Shadows Of Desire

Chapter 3

Leandra Moreno

I strut confidently out of the warehouse, barely a scratch on me after dealing with Eduardo's men. I'm untouched, as always. I need to find a way to celebrate my escape from that hellhole and I'm sure borrowing a couple of jewels would do the trick.

A smirk crosses my face as I think about the shiny trinkets waiting for me.

Nothing says 'I won' quite like a new diamond necklace,

I muse, my thoughts tinged with the thrill of the heist to come.

As I make my way through the dimly lit streets, my mind races with the possibilities. They really thought they could take me down. Pathetic, I scoff internally, my steps light and feline.

I spot the jewelry store up ahead, its security system no match for my skills.

Time to show them what I'm made of, A little cat burglary before dawn. Just another night for Leandra Moreno.

Inside, the store is a glittering playground. I move swiftly, bypassing alarms and cameras with ease.

They should really upgrade their security,

But then again, where's the fun in that?

As I pocket the finest pieces, my eyes land on a small, scruffy kitten hiding in the corner. "Well, well, what do we have here?" I muse, kneeling down to coax the small kitten out. "Looks like I've got a partner in crime."

I didn't have to think long for a name, Zura.

Zura was a cat my mother loved growing up, I'd often spend time with her. I wonder where she is now..

Suddenly, the sound of sirens breaks the silence. My heart skips a beat, but I quickly regain my composure. Of course they had to show up now, just my luck.

I scoop up the small cat, holding it safely under my arms, "Hang tight, little one. We got a show to put on." I whisper.

The police burst through the door with their guns drawn.

Showtime

With a quick jump, I leap onto a nearby display case, using it as a launch pad to somersault to jump over the approaching officers. Landing gracefully behind them, I deliver a spinning kick to the first officer, sending him crashing into some shelves. I then transition into a series of backflips, making some distance between me and the next threat.

Another officer lunges at me, but I twist my body mid-air, narrowly avoiding his grasp. Using his momentum against him, I grab his stretched arm and use it to vault over his head, landing lightly on my feet behind him. A sharp jab to his lower back sends him sprawling to the ground.

I execute a flawless cartwheel, dodging incoming bullets. Just as I think I got the situation under control, a familiar figure steps through the chaos. Zade, his presence like a cold wind, chilling and unyielding.

Of all nights

Our eyes lock, and for a moment, the world stands still.

He's definitely mad.

But there's something else too, a spark----a challenge.

I think you misspelled hatred

How do I turn that thing off!

I quickly incapacitate the last officer with a high kick, leaving only me and Zade in the aftermath, Oh and the cat.

How dare you forget the cat