The Game of shadows

The tension from the night before still lingered between Melly and Arkins, though they both pretended otherwise. After spending the day working on their plan, they had agreed to take a break and gather more intel later. Melly stood by the window, watching the sun dip below the horizon, lost in thought.

Arkins, sprawled lazily on her bed, watched her with a smirk. "You're thinking too much again."

Melly shot him a look over her shoulder. "And you're not thinking enough."

Arkins chuckled. "That's because I already have what I want."

Melly rolled her eyes and turned away, but she couldn't hide the small smile playing on her lips.

Just then, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen—a message from an unknown number.

"You're not the only one watching. Be careful, little sorcerer."

Her blood ran cold.

Melly quickly shut off the screen, masking her reaction before Arkins could notice. But his sharp eyes caught the shift in her expression.

"What was that?" he asked, sitting up.

Melly forced a smirk. "Just a spam message."

Arkins narrowed his eyes. "You sure?"

She nodded. "Yeah. Nothing important."

But inside, she knew—someone was onto her. Someone who knew the truth.

Arkins stood up, stretching. "Alright, let's move. I need to visit a place tonight."

Melly turned to him, arms crossed. "Where?"

"A little trip to one of Nabi's father's business partners," Arkins said casually. "I heard he's got some interesting files hidden away. Thought I'd pay him a visit."

Melly raised an eyebrow. "You mean, break in and steal them?"

Arkins shrugged. "Tomato, tomahto."

Melly sighed. "You're reckless."

"And you like it," Arkins shot back with a smirk.

She hated that he was right.

After some arguing, Melly agreed to go with him. It wasn't like she could let him run around causing chaos alone.

---

Later That Night – The Break-In

The estate was heavily guarded, just as expected. Melly and Arkins stood hidden in the shadows, observing the security patterns.

Arkins looked over at Melly. "Think you can work your magic?"

Melly smirked. "You doubt me?"

With a whispered incantation, the guards' movements slowed, their vision clouded. They wandered aimlessly, unaware of their surroundings.

Arkins let out a low whistle. "Damn. Remind me to never piss you off."

"Too late for that," Melly whispered, grabbing his arm as they slipped through the gates.

Inside, they moved swiftly through the dark halls, avoiding surveillance. Melly's magic disabled the cameras while Arkins worked on cracking the locks.

They finally reached the office they were looking for. Arkins rummaged through the files while Melly kept watch.

"Found it," he whispered after a few minutes, holding up a flash drive.

Melly sighed in relief. "Good. Now let's get out of here before—"

A loud click echoed through the room.

They turned.

A gun was pointed directly at them.

Nabi's father stood at the doorway, his face twisted in a knowing smirk.

"Well, well," he drawled. "What do we have here?"

Melly's pulse quickened. They had walked straight into a trap.