A Cold Breeze

"I guess I understand why you picked him." Ivy fiddled with the bracelet on the ornate oaken table. "He's quiet, and his scent is pretty faint." She licked her lips. "Though… I didn't know you liked the slim ones, Irene." She shot her younger sister a mischievous glance.

Irene rolled her eyes. "Oh please," She mumbled as she carefully continued braiding her long hair. "It's his fault for trying to steal from me. Besides, he's easy to control, don't you think?"

Ivy shrugged. "I don't know… He seemed to resist my charm fairly easily."

"That's cause all he can think of is me." Irene took the silver inlaid ribbon and tied her braid with an elegant knot. "And he'll do whatever I want him to, because money is everything to a little thief like him." Her lips curled up with an almost wicked smile.

It was Ivy's turn to roll her eyes. "You are…" She shook her head. "That's all fine and great but what makes you think he'll survive the Eclipse's mansion? You know what they are capable of better than anyone."

Irene made a vague gesture with her hand before getting up. "I don't really care – there are hundreds of thieves, I don't need him. If he dies, we'll just find someone else." She walked around the table and reached for the shawl on the back of one of the chairs.

"You're taking this too lightly." Ivy warned her. Irene chuckled. "Believe me, I'm not. The half-bloods have been warned, and each passing day brings us closer to the answers we seek." Her voice turned icy cold all of a sudden. "And I just know that box has what we need."

"But-"

"Think about it!" Irene insisted as she carefully wrapped the white, silken shawl around her shoulders. "Who other than the Eclipses could have the blood of one of the old families stored somewhere? It's not like any survive, am I right?"

Ivy's shoulders dropped, and Irene smiled with a look of victory on her face. "You know I'm right, Ivy. And a human life is nothing for a chance to put a stop to these killings."

"Deaths." Corrected her. "We only know how one of them died, remember? I understand your frustration but remember to only speak the truth when you meet the sorcerer."

Irene chuckled. "I know, I know." She stroked her sister's shoulder as she walked past her. "But I believe what I said is true. And if the thief succeeds, we will soon have all the proof I need." She smiled. "I'll head out now."

The city streets were as brightly lit as always. As she walked outside, Irene took a deep breath. The smell of moisture hung in the air as she walked on the slightly wet pavement. As she walked past the Eclipse mansion, a faint smile formed on her lips. Soon, that woman's world would crash and burn. Once she lost that box and its contents, the murders would stop once and for all.

She raised her head to look up at the cloudy sky. Once again, the stars weren't anywhere to be seen. And neither was the moon. Another safe day, she thought to herself.

Something moved on the roofs to her right. Her gaze snapped to it, only to see nothing. Whatever it was, it was no longer there. Her gaze lingered on the rooftops a while longer. Was it him?

Remembering his terrified face when she surprised him after he stole from her, she licked her lips. Her heartbeat quickened with excitement. She promised herself to have some fun once all of this was over.

Soon, she continued walking, unbothered by the cool evening breeze. Her white silken dress blew in the air, drawing some gazes from passer-by's. She smirked inwardly as they recognised her and immediately averted their gazes. No one dared look at her. Not like that.

Soon, she reached the stone stairs leading to the cathedral. On both sides, statues of fallen angels decorated the stairs. She let her gaze wander as she climbed the stairs. As she reached the massive iron doors, she cleared her throat and smoothed her dress. It wouldn't do to look unsightly in the cathedral now.

She passed through the slightly open doors and stepped inside.

"Ah, Lady Darkhaven." A voice sounded. "The Sorcerer is expecting you. Please, follow me."

Aoric hugged his knees as the strong wind threatened to pull his cloak open. The cold evening wind wasn't doing him any favours as he watched the mansion he was supposed to steal from. He shivered. His hands were freezing already. Wishing his gloves hadn't been torn apart that night, he rubbed his palms together in a vain attempt to warm himself up.

"Why in hell did I even accept that?" He cursed at himself as his gaze remained focused on the mansion across the street. As if the two guards at the front gate weren't enough, he could see people tending to the garden even at this time of the night.

Annoyed, he leaned forward and narrowed his eyes. What kind of a gardener would be awake at this time of the night? And what kind of plants would need care now?

Aoric sighed, whatever the reason, this was only going to make things harder for him.

"So…" he mumbled to himself. He slowly got up on his feet, only to notice a figure clad in white walking on the street below.

Her long, black hair was braided along with a net of jewellery. Diamonds and silver, Aoric assumed. The jewels glistened under the light of the torch lamps as she gracefully walked by them. The white silken dress she was wearing only complimented her looks. The wind blew the cloth around, revealing her thin, smooth legs.

Aoric blinked a couple of times. "You-"He hissed through his gritted teeth. There she was!

Suddenly, she paused mid step, raising her sights, and looking straight at him. His heart skipped a beat as he threw himself onto the other side of the roof and remained there for a while.

Why was his heart racing?