Chronicles Of A Fallen Angel-Chapter 44: Found Out

Natasha bet aggressively. Victor called. I called.

The turn. Not my suit.

Natasha bet again. Victor folded. I called, even though I probably shouldn’t have.

The river. My suit.

I had the flush.

Natasha went all in.

This was the moment. I could fold and preserve my chips for later hands. Or I could call and either win big or lose everything.

"Call," I said, pushing my remaining chips forward.

Natasha flipped her cards. Full house.

Fuck.

I showed my flush, and she smiled as she collected the pot. "Nice try. But in this game, nice tries get you eliminated."

I was out, which meant I owed the eventual winner a favor.

But it also meant I was free to move around while everyone else was still playing.

"Unfortunate," Selene said. "But you played well for an amateur. Help yourself to drinks while we finish."

I moved to the bar, positioning myself with a view of the collection room door. The wards were visible now that I knew to look for them – subtle but present. Elena would need to know the exact configuration to bypass them.

"Taking mental notes?" Jade appeared beside me, also eliminated from the game. "That’s the collection room. Selene keeps items from clients there – things being authenticated, sold, or held for safekeeping. Very secure."

"What kind of items?"

"Magical artifacts mostly. Some mundane but valuable. There’s a stolen painting in there right now – that’s one of your targets, isn’t it?"

I glanced at her. "What makes you think I have targets?"

"Please. You got VIP access suspiciously fast, and you’ve been casing the upper floor all night." She sipped her drink. "Don’t worry, I’m not going to rat you out. I’m just observing."

"Why help me?"

"Who says I’m helping? I’m just... providing information that you may or may not find useful." She gestured subtly to a camera in the corner. "Selene has surveillance everywhere. Magical and technological. If you’re planning to steal from her, you’ll need to account for that."

"Noted."

"And one more thing." She lowered her voice. "Whatever you are, whatever you’re hiding – it’s making Selene more interested, not less. She loves puzzles. And you’re the most interesting puzzle she’s encountered in years."

"Is that good or bad?"

"Depends on whether you can keep her interested without letting her solve you." Jade moved away, back toward the game.

I watched the poker game continue. Natasha was dominating, her vampire instincts giving her an edge in reading the remaining players. Selene played conservatively, more interested in observing the dynamics than winning.

And I used the time to memorize every detail of the VIP level. Camera positions. Ward locations. Blind spots. Escape routes.

By the time Natasha won the game – claiming favors from five other players, including Selene – I had a mental map that would make Elena’s job much easier.

"Well played, everyone," Selene announced as the game ended. "Natasha, you’ll have to let me know what favors you’re calling in."

"Oh, I will." Natasha’s smile was predatory. "I’m sure I’ll think of something interesting."

People began to disperse, some heading back down to the main floor, others settling into private booths for conversation. Selene moved to where I stood at the bar.

"Walk with me," she said.

Not a request.

I followed her to the balcony – the same one where we’d had our previous private conversation. The night air was cool, and the city spread out below us like a carpet of lights.

"You were mapping my space," she said without preamble. "Don’t deny it. I know that’s what you were doing."

My hand moved subtly toward the emergency beacon in my pocket.

"Yes," I said. Simple truth seemed safest.

"Why?"

"Because I’m curious. Because I like to know my surroundings. Because old habits die hard."

"Old habits from what?"

"From a life where not knowing my environment could get me killed."

She turned to face me fully. "You’re planning to steal from me."

It wasn’t a question.

This was the second time he had been found out by his target even before he could attempt it. This made him wonder if he was terrible at his job, or if these supernaturals were just that observant.

"I’m considering my options," I said carefully. "But I haven’t decided anything yet."

"I see." She moved closer. "Here’s what I think. I think you’re working with filthy mercs. I think they sent you in here to scout for jobs. And I think you’re very, very good at playing the charming newcomer while actually being a professional mercenary."

"And if that’s true?"

"Then I’m impressed by your boldness. Walking into my territory, gaining VIP access, all to steal from under my nose." Her smile was cold. "But I’m also obligated to make an example of you if you actually try it."

We stared at each other, and I could feel the power radiating off her. Five hundred years of existence, countless battles survived, absolute control over her domain.

If she decided I was a threat, I was dead. Simple as that.

"I have a proposal," she said finally.

"I’m listening."

"I know people want things from my collection. It’s inevitable – I have valuable items, and others want them. Usually, I catch thieves before they succeed and make examples of them." She paused. "But you’re different. You’re interesting. And I value interesting people."

"What’s the proposal?"

"Complete one job for me. Prove you’re as good as I think you are. Do that, and I’ll consider letting you have what you came for."

"What kind of job?"

"The kind that requires someone with your particular skills. Someone who can move through supernatural spaces, who can handle themselves in a fight, who isn’t afraid of crossing dangerous people." Her eyes glinted. "I have a competitor – another vampire who’s been trying to move into my territory. He has something that belongs to me. I want it back."

"What is it?"

"A ring. Very old, very powerful, very personal. He stole it from me thirty years ago, and I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to retrieve it."

"And I’m that opportunity?"

"You’re someone I don’t mind risking. If you succeed, you’ve proven your value. If you fail, well..." She shrugged. "It’s no loss to me."

[New Quest Offered: Selene’s Retrieval]

[Objective: Steal ring from rival vampire]

[Reward: Permission to take items from Velvet Room collection]

[Risk: High - Dangerous target, personal stakes for Selene]

[Analysis: This could be the opening you need with Selene]

[Recommendation: Accept, but negotiate terms]