Vivierode down the hall with purpose, her bare feet barely making a sound. Renzia followed a step behind, silent as always, her unnervingly precise movements adding an eerie uoo their departure. The pouch of rested fortably in Vivienne’s hand, a tangible reminder of her newfound mission. She gave it an idle toss, the king of the s punctuating the rhythm of their footsteps.

  As they he estate’s mairahe sound of hurried, heavier footsteps caught Vivienne’s attention. She tilted her head slightly, gng down the corridor just in time to see a familiar figure emerge. Rava, her leather armor, was striding toward them with her usual fidence, some clothing in hand. Her pierg gaze swept over Vivienne and Renzia, narrowing slightly as they stopped in front of her.

  “And where are you off to in such a rush?” Rava asked with curiosity.

  Vivienne smirked, holding up the pouch of s as if it were some grand prize. “Our dear Narek has issioned me for a little side project. Something about digging up a mole and untangling some Snty scheming.”

  Rava’s expression hardened instantly. “A mole? Withih?”

  Vivienne nodded, slipping the pouto one of her pockets. “That’s the word. And it seems our first stop is the lovely Lysandro Kelyth. Apparently, he’s got some skeletons in his closet—and I do love skeletons.”

  Rava’s jaw tightened, her hands resting on her hips. “Lysandro… He’s always been a snake. ”

  “I hope so,” Vivienne said, a glint of amusement in her crimson eyes. “The worse he is, the more likely I think Narek will let me have free reign.”

  Rava sighed, shaking her head. “Why did I expey different from you.”

  Vivienne’s smirk softened into something more ral. “Don't worry. Believe it or not, I am taking this seriously.”

  Rava studied her for a long moment, her icy blue eyes unreadable. Finally, she nodded. “Fine. But be careful. Please.”

  “Will do,” Vivienne replied with a mock salute. “I’ll try to behave.”

  Rava’s gaze shifted to Renzia, who had been standing quietly throughout the exge. The mannequin’s head tilted slightly, her stitched face as unreadable as ever. “And you’re bringing her?” Rava asked.

  Vivienne gnced back at Renzia and shrugged. “She’s my charge now. Besides, I think she’s more capable than she looks. Aren’t you, darling?”

  Renzia lifted her ste and scribbled quickly before holding it up. I will protect Mistress.

  Rava’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I hope you know what you’re doing,” she said, though the in her voice was unmistakable.

  “Always,” Vivienne replied with a wink. “Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have an aristocrat to ule.”

  Rava rolled her eyes ahe pair pass her, disappearing in the dire they came from.

  The midday sun cast warm, golden light over the bustling streets of the city. Vendors called out from their stalls, everything from fresh produce to finely crafted jewelry, and the chatter of passersby created a lively hum. Vivieepped out of the estate with a sense of purpose, her sharp gaze sing the se ahead.

  Renzia followed closely, her movements as precise and deliberate as ever. For a moment, Vivienne gnced back at her unusual paniohoughts briefly lingering on the mannequin’s inscrutable nature. Whatever Renzia had been before, she was hers now—and Vivieeo make good use of her.

  As they wove through the streets, Vivienne’s lips curled into a sly grin. “This Lysandro thinks he’s untouchable,” she mused aloud. “Hiding behind his name, his wealth, his little games. But everyone has a cra their armour, Renzia. We just o find his.”

  Renzia raised her ste, scribbling as they walked. What if he resists?

  Vivienne chuckled, her voice low and smooth. “Oh, darling, I'm hoping for it. It’ll make breaking him all the more satisfying.”

  They passed a row of tall, elegant buildings, their facades adorned with intricate carvings and wrought iron balies. The trast between the opulence here and the humbler districts they’d traversed earlier was stark.

  “Acc to he Kelyth family has always been about appearances, trary to most ih,” Vivienne tinued, her tone ced with amusement, “but appearances be deceiving. Let’s see how far Lysandro is willing to go to keep his pretty little lies intact.”

  Renzia wrote again, her movements quid deliberate. Will you hurt him?

  Vivienne g her, her bck eyes gleaming. “Only if I have to. Fear is a much er on, and far more effective. Besides, hurting people be so... messy.”

  They turned a er, the Bck Veil ing into view. Its polished exterileamed in the sunlight, and the faint murmur of activity inside hi the kind of exclusivity it promised. Vivienne’s grin widened as they approached the entrahe guards fnking the doorway already eyeing them warily.

  “Afternoolemen,” Vivienne said smoothly, her tone dripping with charm. She fshed the pouch just enough to catch their attention. “My associate and I have business inside.”

  The guards exged a g did not move. "No monsters allowed," one said with a stoic face, though Vivienne could taste the fear radiating off him.

  Her grin widened, sharp and knowing, as she leaned slightly closer. “Monster? Oh, sweetheart,” she purred, her voice dropping into a dangerously pyful tone, “you haven’t seen a monster yet. But if you’d like to, I’d be more than happy to give you a demonstration.”

  "I've heard of you, beast. Has the twilight fa you off your leash?" spat the other, his voice steady but his hands trembling slightly.

  Vivienne’s grin stretched wider, almost predatory, as her bck eyes glinted with amusement. "My, my, such bravery," she said, her tone mogly sweet. "I wonder if you’d be this bold if Lady Ravanyr were here." The guards stiffened slightly at the name, but their disdainful expressions didn’t waver.

  "Uand something, little morsels," Vivienne tinued, her voice dipping into a low growl. "I wear that leash because I choose to, not because I am forced to."

  Despite the bravado, the faint smell of fear lingered in the air, sharp aig. Vivienne could seheir resolve, shaky but intact. Finally, she leaned bad gave an approving nod. "Not bad," she said, almost casually. "You’ve got bae. I like that."

  With a flick of her hand, she turned away, gesturing for Renzia to follow. "e along, darling. Let’s not waste our time here."

  The guards exged nervous gnces but didn’t move to stop her as she walked away, her pace leisurely, almost pyful. Ohey were out of sight, Vivienne’s grin faded into a thoughtful expression.

  "Well, that was fun," she muttered, gng at Renzia. "But now we’ll have to be a bit more creative."

  Renzia raised her ste. What is the pn now, Mistress?

  Vivienne’s lips curved into a sly smile. "We’re taking the sic route. Let’s circle bad find ourselves a nice, discreet way in. The front door isn’t the only option."

  With that, they slipped into a side street, their path weaving through narrow alleys and quieter parts of the city. The Bck Veil loomed behind them, its presence a bea as Vivieraced a wide arc around the block, sing for potential vulnerabilities. Eventually, they came upon a smaller, unguarded side entrance.

  Vivienne crouched slightly, iing the doorway. It was simple and unadorned, likely used by staff or for deliveries. Her sharp bck eyes studied the hinges and lock, her fingers lightly trag the frame as she muttered, “No guards. No magical seals. Someone’s sg.” A gri across her lips, the prospect of slipping through ued too tempting to ignore.

  Renzia scribbled quickly oe and held it up. Will we break in?

  Vivieapped her thoughtfully, her expression turning ptive. “I could probably shift and slip in, but you? That might be tricky. Maybe we could find ary point on the sed floor. A window, perhaps, unless…” She tilted her head, her dark eyes gleaming with curiosity. “Unless you happen to have a lockpi you?”

  Renzia tilted her head, her stitched fareadable. She raised her hand, and without hesitatioallic tools sprouted from her fiips. Their asymmetrical forms resembled jagged cws, gleaming faintly in the dim light.

  Vivienne’s qui of eyes widened, her surprise evident. “Well, e impressed,” she said, clearly delighted. “That’ll do nicely, darling. Who needs a lockpick when you’ve got… whatever that is?” She gestured toward the lock with a flourish. “Show me what you’ve got.”

  Renzia stepped forward, her movements eerily smooth. One of her improvised tools exteoward the lock, and the faint sound of metal against metal echoed softly as she worked with uny precision. Within moments, the lock gave a satisfying click, and the door creaked open slightly, revealing a dimly lit corridor beyond.

  Vivienne leaned closer, peering into the shadowy interior. “Effit and quiet. I think I might just keep you around forever, Renzia.”

  Renzia scribbled quickly oe. Mistress is kind. I will always assist.

  Vivienne chuckled softly as she stepped through the doorway. “Careful, darling. Fttery will get you everywhere.” She gestured for Renzia to follow. “e o’s see what secrets this pce is hiding.”

  The corridor was narrow and unremarkable, its walls lined with pin wooden panels and faintly glowing sces. The air inside was cooler, tinged with the faint st of wine and spices. Vivienne’s eyes darted around, her senses on high alert as she took in her surroundings.

  “Staff entrance, clearly,” she murmured, her voice low. “Let’s keep to the edges. No sense in attrag attention just yet.”

  Renzia nodded, her steps eerily silent as she followed close behind. The pair moved with practiced stealth, the soft sound of their movements blending into the ambient hum of the building. Occasionally, Vivienne paused, tilting her head to listen for any approag footsteps.

  As they pressed deeper into the club, the muted hum of versation and music began to grow louder. Vivienne followed the sound until they reached a baly overlooking a vish, multi-tiered lounge. Below, patrons in fiailored clothing miheir ughter and chatter blending with the soft strains of a string quartet.

  On the upper level, a smaller gathering of wealthier guests watched from ornate louhe air here was thick with perfumed smoke and cloying perfumes. Vivienne’s sharp gaze swept the se.

  “Renzia, darling, stay here,” Vivienne said, her voice low but firm. “Blend into the shadows or…” She trailed off, noting a vat alcove near an ornate vase and sculpture. “Stand there. Don’t move. They’ll think you’re part of the decor.”

  Renzia nodded, her movements fluid but deliberate as she stepped into the alcove and froze. Her stitched fad rigid posture made her indistinguishable from an art piece, and Vivienne suppressed a chuckle.

  Desding to the lower floor, Vivienne adjusted her stride to something unremarkable. She her slinked nor anded, blending into the crowd with practiced ease. Her qui of eyes sed the room while she nursed a faint, sharp grin.

  Above, murmurs began to rise around Renzia’s stationary figure.

  “Is that new?” a man asked, gesturing toward her.

  “Hmm, quite avant-garde. I like it,” a woman replied, sipping from a gss of crimson wine.

  Anuest sniffed dismissively. “It’s grotesque. Who’d ission something so… unnatural?”

  Renzia remained perfectly still, her ste tucked away. The faint glint of her cw-like tools caught the light, but otherwise, she gave no indication of awareness.

  On the lower floor, Vivienne caught snatches of versation—idle gossip and hints of Serkoth politics. She drifted between groups, her bck eyes always searg, listening for any morsel of useful information. Her predatory instincts sharpened as she sensed someog her.

  It didn’t take long to find the source. From the upper level, a man with tied-back bck hair and a slim build leaned on the railing. His e eyes gleamed with i as he studied her. Even from this distance, Vivienne could sense his curiosity, tinged with amusement.

  “Looks like the prey has e to me,” she murmured under her breath, her grin widening.

  A servant approached her discreetly, bowing slightly. “Madam, Master Lysandro requests a private word with you.”

  Vivienne’s smile turned sharper. “How polite of him. Lead the way.”

  As the servant guided her toward a quieter alcove, Vivienne gnced briefly back at Renzia, who remained unnoticed in her alcove. Her mannequin panion didn’t move but seemed to radiate readiness even in stillness.

  Vivieered the private space to find Lysandro lounging on a velvet settee. His androgynous beauty was striking, almost otherworldly. His features were delicate yet defined, with sharp cheekbones and a perfectly symmetrical face that could have been carved from marble. Long bck hair cascaded over his shoulders, framing his fa silken waves, while his e eyes glowed faintly uhe dim lighting, exuding an intense allure.

  He was surrounded by a small ente of sycophants, all dressed in the fi silks and adorned with jewelry that sparkled in the low light. Their ughter was hollow, their pliments overzealous as they fawned over him. One leaned in, whispering something into his ear, which prompted a soft, melodic chuckle from Lysandro as he waved them away with a graceful flick of his wrist.

  “The rumors didn’t do you justice,” he said, his voice smooth and edged with intrigue, like velvet ed around a bde. His gaze fixed on Vivienne, assessing her with a faint smirk. “Vivienne, isn’t it?”

  Vivieepped closer, her bck eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and menace. “Depends on who’s asking,” she replied lightly. Her tone carried a subtle warning as she folded her arms and tilted her head. “And what they want.”

  Lysandro’s smirk widened, and he leaned forward slightly, resting his on his hand. “Oh, I simply wao meet the woman who’s been the subject of so many fasating tales. You do have a reputation, after all. Care to join me?” He gestured toward a plush seat opposite his, the invitation ced with an almost predatory charm.

  “How could I possibly refuse such a gracious offer?” Vivienne replied smoothly, settling into the seat with deliberate poise. Eaent she made seemed crafted to mirror his posure, a dance of subtle trol.

  Lyssandro, ever the picture of elegaook a slow sip from his gss of wihe dark liquid refleg the dim light of the room. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit to my humble establishment?” he asked, his voice casual, yet sharp. “I hear that since your arrival, you’ve bee quite inseparable from the Twilight Fang. Lady Ravanyr, I believe?”

  Vivienne hummed in thought, her fingers absentmindedly tapping the edge of the table, eyes flig briefly to the delier above. “As much as I do enjoy her pany, I find our methods of unwinding are... ly aligned,” she said, her tone light but pointed, as if the words held yers beh them.

  Lyssandro’s lips curved into a smile that never quite reached his eyes, the flicker of something unreadable lurking there. “I see. The Serkoth family is known for being... rather upright,” he remarked, his voice carrying the fai hint of amusement.

  Vivienne arched a brow, meeting his gaze with an amused, almost defiant glint in her own eyes. "Upright?" she repeated, her voice ced with irony, "Is that what you call it? Or perhaps it's simply that some prefer the games of power pyed on a different level than others. More... subtle, perhaps."

  Lyssandro’s smile flickered but remained, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her. "Subtlety, yes. That is ohing I do appreciate in a person." He gestured toward the bottle oable, lifting his gss with a raised brow. "Would you care for a drink?"

  Vivienne g the wine, but only briefly. She shook her head, her smile almost imperceptible, yet ced with something colder than before. "No, thank you," she replied smoothly, her voice darkening just a fra. "I have other... vices." The words slipped out like a promise, weighted with malice.

  Lyssandro raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued, his curiosity piqued. "Oh?" he asked, his tone light but with an edge. "And what vices does someone like you indulge in?"

  Vivienne’s lips curled just slightly, her gaze never leaving his. "While I might get drunk on simple spirits and ales, I prefer something less... tangible." Her long, tendril-like bck tongue flicked from the side of her mouth, tasting the air with an uling grace. "Aether," she tinued, her voice almost a purr. "It’s what I feast on. And the more fear the prey carries, the sweeter the fvor."

  A tense hush fell over the small crowd, the murmurs of unease beginning to stir. Vivienne could feel it—the wave of fear rising in the room, a rich, almost intoxig st hanging in the air. Her hunger g her, urgio savor it, but she ched it back. She was on a job, after all. Though... perhaps if things were to go pear-shaped, she wouldn’t mind indulging a little more.

  Lyssandro’s smile faltered, his posure slipping just for a moment as he processed her words. He quickly recovered, though, his voiow tinged with more caution than before. "I... see." He leaned back slightly, clearly weighing his words. "If you don't mind me asking, Lady Vivienne... what exactly are you?"

  Vivienne leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with an uling huhat could almost be tasted in the air. "Hungry," she replied simply, her voice low and ced with a dark promise.

  His gaze flickered for a brief moment, but he quickly masked his rea with a tight smile. He set his gss down slowly, the sound of it against the table ringing just a little too loudly in the sudden tension of the room. “How... fasating,” he said, his voice measured, though his eyes rayed far from hers. “And does this hunger drive all of your decisions, Lady Vivienne?”

  Vivienne’s eyes narrowed slightly, the ers of her lips curling into a small, knowing smile. “Not all of them,” she said softly, her voice like velvet. She shifted in her seat, her fingers brushing against the surface of the table, tapping owice, as if ting the seds. “But the best ones. And right now I’m deg if you are friends or food.”

  Lyssandro’s mask of posure cracked, just for a fra of a sed. The sound of his breath hitg was barely audible, but Vivienne caught it—and relished it. His lips parted slightly as if to speak, but no words came immediately. He reached for his gss again, swirling the wine in a deliberate motion, his gaze fixed on the deep red liquid as though it might hold answers.

  “Well,” he finally said, his voice quieter now, but still attempting its practiced charm. “I do hope I fall into the former category, Lady Vivienne. I’d like to think I provide more... value alive than I would as a meal.” His eyes lifted to meet hers, and though his smile remaihere was no mistaking the flicker of uainty in them.

  Vivienne leaned ba her chair with nguid grace, her sharp smile lingering like a bde’s edge. “That remains to be seen,” she said, her voice light but deadly. “Though I must admit, you’ve already proven yourself a curious host. Few would maintain their posure under such... pressure.” Her tendril-like tongue flicked out again, tasting the tension in the air. “I appreciate that in a potential ally.”

  The murmurs among the crowd had grown quieter, but the unease in the room alpable. Vivienne could feel the delicious ebb and flow of fear around her, ead whispered word feeding her in the most tantalizing way. But she kept her hunger in check, her foever wavering from Lyssandro.

  Lyssandraining some of his footing, leaned forward slightly, his taining a hint of its earlier fidence. “And what exactly does an ally gain in a partnership with you, Lady Vivienne? Surely, su arra wouldn’t e without... plications.”

  Vivieilted her head, her crimson eyes gleaming faintly. “Doesn’t any partnership?” she replied smoothly, her voice like a fine bde slipping into its sheath. “Would I not run into plications from you?”

  Lyssandro’s lips curved into a smile, sharp and calg. “I suppose you’re right, Lady Vivienne. plications are a given in our line of... business. But tell me, what is it you truly want from me?”

  “I want influend money,” Vivienne said without hesitation, her voice firm but unhurried. “And power most of all, though I doubt you could help me there.”

  Lyssandro’s smile grew wider, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “Power, you say? Ambitious. But then, ambition often makes for treacherous pany. How would I trust you? My distaste for the Serkoth family is hardly a secret, and you seem rather... ingratiated with them.”

  Vivienne chuckled softly, the sound low and throaty, her grin curling wickedly. “I did say I wanted influence, didn’t I? And having favors owed to me is influeself. The Serkoth family is useful. For now.”

  Lyssandrarded her carefully, his dark ears twitg as he weighed her words. His smile shifted slightly, a spark of amusement flickering in his eyes. “You make an iing case,” he said at st. His hand motioned faintly toward the murmuring patrons around him, his voice rising just enough for them to hear. “It seems my pany agrees.”

  The murmurs of approval swept through the room like a quiet tide, the gathered patrons nodding and exging whispers. Vivie her eyes flick briefly over the crowd, her expressioraying nothing but a subtle satisfa. She could feel the shifting dynami the air, the currents of power subtly bending in her favor.

  Lyssandro steepled his fingers, his gaze narrowing as he leaned ba his chair, feigning a casual demeanor. “Very well,” he said, his voice smooth. “Let’s say I eaiion of an alliance. recisely, would you have me do? Influend wealth don’t flow freely without purpose.”

  Viviened her on her hand, her smile widening as though she had been waiting for this question. “Information,” she said simply, letting the word settle like a hook ier. “You have ears ihers ’t reach, Lyssandro. Eyes that see things others prefer to keep hidden. I want access to them.”

  Lyssandro’s smile thinned slightly, his eyes narrowing as he regarded her with a mix of caution and curiosity. “You ask a lot, Lady Vivienne. A, you’ve offered very little iurn.”

  Vivienne leaned forward, her grin widening into something sharp and wicked, a glint of mischief and menace fshing in her crimson eyes. “Oh, little Lyssandro,” she said, her voice like honey ced with venom. “You uimate what I offer.”

  Without warning, her legs began to shift a, merging seamlessly together. A siing crack echoed through the room as her lower body bulged and reshaped itself, f the grotesque, chitinous limbs of a spider. Gasps rippled through the crowd as her drider form emerged in its full glory, t and predatory. Her sudden transformation knocked her chair back with a loud crash, the delicate bance of the gathering shattered.

  “I am a shapeshifter,” she said, her voice cutting through the growing murmurs of fear like a bde. “I get into po one else . Do things no one else dares. And this—” she gestured at her massive, araid lower half, the spindly legs clig ominously against the floor, “—is only one of my forms.”

  The room was utterly still, save for the faint, trembling breaths of those too frozen to move. Lyssandro sat rigid, his expression carefully bnk, though his ears betrayed him with a faint twitch.

  “I specialise ih and guile.”

  Vivienne smiled at his disfort, her form beginning to shift again. The inky bess of her body melted like ooling onto the floor as her dress fell, empty, onto the couch. For a moment, she was nothing more than a shapeless void, a roiling mass of liquid darkness, before she reformed with a siing squelch. Rising from the shadows, her hydra form emerged—six serpentine heads snapping and writhing, their fangs glistening like ivory daggers. Her sheer bulk filled the room, pressing against the walls.

  The gasps turo screams as several patrons scrambled for the door, their panic reag a fever pitch. But Vivienne was faster. Despite her immense size, she moved with terrifying speed, her massive bulk cutting off their escape. The cacophony of her three heads speaking in discordant unison froze them in pce.

  “Or destru,” she hissed, her voices yered and alien, vibrating with an otherworldly resonance.

  The crowd recoiled, pressing themselves against the farthest ers of the room. Even Lyssandro, ever the posed host, now wore a veneer of genuine fear. His hands gripped the edge of the table tightly, his knuckles whitening as he fought to maintain his posure.

  Vivienne allowed the tension to linger, sav the st of fear that thied the air. One of her serpentine heads leaned close to Lyssandro, its fangs h mere inches from his face. “Do you still doubt my worth?” she asked, her voice dripping with dark amusement.

  He swallowed hard, his words caught in his throat. After a moment, he forced a shaky ugh. “You’ve made... an impression, Lady Viviehat much is clear.”

  Satisfied, Vivienne began to shift again. Her hydra form melted away, reg into her humanoid shape. Being quite nude, she fidently strode over the ruined coud picked up her dress, slipping it over her head aly guiding her elbow spio the crude holes she had made for them. She took a seat, ign the state of it, her movements as smooth and deliberate as if nothing had happened. Arouhe room remained deathly silent, save for the faint whimpers of the terrified onlookers.

  Lyssandro exhaled slowly, regaining some of his posure. He reached for his gss of wine, his hand trembling slightly as he lifted it to his lips. “You are... an intriguing individual, Lady Vivienne,” he said, his voice steadier than before. “And I see why others might find you... persuasive.”

  Vivienne chuckled softly, her sharp griurning. “Persuasion is a useful tool, but fear is a universal nguage,” she said. “I speak it fluently.”

  The room’s tension began to ease, though it was clear that no one would fet what they had witnessed. Lyssandro set his gss down, his fingers drumming lightly oable as he sidered his words.

  “Very well,” he said at st, his voice measured. “You’ve vinced me that you’re more than capable of achieving yoals. But capability is not trust. If we are to be allies, I will need assurances.”

  Vivienne’s eyes narrowed slightly, her smile unwavering. “Assurances are for the weak,” she said. “But I am feeling generous. What do you propose?”

  Lyssandro leaned forward, his fidence slowly returning. “A test,” he said. “Prove your loyalty—or at least your usefulness. There’s a certain... problem I’ve been meaning to address. If you solve it, we talk about the terms of our alliance.”

  Vivienne’s grin widened, her sharp teeth glinting in the dim light. “I do love a good challenge,” she said. “Tell me more about this... problem of yours.”

  SupernovaSymphony