Crown of the Coven

Chapter II: Azraq

"This is not what I asked for," Nevan said, his tone becoming defiant. The neon blinking outside cast shadows upon his perfect chestnut skin in the dim lighting inside. The buildings flashed in colorful advertisements that made him sick. Why would anyone willingly drink fish-flavored beverages?
The woman leaned back from a huge black leather chair. Her long claws came to lay on her lap, which Nevan understood were placed there as a form of intimidation. It obviously had no effect on him, if she had any idea who he was she would not disrespect him in such way. "Obviously," she breathed as her feline ears twitched slightly. The loud rumble of people outside could be heard, though quietly in the background from the seventh floor of the building. This room hung from the side of a marketplace that was always bustling. The floor-to-ceiling window took up the whole wall which made the outside lighting inside lighting as well, making the room dim but still visible. It cast sinister shadows upon the feline women's brown face. Her green eyes appeared to glow which made her ear-to-ear smile seem all that more alarming.  "The Genie had been released when I got my hands on it. Apparently, there's a whole "Free the Genie" movement taking over any place with casters and a connection. It's all over the web."
His eyes felt aflame. "Thank you for the pop culture class, but this," he gestured at the empty golden lamp before he threw it aside, "Is not part of the deal." he stood after considering gutting her where she sat. It would not have been hard, she was scrawny, and although her cat-like abilities might have posed a challenge she would not have been the first kitty he slew. But nevertheless, he desisted because CK was his most valued seller,  which raised a question. "This is unlike you CK. Falling through with a deal. Unprofessionalism brings forth disloyalty." The thought of her guts laid out along her drab Shiisaa City apartment had him salivating more than usual.

The woman giggled, her smile broadening, "Since when are you so impatient?"
"You speak of me as if you know me, feline."
She pursed her lips but her smile cut back into her face quickly, "I know not a soul in this reality but a body in theirs."
"Enough with your riddles you foolish cat!" He charged forward, fast enough to startle her. "Do you have the Genie or not?" A couple of men, huge barreling guys, stormed into the room but they halted at the sight of CK's hand calling them to cease. They almost halted like in enchantment.
There was a pause, a loud silence. "Have you brought your end of the deal?" she said with her hand still up in command.
"You think so lowly of me," he said before he threw a heavy golden belt upon the low glass table between them. One of the guards cringed at the thought of the table shattering. The belt was very broad, almost like a corset, it would entrance anyone with rubies and emeralds encrusted in its brim like a typical hem would, still CK remained unimpressed. Her poker face was unmatched, something that worked in her favor in her line of work.

CK sighed deeply and leaned forward in her chair although with no intention of snatching her payment. "I know of another lamp's location, coincidentally in Shadhavar. Definitely occupied, definitely there. You'll have to leave Panglong but it is not too far. Is that something that interests you?"
"You were supposed to bring me the lamp here, not make me go through the trouble of obtaining it myself. No deal." He picked up the belt from the table.
"I guess my next client will reap the rewards then." He paused. Her smirk widened, and his patience dwindled. "You're not the only one dying for a chance at a Genie lamp. Did you hear anything that I said about the "Free the Genie" movement? Not only are people searching high and low for the lamps to free them but they're scrambling at their chance to get their hands on three wishes."

Nevan swung at her with his snake staff so quickly she almost didn't dissolve in time. She dissipated into smoke right before his eyes and materialized beside him with a kick to the face. Nevan stumbled back some paces, he clutched the belt fiercely between his pointed nails. His eyes trembled in surprise but throbbed in undying anger. "I know I got lucky," she said, having been able to take a blow at him. "Kitty's are good luck in Panglong after all. But maybe weigh your chances, three against one." Her guards were behind him without his notice. How could he have let himself show such weakness? He knew that even if they tried they could not defeat him but this exchange was already proving to be a lot more troublesome than he thought it would be. "I'll make this easy." From the inside pocket of her lilac purple leather jacket, she presented a scroll as tiny as his pinky finger. "Hand over the belt and in this scroll is scripted the exact location of the lamp."