Chapter 10

'The blood vial is an important element if one wants to activate the crown's powers. I don't know exactly how it works, all I know is that three drops of a guardian's blood should be put into that vial. I'm sure that you must be facing some troubles and I know how curious you must be, Irene, to know everything. Be patient, my dear, with time you'll know things yourself. I don't plan on keeping you in the dark at all, no matter how dangerous the past is. Know that you will never be able to erase it from your life, you'll have to carry this burden. I'm offering an ultimatum to you, Irene. You can stop now or go ahead on this path. I won't influence your decision. It's up to you.'

Irene crumpled the paper in her hand, taking slow but deep breaths. She was fuming with anger, frustrated that everyone around her was not interested in answering the questions she had. She hated ambiguous situations, it always made her lose her cool. 

She looked around the room, a million thoughts racing in her mind. Genevieve was looking for information on Echo with Archer and Ezekiel. As for her, she had decided to take the matter into her own hands. She did not like how slow things were progressing. 

If only her grandmother had given her the answers she wanted - she would have found the crown already. But she understood her, she knew her grandmother would never beat around the bush if it wasn't necessary. It meant that not just her life but everyone who was involved would also be in danger. 

She stood up, shoving her wallet and phone in her purse. She looked at the crumpled paper in her hand and decided that it would be best if she did not tell anyone about what she knew just yet. Not just the contents of the letter, but also the things her grandmother had taught her about the crown. She had hidden it from Genevieve for long now and she did not intend to reveal it anytime soon. 

-----

"Any luck?" Irene asked Genevieve. 

From the corner of her eye, she noticed Ezekiel looking at her suspiciously but she ignored it. The man was too smart for his own good and if he knew anything more than he was supposed to, things could get messy. She needed his help but it was too early for it. 

"Nothing much," Genevieve said as she showed her the computer screen where she had compiled all the results. "We don't know his real name so I can't find anything about his family or people he knows that we can reach out to for information. It's like the guy doesn't even exist."

"That's strange," Irene scrunched her eyebrows, "according to Ezekiel's grandmother, he was involved in a theft almost twenty-five years ago. The technology couldn't be so advanced that details about someone could be wiped clean."

"Or they kept paper records," Archer shrugged, "Regardless, without his real name we can't do anything."

"I'll try talking to grandmother again," Ezekiel said, "she should be able to help some more. Excuse me, I need to make a call."

Archer followed him out leaving Genevieve and Irene alone in the room. 

"Speak," Genevieve said the moment the door closed, "what's wrong?"

"It's nothing," Irene replied coolly.

"I know you, Irene. The moment you entered the room, I could see that something was bothering you. You were fidgeting and you  never do that."

Irene sighed. "I read the fourth letter."

She held up a hand before Genevieve could say anything. "It's only about the blood vial, nothing more. She did not even say anything about what to do next. Instead, she gave me a choice."

"About?"

"To stop here or continue looking for the crown."

"What did you choose?"

"I think you know it's too late to stop now. I'm not backing down without answers."

A knock on the door stopped their conversation. Archer poked his head in, a boyish grin on his face and Irene immediately knew that he was up to no good. 

"I hope you don't mind going on a little trip."

-----

"Remind me why we're here again?" Genevieve groaned.

They had flown to Georgia in Ezekiel's private jet to meet someone who, according to Ezekiel, would have the answers they need.

"Mr Mehta is our only hope," Ezekiel said, staring at the tall building in front of him, "the man knows everything that happens, it's like he has ears everywhere."

"Is it worth revealing our purpose to him? Can we trust him?" Irene asked, her black hair moving with the strong wind. 

"My grandmother isn't ready to tell me anything more," He sighed in annoyance, "From my experience, Mr Mehta is not only an excellent businessman but also extremely cunning. I've met him only a few times and if we want secretive information, he's the man to approach."

"You're forgetting that he is retired and his daughter is the current head," Genevieve gave him a pointed look, "She isn't someone we can mess around with, not to mention she has an awful temper."

"We'll deal with that later, we should go in now." Archer interrupted and they made their way inside the glass building. 

The office of Mehta Industries was decorated in a modern-contemporary style though there were splashes of Indian culture in there if the huge peacock feather on the reception's wall was any indication. 

When they walked in, all eyes turned towards them. More specifically, at Ezekiel. Irene had forgotten that Ezekiel was a prominent businessman, an icy CEO as the media portrayed him. He had a different aura when he was with them and she wondered what more was there to his mysterious personality. 

Whispers erupted in the room as they walked, most wondering why Ezekiel Jiang was at the company out of the blue. Luckily, no one dared to stop him from going to the top floor where the CEO's office was. They made it to the floor, eyes on them wherever they went. One glance from Ezekiel and people scrambled about their work, intimidated. 

Irene smirked to herself. Out of all the people she had met in her line of work, he was the only one she found herself interested in. He had a personality she admired - strong and ambitious.

She had high expectations from him and she hoped he would not disappoint her.

Ezekiel stopped in front of the office, knocking thrice. Small, but powerful. When no one answered, they realised that it was empty. 

"Should we ask someone?" Archer looked around, trying to spot someone who could help them. 

"Someone must have informed her by now." Ezekiel shook his head slightly.

And he was right. A pair of heels clicked on the marble floor and they turned around to face the person. 

A young woman about their age sauntered towards them, her posture relaxed but powerful. She had the same terrifying aura to her as Ezekiel, her expression blank except for the smirk on her face. Irene smiled to herself. She didn't know about the others but she wasn't intimidated at all.

If anything, she was intrigued by the challenging look in her eyes. 

"Ezekiel Jiang, I have been waiting for you." She said, voice cool but like eyes bright like a  huntress circling her prey.

"I'm Alisha Mehta."