Ten | Infiltration |

11:30 AM WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 4865

[Zemira's POV]

"How far along are we on Storm," I questioned Iain, who as my second has to deal with my constant asking.

"Right on schedule, Phoenix," He replied in a calm that when against the annoyance and exasperation in his bright blue eyes.

"What is it?" I asked leaning back in my office chair.

Ragonor's Haven and The Dawn were now both officially awake. A bustling underworld to the great Nosaroc. Iris practically dragged me back here after I lost myself to my thoughts. If I hadn't told Iain numerous times forcing me to see a therapist is futile and pointless, he would have me sitting in the Med wing spilling my problems to someone who can't do shit about them. After all, talking about trauma won't reverse it, it only aggravates it more.

"You've asked me or Iris about The Storm three times today," he sighed, " You realize it's only been four-ish hours since the meeting, and your 'Abduction'," He made a stupid air quote gesture for emphasis I assume.

"Ugh," I drug left hand down my face, "Why in Hecapla did you have to remind me,"(Hell Plain) My tone dropped in irritation.

"Zem, Archalian please, you know I can barely understand," He paused, "Sarenaian."

"It's pronounced Sarneain, and yeah that's why I do it," I retorted.

I'd tried to teach both Iain and Iris Sarneain but Iain never really caught on. Iris understands enough to know when the words are meant to be insulting, and not much else.

"Whatever, just what do you plan to do about it?" He snapped, his unease apparent.

"I've already handled it," I replied nonchalantly.

"How?" My second demanded. He must want to get shot or stabbed.

"I changed the eye color as well as other features on the image The Anopoly broadcasted across the damn city," I started calm but anger took over near the end.

"You sure that'll be enough?"

"How is the scout situation going," I asked changing the subject.

"Still working on that."

"Alright," I sighed looking out the window, to the mountains beyond. They were once a sacred point to commit the ashes of the fallen to Sala. It's where my mother's were cast into flame and brought to the Phoenix, Avoyni as my people named her. It means Bird of Flames.

"You know you don't have to spend all day in a room surrounded by paper, right?"

"You know you don't have to speak every thought that comes through your head, right," I retorted.

"You're kind of a bitch," He said, stoking a fire he knows damn well he can't put out.

I turned to face him, "You're right, I am. However considering this 'bitch' can put your ass in the ground without breaking a sweat," I trailed off, letting the threat sink in.

"Do you really want to go through the process of finding another Second in Command that'll put up with your shit," He shot back.

"Iain," I said calmly, "Get out or so help me Avoyni," He was out the door before if finished.

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10:30 AM WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 4865

[Unkown POV]

"Where are you?" my boss asked over comms.

I ignored him as responding would blow my cover and the last thing I want is to be swarmed by Anopoly guards.

"Kora, answer me," He pressed. "Kora, Report."

"Uh, God would you shut up," I snapped, and then it dawned on me, "Shit."

I was moving in seconds, the Bastard Emperor's men gaining. I quickly warped light to shield myself from view, ducking into a room to my right. With the door closed, I released the light, leaning against the door behind me. Taking a minute to catch the oxygen that had abandoned my lungs, I examined the room.

Like most other rooms in this maze of a building, it was lavishly furnished with resources acquired through unethical means. There was a vanity on the far right wall covered in small metal trinkets, a plush bed with a canopy, and far too many pillows directly across it against the left. Although of course several feet apart, so far apart in fact, that an ivory, velvet couch sat between the bed and vanity on the back wall adjacent to gilded glass french doors. A grandiose balcony lies on the other side. The room is almost blinding with its damn near pure white wall refracting the light made by artificial sunlight.

I was startled out of my disgust by rustling to my left. I went invisible on instinct. I have no desire to get caught by whoever occupies such a space as this. Hell, with my luck it's probably the bastard's Daughter, I thought grimly.

I was backed against the right wall, close enough to the door to run if needed. I began to think I imagined the sound when low and behold, a door to the left of the bed, that I hadn't noticed was there opened to reveal Artemisa Reyes herself. It was all I had to not brush out in psychotic laughter. I was about to break as I realized have no real way out now. If I tried she may see me, report me to her dad, and then it's back to Brimlock. I shuttered at the thought.

She moved to the door and my spine went rigid. I silently hoped I won't get caught ask she opened the door. I assume she stopped one of the many useless guards the Anopoly employs.

"What's happening?" She asked confused, "Has someone found Zemira?" Hope flooded her voice and I felt a pang of sympathy for the bastard princess.

The guard must have given her the answer I was expecting because her face fell as a disappointed "Oh...," left her lips.

I'm guessing whoever she was speaking with left to continue their futile search for me. She closed the door with a sigh and without thinking, I said, "Shouldn't have gotten your hopes up, Princess."

I clasped my hand over my mouth as she turned in my direction. She slowly approached me the way you'd approach a bear. I released the light as cold steel was pressed to my throat. I grabbed her wrist as she jumped, no doubt scared of the strange girl that can turn invisible standing in her bedroom.

"Who the hell are you? How did you get in here?"

"Well it's simple really, you see I was runn-"

"You're who the guards are looking for," She cut me off.

"Maybe, but to be honest Princess, I'm not here for you," I replied looking into her mix-match eyes, " So put down the knife."

Her grip tightened so I let go of her wrist went invisible and reappeared behind her. "You sure you wanna do this Princess because if this comes down to a fight, you'll be the one bleeding."

She made to elbow me, I dodged spun her around, and pinned her to the wall with her own knife.

"Now you're gonna tell me what I want to know, Princess, and that way you keep the beautiful eyes of yours."

She swallowed, I have her right where I want her.

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