Sabine stood in front of Calira's room. Her one hand raised to a fist while the other held the handle of the door. She stood there motionless and in silence. The upstairs hallway was dark, some bits illuminated by the light that came from downstairs.

  Footsteps started coming up to the stairs. “Sabine.” A voice called out as Ilvon came to stand behind her, taller than her. He placed a hand on her shoulder. “Come down stairs.”

  Frozen in place there was nothing but silence in the air until another sob broke the silence. Sabine flinched at the noise, her hand held her husband's tightening the grip.

  She gulped. “Let's go.” He repeated himself. For the first few seconds her body didn't move, “Come on, let's go.” He repeated himself in a softer voice. She nodded and allowed him to take her downstairs.

  They came back to sit at the table. But neither of them touched their food. Left cold on the table. “I said too much.” She whispered.

  He reached out to take her hand in his. Squeezed it. “Don't worry about it. It's not the first time.” He said softly.

  Sabine looked up, met his eyes and averted it. “But today it's my fault.”

  Hearing that he leaned closer and his brows clenched, “Your fault. How so?”

  Gulped before she answered. “She saw the ledger and I said something that might have caused this…”

  He squeezed harder but not enough to hurt her, “What did you say?”

  She shook her head, “I do not recall but… I think I'm the one to blame…” They met eyes again.

  “How can you say it's not your fault if you're not sure.”

  “I… I just feel it.”

  “Ignore the feeling. You'll just be more distressed about it.”

  “But what if it is true!?” She raised her voice. “I caused this a second time!”

  “Hey, don't blame yourself—”

  “But I'm clearly the one to blame.” Her hand slipped off his and grabbed her own hair. The nails digging in her scalps. “I should've just stayed silent.” Her grip tightened and he reached out to grab her wrist. “It's indeed my fault.”

  “Sabine, what are you doing!?” He got up from his seat, eyes widened and he gently pulled her wrist back, it didn't budge a bit. “Let go.” The grip loosened and he got her hand off. “What were you doing?” His voice nor his question had any rage behind them.

  He doesn't sit back but goes to Sabine's side and holds her hand. “What's going on in your head?”

  —{Jude's Place}—

  The house was now filled in darkness. There was not a single source of light except the one oil lamp on the bedside table. The clock was barely visible. Correct time couldn't be told but it was somewhere around 10:40PM.

  Both Jude and Sylvia lie on the bed beside one another in a blanket. The lamp placed on Jude's side illuminated most of his face, while Sylvia appeared dim.

  Their bodies stuck to each other. Her arms wrapped around him. His one arm was under her shoulder while the other smooth her hair.

  She nuzzled her face on his neck, “You're so warm. I could cuddle all day with you.” She snuggled closer, even though there was no visible space between them.

  “Pretty comfy aren't you?” His fingers played with her hair.

  “I am.” Pressed harder. Bit his neck.

  “Hey!” His face turned somewhat red.

  She looked up at him, even in the dimly lit room, the redness in her face was also visible, she snuggled closer, tightened her arms around him, let out a long breath.

  “Enjoying yourself?” Lightly pinched her ear.

  Nodded, “Of course. This is the most comfortable pillow.” Roughly smacks on his chest. He chuckled, followed by her.

  After a moment of silence and loud breathing they met eyes, “Turn off the lamp.” She grinned.

  Seeing her grin he started sweating “I'm… kinda concerned.”

  “Well, you better be. Now turn it off.”

  If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  Jude didn't make a move for a moment, didn't avert eyes, just stared at her grin. Until he reached his hand out for the lamp, paused. And turned it off.

  When he turned it off the room fell into sudden darkness. Nothing was visible. Only audible. Even the noises from outside were much clearer than those of the inside… Until. A giggle.

  “What took you so long? Were you, maybe… Scared? Hmm”

  “Could be.” In the darkness he turned his body to her, and their legs locked. “... Yes. I am.” Nodded in the dark.

  In the dark their nose touched and he felt the shifting in bed. Her body pressed even further into his body. Her breath crashed onto his face. Her face was close.

  Jude saw nothing but darkness and a little bit of illuminations through the window behind the curtains.

  Suddenly he felt something soft, warm, wet on his lips. It pressed on him for a while. He didn't pull back, instead moved closer. His legs shifted under the blanket and hands moved ahead.

  After a while his chest tightened and he finally pulled back. His lips were now rosy red and fuller. He touched his lip. Wet. Moist. And something he was about to regret.

  “Hey…”

  “I'm starting to regret it.”

  Cupped his face. “Wanna… make me your Mrs. Glassgarden?”

  —{The Efficiency Syndicate}—

  The grandfather clock on the wall displayed the time, 3 AM. Only one bulb was on.

  It was completely empty. Except for a female clerk present there, seated on a desk. But not the long ones. A woman, glasses, long black hair with bangs that covered her forehead, and a long black robe with red stripes on the arms. Seated, with a steaming coffee mug on a piece of paper on the table. Endlessly stirring it was a spoon with time to time clicking on the cup.

  The door opened. Zara, Finn and Silas walked in. Zara in front. Followed by Finn and Silas right behind.

  Their clothes had no spots of blood on them. Though, Silas’ claymore was somewhat wet.

  Clerk: Looked up at them and placed down her mug. She stood up. “Welcome back.”

  Zara: Her pace was past and got to the clerk in no time. “Good morning, Thalia.” Sat on the stool in front of the clerk desk.

  Thalia: “Good morning.” Her eyes went to Finn and Silas, approaching. But went back to Zara when she.

  Zara: Noticed the coffee, “Can I get some of that?”

  Thalia: Nodded, “For sure. I'll go make one.” Saying that she grabbed a torch and was about to leave but paused and turned around, “Please take a seat.” Said to Finn and Silas. “Want some coffee?”

  Finn: Both he and Silas took a seat, and Finn said, “Yea, some.”

  Silas: “Yes… please.” Said crossing his arms.

  Hearing that she left for the other room. She was no longer visible but the torch light was.

  Zara turned to Finn, who was seated just beside her right side. And Silas on Finn's right. Zara tapped Finn’s back. He turned to look at her and saw a grin on her face. The corner of his lip twitched.

  Finn: “What is it?”

  Zara: “Felt any emotions while killing?” Finn paused but then shook his head. A denial. “Oh, is that so?” Finn averts his eyes from her and turns to the direction where Thalia was present before.

  Zara tapped his shoulder, even before he turned to her she asked, “You haven't answered this; Why did you call plan B?”

  Finn: Avoided her gaze, “It's not important.”

  Zara: Leaned back and crossed her arm. “Hm… Was it that woman?” Hearing that Finn flinched, “Ohh, yes it's her. Interesting…” Said Zara. Scratched her chin, “I don't recall what she'd looked like but you talked too… Smoothly with her.” Lean in close to Finn, who tries to avoid her gaze. “Shall I tell Thalia about it?”

  Finn: Finally looked at her clenched jaw, twitching eyes and lips, stiff body. “Shut up.”

  Zara laughed at it. Silas had his head turned to them with a smirk present on his face yet he said nothing.

  Zara: “Seems like he agrees.” Said pointing at Silas. Finn glanced at him and Silas nodded. Zara laughed louder.

  Silas: Cleared his voice, “Tease more and he may leave.”

  Finn: “Hell I will.”

  Zara: Coughed, covering her mouth she let out a chuckle, “Fine. I won't…” Followed by a giggle. And a glare from Finn.

  A moment of Silence and Thalia had arrived. With a tray of black coffee. She sat three coffees in front of them with pieces of papers underneath them. “Enjoy.” She sat in her chair in front of them.

  Thalia: Took a sip of her coffee, which no longer had the steam coming from it. With her hands on her lap under the table, “Now tell me about the hunt.” She said as she reached out for a ledger in one of the drawers.

  Finn's side eyes Zara, and Thalia noticed it. “Finn tell.” Zara's eyes widened a bit and said nothing.

  While it was going on she'd also reached out for a dip pen and inkwell. Dipped it, and ready to write. “Tell me.” Said with eyes on the ledger.

  Moments passed. Now the clock is displayed; 3:30AM. The coffee cups are now empty.

  Zara was the first one to yawn. Thalia just finished writing the notes. “Feeling sleepy?” Thalia asked. And Zara nodded.

  Zara: “Of course I am. It's getting late… When does the sun rise?”

  Thalia: Dipped the pen in clean water. “After 5, 30.”

  Zara: Scratched the back of her head, “I'll go drop on bed as soon as possible.”

  Thalia: Placed the pen and tightly shut the inkwell. “And you two.” She asked without looking up.

  “Tired.”

  “Me too…”

  “Me three!”

  Thalia: “Don't repeat yourself.” Said to whoever said the third line. Her eyes scanned the notes of the ledger line by line. Her lips moved with rhythm, muttering something under her breath.

  Thalia placed the ledger back on the desk and looked up at them. “The full report will be ready in a few days. I'll notify you when it's done. Come tomorrow if you want any advance payment.”

  “You can leave now.” Saying that Thalia began to sort the things on the desk. Slides the paper in a folder labeled, “Gold Rank–{Ceprus–Heims}”

  The two stood up except for Zara.

  Zara: Turning to them, “You two can leave now. I'll wait for Thalia.”

  Finn: “Take care.” Said to Thalia.

  Silas: “Take care…” Also to Thalia but with a lower voice.

  Both men start to leave but Finn shoots Zara one last glare before walking out the door.

  After they left.

  Zara: Lean close to Thalia with a grin on her face. “Care to gossip?”

  Thalia: Without looking up at her, as she worked she replied. “No.”

  Zara sighed at the response. Rests her head on the desk and draws circles on it with her finger.

  Zara: Without looking up. “Hey.”

  Thalia: Just finished sorting everything. “Yea.” Leaned back on her chair.

  Zara: “Can I ask you something?”

  Thalia: Crossed her arm, shoulders high. “Ask.”

  Zara: Sat straight and met eyes with Thalia “What… Does it take to be platinum?”

  Thalia: The moment Zara asked that her body stiffened. “Why, do you ask?”

  Zara: “I'm… curious.”

  Thalia: “Curious huh…? That's… quite a difficult question.”

  “I'm not sure either…”

  “Oh…”

  Thalia looks at the clock. 3:40 AM. “It's getting late. Let's go home.” Saying that she stood up.

  Zara, still seated.

  “Did you know Calira came back?”

  “Huh!?”