Chapter 7

Leia took another step forward when two burly bouncers suddenly moved to block her path. Their sheer size and intimidating presence made her instinctively halt. One of them crossed his arms over his chest, his voice deep and commanding as he asked, "State your business."

Leia blinked, taken aback. "I'm here to meet someone," she stammered, her voice barely steady.

The bouncers exchanged amused glances before the second one chuckled. "Meet someone? This isn't a café, lady. This place is invitation-only. You got one?"

Leia hesitated, clutching her bag tighter. "No, I don't, but I really need to—"

The first bouncer cut her off with a laugh. "No invitation, no entry. Rules are rules."

Leia opened her mouth to argue, but the second bouncer leaned closer, his smirk widening. "Unless," he drawled, "you're willing to offer us something in return."

Her heart skipped a beat as she took a step back, her instincts screaming danger. "I don't have anything to offer," she said quickly, trying to keep her voice firm.

"Oh, I'm sure you do," the first one said, his gaze raking over her in a way that made her skin crawl. "We could work something out."

Leia's breath hitched, and she felt her pulse quicken as the bouncers took a step toward her. She backed away, her hand slipping into her bag to grip the pepper spray she had brought along. "Stay back," she warned, her voice trembling but defiant.

Before the situation could escalate further, a calm but commanding voice cut through the tension. "That's enough."

Leia turned to see a strikingly beautiful woman approaching them. She wore a floor-length silver gown that shimmered in the dim light, her pale skin glowing almost ethereally. Her piercing red eyes, accentuated by what Leia assumed were contact lenses, locked onto the bouncers with an icy intensity.

The bouncers immediately straightened, their confident demeanors replaced with deference. They both bowed their heads slightly, muttering, "Ma'am."

The woman stopped in front of Leia, her lips curling into a faint smile. "I'll take it from here," she said coolly, dismissing the bouncers with a wave of her hand.

"Yes, ma'am," they said in unison, stepping back without another word.

Leia's heart was still pounding as she turned her attention to the woman, unsure whether to feel relieved or wary. The woman's smile widened slightly as she regarded Leia. "You don't look like the type to frequent a place like this," she said, her tone soft but filled with curiosity. "Why are you here?"

Leia swallowed hard, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'm looking for someone."

The woman tilted her head, her red eyes narrowing slightly. "Follow me," she said, gesturing for Leia to walk with her. "You'll find no answers standing out here."

Leia followed hesitantly, her eyes darting around the dimly lit corridor as the woman led her deeper into the building. The scent of expensive cologne and faint smoke filled the air, mingling with the soft hum of conversation and the low thump of bass-heavy music. The walls were adorned with black and red velvet, their opulence a stark contrast to the rundown exterior of the building. Dim chandeliers cast a warm, sultry glow over the space, making the surroundings feel both inviting and forbidding.

As they passed through the main area of the club, Leia's breath caught. The room was lavish, with leather seating that gleamed under the soft lights. Tables were scattered throughout, each occupied by men who exuded wealth and power. They lounged with glasses of dark liquor in hand, their laughter and conversation cutting through the ambient music.

Leia's gaze shifted to the women accompanying them. They were stunning, dressed in elegant yet provocative outfits, their makeup impeccable. Unlike the women Leia had seen on the street earlier, these women carried themselves with an air of confidence and allure. Their laughter seemed rehearsed, their movements deliberate, as if every glance and touch were part of an unspoken performance.

The woman in the silver gown led Leia through the maze of luxury, her movements graceful and commanding. "This isn't a place for the faint of heart," she said without looking back. "But I assume you already know that."

Leia nodded silently, her attention shifting to a corner where a man sat smoking a cigar, his expression one of detached amusement as he observed the room. Nearby, another group of men passed around a small vial, their hushed conversation drowned out by the music. It was a world Leia had only heard about in whispers, and now she was in the middle of it.

They reached a staircase at the back of the club, where the woman gestured for Leia to follow her up. The second floor was quieter, the music a muffled hum below. The hallway was lined with doors, each marked with a number and framed in polished brass. At the end of the corridor, the woman opened a door and stepped inside, holding it open for Leia.

The office was as lavish as the rest of the club, with a massive mahogany desk dominating the space. A leather armchair sat behind it, and the walls were lined with bookshelves filled with leather-bound volumes and ornate decorations. The air smelled faintly of jasmine, a stark contrast to the smoky scent downstairs.

"Sit," the woman instructed, her tone leaving no room for argument. She gestured to one of the two chairs in front of the desk.

Leia hesitated before lowering herself into the chair, her heart pounding. The woman took her place behind the desk, folding her hands gracefully as she studied Leia with an intensity that made her feel exposed.

"Now," the woman said, her voice calm yet commanding. "Let's start with your name." 

Leia hesitated, her mind racing. She thought about giving a fake name, something untraceable, but the woman's piercing red eyes seemed to see through her. "Leia," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

The woman raised an eyebrow, her lips curling slightly. "Leia," she repeated, as if testing the name on her tongue. "And who are you here to meet?"

Leia faltered. "I... I'm looking for someone."

The woman leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her interlaced fingers. "That much is obvious. But this isn't the kind of place people stumble into without a purpose. Who are you looking for, and why?"

Leia swallowed hard, avoiding the woman's gaze as she sneaked a glance at her phone, hoping for another message from the anonymous sender. But the screen remained blank, offering no help.

The woman's sharp voice cut through her thoughts. "I'm waiting."

Leia looked up, caught off guard by the sudden steel in the woman's tone. "It's personal," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "I just need to find him."

The woman tilted her head, her green eyes narrowing. "Him?" she repeated, her tone laced with curiosity. "A lover, perhaps? Or someone who owes you something?"

Leia's heart skipped a beat. She shook her head quickly. "No, it's not like that."

The woman leaned back in her chair, tapping her perfectly manicured nails on the desk. "Leia, this club isn't a place for idle searches. Every corner is carefully curated, every visitor accounted for. And yet, you show up uninvited, with no clear answers. Forgive me if I'm finding it hard to trust you."

Leia clenched her fists, her palms damp. "I... I got a message," she blurted out, her voice trembling. "Someone told me to come here. They said I'd find the truth."

The woman's expression didn't change, but something in her gaze sharpened. "A message? From whom?"

Leia hesitated, realizing she had no answer. "I don't know," she admitted. "It was anonymous. They sent me photos... and this address."

For a moment, the woman was silent, her gaze studying Leia as if trying to piece together a puzzle. Then she rose gracefully from her chair, her silver gown shimmering under the soft light. Her red eyes glinted as if catching an unseen flame. "Wait here," she said, her voice calm but firm. "And don't move."

Leia nodded, her heart pounding as the woman exited the room, her heels clicking rhythmically against the floor. Once outside, the woman pulled out a sleek phone from a hidden pocket in her gown. She tapped the screen and held it to her ear, her voice low and deliberate when the call connected.

"Jane here," she said, her tone laced with quiet authority. There was a pause as the person on the other end responded. A sly smile crept across her lips. "Good job, Zelix. She's here. She fell into the trap so smoothly, it's almost laughable."

Her fingers drummed lightly on her side as she listened to the reply. "Yes," she continued, her voice now tinged with amusement. "We should have done this sooner. Our Masters will be so pleased. She's exactly where we want her."

Another pause, then Jane's eyes narrowed, her smile fading into a look of focus. "No mistakes. Keep things running smoothly, and I'll handle her from here. Report back when you're in position." Without waiting for a reply, she ended the call and slipped the phone back into her pocket.

Jane straightened her gown, her expression returning to its composed elegance as she walked back toward the office. The air around her seemed to shift, her presence commanding and enigmatic as she prepared to re-enter the room where Leia waited, unaware of the web tightening around her.