Page 20 of Court of Aether and Shadows

"It was a setup," I said bluntly, deciding to cut straight to the chase. "Someone fed us bad intel. The question is, who had the resources and the motive to do so?"

Vincent's lips thinned into a grim line, the only outward sign of his displeasure.

"That's what we're trying to determine. Marco here has been conducting his own investigation while you were... indisposed."

I couldn't help the snort of disbelief that escaped me.

Marco shot me a venomous glare before puffing out his chest, his voice taking on a pompous tone that grated on my nerves.

"I've made significant progress," he boasted, smoothing down his ill-fitting jacket. "I have leads on several potential informants who might have leaked the information. There's a new player in town, calling themselves 'The Starlight Broker.' Word on the street is they've got dirt on everyone, even the big families."

"Oh really?" I couldn't keep the sarcasm out of my voice. "And I suppose you obtained this information through yourstellar investigative skills? The same skills that had you cowering behind crates while actual professionals did the work?"

Marco's face flushed an ugly shade of red, blotchy patches appearing on his neck. He leaped to his feet, fists clenched at his sides, the chair scraping loudly against the concrete floor.

"You little bitch! I saved your ungrateful ass back there! If it weren't for me?—"

I stepped into his personal space, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.

"The only thing you saved was your own pathetic hide. If it weren't for Liam and me, you'd be rotting in that warehouse right now, bullet between your eyes."

"Enough!" Vincent's voice cracked like a whip, freezing us both in place. The crystal tumbler on his desk rattled from the force of his fist coming down. "I will not have my top operatives bickering like children. Marco, sit the fuck down. Sparrow, control yourself."

We both complied —not like we had much of a choice to rebel —though I could feel Marco still seething beside me. The tension in the room was palpable, thick enough to cut with a knife.

I didn’t give a shit though. I despised being looked down upon; labeled a weak waste of space in a world where having a cock seemed to outweigh having the brains, agility, and talent to be the leader of the pack.

I may be young, but no fucking way would anyone walk over or attempt to dismiss the hard work I engrave with every action I initiate.

Vincent pinched the bridge of his nose, a rare display of frustration from the usually stoic boss. When he spoke again, his voice had regained its icy calm.

"Now," he continued, fixing us both with a steely glare, "let's focus on the matter at hand. Sparrow, your skills and reputationhave made you a valuable asset to this organization. Many of our... associates have been inquiring specifically about your services."

Huh?

I felt a chill run down my spine at his words, colder than the perpetual dampness of the underground. I knew what that meant – more dangerous jobs, higher stakes, and a tighter leash.

Vincent confirmed my fears with his next statement, each word deliberate and weighted with threat.

"I hope I don't need to remind you of the debt you owe this family," he said, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that made me want to squirm in my seat. "We took you in when you had nothing. Gave you purpose, training, a roof over your head. It would be... unfortunate if you were to forget that loyalty."

The threat was clear, and for a moment, I felt that old, familiar anger rise within me like bile.

But something had changed.

The dreams, the glimpses of another world... they had awakened something inside me. A hunger for more than this life of violence and servitude.

A sense and knowing that I was meant for something greater than being a pawn in Vincent's games.

I swallowed hard, forcing my voice to remain steady as I met his gaze.

"I understand, sir. My loyalty is not in question."

Vincent held my gaze for a long moment before nodding, apparently satisfied.

"Good. Now, I want a full report on the warehouse incident. Every detail, no matter how small."

Good. Off my leash…for now.

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