Cards Of Power

Chapter Eight

"Alright before I tell you what's going on would you mind telling me how your mission went?" Her pale face seems to show she's worried. Nick decides to tell her but it's pretty obvious he doesn't trust her fully. "I see. I was afraid of that," she says with a sigh. She snaps her fingers and all the noise seems to disappear. "My powers allow me to silence things and I feel it's necessary for me to be able to explain. Now I'll tell you everything that's going on. Shortly after I'd given you the mission one of my coworkers was looking at the missions that have been given recently. They do this to make a list of sorts for all that is happening and to confirm if heroes have returned from their missions." We all nod and she continues. "While looking at all the information for your mission they noticed that something was off; there was some extra technology put into the phone I called most likely a bug of some sort, however I'm unsure if all of your phones and any other devices were affected."

"How do you know that this conversation is actually safe? Not to mention I'm unsure if we can even trust you," Zaire says. "I don't blame you for being skeptical however my powers allow me to control who hears a certain conversation. As for the trust issue I think I can prove I'm on your side." "Go on," Nick replies. "When Suits first became a hero I told you that some of my higher ups were suspicious of the team Illusio was a part of as Magician. After our meeting I did indeed talk to some of my coworkers to allow him to continue being a hero. Finally, if I was an enemy of any sort the less people there are to stop me the more likely I'll succeed. In other words I wouldn't make it a point of assisting you to get missions." "She makes a good point. Plus if we're comfortable with it I can use my powers to check if she's telling the truth," I say. She simply nods in response. I summon the jack of diamonds and read her mind. All her thoughts are of what she told us and interacting with someone. "She's telling the truth but I think there's more for her to tell us."

"Yes. After discovering the bug my coworker figured out what it was for. It seems to be not only a listening device but a tracker as well. After this was discovered I was informed and we kept an eye on the phone basically monitoring everything. We couldn't access what was being listened too but we were able to find out that the activation seemed to be shortly after you left Treasure of Infinity from what you've told us." She reaches into her bag and pulls out some small clear things. "My coworker made these to encrypt your devices. There are six of them." We each take one and simply place it against our phone screens. It disappears as if it never even existed. "That's incredible," Nick responds looking it over. "Thank you; also I apologize for doubting you," Zaire says. "We all appreciate what you've done for us but I have a question." "What is it?" "Why haven't you told us anything about your coworker?" "That's simple. There is almost certainly a traitor in our midst and if I'm found out I don't want to drag them down with me by being associated. They could easily be our only saving grace. By the way since we can talk freely I think you should have my number in case something happens as well as know my name." "Alright," Nick says as he grabs a napkin and I pull out a pen from my bag so he can write our numbers. We introduce ourselves with our actual names and she tells us her name is Odette.

With that we decide to get something small to eat quickly so we don't seem out of place then leave. Once we get back home Zaire puts the encryption device on the monitor. "Do we have anything else we need to encrypt," he asks when he's done. "I don't think so, unless you want to put one on the TV just to ensure nobody can get anything on us," Nick says. "Actually that's a good idea," I reply. "The way you responded makes it seem like that's a necessity," Zaire says looking at me with confusion. "Think about it; Jibri was talking to someone when he used his magic to mute himself. We have no idea who they are or if they have any powers." "She has a point. Odette's friend likely has some sort of technological powers or they are just really good with technology however that doesn't mean they are the only one," Nick replies. "Oh yeah both of you have a bit of overlap with your powers considering the ace of hearts and Nick can simply make people see anything he wants them too."

Zaire puts one of the encryption devices on the TV then puts the last one in a drawer. "Hey I just thought of something," Nick says looking proud. "What did you think of," I ask. "Zaire can pinpoint where Jibri is since we've all met him and unlike Alyssa's powers ours don't have any sort of limit." "You're right! That totally slipped my mind. He'll never be able to get the drop on us so he doesn't have an advantage," Zaire exclaims then settles into a smile. "My powers could also ensure he doesn't surprise us like they did before we met him however, we shouldn't let this new information go to our heads." "Right," Zaire says nodding before continuing, "there's so much we don't know about Jibri or whoever the traitor is." "Where is he now," Nick asks becoming serious. Zaire is silent for a moment before he responds, "I don't know exactly where Jibri is or what he's up too but I can say with certainty he's nowhere close by." "Well that's a relief. What should we do with the ring," I ask pulling it out of the pocket in my dress. "Should we put it in the secret room Zaire asks. "No I think that would be too obvious," Nick replies. "How about we put it in a book of some sort? It would be a lot harder to find," I suggest. "What if they go through all the books? What about putting them in some spare fabric since Nick has extra fabric lying in his room with a sewing machine," Zaire says. "I like that. I'll see if I can't make some sort of pocket made from fabric and attach it to some part of the desk drawer." With that we decided to relax for the night and then head to bed.

Once the three of us get up and eat breakfast I head downstairs to work the shop while Nick and Zaire go into the secret room to train. Nick said he wanted to test if he can use his illusions to essentially make us invisible. I'm not with them because we all agreed to keep the bookstore open today. After being at the counter for a few minutes with nothing to do I grab some books from a kids series about two kids that find a magical tree that takes them places. It's actually not that bad of a series and my only complaint is the books are on the short side. I'm on book ten when I hear the jingle saying someone has come inside. "Alyssa we need to talk," Odette says cautiously looking around. "Nobody else is around. You're free to say what you need to say." "Alright thank you," she says breathing a sigh of relief as she steps closer. She looks at the pile of books on the counter that I was reading then looks at me quizzically. "We don't get a lot of customers so I decided to read." "I'm pretty sure I've read those as a child but that's not why I'm here. I have a job for the Empyrean Mirages," she pauses seeming to be in thought, "you know Empyrean Mirages is a bit of a mouthful. Would you mind if I abbreviated it?" "I don't mind and I don't think the other two would either." "Alright then I'll call you Empges. Now for the mission. I saw the missions everyone else was on and my coworker and I decided to give you three in particular this mission." "Does it have anything to do with the last mission?"

Odette nods before speaking. "We want you to go speak to a woman who is a retired hero. She knows a lot about magical objects and perhaps could tell us more about Jibri's ring. Seeing as you three are the ones who retrieved it and the only ones the two of us can trust this mission was chosen for Empges specifically. Also she retired long before Jibri became a hero so I'm certain she can be trusted." "Alright sounds like a plan." After my reply she pulls out her phone and types on it. I hear my phone go off and I check it to see a message. It looks like an address which is likely where this lady lives. "Alright what's her name?" "She would prefer being called Air her old hero name. Also perhaps you should show up in costume. For some reason she's not particularly fond of people but if they're heroes she can tolerate them." "Got it."