He was generous, smart, and the playboy of the city, or at least he was until he’d married. A powerful businessman who’d graced covers from the top fashion magazines such as Style Icon, to financial newspapers like the Business Times. And yet, he was also feared amongst the Undercity.
His life was available for the world to see, yet Rae would put every penny she had – which admittedly wasn’t much – on it all being a front for something else. Something far more dangerous.
“How can I help you, Miss…?”
“Rae, it’s just Rae,” she replied, uncomfortable with the scrutiny of the man’s – Gary, according to his security tag – eyes.
“How can I help you, Rae?” he asked with a forced politeness. He stood over her, creating an imposing shadow, wearing a suit that looked like it cost more than six months of her allowance.
Rae put on her friendliest smile. “I’m just waiting.”
“Well, you’ve been waiting every day for the last three days straight.” Gary’s returning smile wasn’t as friendly. “You need to move along, Miss Rae. There’s no loitering in the atrium.”
“Excuse me?” Rae straightened, spine rigid. “I’m waiting for a very important –”
“Then you must sign in.” Gary gestured to the front desk. “If you don’t, I will have to ask you to leave the premises immediately. This is private property, and you’ve been spotted lingering far too many times.”
Rae felt her temper spike. “Excuse me –”A familiar flash of blue/black hair in her peripheral, Mr Storm walking across the floor with powerful strides, a blonde woman by his side. “ – Thanks for your help, Gary! I’ll take it from here,” she chirped, patting him on the shoulder as she shot to her feet. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell your boss how you were such a snobbish dick!”
Rae raced after Mr Storm, skidding to a stop just outside. He stood across the street, dark hair pulled back from his face, his face carefully composed as his steel grey eyes met hers. Panic tightened Rae’s lungs, freezing her legs until she was pinned in place, the surrounding commotion blurring to nothing but white noise. Two roads separated them, as well as a crowd of pedestrians, several obnoxiously loud black cabs, a red bus, and a handful of cars.
Yet, he noticedher. Followinghim.
Fuck.
With a nod of acknowledgment, he turned, slipping into a waiting car and disappearing into traffic.
Last time, it had taken her weeks of trailing Riley Storm to find her target, but Rae didn’t have weeks now. She had a few days, if not less. She wasn’t sure how Riley had become aware of her existence, but now he’d be even more cautious.
She’d become reckless in her desperation, and that could well end up being what would finally get her.
“You still haven’t found him?” Nathan said, appearing over her shoulder. “Fucking hell Cupcake, you’re cutting it a bit fine.”
Rae grabbed her notes that she’d scattered on the table. Nix watched from his position on the other side, silently eating his apple, slice by slice, with his pocketknife. She looked up at him, but he barely reacted as he chewed mechanically, his crystal blue eyes just as dead as his personality. At least he wore clothes, the last time he’d decided to hang out in the common room he’d been as naked as the day he was born, hatched, or however one of the Fae were when birthed. He was… impressive, but she didn’t want to see it all hanging out while she was eating her cereal.
“I'm sure I can take over your assignment, Cupcake,” Nathan continued, sitting himself on the edge, so close his thigh brushed her arm. “We’ll just figure out a fun way for you to pay me back.”
Rae fought the heat in her cheeks, anger pulsing through her blood. Nix’s dark brows snapped together, eyes narrowing when they settled on Nathan. It was an insult to take over another’s assignment, which meant Nathan had branded her incompetent not just in front of Nix, but also Galen, and Winter.
“Careful Nathanial,” Winter purred, her voice pure seduction edged with warning as she stepped away from the little shared kitchenette. Her white, blonde hair had been pinned into two buns, shorter strands framing her slim face. “That sounds like a threat. Next you’ll be trying tobuyRae’s contract.”
Rae froze, dread settling into a pit in her stomach.
Nathan smirked, the smile slimy.
Their contracts were interchangeable, the magic that bound them flexible enough that she could be bought, or sold until she’d met her conditions. The idea that Nathan would essentially own her… Rae couldn’t swallow the sour taste of fear quick enough.
“Viv wants you,” Galen said, tone a deep rumble. He leaned against the kitchen counter, dark eyes snapping between Nathan and Rae. “I wouldn’t keep her waiting.”
Nathan hissed, but jumped from the table. His footsteps were silent as he headed towards the Guildmaster’s office, the wards that were carved into the walls pulsating. As soon as Nathan was gone, the markings returned to their passive state, runes created by Vivian herself.
They were designed to protect those that were inside, supposedly helping to restrain violence, but not stop it entirely. Apparently they only really initiated if there was a risk of death, and then the aggressor would experience such pain they’d be disarmed. Not that anyone had tried it, that she knew of. But it made sense considering the only way to become the Guildmaster was to be gifted the job, or to kill the old one.
Vivian stayed safe within the walls, rarely emerging from her quarters unless it involved more money, or meetings with the Syndicate, the organisation that created each individual Guild. Vivian liked money, and they definitely earned her money. Because of Rae’s unique contract, she didn’t get to see a single Ravyn or pound, unlike her colleagues who were all earning a decent cut from their jobs.
“I guess that witch in the market wasn’t any help?” Winter said with her usual sunshine attitude. She was Fae, just like Nix, although she was only half. But while he was night, she was dawn. Calm, warm, and way too happy, but then again, she liked money too. Tucking a few of her loose strands behind a pointed ear, she turned to Galen. “I told you G, they’re just con artists. They can’t really see the future.”
Rae tugged at the strands of her hair. “Nothing I didn’t already know… which is nothing.” She let out a sound of frustration, reaching for her dagger and slipping it into its sheath beneath her skirt.
