The Blackthorn Gambit

Midnight approached with an eerie stillness. Daphne pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders as she stood at the grand iron gates of Blackthorn Manor. The estate loomed ahead, its gothic architecture casting menacing shadows beneath the pale moonlight.

This was the kind of place where people made deals with devils—and rarely walked away unscathed.

She exhaled and pushed the gate open.

Inside, the long driveway was lined with dead trees, their leafless branches clawing at the night sky. A thick mist curled around the ground, swallowing the crunch of her footsteps. The manor itself was a fortress of stone and glass, its massive double doors illuminated by the golden glow of chandeliers inside.

Daphne's heart pounded. Whatever Alaric and Celeste Voss had planned for her tonight, she had no choice but to face it head-on.

She reached the doors and raised her hand to knock, but before she could, they creaked open.

Standing there, dressed in an elegant black dress, was Celeste Voss.

"You're late," Celeste purred, tilting her head with a smirk.

Daphne stepped inside cautiously. "Traffic."

Celeste chuckled, shutting the doors behind her. "Always so witty. Come, Alaric is waiting."

They moved through the lavish halls, passing golden-framed portraits of the Voss ancestors—each one bearing the same piercing eyes and cruel smirks. The air smelled of expensive cigars and aged whiskey, a sign that Alaric had already settled in for the night.

When they reached the main lounge, Daphne wasn't surprised to find him lounging on a leather chair by the fireplace, a glass of scotch in hand.

"Ah, Daphne," Alaric greeted smoothly. "Right on time—if we're accounting for your usual lack of punctuality."

She ignored his jab and crossed her arms. "You asked me to come. I'm here. What do you want?"

Alaric swirled his drink, watching her with amusement. "Straight to business. I like that. But first, sit. Drink?"

Daphne shook her head. "I'll stand. And no."

Celeste sighed, gliding over to perch on the armrest of Alaric's chair. "Such a bore."

Alaric smirked. "Very well. We have a job for you, Daphne. A test of sorts."

Daphne clenched her jaw. "What kind of test?"

Celeste leaned in, her emerald eyes gleaming. "One that will prove just how valuable you are to us."

Alaric set his glass down and steepled his fingers. "We need you to deliver a message to Theodore Graves."

Daphne frowned. "The casino owner?"

Celeste grinned. "The very one."

Alaric's expression darkened slightly. "He owes us… let's say, a considerable debt. But Theodore is a slippery man. We need him to understand that running isn't an option. You're going to make sure he gets that message."

Daphne narrowed her eyes. "And how exactly am I supposed to do that?"

Celeste's smile was razor-sharp. "That's up to you. Be persuasive. Be creative. Just make sure he understands."

Daphne's stomach churned. This wasn't just a simple errand. This was a test of her willingness to be their pawn.

She glanced between them, trying to gauge just how far they expected her to go. "And if I refuse?"

Alaric's smile didn't waver, but his eyes grew colder. "Then we take Tiberius, and you get nothing in return."

A cold rage flared in Daphne's chest, but she forced herself to remain calm.

"Fine," she said. "Where do I find him?"

Celeste clapped her hands in delight. "That's the spirit!"

Alaric tossed a small envelope onto the table. "Everything you need to know is inside. You have until dawn."

Daphne's fingers tightened into a fist.

It was beginning.

The Hunt for Theodore Graves

The drive to The Crimson Lotus, Theodore Graves' high-end casino, was tense. Daphne's mind raced as she thought through her options.

She wasn't a thug. She wasn't going to break into his office and put a gun to his head. But she needed a way to make him listen—to make him fear the Voss family more than he feared whatever forces had him hiding.

Luckily, she had someone who specialized in situations like this.

She pulled out her phone and dialed Elias Hart.

It rang twice before he picked up. "Daphne. Midnight calls? Either you're in trouble or you miss me terribly."

"I need your help."

Elias chuckled. "Of course you do. What's the job?"

She hesitated before answering. "I need to get a message to Theodore Graves. One he can't ignore."

There was a pause. Then Elias sighed. "Damn, Daphne. You really walked into the lion's den, didn't you?"

She didn't respond.

Elias exhaled. "Fine. Meet me outside The Crimson Lotus in ten minutes."

She hung up and pressed the gas pedal harder.

The Message

By the time she arrived at the casino, Elias was already waiting. He leaned against his black motorcycle, a cigarette between his lips. His dark leather jacket made him blend into the shadows, but his sharp gaze found her immediately.

"So," he said, flicking his cigarette away. "How exactly do you want to handle this?"

Daphne crossed her arms. "You know Graves. He's careful. He won't meet with me willingly."

Elias smirked. "Lucky for you, I have a way to make him come to us."

Daphne raised an eyebrow. "And that is?"

Elias reached into his pocket and pulled out a small flash drive. "Graves has a dirty little secret. A ledger, hidden in his private office. It details every illegal deal he's ever made. If we borrow it… he'll have no choice but to talk."

Daphne hesitated. "That's risky."

Elias grinned. "Risk is my middle name."

She sighed. "Fine. Let's do it."

Together, they slipped inside the casino, blending into the crowd of high rollers and socialites.

The real game had just begun.