Chapter 11

Rania Chalybs

Onyx Bay,

Bratovi.

Stepping into her apartment after the unsettling scare she had encountered earlier, Rania found herself profoundly shaken by the threat, marking an unprecedented experience in her decade-long dedication to the coalition. She gingerly walked into the living room, the space adorned with rich hues of burgundy and deep mahogany, felt like a refuge tainted by the recent threat. A plush, maroon velvet couch sat against one wall and the aroma of lavender and sandalwood lingered in the air, a feeble attempt to mask the residual fear that clung to the room.

Rania proceeded cautiously, her footsteps muffled by the plush rug beneath her feet, towards the kitchen area. The granite countertops, gleaming under the gentle glow, bore the scars of hurriedly prepared meals during late-night strategizing sessions. The scent of dried herbs and spices lingered, a testament to their shared culinary endeavors.

She breathed as sigh of relief upon realizing that her house had not been invaded. She felt glad that poppy was not home at the time the threat was written on the door.

She took off the jacket styx have her earlier and headed to her bathroom to get a rag, a bowl of water and cleaning solution. She went back to the door and cleaned the words written on the door. Her hands were shaking while cleaning the door as she contemplated on her safety. She decided that she would tell poppy to find somewhere else to stay until the mission was over as their shared apartment was no longer safe.

Once the door had been thoroughly cleaned, she went inside the house, took off her bloodstained clothes and headed to the bathroom to take a bath. The bathroom, her sanctuary for moments of solitude, held echoes of Rania's struggle to wash away the fear that clung to her skin. Chrome fixtures gleamed under the harsh light, and the tiles, cool against her feet. She scrubbed her body until it was red and bruising.

Exiting the bathroom, she settled on the maroon couch in the Living room while awaiting Poppy's arrival. During her wait, her eyes drifted to the doors and windows ever so often to ascertain that they were locked and she would flinch at the smallest sounds.

She would become lost in thoughts as she reflected on the conversation she had with the duke before the unfortunate interruption. She decides that she needs to confirm that all he said was true, she also tried to figure out his motives concerning their Alliance. However, she was grateful for said alliance as it greatly benefitted her today.

She was pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of Poppy stepping into the apartment. Poppy noticing her fragile state moves hastily towards her and embraces her. "I heard about what happened at the rouge earlier, I'm so glad that you're okay." She says while scanning her body. "Poppy, you might have to find another place. I'm so sorry to put you in trouble like this but I received a threat written in blood earlier. I cleaned it off just before you arrived. I can't imagine what would've happened if you were at home. This place is unsafe for you. I'm so sorry Poppy " she said with her voice heavy with emotions and breaking towards the end of her statement. "Why are you apologizing, I also work for the coalition, I'm not an agent but I understand that this is a work hazard. I can stay at my mom's place until it all blows over. Enough about me, where will you stay " Rania sighs " Don't worry about me, I'll be fine" poppy sat still on the couch embracing Rania as she was still visibly shaken by the ordeals.

Throughout that night, sleep eluded all the girls, their rest disrupted by Poppy dedicating her hours to packing, while Rania remained eerily still, poised and vigilant, prepared to confront any potential intruder. As the first light of dawn approached, Rania experienced a brief moment of distress upon witnessing Poppy with her meticulously packed bags. The realization of a decade-long companionship in the shared apartment intensified the emotional weight she felt. A profound sense of desolation settled within her at that moment. As Poppy embarked on her departure, Rania, grappling with the farewell, took a moment to ready herself for the challenges of the upcoming workday.

Shaking off the emotional turmoil of the past 24 hours, Rania now dressed in her coalition attire proceeded her journey to the office.

As Rania descended the worn stone steps, the early morning sunlight cast a warm glow on the cobblestone street below. The air carried a subtle chill, hinting at the remnants of the night. The buildings lining the street stood in silent solidarity, their facades revealing traces of history etched in the intricate architectural details.

The narrow street, flanked by aged structures with time-worn brick walls, exuded a sense of timeless charm. Faint echoes of distant city sounds reverberated between the buildings, creating a muted urban symphony. Patches of ivy clung to the sides of some structures, a testament to nature's persistent intrusion in the midst of urbanity.

As Rania stepped onto the sidewalk, she noticed the subtle hustle and bustle of early risers. Shopkeepers were preparing to open their doors, and a street vendor arranged vibrant displays of flowers that added a splash of color to the scene. The tram station, a sturdy structure with timeworn ironwork, stood at the corner, patiently awaiting its passengers.

The tram, a relic of a bygone era, trundled along the tracks, emitting a soft hum that harmonized with the ambient city sounds. Rania boarded, and the rhythmic clatter of the tram wheels on the tracks accompanied her journey through the city streets.