Morning crept in quietly, pale light slipping through the curtains like it didn't want to disturb me. I lay there longer than usual, staring at the ceiling, my body still tired but my mind already miles ahead. The banquet replayed in fragments—corridors, silver-flecked eyes, the weight of his presence far too close for comfort.
I slid out of bed, pulling on comfortable clothes first—blouse tucked neatly into a pencil skirt, hair tied back with precision. I didn't need to look perfect; I needed to look professional, ordinary, unremarkable. The world outside my apartment didn't need to know about the double life I led.
I grabbed my bag, slipping my files and comms discreetly inside, and pressed the earpiece gently against my ear. Liam's voice came softly, the usual calm laced with just a hint of expectation.
"Morning," I murmured, voice steady. "I'm heading to work first. Boss will ask enough questions without me doing anything suspicious."
"Good," Liam replied. "Stick to routine. Wait for your lunch break. Your informant will be ready then."
I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. "Understood. I'll keep it quiet. Monday morning… boring and civil. Just how I need it to be."
I left the apartment, heels clicking lightly against the pavement, every movement deliberate, controlled. The city hummed around me, indifferent to my thoughts, unaware of the dangerous games I played beneath the surface.
As I entered the office building, greeted by the familiar hum of computers and the polite nods of colleagues, I allowed myself one small internal smile. Work was mundane, predictable—but it was the perfect cover. And by lunch, I'd be ready to meet my informant, dive into the new mission, and begin tracking the people who needed my protection.
For now, though… I was just Evie . Civil servant. Monday morning. Waiting for the clock to tick toward lunch.
I sat at my desk, fingers flying over the keyboard as I typed up reports for the morning. The hum of the office, the faint clatter of keyboards, the occasional ringing phone—it was all mundane, ordinary, exactly what I needed to blend in. My heels rested under the desk, still slightly tight from last night, but I ignored the ache.
Angel leaned against the edge of my desk, her eyes bright, a grin spreading across her face. "Evie, you will not believe who I met this morning while waiting for the bus!" she exclaimed, practically vibrating with excitement.
I glanced up, mildly amused, still typing. "Who?" I asked, keeping my voice calm, casual.
"This guy!" she gushed, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "We started talking, just small stuff at first… but somehow, we hit it off. I swear, it felt like… like a movie. And I'm telling you, Evie, you need to get out more. You're gonna die single if you keep being so… cold."
I paused mid-sentence on the report, blinking at her. Cold? That was putting it lightly. Ever since high school, I'd kept boys at arm's length. Most didn't last past my polite deflection, and honestly, I didn't need anyone getting close—not with everything I was juggling.
Angel laughed, nudging me lightly. "I mean, seriously! High school Evie wouldn't even let a guy talk to you. And now… look at you. The office queen of focus and… mystery. You need a little chaos in your life, girl!"
I smiled faintly, keeping my expression measured, letting her teasing slide off me like water. "Chaos isn't always as fun as it sounds," I said lightly, returning to my typing, fingers moving almost automatically.
Then my earpiece buzzed sharply in my ear. My pulse quickened as I pressed it, the familiar calm authority of Liam's voice filtering through.
"Nyx. Change of plans," he said immediately. "There's a situation that requires your attention. You'll need to pause your current work and focus."
I kept my eyes on the screen, forcing my fingers to move as I processed the sudden shift. "What kind of situation?" I asked, voice low, calm.
"Protection," Liam said, sharp and precise. "A woman in the officials, her son at risk. The mafias are mobilizing against them because of her husband's past involvement. She's requested our help. You're the closest agent available."
I let out a small, controlled breath, letting the words sink in. My gaze flicked to Angel, who was mid-story, completely unaware of the danger unfolding. I smiled faintly, masking my tension. "Understood," I murmured into the earpiece. "I'll handle it."
Angel nudged me again, oblivious. "Evie? Earth to Evie?"
"Just… thinking about lunch," I said lightly, keeping my tone casual. "I'll catch up with your story later."
I ended the call, fingers hovering over the keyboard for a moment. Reports, small talk, and mundane office life… they were all a perfect cover. But in just a few hours, I'd be moving into a far more dangerous world—tracking targets, protecting lives, and staying one step ahead of people who wouldn't hesitate to kill.
For now, though, I typed. I smiled politely at Angel. I took notes. I was just another civil servant. And no one could know what I was about to do.
Lunch hour came faster than usual. Angel was mid-story, animated as ever, talking about the guy she'd met earlier. I tapped a few more keys, glanced at the clock, and then stood abruptly.
"I—I have to run," I said quickly, gathering my things.
Angel blinked, confused. "Wait—what? You're leaving now? I was just—"
"Later," I interrupted lightly, forcing a smile. "Catch up later. Lunch break, you know?"
Before she could protest, I slipped past her desk, heels clicking sharply against the floor as I made my way to the exit. Angel called something after me, but I didn't turn. I couldn't.
Back at my apartment, the change of pace hit immediately. Reports, files, and office life vanished as I opened the small safe I kept for just such occasions. A compact kit, a discreet weapon, comms, and a backup earpiece went into my bag. I packed carefully, every item chosen for efficiency, every tool placed exactly where it needed to be.
The earpiece buzzed lightly again, and I tapped it on.
"Nyx, everything is in place. Proceed to the layout," Liam's voice said—though it was faint, almost distant. He was off somewhere else, coordinating other operations.
I left my apartment, moving quickly but controlled, keeping my steps measured as I made my way through the city streets to the coffee shop that hid the entrance to the secret lair. Once inside, I pressed the hidden button behind the counter and descended into the quiet, familiar hum of the underground headquarters.
Cassie was there, standing in for Liam, a professional smile on her face. My eyes flicked to her, a faint blush warming my cheeks for a moment—then I shook it off. Liam wouldn't like distracted thoughts right now.
"Nyx," Cassie greeted, handing me a slim folder. "Everything you need is in here. Details on the Reiss family, locations, and your security assignments."
I took it, flipping it open briefly. Address. Schedule. Key intel. A man named Dorian would be leading the operation on the ground. My role was clear: protect, observe, and stay unseen unless necessary.
"They'll need discretion," Cassie continued. "You keep eyes on the family at all times. Dorian will coordinate movements, but you're the backbone of their security. No mistakes."
"I understand," I said, voice low but firm. My mind raced ahead, already mapping out routes, backup points, and contingencies.
Cassie handed me a second set of papers. "He'll meet you at the location," she said. "Go through the plan, and be ready for immediate action. This isn't a drill."
I nodded, slipping the folders into my bag. "Understood."
For a brief moment, I let my mind wander back to the day, to the banquet, to Alexander—but only for a heartbeat. There would be time for him later. Right now, the Reiss family needed me.
I made my way to the exit, feeling the familiar weight of the mission settle across my shoulders. The city above me was ordinary. The streets were bustling. No one knew the danger that waited, no one knew the lives that depended on someone moving quietly through shadows.
And for the Reiss family, I would be that shadow.