CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 16
Daniel paced back and forth, his brow furrowed as he studied the map of the bar hotel spread across the table. The room was tense, but there was a strange energy in the air, a mix of nerves and anticipation.
“I’ve decided,” Daniel said, looking up at us. “Calix and Blake will go in. You two will disguise yourselves as women to get close to Gregor Fitzburg.”
The room fell silent for a moment before Chlyrus burst out laughing.
“Calix, in heels?” he snorted, clutching his stomach. “This I’ve got to see.”
Calix folded his arms and scowled. “Laugh it up, Chlyrus. I’d like to see you try pulling this off.”
“Relax,” Blake said, smirking. “At least I’ve got the cheekbones for it.”
Calix groaned. “I’m just saying… I don‘ t
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think I can pull off the whole woman thing. It’s not my strong suit.”
I leaned forward, unable to keep quiet. “If Calix isn‘ t up for it, I’ll go instead.”
Daniel raised an eyebrow. “Daphne, you do realize how dangerous this is, right?”
“I do,” I said firmly. “But I can handle it. Besides, I’m not sure Gregor would fall for Calix in a wig.”
Blake snickered, but Daniel didn’t look amused. He studied me for a long moment before sighing. “Fine. You‘ re in. But if you mess this up-”
“I won’t,” I cut him off. “I promise.”
Sue shrugged, clearly unbothered by the switch. “Alright then. I‘ ll handle the transformations. Daphne, you’ll look unrecognizable by the time I’m done with
you.”
Chlyrus grinned. “This is going to be fun.”
Friday came quicker than I expected. By
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early afternoon, the entire team was in motion. The headquarters was a whirlwind of activity–Sue and Chlyrus were set up in one corner, surrounded by makeup, prosthetics, and wigs, while Daniel and Calix worked on the car and tested the spy equipment.
Sue motioned for me to sit down. “Alright, let’s make you into someone completely
different.”
I sat still as she worked, her hands moving quickly and confidently. Chlyrus handed her prosthetics, helping secure them in place.
“This is so surreal,” I muttered, watching my face transform in the mirror.
“Welcome to the world of disguise,” Sue
said, smirking. “You‘ re going to look like a runway model by the time I’m done with you.”
Beside me, Blake was sitting stiffly as Chlyrus helped Sue attach a wig to his
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head.
“Hold still, Blake,” Sue said, rolling her
eyes.
“I am,” Blake grumbled. “This thing itches.”
“You‘ re going to have to get used to it,” she said. “If Gregor smells anything suspicious, this whole plan is done for.”
As they worked, Daniel and Calix entered the room.
“How’s it going in here?” Daniel asked.
“Almost done,” Sue replied. “You guys ready
with the car?”
“Everything” s set,” Calix said. “Spy cams are tested and working. Microphones are good to go.”
“Perfect,” Sue said, stepping back to admire her work. “Alright, you two–show us the
final look.”
Blake and I stood up, and for a moment, the room went completely silent..
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Daniel blinked, clearly impressed. “Daphne, I… I wouldn’t have recognized you.”
I glanced at my reflection and barely recognized myself either. The prosthetics. had softened the angles of my face, the makeup was flawless, and the wig made me look like a completely different person.
“You clean up nicely,” Blake said, grinning.
“Thanks,” I said, smirking. “You… look interesting.”
The room erupted in laughter as everyone turned to Blake. He did look convincing, but there was something undeniably funny about seeing him in a dress and heels.
“Alright, alright,” Blake said, throwing his hands up. “Get it out of your system now.”
“Don’t worry,” Chlyrus said, wiping a tear from his eye. “You‘ 11 be the talk of the
bar.”
Once the laughter died down, Daniel called
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everyone over to the table.
“Alright, listen up,” he said, pointing to the map. “This is the layout of the bar. Gregor will be in the VIP section, but it’s heavily guarded. Daphne and Blake, your job is to get his attention and lure him to one of these private rooms.”
He tapped a spot on the map.
“We’ll be watching and listening through the spy cams,” Daniel continued. “If anything goes wrong, we’ll come in. But the goal is to avoid suspicion at all costs.”
“Got it,” I said, nodding.
Blake leaned over the map. “What‘ s our escape plan?”
“There’s a back exit here,” Daniel said, pointing again. “Calix and Chlyrus will be waiting nearby with the car. You’ll need to move quickly once the job is done.”
Everyone nodded, the gravity of the mission settling over us.
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Daniel looked around the room. “Any
questions?”
When no one spoke, he nodded. “Good. Let’s get moving.”
We piled into the car, each of us donning some kind of disguise to avoid being recognized. The drive to the bar hotel was quiet, everyone lost in their own thoughts.
As we pulled up to the building, Daniel turned to face us.
“Remember why we re here,” he said. “Justice, honor, protection. That’s what we stand for. Don’t forget it.”
“Justice, honor, protection,” we repeated in unison, the mantra grounding us.
I took a deep breath as we stepped out of the car. The neon lights of the bar cast a surreal glow over the street, and the sound of music and chatter spilled out into the night.
This was it. There was no turning back
