchment across the table. "There's a nobleman named Alastair Clemonte. He's hosting a party at his estate tomorrow night, and he's well-connected—both in Liconermo and across the world. If anyone has information about these creatures, it's him. I need you two to attend, blend in with the nobles, and gather whatever intelligence you can."
Rainne raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "A party? You want us to blend in at a *noble's* party?"
"Alastair is more than just a noble," Eryx explained, his gaze sharpening. "He's a key player in the political landscape. His estate has been known to attract people from all walks of life, including those who trade in information. If there's anything to be learned about what's happening with the wraiths, someone at that party should know."
Cassandra glanced at the parchment, her mind already ticking through the details. "What do we know about Clemonte?"
Eryx leaned back, folding his arms. "He's powerful, well-connected, and discreet. Olive skin, raven hair, pale blue eyes. He's as charming as he is cunning. But be careful—Clemonte's loyalties are flexible, and while he may seem hospitable, he's not one to be easily trusted."
Rainne huffed, running a hand through her disheveled hair. "So, what? We just dress up, sip wine, and chat with the elites?"
Cassandra shot her a look. "It's more than that, Rainne. We'll need to blend in, observe, and listen for anything that can help us understand what's bringing the wraiths so close to the city. Nobles like Clemonte are always surrounded by whispers."
Eryx nodded in agreement. "Exactly. You'll need to be sharp. And remember, Clemonte will likely know who you are—or at least suspect something. Keep your cover, stay close, and don't let anyone know why you're there."
Rainne leaned back, crossing her arms with a smirk. "Sounds like we're going to need new clothes. Can't exactly blend in with the nobles dressed like this," motioning to their fighting leathers with her hands.
Eryx smiled faintly. "The guild will provide. You'll find everything you need in your quarters. Prepare yourselves. You leave for Clemonte's estate in the morning."
---
Back in their quarters, Cassandra opened the wardrobe at the foot of her bed, revealing an array of fine clothing—elegant dresses, tailored suits, and intricate masks designed to conceal their identities while blending in with the high society of Liconermo.
Rainne eyed the clothes with a mixture of amusement and dread. "So, we're really doing this? Playing dress-up with the nobles?"
Cassandra pulled out a deep forest green gown, studying the fabric. "It's not dress-up, Rainne. This is infiltration. We need to play the part if we want to get any information."
Rainne sighed, reaching for a sleek, midnight-blue dress. "Fine. But if I trip over this thing, I'm blaming you."
As they prepared for the mission, Cassandra's thoughts kept drifting back to Alastair Clemonte. She'd heard whispers of him before—how he operated in the shadows, wielding influence over powerful men and women alike. He wasn't just another noble, and if Eryx was right, Clemonte might know more about the wraiths than anyone else.
"This isn't just about the wraiths, is it?" Rainne asked, her voice pulling Cassandra from her thoughts.
Cassandra glanced at her partner, slipping into her gown. "What do you mean?"
"Clemonte," Rainne said, fastening the ties on her dress. "He's got connections all over the world. If Eryx wants us there, it's not just for monster hunting. There's more going on."
Cassandra considered this, her mind already working through the possibilities. "Maybe. But whatever it is, we'll find out. We always do."
Rainne smirked. "Well, at least the food should be good."
---
By morning, they were ready. Dressed in their finery, they left the catacombs and made their way through the city streets, the sun just beginning to rise over the horizon. The Clemonte estate loomed ahead, grand and imposing, its tall spires casting long shadows over the cobblestone roads.
As they approached the gates, Rainne shot Cassandra a playful grin. "Think we'll blend in?"
Cassandra adjusted her mask, her eyes cold and focused. "Let's hope so. We've got a party to crash."
And with that, they stepped into the world of nobles, where the whispers of danger were hidden behind smiles, and the shadows of the wraiths lingered just out of sight.