꧁ • 𝗹𝗮 𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗲 • ꧂

✧ • chapter twelve • ✧

First Mission ended with me being the disaster 

"Okay, so... you did tell me we were going on a mission, right?" I asked, staring at Jeremy, who, by the way, was currently eating a sandwich like it was his last meal before the apocalypse. We were standing in the middle of a dark alley, the neon lights of the city flickering sporadically as if they had a death wish.

"Yes, Nightshade," he replied with his usual casual smirk, unbothered by the clearly ominous surroundings. "We're on a mission. It's just... a bit of a warm-up. You know, see how you handle some of the more dangerous elements in the field. Light stuff, really."

I raised an eyebrow. "Light stuff? You're eating a sandwich like it's a casual day at the beach. Do you not realize the shadowed figure lurking in the alleyway across from us?"

B-723—no, Jeremy—looked up from his sandwich, chewing slowly before swallowing. He gave me a bored look. "You're too jumpy, Empress. Relax. It's all part of the experience. Besides, this is great for a starter like yourself"

A low growl vibrated from the alley, and I could see it- the figure, creeping in the corner of my peripheral vision. I glanced over at Jeremy, but of course, he was acting like nothing was wrong, munching away as if we weren't moments away from encountering whatever disaster awaited us.

"You know," I said, my voice dripping with sarcasm, "If I die today and couldn't make with home back to Adrien in one piece, I'm blaming you. Big time."

His grin never wavered. "You're fine. Now, let's see how you handle the real deal. Just remember stay calm, and don't blow everything up with your... emotional swings."

I could feel the familiar pulse in my chest- the pressure that came with my powers. I hated it. No, I feared it. Every time I thought I could control it, the gravity inside me would push against my ribs, demanding release.

I was about to say something else when the sound of movement from the shadows interrupted me. It was real this time.

Without warning, a group of armed men emerged from the darkness, their faces hidden behind sleek masks. They stepped forward with calculated precision, closing in on us. I froze. This is it. This is the moment I get us both killed.

I could feel the familiar sting in my nose—the warning signs of my gravity powers surging, threatening to escape. I wiped at my nose with the back of my hand, trying to keep my composure. My stomach churned, a bitter taste of blood rising in my throat.

Jeremy's voice cut through my panic. "Don't lose it, Nova. We've got this."

"Easy for you to say," I muttered, eyeing the men, their weapons glinting in the streetlights. "You've been through this before. Me? I'm still just trying not to blow us both to pieces."

A man stepped forward from the group, his gaze fixed on me. "Well, well. Looks like the Stared blue marked, and infamous Empress is here to play. I'm not sure if the girl is the target, or if we're just... a warm-up for you."

I swallowed, my breath coming faster. Jeremy took a step forward, adjusting his stance with that casual swagger that made me wonder if he had no fear whatsoever.

"Let's find out, shall we?" he said, his voice light, but there was an underlying sharpness in his tone. He drew a gun, flicking it expertly between his fingers. "After all, you guys won't leave with your lives. That's the rule."

The tension in the air snapped as gunfire rang out. Time slowed. Jeremy moved with grace, dodging the bullets with ease, taking down one of the men with a precise shot to the shoulder. His movements were like a dance- a deadly, calculated dance.