Sting E. x OC : The Forbidden Treasure

Chapter 7 - The Deceiver of white

The air felt heavy with the heat rising from the ground, unbeknownst to those walking upon it. In this world and others, under the skies of all universes, burned the same flame of a secret threatening to spill vast seas of red. In Edolas, a dimension not their own, Sting and Blanche were dangerously approaching this looming catastrophe—the moon turning crimson, the sky black, the earth splitting open with gaping fissures where the blood of the dead flowed. Unaware that they were leading themselves to this fatal tragedy, they passed through the inn's door where Minerva had redirected them, one step closer to awakening the Evil.

Blanche carefully folded her coat over her arm, revealing the black outfit that clung to the curves of her silhouette, barely concealing anything. The fabric fell away from her bare shoulders, running down her spine to the small of her back, drawing a few lustful glances. In front, it barely covered the swell of her breasts, which flaunted freely. Her legs were exposed, save for her boots, displaying porcelain skin. As she felt Sting's gaze burning into her, she turned to face him, serious:

"What?" she grumbled. "I'm blending in with the crowd."

"I didn't say anything. Look over there. The one with the signet ring, with the strange insignia. Do you see him?"

"Yes. That's him. I'll go."

She moved to approach but hesitated.

"But if you keep looking at me like that, I won't be able to do what I do best."

"Are you sure you want to go alone?" he asked, trying to distract from the fact that he had lingered on her figure.

She nodded.

"Since he's staying here, the key's probably hidden in his room, unless he keeps it on himself."

He glanced at her gloves, covering the mark of Sabertooth she had wanted to hide. His jaw tightened. He thought of the means she would employ. The means she had described to him.

"What are you going to do?" he inquired.

"What I need to do."

"You're going to make me sit and watch?"

"What's the problem?"

He shrugged and went to sit at the counter, ensuring his back was turned to avoid witnessing what would follow. Lector joined him shortly after:

"Nothing to report in the vicinity!" he announced.

He noticed the trouble clouding the dragon slayer's eyes and asked:

"Something wrong?"

"I don't know."

"Where's Blanche?"

"She went to steal the key."

"Ah," he understood, glancing at the young woman, who had comfortably seated herself on the armrest of her target's chair, her leg brushing his.

Lector, knowing his partner too well, ventured a guess:

"You don't like her being that close to another man?"

"I'm not an animal," Sting mumbled. "I just didn't want to be sidelined from the mission."

"So you want to help now?"

"I think something that dangerous shouldn't remain in the hands of those thieves. Besides, what Blanche wants to find, we'd better get our hands on it too, and before she does."

"Since the Council isn't telling us anything, I'm sure the others will find out what it's about! Our best members are still at the guild, and I'm certain they'll work tirelessly on the matter."