Bloodlines Legacy Arc 1 Eternal Night

Chapter 12: Veil of Darkness

The neon lights flickered above the dingy bar where Olivia Brooks had arranged to meet Jimmy. She didn't like coming to this part of town—it reeked of desperation and stale beer—but Jimmy was a necessary evil. He had connections, knew things that others didn't, and when she needed information from the underbelly of the city, he was her go-to. However, the price of dealing with Jimmy was always more than she liked to pay.

As she stepped inside, the low hum of conversation and the clatter of pool balls filled the air. In the corner, leaning back in a creaky wooden chair, was Jimmy. His greasy hair was slicked back, and his face, marred by years of bad decisions, looked like it had a date with a shovel that fell from a building. He wasn't a mobster, but his nickname, "Jimmy the Squint," made him sound like he tried to be. He was all talk, a low-time criminal with enough shady contacts to stay useful.

Jimmy spotted Olivia the moment she walked in, his beady eyes lighting up with something she didn't care to decipher. He smirked, his teeth yellowed from too many cigarettes, and gestured for her to come over.

"Liv," he said in that slimy tone he always used when he saw her. "Been a while."

"Not long enough," she muttered under her breath, forcing a smile as she sat across from him. "I need something, Jimmy. Information."

He raised an eyebrow, taking a slow drag from his cigarette. "You always do. What's it this time?"

"I need the location of the underground Russian gambling ring. You know the one I'm talking about."

Jimmy chuckled, shaking his head. "Ah, that place? No can do, sweetheart. That's some serious business. You don't wanna go poking your nose in places like that."

Olivia's patience was wearing thin. She didn't have time for this. But she knew how Jimmy operated. If she wanted what she needed, she had to play the game.

"Come on, Jimmy," she said, leaning in slightly, trying to sound sweet even though it turned her stomach. "You've helped me before. Just give me what I need."

He smirked, eyes wandering in ways that made her skin crawl. "It ain't that simple, Liv. That place is dangerous. You'd owe me big for this one."

Olivia gritted her teeth, hating what she was about to do. She forced herself to lean in even closer, lowering her voice to a playful whisper. "Maybe we can work something out, Jimmy." She ran her fingers lightly across the edge of the table, doing her best to appear flirtatious. "I can make it worth your while."

Jimmy's grin widened, and Olivia felt a wave of disgust wash over her. "You're a piece of work, Liv," he said, laughing. "Alright, alright. I'll give you what you want."

He scribbled an address on a napkin, sliding it across the table toward her. "That's the location. You'll need a password to get in. Tell them 'Silver Fang' sent you. But be careful. Those Russians don't play nice."

Olivia took the napkin and forced a smile. "Thanks, Jimmy. I owe you."

"Yeah, you do," he replied, his eyes lingering on her longer than necessary.

As soon as she was out of the bar, Olivia wiped her hands on her jacket, grimacing. She hated flirting with creeps like Jimmy, but she'd gotten what she needed. Still, the thought of him leering at her made her stomach churn.

"He's repulsive," she muttered to herself, trying to shake off the lingering feeling of slime as she headed toward the location Jimmy had given her. But as she approached the address, a new problem dawned on her. She wasn't exactly dressed for an underground casino.

A glance at her reflection in a nearby store window confirmed it—her jeans and leather jacket weren't going to cut it. She sighed and spotted a clothing store down the street. She hurried inside and scanned the racks, quickly settling on a short black dress. It was classy, with a slight shimmer that made it look like something someone of expensive taste would wear. Perfect for blending in.

After paying for the dress, Olivia changed in the store's fitting room and made her way to the casino. The building was tucked away, barely noticeable unless you

knew what to look for. As she approached the entrance, a strange chill ran down her spine, as if she was being watched.

Unbeknownst to her, high above the street, a pair of red glowing eyes watched her intently from the rooftop of a nearby building, disappearing into the darkness as she entered.

Olivia knocked on the heavy steel door, her heart pounding in her chest. A small panel slid open, revealing a pair of cold, gray eyes.

"Password?" a deep voice asked.

"Silver Fang," Olivia replied confidently.

The door creaked open, and she stepped inside, the sound of clinking chips and murmured voices filling the air. The casino was dimly lit, the kind of place where deals were made in whispers and secrets were exchanged over drinks. She blended in easily, her new dress giving her an air of mystery and elegance.

As she moved through the room, her attention was drawn to a man sitting at a high-stakes poker table, flanked by two people—a man and a woman. He was striking, his presence commanding the room without a word. Something about him pulled her in, though she couldn't explain why. It wasn't attraction—more like an overwhelming curiosity. His movements were graceful, calculated, like he was used to being in control.

Olivia didn't know who he was, but there was something about him that sent a shiver down her spine. She watched as he stood, gesturing to the two people with him. They moved toward the back exit, slipping into the shadows.

Without thinking, Olivia followed. She didn't know what this man was up to, but whatever it was, she had a feeling it would lead her to the answers she was looking for.

She reached the exit and hesitated for a moment, her hand on the door. Something felt off. She glanced over her shoulder, but the casino was the same—dimly lit and filled with the hum of gamblers. Shaking off the uneasy feeling, she pushed the door open and stepped into the night, trailing behind the mysterious man and his companions.

She stayed at a distance, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't know where they were going or what they were planning, but one thing was certain—there was no turning back now.