Shrewd Phoenix

Manhattan, Harlem. 

A renowned party, spotlights, reflectors, dancing, microphones and plays; that was the brand of Christian Dior. Several models based in New York were invited to a party at the start of the week; among them was Veronica Andrews.

She was supposed to be one among the many guests of the upper society, but it was even more accurate to say that Veronica immediately became the centre of attention when she joined. Together with her was Jean and they both looked aghast.

She was being received like she won the lottery and everybody knew except her. It was… off-putting. Work proposals, praises of her last magazine cover, even Jean got a lot of attention. But the redhead knew better.

'Be weary, Veronica'

She said mentally to Veronica who seemed to be in the zone with all the attention until she realised, that all of this attention might as well be a fabrication.

Jean was taken and put at a different table from Veronica who was with the rest of the models and some fashion role models and famous seamstresses from Dior and other companies like Louis Vuitton and Balenciaga. 

For her, a dream come true. That's why deep in her heart, as she heard the voices of praise, she couldn't help the grief of machinations, the fear of the moment. 

Jean was asked questions about her studies, age, and preferences like she was being scouted. The dream of any girl her age. But Jean knew very well what she was here for.

She surveyed the minds of everyone she came across, but there was nothing suspicious. Everyone was invited to this meeting and looking forward to it, looking forward to future projects, magazines and a lot more. No underlying shrewd. 

There seemed to be nothing suspicious, no undergoing plots, no plan… but the situation escalated so quickly that she didn't see it coming at first, but she was expecting it.

*PA!*

The first shot was almost muffled by the loud music at the party. But still, it was the distinctive noise of a gun fired. More shots, then scream. 

And then madness.

"Everyone get down!"

Jean gasped and so did everyone. The target? One of Veronica's security team officers. The situation turned into disarray, a group of armed men rushed through the main and back gates and started shooting at the party's private security company. The models were rushed out of the scene, all shivering. Among them, Veronica together with Jean.

The assailants entered from the back and front gates, they were after one individual. Death or alive, it didn't matter... so long as they had her body to show. 

Bullets shot in Jean and Veronica's direction. The security team answered back, but they were overwhelmed by the high calibre used by those gangsters wearing balaclavas. 

"This way!" The security leader led everyone away while Veronica's officers and the party's security gained some time. It was unimaginable that such a thing could happen in a magno-event of multimillionaire agencies in Manhattan.

But the one who ordered this heist was even more powerful. 

*BOOOMMM!!*

A grenade exploded, shots fired, and amidst everything the music never stopped as blood rained, brightened by the dazzling light of the reflectors. Several innocent bystanders, and models... got shot and fell lifeless on the floor. 

Veronica panicked, she couldn't believe the extent Shaw was willing to go. A part of the reason why she was insistent on coming, was because she couldn't believe he'd be willing to go this far.

But the Black King of the Hellfire Club knew no distinctions. 

Together with five security officers, Jean led Veronica and a group of models and VIPs to leave through an alternative exit.

"What do we do!"

"Don't make any noise, come!" 

The shots and screams kept entering their ears, those who fell on their way would not be rescued. They went down the stairs instead of opting for the elevator... when the elevator did open after reaching the tenth floor, where they had been, a group of gangsters left it and headed into the corridor where the party was located, looking to flank.

Much to Veronica and Jean's luck, they had ignored the stairs, but those guards defending the main hall had run out of luck.

The group reached the entrance of the parking lot downstairs and saw a group of gangsters yet guarding up the vehicles in case anyone tried to escape.

They had planned this with more than a hundred of them placed in key spots, they wouldn't be leaving until their objective was complete. 

"There is no use, they're here too!" The security guard said, holding his gun, sweating and visually afraid... he knew he was paid for protection, he never thought he'd be facing a gang army. 

"We have to fight our way out!" Jean suggested, there was no other choice. But even as she said that none of the guards next to her looked optimistic. They were just five, while in the parking lot, at least twenty gang members were roaming around with carabines. 

"I-If I hand myself over–"

Jean technically slapped Veronica on both sides of her cheeks and stared at her dead in the eyes with a not-so-kind gaze. 

'Don't talk nonsense, mother-in-law'.

'Everyone is getting killed because of me!'.

Veronica tore down, knowing that the reason this was happening was that, they were not after anyone else, they were after her. 

'This is what he wants. Ray is fighting right now! Shaw knows the only way he can defeat Ray is by taking hostage anyone that he cares about. You can't hand yourself over!'.

'But then... these people'.

'I'm sorry... but we can't help everyone' Jean grimaced, it was not like she felt good about it, 'I am here to make sure you're safe, Ray trusted me–'.

*BAANGG!*

A big impact was felt through the foundation of the building coming from upstairs like a meteor had fallen, it shook everyone and even the gangsters in the parking lot were shaken and distracted, the perfect opportunity that Jean used.

She rushed out and gained mental control over the first three gangsters closest to her. She immediately though about using them to open fire at the others while gaining further control.

But she couldn't. 

Jean froze on the spot at the thought of killing someone. 

'JEAN!'

Phoenix shouted in her mind, the gangsters were already pointing their guns at her... Jean saw life pass by while hearing Veronica's screams behind her. 

*PA!*

*PA!*

*PA!*

Shots were fired, explosions from the muzzle, shards scattered. She saw everything... in slow motion. 

From her perspective she saw herself walk forward, leaving her body... in truth, she was the one leaving the body while her other self, Phoenix, took control. 

Phoenix extended her hand forward and those bullets stopped. 

The deity then waved her hand in front of the shocked gangsters and a telekinetic wave sent everything flying away: men, cars, boulders, everything. Blasted like a tornado had suddenly descended on the world. 

"This is why you can't trust mortals with your bidding, Abyss".