Under the Iron Fist

Chapter 20: The Underground Network

Jax knew he needed help. Despite his position as Magnus's guard, he was still relatively new to Sanctuary and unfamiliar with its hidden corners and underground networks. There was only one person he knew that could guide him in the right direction: Elina.

He found her in the clinic, tending to a patient. When she finished, Jax pulled her aside.

"Elina, I need your help," he said in a low voice. "I'm looking for someone, but I don't know where to start in the lower sectors."

Elina's eyes widened slightly, understanding the implications. "Jax, you know I can't leave the clinic, especially not after Magnus's warning."

Jax nodded, "I know, but maybe you know someone who could help me?"

Elina thought for a moment, then a small smile crossed her face. "Actually, I do. There's a club in the lower sectors. It's run by a brother and sister, Victor and Victoria. Victor's the one you want to talk to."

She quickly wrote down an address on a scrap of paper. "Ask for Victor. He knows everyone and everything that goes on down there. If anyone can help you, it's him."

Jax took the paper, grateful for the lead. "Thank you, Elina. What can you tell me about this place?"

"It's not what you might expect," Elina explained. "There's no alcohol - Magnus banned it years ago because of how it interacts with powers. Instead, they post job listings, serve food, and have games like pool and darts. It's a gathering place for the community."

She lowered her voice further. "Victoria owns the place,you don't want to get on her bad side. Victor, he's the one you want. His eyes are... distinctive. They glow, like a cat's. He's got orange hair too, like his sister."

Jax raised an eyebrow at the unusual description.

Elina continued, "Victor's well-liked in the lower sectors. If there's information to be had, he'll know it or know how to get it."

Jax nodded, committing the details to memory. "Thank you, Elina. This is exactly what I needed."

As Jax turned to leave, Elina caught his arm. "Jax, be careful down there."

Jax gave her a reassuring smile before heading out. As he made his way to the lower sectors, his mind raced with possibilities.

*****

Jax pushed open the door to "The Cat's Meow," and was immediately hit by a wave of noise and energy. The club was packed, a diverse crowd from all corners of Sanctuary mingling, laughing, and shouting over the din. The air was thick with the smell of fried food and the buzz of countless conversations.

His eyes swept the room, quickly taking in the scene. Job postings covered one wall, while pool tables and dart boards occupied another corner. But what caught his attention was the flash of bright orange hair at the far end of the bar.

Victoria, he presumed, stood out immediately. Her fiery hair was piled atop her head in a messy bun, tendrils escaping to frame her face. She was engaged in a heated argument with a man nearly twice her size, her eyes flashing dangerously.

As Jax watched, Victoria moved with lightning speed. In a blink, she had the man by the throat, her claws leaving thin trails of blood where they pierced his skin. The man's eyes widened in shock and fear.

"I warned you about causing trouble in my club," Victoria hissed, her voice carrying even over the noise of the crowd. "Now get out before I decide to use you as a scratching post."

She released the man, who stumbled backwards and quickly made his way to the exit, the crowd parting to let him through.

Jax made a mental note not to underestimate Victoria as he continued his scan of the room. That's when he spotted Victor, perched casually on the bar top itself. His orange hair matched his sister's, but it was his eyes that caught Jax's attention - even in the dim light of the club, they seemed to glow with an inner light.

Victor was leaning towards a shy-looking girl with brown hair, speaking animatedly. His friendly demeanor was evident even from across the room, and Jax could see why Elina had described him as well-liked.

Taking a deep breath, Jax began to make his way through the crowd towards Victor. He knew he'd have to approach this carefully. Victor might be friendly, but in a place like this, trust would be hard-won.

As he neared the bar, Jax caught Victor's eye. The cat-like gaze fixed on him, curious and assessing. Jax would bet that despite the chaos of the club, very little escaped Victor's notice.

It was time to make his move. Jax just hoped that Victor would be willing to help him navigate the treacherous waters of Sanctuary's underworld. The hunt for the Pied Piper was about to begin in earnest.