Markus crosses his arms. “This mission is of utmost importance. It requires precision and expertise. Are you certain you're up to the task?”
Cara doesn’t seem fazed. “I've been preparing for this moment. I understand the gravity of the assignment, and I won't falter.
The Scarlet Vipers deliberate among themselves, their murmured discussions hidden in the shadows.
“Time is a luxury we might not have,” Cara murmurs. “The longer we wait, the higher the risk of exposure. We need to strike while the iron is hot.”
Venom scowls. “What guarantees do we have that you can handle Derrick's assignment? It's a critical mission.”
“I've been gathering intel, honing my skills,” Cara says, projecting confidence. “I'm more than capable. Besides, I owe it to Derrick.”
I glance at Leo. She owes Derrick? Why did she say that? And the Scarlet Vipers don’t question this.
Markus rubs his chin, considering. “You've always been loyal, Cara, but this mission is crucial. We can't afford mistakes.”
“I understand the gravity of the task. Let me prove myself. You won't be disappointed.”
The delicate negotiation continues, each message carefully crafted to elicit the desired response while maintaining the facade of allegiance.
“How soon can you move forward?” Spectra asks.
“Give me the details of the assignment. I'll make sure it's executed flawlessly.”
Markus waves his hands dismissively. “We’ll consider this. For now, go and attend to your duties.”
Cara nods and leaves the room.
Leo turns off my laptop. “Now, we wait and see.”
His voice echoes in my room, and I shiver. There’s darkness all around, and I don’t know if I’ll ever see the light again.
twenty-nine
The Scarlet Vipers send Cara away, saying they'll let her now. I turn to Leo, desperate for answers about the Scarlet Vipers and what their ultimate goal is... but I also want to know about the Obsidian Shadows and what our goals are too.
In the aftermath of Cara's departure, I turn to Leo, a storm of questions swirling within me.
The obsidian-eyed man gazes back at me, his countenance a testament to the weight of secrets carried by both the Obsidian Shadows and their enigmatic rivals, the Scarlet Vipers.
“Leo, what do the Scarlet Vipers want? Why would they task Derrick with assassinating the president?”
He sighs heavily. “The Scarlet Vipers... their motives are complex. Power, control, influence. They seek to manipulate the very fabric of authority. As for Derrick's mission, that was just a pawn move. An assassination, a chess piece in a much larger game.”
His words leave me unsettled, as if I'm standing on the precipice of a conspiracy that stretches far beyond my understanding.
“And what is their game?” I press.
Leo leans back in his chair, his gaze focused somewhere beyond the room, lost in the intricate web of the criminal underworld. “The Scarlet Vipers, they're a dark force, intertwined with power, politics, and crime. Their ultimate goal... it's hard to pin down. Chaos, control, perhaps both. Their tendrils stretch far and wide, and their influence is profound. As for us, the Obsidian Shadows, we navigate the shadows to maintain balance, survival, and occasionally, justice.”
His words paint a complex picture of two opposing forces, each harboring its own set of motives and machinations. I grapple with the weight of the revelations, realizing that my fate is bound to the precarious dance between these clandestine factions.
But my curiosity isn't confined to the machinations of our adversaries. I also want insights into the Obsidian Shadows.
“And us? What are the goals of the Obsidian Shadows? What game are we playing?”
He smirks. “The Obsidian Shadows have always been about survival, Olivia. In a world where shadows consume the truth, we navigate the darkness to ensure our existence. Power, respect, control—these are our goals, but survival remains the cornerstone.”
The revelation settles on my shoulders, the realization that survival in this clandestine world is both a delicate dance and a ruthless battle. The Scarlet Vipers and the Obsidian Shadows are locked in a deadly embrace, each maneuvering to secure their own existence in the shadows' realm.