Page 9 of Forbidden Empire
On the day of the heist, the trip to Zeno's guarded vault was just as dangerous as the mission itself. We sneaked through the back alleys of Vegas, dodging patrols and bypassing security systems with ease. Using our forged credentials, we entered the building, our heartbeats pounding with every step.
We planned every move and action with meticulous care, right down to clearing the armed final checkpoint. Now was when we faced the real challenge of our quest.
My body trembled with nerves and adrenaline as Aidon and I waited, hidden in the shadows near the building housing Zeno's vault.
I'd waited for this moment for so long. My plan was coming to fruition right before my eyes. The air around us seemed to pulse with this electrifying energy, adding to my anticipation.
Except I couldn't allow myself the freedom of too much excitement. We were about to invade the monster's lair. That knowledge alone should frighten me.
Then, there was the low hum of the building's intricate security system, which constantly reminded us of the danger that lurked around us. The moon's faint glow illuminated our surroundings, casting long and ominous shadows that seemed to writhe and move on their own accord. Every second felt crucial despite our planned timeline. Even the most foolproof plans were not immune to disaster.
"Are you sure about this?" Aidon whispered beside me, his warm breath tickling my ear as his deep voice reverberated through my body and sent shivers down my spine.
I turned to him, a small smile playing on my lips. "Would you believe me if I said yes?"
He released a resigned sigh, amusement and annoyance flickering across his features. "Not for a second."
I pressed my body against the cold stone wall as I neared the security panel, the sharp chill piercing through my clothing. My fingers moved over the controls, each code coming to me as if it were a second language I had mastered through years of precise manipulation. Zeno built his vault to be an unbreakable fortress of secrets, but he never expected someone like me.
Aidon stood beside me, his presence both reassuring and unsettling. His dark eyes kept sweeping the corridor for any sign of movement. "You've done this before," he muttered.
I shot him a smirk, my lips twitching with amusement. "What gave it away?"
"The confidence," he said, suspicion lacing his tone. "And the recklessness."
"We have three minutes before the secondary alarm goes off," I informed him in hushed tones, ignoring his commentary. "Are you ready?"
He didn't answer. Instead, his sharp gaze lingered on me, assessing and calculating.
"Always," he finally growled, his words carrying more weight than they should have.
The lock disengaged with a soft click, and I pushed open the door. A sleek and high-tech chamber greeted us, shimmering with faint blue light. The stark brightness was jarring compared to the darkness we had just left behind. Steel cabinets lined the walls, their surfaces gleaming like secrets locked away.
"Impressive," Aidon murmured, his tone neutral, but his narrowed eyes betrayed his thoughts. "Zeno doesn't do subtle."
"No," I agreed in a softer voice. "He doesn't."
We moved in perfect synchronization, silent and efficient, as if we had been partners for years instead of just tolerating each other out of necessity. I fixed my gaze on the far end of the room where a small, ornate case sat on a pedestal. The surface was etched with intricate patterns, and the gold caught the faint glow of the security lights like a beacon.
"There," I whispered, pointing toward it. "That's what we need."
Aidon wasted no time, moving toward the pedestal with a predator's grace. He reached for the box, his broad frame casting shadows that danced across the walls. His jaw tightened as he studied it, his fingers brushing over the ornate surface as if testing its reality.
"Do you know what's inside?" he asked, his voice cutting through the quiet.
I hesitated, the truth threatening to escape from my lips like an unspoken confession I wasn't ready to share. The weight of what was inside that box felt heavier than all the secrets I kept.
"It's leverage," I said, my voice calm but subdued now. "That's all you need to know."
His gaze flicked to mine, suspicion darkening his expression. His intense stare made me want to look away, but I held his gaze,refusing to back down. Whatever doubts or questions he had at that moment, he let them go, at least for now.
Without saying another word, he lifted the box from its pedestal, holding it as if it were delicate and risky. The tension in his jaw eased just a little as he nodded toward the door.
"Let's go," he said.
The sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the hall, shattering our fragile quiet. My pulse quickened with adrenaline, sharpening my focus.
"Too late," I muttered, drawing a slim dagger from my belt. "We have company."
