Sting E. x OC : The Forbidden Treasure

Chapter 3 - Distorted Time

Blanche was of those who only appeared once in a blue moon. Far from being a werewolf, she was more akin to a shadow. She slipped into villages unnoticed, emerging without ever being suspected of nothing but her deadly beauty. She was seen yet remained undecipherable; her blue eyes admired without anyone suspecting the taste of lucre within. She was deemed virtuous, draped in white, same as the Holy, in her garments of nacre and cheeks rosy at the idea of vice. One could almost kneel before such purity, hearts laid bare before her immaculate silhouette.

This was the art of deception: no one could discern if she was playing a role, and it was likely even she didn't know, lost like everyone else in the inscrutable calm of her gaze.

Thus, it was unprecedented to see her waiting in plain sight, her face unmasked, revealing everything. Patiently, legs elegantly crossed, she stirred her straw in an almost empty glass.

As she had foreseen, Sting entered the bar.

She signaled to him from her table, a radiant smile brightening her lips. The face of the White Dragon bore no resemblance.

"This better be convincing," Sting cautioned, taking a seat across from the young woman.

Nervously biting her lip, her gaze averted, she replied:

"So I guess they've already told you a lot..."

He remained silent.

"Do you believe them, Sting?"

Her blue eyes finally met his. She looked at him as if pleading for pity. Was she still lying? Was she enjoying playing the lost sheep, or was she truly lost herself?

"I'm here, aren't I?" he retorted. "If I'm here, it's because I truly hope you can give me a good reason for knocking out an entire division of the Magic Council."

After all, Sting had kept to himself the note Blanche had left in his room before fleeing. He had said nothing, even when the Council had asked.

"They didn't leave me a choice."

"So it's true then, you're part of an underground guild?"

"If I told you no, would you believe me?"

"Try me."

She hesitated for a moment, then pursed her lips before asserting:

"You've chosen the wrong side. The Council isn't telling you everything."

"What about you?"

"No, you're right. I'm not sure yet whether I can trust you."

"I think you've got the roles reversed," the blonde snarled.

She merely shrugged.

"You have to make a choice. Choose me, and I'll tell you everything you want to know. Choose the Council, and you won't see me ever again."

"When I make a decision, I prefer to have all the information at hand."

An amused smile spread across Blanche's lips. Leaning slightly across the table, enveloping him with her mischievous sky-blue eyes.

"That's impossible," she whispered. "But if you don't choose me... I might take offense."

She attempted to place her hand on the White Mage's chin, but he brushed it away before she could even reach him.

"Trust goes both ways. I came because you wear the Sabertooth emblem. I wanted to give you a chance to explain yourself. If you don't want it, so be it. I may not have chosen the Council yet, but one thing's certain—I'm not choosing you."