Melly's mind raced. The gun in Nabi's father's hand was steady, his smirk radiating confidence. He had been expecting them.
"Didn't think I'd catch a couple of rats sneaking around my office," he said, stepping forward. The guards they had put under a spell were nowhere to be seen. Either the magic had worn off, or they had been replaced.
Arkins clenched his fists, his body tense, but he kept his face unreadable. "You sound awfully calm for someone being robbed," he said, slipping the flash drive into his pocket casually.
Nabi's father chuckled. "That's because I already knew you'd come." His eyes flickered to Melly. "You, on the other hand, are a surprise."
Melly forced a smirk. "Happy to keep things interesting."
But inside, her stomach twisted. That message she received earlier—it wasn't just a warning. It was a setup.
"I underestimated you," Nabi's father continued, circling them slowly. "For a girl raised in my home, I thought you'd be more… loyal."
Melly scoffed. "You lost my loyalty the moment you destroyed my family."
His smirk faltered just a little, but he quickly masked it. "I see. So that's what this is about?" He cocked his head toward Arkins. "And you… I assume you're here for the same reason?"
Arkins shrugged. "Call it poetic justice."
Nabi's father sighed dramatically. "Kids these days… always thinking revenge is the answer." His fingers tightened around the gun. "Unfortunately for you, I don't plan on letting you leave here alive."
Arkins smirked. "You can try."
In a flash, he lunged forward. The gun went off—a deafening BANG—but Melly was faster.
With a flick of her wrist, the bullet froze mid-air, inches from Arkins' chest, before dropping to the floor with a metallic clink.
Nabi's father's eyes widened in shock. "What the—"
Melly didn't give him time to react. She raised her hand, murmuring an incantation under her breath. The air crackled as an invisible force sent Nabi's father flying backward, slamming him into the wall with a dull thud.
Arkins turned to her, grinning. "Remind me to never fight you."
"Too late for that," Melly shot back.
They didn't have time to waste. The gunshot had alerted the guards. Heavy footsteps thundered toward them.
"Time to go," Arkins said, grabbing Melly's hand.
Melly turned to Nabi's father, who was struggling to get up. She could end it right here. One spell. One whisper. And he would be gone forever.
But instead, she smirked. "You'll wish I killed you tonight."
With that, she and Arkins disappeared into the shadows, just as the guards stormed in.
---
Back at Melly's House
They barely made it through the door before collapsing onto the couch, catching their breath.
Arkins pulled out the flash drive. "That was too close."
Melly nodded, still shaken but trying not to show it. "They knew we were coming. Someone tipped them off."
Arkins frowned. "That message you got… You think it's connected?"
Melly's grip on her phone tightened. "I don't think. I know."
There was someone else in the game, someone who knew about her past, her powers, and their plan. And if they weren't careful, they could be walking straight into another trap.
Arkins leaned closer, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "We'll figure it out."
Melly looked into his eyes. "You're not scared?"
He smirked. "Of you? Terrified."
She rolled her eyes, but before she could respond, he leaned in and kissed her—a slow, deep kiss that sent a shiver down her spine.
When they pulled away, Arkins grinned. "Had to claim my victory after almost getting shot."
Melly smirked. "You still owe me for that."
He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And how do you plan to make me pay?"
She leaned in, whispering against his lips, "You'll see."
But before the moment could go any further, her phone buzzed again.
Another unknown message.
"You're not done yet. The real game is just beginning."
Melly's heart pounded.
This wasn't over. Not even close.