The Soul Pact // Hugh Jackman

21 // The Key

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The meeting room exuded an air of quiet power. Each of the four walls were lined with dark glass panels. Their surfaces were polished to a high shine. Weighted velvet drapes shut out the light, creating a space that felt both intimate and ominous. Incense lingered in the air. It carried a floral scent. Marigold if Drakhar remembered correctly. He hated it. He associated the smell to old witchcraft that had likely taken place here over the years.

Drakhar set an arm at a long, mahogany table. His fingers tapped a slow rhythm against the wood. He let his gaze drift over the room, observing all the subtle details. There were various sigils carved into the beams at the ceiling. Wards. He could feel the faint protection spells that came from them.

This whole place was designed to impress an intimidate. Quite like its owners.

The Evanders - Hugh's parents.

A smirk pulled a corner of his mouth as a thought of how little Hugh likely knew about his family's true ambitions. The young man fancy himself a player in the game of power and shadows, but Drakhar knew better. He had worked for the Evanders on several occasions, and now, as fate would have it, their paths had aligned again.

The door creaked open right then, and the couple he had been waiting for entered the room. Lord Evander moved with deliberate and measured grace. His black suit was immaculate - pristine - and his expression was a mask of calm authority. Beside him, Lady evander's presence was equally commanding. Her dark hair swept back elegantly, gelled to a shine that reflected the light above like a mirror. Her gaze was as sharp as a blade as it flicked to Drakhar.

When they greeted him, there was no warmth. They skipped formalities. He was here for a reason, and one reason only - the Codex.

Lady Evander's lips curved into a small, humorless smile as he stood and offered a slight bow out of respect. They were, of course, his bosses at the moment, not also taken into consideration that they ruled over one of the districts of Eden City.

"Let's dispense with the pleasantries, shall we?" She said. "You requested this meeting. What news do you bring?"

Drakhar's smirk widened. Always quick and to the point. He expected nothing less from her. "I recently had the pleasure of unlocking certain memories for an acquaintance for your son, Lena Goodwin."

At the mention of her last name, a spark of interest flickered in Lady Evander's eyes. She exchanged a brief glance with her husband whose features remained stoic. Hugh didn't know just how much he resembled his father. It was uncanny really, but there was a slight change in the air.

Drakhar stepped forward and lowered his voice as if sharing a secret. It really was one. No one else knew of it, but three people, including him, and he was now going to repeat it to the Evanders.

"It appears the Codex has a much deeper connection to her than any of us realized. When I helped her reminisce, I saw something quite unremarkable. The Codex hadn't just influenced her. It became her. It chose her. It's been linked to her since the night her father died."

Lord Evander raised an eyebrow in question. He seemed skeptical but intrigued. "What in gods do you mean?"

Drakhar took a slow, deep breath before he continued. "She was young and vulnerable. It saw an opportunity to latch onto her and start the unlocking sequence. Doing that created a beacon, one of which you felt all those years ago. It calls to you, but it calls to her too. I've seen it. She's a key player in this."

Lady Evander's gaze sharpened. "You're certain of this? You believe she's necessary to unlock the Codex's full potential?"

"Absolutely. There are traces of its power in her memories. It's tied to her, perhaps even more strongly than it is to the artifact itself. If we want to harness its full capabilities, we need her."

The room fell silent as the Evanders weighed his words. He could almost see the gears turning in their minds as they considered the risks and rewards of their next move. Lena would never agree to working with them, not willingly, especially not when she was around Hugh. Who knew what kind of lies he was telling Lena.

"And what of our son?" Lord Evander asked. His tone was casual but it was etched with something darker. "He's involved with the girl. That could complicate things."

"Oh, he most certainly is," Drakhar chuckled. "But we can use that to our advantage. He won't even realize he's playing right into our hands."

Lady Evander's smile returned. She was most pleased with his answer. "You think you'll be that easy to manipulate?"

"Easier than he thinks. He's driven by his need to control the situation. He'll push Lana towards the Codex. They're working together. It's inevitable."

"Are you suggesting we let them play out their little quest? And when they're on the verge of unlocking the Codex, we step in?"

So many questions, so many details. The Evanders were thorough, and that would likely be Hugh's downfall.

"Precisely," Drakhar agreed. "We let them do the hard work for us. When the time is right, we take what we need."

Lord Evander leaned back in his chair. A contemplative expression crossed his face. "And if the girl proves more resistant to our plans than you expect?"

"We have other ways of ensuring compliance." His smirks turned sinister.

"You've thought this through well, Drakhar." Lady Evander appeared impressed.

He inclined his head and acknowledgment, though the praise did little for him. He had long since learned that admiration from the powerful was merely a tool to keep him invested. It was a means to an end, but in this case, he was more than willing to do his part.

"So," he paused, spreading his hands, "do we have an agreement?"

Lordy Evander nodded. "We do. Keep us informed of their progress. We'll be ready."

"I think you'll hear from me soon. The Codex's power will be yours."

As he turned to leave, the room felt colder. Final. He could feel the eyes of the Evanders on his back as he walked away. Now it was a matter of waiting, of watching his plan fall perfectly into place.

When he stepped out of the room, he couldn't help but smile. Lena, nor Hugh, knew it yet, she was the key to everything.