บท 92: Nightshade Runner
With the Masquerade's Veil elixir safely tucked away, Lyra and Elias prepared to infiltrate the seedy underbelly of Nocturnia's Sanguine society. Their target: a notorious biker bar known to be a haven for the Nightfall Mafia.
Elias led Lyra to his Nightshade Runner, an essence-powered motorcycle that thrummed with power. "Hop on," he said, handing her a helmet. "We need to blend in if we're going to get close to Luciano."
As they sped through the neon-lit streets, the wind whipping past them, Lyra couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration mingled with fear. She knew that they were heading into the heart of danger, but she also knew that this was her chance to finally get the answers she sought.
The biker bar was a dark, smoky den filled with the pulsing beat of music and the clinking of glasses. Sanguines of all stripes lounged on worn leather couches, their eyes glinting in the dim light. Elias and Lyra wove their way through the crowd, the Masquerade's Veil elixir masking their human scent and allowing them to blend in seamlessly.
Spotting Luciano holding court at a table in the back, Elias made his move. He sauntered over, a cocky grin on his face, and attempted to strike up a conversation. But Luciano barely spared him a glance, his attention focused on the game of cards in front of him.
Lyra, seeing Elias's failure, knew that she had to act fast. Channeling her inner Lilith, she sashayed over to the table, draping herself over Elias's arm. "There you are, baby," she purred, loud enough for Luciano to hear. "I've been looking all over for you."
Luciano's eyes flicked up, taking in Lyra's sultry appearance. A slow smile spread across his face. "Well, well, what have we here? A pretty little thing like you, hanging around with this loser?"
Lyra forced a laugh, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "Oh, he's not so bad. But I'm always on the lookout for a real man, if you know what I mean."
Luciano's grin widened, and he gestured to an empty seat at the table. "Then why don't you join us, sweetheart? Let's see if you can keep up with the big boys."
As Lyra slid into the seat, Elias taking his place beside her, she felt a flush of shame wash over her. She hated playing the role of arm candy, hated the way Luciano's eyes raked over her body like she was a piece of meat. But she knew that this was the only way to get close to him, to learn the secrets of the Nightfall Mafia.
The game began, and Elias, emboldened by Lyra's presence, started to press Luciano for information about the illegal tonic. But Luciano's eyes narrowed, and the other players at the table shifted uneasily.
Lyra, sensing the tension, quickly intervened. Using her essence technique, she scanned the room, picking up on the complex web of hierarchies and alliances that held the Sanguine society together. And then, in a flash of inspiration, she name-dropped the one person she knew would command respect: Scarlet Bloodborne.
"You know, Scarlet and I go way back," she said casually, examining her nails. "She's always saying how much she admires the Nightfall Mafia's work. I'm sure she'd be very interested in this tonic of yours."
At the mention of Scarlet's name, the tension in the room eased, and Luciano leaned back in his chair, a calculating look in his eyes. "Is that so?" he said slowly. "Well, perhaps we could come to an arrangement. But first, let me introduce you to a friend of mine. He's the one who really knows the ins and outs of this tonic business."
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