Aurora wears a long, flowing red dress that perfectly complements her pale skin, its hem nearly brushing the ground with every step. Her black hair cascades down her back, rising slightly with her movements. Her expression remains firm, unwavering, as though she has no place for a smile in daylight. It is as if the night alone is permitted to witness her warmth, while the sun must never expose the shadows hidden beneath its bright rays.
She walks steadily toward the room where Lynn is resting, her presence casting an unspoken authority. Standing guard at the door is Baron, unmoving, his posture straightening the moment he hears Aurora's footsteps approaching. Quickly, he adjusts the strands of his slightly disheveled hair. The sunlight pouring in reveals the depth of his brown eyes, making them appear more radiant under the morning glow. With practiced elegance, he clasps his hands behind his back, turning to face forward as he awaits Aurora’s arrival. She approaches, shining brighter than the sun itself.
Baron bows his head slightly in greeting as she nears, and before she even utters a word, he reaches for the door and pushes it open for her. Aurora steps inside without hesitation, while Baron silently closes the door behind her. A small smile tugs at his lips as he murmurs, "Good morning."
From inside the room, Aurora’s voice rings out moments later, responding, "Good morning." Baron chuckles under his breath.
Inside the room, Aurora pulls back the covers, waking Lyn abruptly. The sudden movement startles Lynn, whose face is still clouded with sleep, her clothes rumpled and hair a tangled mess. Her eyes are barely open, her expression dazed with exhaustion. Aurora, however, simply laughs—a pure, mischievous laugh, like a playful child teasing a friend.
"You look absolutely hilarious," Aurora remarks, unable to suppress her amusement.
Lynn glares at her, her expression resembling that of a mother scolding an unruly child. "Is this how you plan to kill me?" she grumbles, rubbing her head and stretching out lazily.
Aurora gasps dramatically, placing a hand on her chest. "Me? Kill you? Now why would I do that?"
Lynn frowns in confusion, her sleepy mind still processing the situation. "Then why am I here?"
Smiling, Aurora walks toward the window, pulling back the curtains to flood the room with sunlight. She turns back to Lynn, her lips curling into a sly grin. "You're here to help me."
Lynn blinks. "Me? Help you?"
Aurora nods. "I have work to do today. Feel free to wander around. We'll talk later." With that, she calls out, "Baron."
The door swings open immediately, and Baron steps inside, keeping his gaze respectfully averted. "My lady?"
Aurora instructs him, "You don't have to stand guard all day. Just make sure Lynn can explore the place as she wishes. We'll be leaving soon."
Lynn watches as Aurora strides out of the room, her presence shifting once again—an ominous aura now clinging to her like an unshakable shadow. Lynn stares after her, murmuring, "What is with that woman? One moment she's terrifying, the next she's like a mischievous child." She sighs and pulls the blanket over herself. "Just let me sleep..."
Baron chuckles. "I'll make sure you get whatever you need. Rest well." He exits, closing the door behind him, returning to his post until it’s time to accompany Aurora once more.
Meanwhile, Aurora stands before the mirror in her room, staring at her reflection for a long moment. She crouches slightly, pulling a sleek black bag from beneath her bed. Opening it, she reveals an array of weapons—each gleaming under the dim light.
She tilts her head, contemplating. "Knives... or firearms?" she muses aloud, her fingers tracing the edges of the blades. After some thought, she selects her weapons for the day, securing a pair of knives against her thighs beneath her flowing dress. She picks up a small handgun, twirling it deftly between her fingers before setting it aside. Instead, her eyes gleam with interest as she selects a long, serrated dagger, running her fingertips along its deadly edge. A slow smirk tugs at her lips as she tucks the blade near her ankle.
After securing everything, she closes the bag, straightens her dress, and looks into the mirror once more. Adjusting her dark locks, she presses a kiss to the air, a smirk playing on her lips. Then, without another glance, she strides toward the door, her aura shifting into something darker—something void of light.
Baron is waiting outside. Without question, he falls into step behind her. No need to ask where they’re going—he simply follows. They exit the grand estate, approaching the black Mercedes parked near the outer gate.
Nearby, Joseph stands beside his motorcycle, preparing to leave. He pauses when he spots Aurora, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before he speaks. "There's a dinner gathering tonight with the others. I know you hate those, but I figured I'd let you know."
Aurora clicks her tongue in irritation. "Tsk." With that, she slides into the car, allowing Baron to shut the door before he takes the driver's seat. Joseph chuckles, shaking his head as he mounts his bike and speeds away, leaving a trail of dust behind him.
The Mercedes follows shortly after, Baron maneuvering it effortlessly across the long suspension bridge. Aurora watches the road in silence, one leg crossed over the other.
Halfway across the bridge, Baron suddenly speaks. "My lady... Hector is up ahead."
Aurora lifts her gaze. There, stationed on his motorcycle, is Hector. Baron slows the car as they approach. As they pass by, Aurora rolls down the window, locking eyes with him. Hector removes his helmet, his gaze meeting hers with an unreadable expression.
They exchange no words—just a long, lingering stare. Then, without warning, Hector smiles gently. Aurora, caught off guard, raises an eyebrow in slight confusion. "Tch," she mutters. "Move."
Baron obeys, accelerating past Hector.
But Hector does not stay behind. Almost instantly, he revs his engine and follows closely beside them, matching their speed. They drive together in silence until they reach the end of the bridge, where the roads diverge. Just before they part ways, Hector raises a hand in a small wave. "See you around."
And just like that, he's gone.
Aurora watches him disappear into the distance before scoffing. "What’s with that idiot?" she mutters.
Baron says nothing. He simply presses down on the gas, propelling them forward once more.
The day seemed to pass quickly, bringing the night without warning. Aurora sat on a chair in the middle of an abandoned building, cleaning her knife, one leg crossed over the other. Her dress appeared unnaturally clean, while her hands were stained with blood. Behind her, Baron stood by the rooftop, smoking a cigarette, his gaze fixed on the distance. The air around them was thick with Aurora’s ragged breaths, while lifeless bodies lay scattered across the place.
In front of her, a middle-aged man knelt, blood streaming down his face. His severed hands lay motionless before him. He was breathing, yet unable to scream. Aurora, indifferent to everything but the blade in her hand, meticulously wiped it clean. Once satisfied with its sharp gleam, she lifted her leg to sheath it back into place, the glint of multiple knives adorning her thigh catching the dim light. Then, straightening her posture, she finally spoke.
"Give me a name," she said, her gaze fixed on the emptiness ahead.
Behind her, Baron, having finished his cigarette, turned. His once-white shirt was now stained with blood, his muscular forearms visible beneath neatly rolled-up sleeves. Carrying his jacket in one hand, he stepped forward and gently draped it over Aurora’s shoulders, sensing the cold creeping into the air. He stood still, waiting, until the man before them finally stammered:
"Gris... Gris Damier..."
The moment the name left his lips, Baron emptied his gun into his head.
Aurora rose from her seat, walking away as she said, " know where he is."
She left Baron behind, watching as he set fire to the place.
Seated in the car, Aurora waited as Baron changed his bloodstained shirt. He opened the trunk, grabbed another shirt, and pulled off the soiled one, revealing his sculpted torso. Then, as he buttoned up the clean shirt, his phone buzzed with a message detailing their target’s location.
Sliding into the driver’s seat, he spoke, "He’s one of the guests at tonight’s dinner, my lady."
Aurora glanced at him through the mirror before replying, "Then let’s go."
Without hesitation, Baron started the engine, steering towards a gathering filled with the most dangerous figures in the underworld.
Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, exchanging whispers and conversations, clinking glasses together. The hall was packed with assassins and mercenaries, gathered once a year for a grand dinner despite the rivalries among them. It had become a ritual of sorts, a necessary event to exchange information. As always, the Salvadors and the Al Batris presided over the occasion, hosting it every year.
The room buzzed with chatter and laughter until silence suddenly fell. All eyes turned toward the entrance as the Salvador family entered first—Hector’s father led the way, accompanied by his wife, with Hector walking beside them. Lucas followed closely behind. As soon as they stepped in, the Al Batris family arrived—Mr. Kidd and his wife, along with Joseph and Victor. The two families exchanged polite greetings before Hector’s gaze drifted behind them, searching for something—or rather, someone—until Victor smirked and said, "Unfortunately… our dear one didn’t come." Then, with a sly smile, he turned away, leaving Hector behind, who merely smirked in return.
Walking alongside Joseph, Victor chuckled as Joseph asked, "Uncle, where’s your usual calm demeanor?"
Victor laughed and replied, "Didn’t you see it? It was entertaining."
As Kidd and Emmanuel moved forward, Alice and Assie followed behind them. Then came Victor, Joseph, Lucas, and finally, Hector. They entered all at once, and the room fell into an eerie silence, broken only by exchanged glances. Only when Kidd and Emmanuel nodded in greeting did everyone resume their conversations and laughter.
Alice and Assie sat together, chatting like any two women at a social event, while Lucas stood behind them. The rest mingled, greeting attendees and engaging in conversation. Meanwhile, Hector stood alone, sipping his drink, seemingly unbothered by the admiring stares of the daughters of other prominent leaders. Every girl in the room eyed him, yet he paid no mind.
One of them eventually gathered the courage to approach him in silence, tapping her glass against his before asking, "Why are you alone?" Her gaze was practically devouring him. Hector didn’t respond; he simply took another sip from his glass.
Outside, in front of the grand building hosting the dinner, Baron’s car pulled up. He stepped out swiftly, and the moment the guards at the entrance recognized him, they greeted him respectfully. Without hesitation, Baron opened the car door, allowing Aurora to step out with effortless grace. His jacket still draped over her shoulders, she looked stunning—so much so that the guards struggled to keep their eyes off her.
Aurora entered first, followed closely by Baron, whose muscles were visible beneath his shirt as he strode beside her. The moment they reached the hall, Baron stepped forward and pushed the doors open, seizing everyone’s attention. The women in attendance were instantly captivated, but before they could fully process his presence, the room was shaken by the sound of Aurora’s heels clicking against the floor as she made her entrance.
Whispers filled the room. "Who is she?" many wondered, as most of those present had no idea who Aurora was. Baron closed the door behind her and gently slid his jacket off her shoulders. Across the room, Hector’s gaze darkened as he watched Baron’s casual gesture.
Joseph and Victor initially smirked, assuming Aurora had come to join the evening’s festivities. But their amusement quickly faded when they noticed the expression on her face—her eyes gleamed with something sinister. Tilting her head slightly, she cracked her neck before muttering, "Ah… damn it. I hate crowded places."
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