Chapter 34: Strategizing the Infiltration

Elias walked into the dimly lit quarters of Lenya, the faint hum of Veil energy thrumming in the air around him. Her room was tucked deep within the Lanterns' hidden base, a space cloaked in shadows that seemed alive, rippling and coiling at the edges of his vision. 

Lenya herself sat at a small wooden table, a faint glow of Veil energy illuminating the parchment she was scribbling on. She looked up as he approached, her pale eyes narrowing in curiosity.

"Elias," she greeted, her voice as smooth as silk, though her tone carried the weight of someone who was never surprised. "To what do I owe the pleasure? You usually avoid asking for favors unless you're desperate."

Elias gave a wry smile, shrugging out of his coat and draping it over the back of a chair. "Desperate might be the right word. I have a situation, and I need your expertise. Shadows, secrecy—your specialties."

Lenya leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. The shadows in the room seemed to curl closer to her, a natural extension of her mastery. "Go on. What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into this time?"

Elias detailed the investigation so far: Clara's peculiar death, the strange behaviors of her family, and the exclusive gatherings at the Blackwood Theater on Sundays.

"I went to observe the theater on a regular evening," Elias said, pacing as he spoke. "It seemed ordinary enough—just another place for performances. But Sunday is different. Only specific invitees are allowed, and from what I've seen, Clara's family is among them."

Lenya raised an eyebrow. "Exclusive gatherings in a rented theater. That certainly reeks of something. You think this is connected to Clara's death?"

"Possibly. The family's behavior, the theater, and Marcus Harrison's vague ties to Clara—it's all too coincidental. I need to get inside that theater during one of these gatherings, but I can't risk being noticed. That's where you come in."

Lenya tapped a finger against the table, her expression thoughtful. "You want me to use my shadow manipulation to sneak us in."

Elias nodded. "Exactly. If the gathering is tied to rogue practitioners or Veil activity, your abilities will give us the edge we need to observe without detection."

Lenya stood and began to pace, the flickering shadows in the room almost responding to her movement. Her presence was commanding, her voice calm but sharp. "Infiltrating a gathering like this is risky. If it's mundane, we can slip in and out without much trouble. But if this is tied to rogue practitioners—or worse—cults, we could walk straight into a trap."

She turned to Elias, her pale eyes narrowing. "Are you sure you're ready for this? Your control over the Veil is still... developing. If something goes wrong, it could spiral out of control quickly."

Elias met her gaze with calm confidence. "I know I'm not as experienced as you, Lenya, but I'm not going into this blind. I've spent years piecing together puzzles and uncovering truths no one else could see. That's why you came to me for Clara's case file in the first place, isn't it?"

Lenya raised an eyebrow, her lips quirking into a faint smirk. "Fair point. You may not be a master of Veilcraft, but your instincts as a detective are sharp. And from what I've seen, your ability to observe and analyze has already led you to things others would've missed."

Elias folded his arms. "Exactly. I don't need to throw around Veil energy to be useful. If this gathering is connected to Clara's death, then I'll find the thread that ties it together. All I need is a way in—and that's where you come in."

Lenya tilted her head, considering him. "You've got guts, Thorne. But guts won't keep you alive if you're not careful. So, here's the deal: I'll help you get in, and I'll help you get out. But we stick to the shadows, and you follow my lead once we're inside. Agreed?"

Elias nodded without hesitation. "Agreed. No risks we don't have to take."

Her smirk returned, this time with a hint of approval. "Good. Then let's figure out how to make this work."

Lenya pulled out a rolled-up map of the Blackwood Theater she'd retrieved through her connections at the Office of Arcane Oversight. Spreading it across the table, she began pointing out key locations.

"There are two main entrances—the front for guests and a rear service door used by staff. Windows on the upper floor, but those would be difficult to access without drawing attention. The building itself has a narrow ventilation system, but it's too small to use as an entry point."

"What about security?" Elias asked.

"Minimal, as far as I can tell. These gatherings seem to rely on secrecy rather than force. But that doesn't mean we won't run into resistance if we're discovered."

Elias nodded, studying the map. "We'll enter through the rear door, under cover of your shadows. Once inside, we stick to the periphery and avoid engaging anyone directly."

Lenya smirked. "You're learning. Maybe this will go smoother that I thought."

As they continued planning, Lenya shared her knowledge of similar gatherings tied to rogue practitioners.

"Events like these are often used for rituals, exchanges, or indoctrination," she explained. "If Clara's family is involved, they might be participants—or worse, unwitting pawns."

"What about the Veil?" Elias asked. "Could these gatherings be tapping into its energy?"

"It's possible," Lenya admitted. "If they're using artifacts or performing rituals, the Veil would respond."

Elias frowned, his thoughts returning to the failed binding ritual Elira had identified. "Clara's regrets and the ring Jonas wears—they all seem connected to something bigger. If the theater is part of this, we need to find out what's happening there."

Lenya leaned forward, her voice firm. "If I'm doing this, you need to promise me something."

Elias raised an eyebrow. "What's that?"

"No heroics," she said bluntly. "If things get out of hand, we leave. No matter what we find. You're still new to this world, Elias. You might have raw talent, but that won't mean anything if you get yourself killed."

Elias hesitated, then nodded. "Agreed. No heroics."

Lenya's expression softened slightly. "Good. Meet me tomorrow night. We'll do a final review of the plan before heading to the theater."

As Elias left Lenya's quarters, the weight of the upcoming mission settled over him. He trusted Lenya's skills and her caution, but the unknowns surrounding the theater—and Clara's death—gnawed at him.

Elias paused at the edge of the base, looking out into the misty streets of Arkwright. He adjusted his coat and walked into the night, unshaken despite the challenges ahead.