Published at 29th of October 2026 1:49 pm

Chapter 215. Under the blanket of illusion

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So grief? QShar asked, his eyes still on the Bible passages spread before him. Is that how they recruit? he wondered aloud.

Not that surprising, the old vampire said from behind the cat. Mortals dont see death as a friend but as an enemy. Scared of the adversary, they sacrifice everything to fight it any way they can.

Since when is death not an enemy? Hori scoffed at the idea.

Why call something inevitable your enemy? If you tried to fight a mountain or defeat an ocean, everyone would call you a madman. But you say you will fight death and think that's any less foolish? the vampire said.

Only those stubborn enough to battle a mountain will achieve Hori was about to argue his point with the old woman, but QShar cut in.

You can share your philosophies some other time. Even if the kids involved with that whole Lazarus sect, we still have nothing. Grief isnt exclusive to any place, sadly.

The group took a quick second look around the room, but to no avail. Nothing stood out among the clutter.

They are on their way, the crypt guard said after checking his phone as they searched.

Shit, QShar swore and, giving the place one last glance, walked out. Check out that bookmark, he commanded one of the grey cats as they walked. Its a long shot, but maybe we can find him after this is over.

The bookmark in the Bible bore the logo of Livvis Books, the name printed in bold letters across a simple picture of a happy family of three at a table.

They loaded into their cars and drove for another twenty minutes to the FBI headquarters, parking one street away, where they met a black van. It looked luxurious, with tinted windows and freshly polished paint. Even in the streetlight, the vehicle looked spotless.

The group looked around to make sure no one was nearby. Normally, walking around without disguises would be a big risk, but with the secrecy laws being loosened and the sudden emergency, they all decided to drop the act.

One of the guards opened the van, revealing a nest-like garden chair secured to the vans ceiling by thick cords. The Observer rested in the chair in all its glory, its many eyes looking around curiously.

Its a pleasure to see the outside. Havent looked upon the surface world for some time, the creature hissed into their minds, floating up from the chair and out of the van.

Its a pleasure QShar began, then stopped when he realized he didn't know the creature's name. He usually referred to it simply as the bartender.

Exarisgukhar, the observer introduced himself, the strange name bringing a frown to the cats face.

Its hard to say with a physical mouth, I imagine, he said, a small smile forming on the mouth beneath the giant eye in the middle of its head. Just call me Exar.

Exar, QShar greeted.

After the observer, four more silhouettes walked out. One was a dark elf woman holding a thin, flexible spear. She stepped out of the van with the grace of a dancer. The last person was another vampire. This one walked out without a weapon, but right after him, two massive obsidian gargoyles emerged from the van and stood at his side like bodyguards.

Irina, the elf said, introducing herself.

Hector, the vampire added. And those are Rock One and Rock Two. They arent conscious, so dont bother remembering their names, he said flatly.

QShar nodded, then looked to Miss Harper, a question clear in his eyes.

We have more people, but I brought only those I trust completely, she answered, meeting the cats eyes.

Fine, he said. Okay, quick briefing. We dont know if we will meet any enemies or even if we are in the right place, but in case we do, we might be up against well-trained mages, ones that use suicide attacks quite eagerly. Also, if you run into FBI personnel, knock them out. Dont kill them. We assume they're well, potential allies at least. Got it? Also, there might be a gargoyle guarding the entrance from inside.

The group nodded while Exar projected a feeling of agreement into their minds before they headed out.

The headquarters was in the suburbs, relatively close to the city, inside a school building. The streets were thankfully empty as they moved closer, the building finally coming into view. And the moment it did, QShar felt a pang of relief mixed with disappointment. The building was silent and closed down for the night. No signs of a battle or break-in. Nothing out of the ordinary.

We still need to walk in. They might have gotten in silently using Eliass passes, the cat said, although it seemed unlikely that the SID, where mages secrets were kept, would have security that could be bypassed just by holding one man hostage.

However, before they could take another step closer, they all heard a voice in their heads.

Stop, Exar hissed.

What is it? Miss Harper asked, her guards getting ready.

An illusion.

The cats frowned, looking around. QShar was also surprised. Nothing felt like it was wrapping around his mind, and he was pretty proficient at guarding it.

Not a mental type, but a covering spell, Exar said, his eye-tipped tentacles turning in one direction. Cant fool my eyes, though.

They slowly approached the spot the observer indicated, on edge and ready for an ambush. It was just a spot by one of the cars with nothing that caught the eye, yet as they came closer, one of the vampire guards began to sniff the air.

You smell that? Miss Harper asked, and he nodded.

Blood. The smell is muted, the man confirmed. The illusion also masks other senses. Impressive work, but flawed.

Physical illusions were problematic because mages had many ways to perceive their surroundings, from smell and heat to auras and even emotional residue. That was also why mental-type illusions, which made places seem uninteresting and discouraged investigation rather than fooling the senses, were preferable. QShar knew this, as did everyone present, so they all reached the same conclusion.

Either done in a hurry or meant to fool mortals, Hori said, voicing what they all thought.

Can you break it? QShar asked the observer, and a sensation of agreement beamed into his brain in response.

Immediately afterward, the floating creatures eye-tipped tentacles stiffened, and a wave of mana escaped its massive central eye, breaking the spell. As the illusion lifted, a body was revealed in front of them. The reason for concealing it became obvious as the barely masked smell of blood hit their noses. The body belonged to a middle-aged Asian woman with dark, messy hair and equally disheveled clothing.

No wonder they needed a physical illusion. Youre not getting rid of that amount of blood fast, Hori said, looking at a sizable pool of blood around the body and splashes on the side of the nearby car.

Not without blood manipulation, Miss Harper said. But still, this was a hasty job. They were in a hurry.

And so we should be, the elf said for the first time, tightening her grip on the spear.

Not yet. QShar halted her, his eyes fixed on the dead womans face rather than the large wound on her back.

Why? Miss Harper asked. Did you know her?

No. But we did know of her. Thats Lana, a reporter we dealt with before, he answered, confused. She covered a case we were involved in, but then got pushed aside by the SID. The FBI is not keen on reporters, so we all lost track of her. I thought shed gone back home for the time being. What the fuck is she doing here? the cat asked, but then stiffened, looking back at one of the grey cats. Contact our people. Send a team to her house. I want every photo, file, and PC. Anything that can store information, even a napkin with a note. Got it? he commanded, getting quick nods inreturn.

Well, this is getting weirder, Hori commented, coming closer. She was killed by a spell that struck her in the back. Judging by the blood splatter and how far she was thrown by the initial impact, she was most likely running away when the attack caught her.

Died surprised, Harper said, looking at the expression of shock still frozen on her face.

How long ago? QShar asked.

Half an hour, give or take.

Can you QShar began, but the vampire shook her head.

The soul is gone. We can get some information from the flesh, maybe, but that will take time.

QShar clicked his tongue at that. We wasted enough of that.

They left the reporters body where it lay and slowly moved toward the door of the FBI building. When they pushed the door, something else struck them as strange: it opened without resistance. The building had no power, but darkness wasnt an issue for anyone present. They kept moving deeper into the building.

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