THE TOWN'S ONLY diner was unsurprisingly empty, with a handful of patrons sitting by the counter sipping on their coffee. The group was easily seated at a booth in the corner, providing them with some much-appreciated concealment and privacy from the rest of the diner's occupants.
Despite clearly being from out of town, no one looked at them funny or bothered giving them a second glance, another factor that was largely appreciated.
"So," Rylan said after a round of randomly placed orders had been made. "How exactly are we going to get to the roof of C.I.'s building?"
"With the barriers set up around the perimeter of the building, teleportation anywhere within or around Cloud Industries is impossible," Celdric said. "We'd get caught immediately."
"What, then? It's not as though we can barge our way inside."
"Actually . . . we can," Celdric said, his eyes lighting up at the possibility of the suggestion.
"Are you serious?"
He nodded, "Cloud Industries isn't like Alphaplex. Its sole purpose is to be a front for the portal. The only occupied part of the building is the lobby. That's where the angels while away pretending to be doing work. All the other floors are empty."
"If that's the case, then all we have to do is find a way inside the building without having to go through the lobby," Zephyr said.
"That's right," Celdric agreed. "No one would stop us once we make it inside. The only question is, how?"
The discussion was put on momentary pause when they were interrupted by the server bringing them their orders. Clara, who had been seated by the windows, stared outside distractedly as the others pondered over a possible solution.
From the reflection in the glass, she caught sight of a mop and a bucket left by the diner's counter. It was then an idea occurred to her.
Turning to the group she said, "The windows."
Their slowed response urged her to continue.
"If we can't get in through the main entrance, we can always use the windows."
"Yeah, sure," Adric said sardonically. "What do you have in mind? Burning through the–"
He stopped, eyes widening as he shifted towards Zephyr.
"Burn through the glass . . ." he mumbled to himself before he asked the latter, "Can you do that?"
Zephyr shrugged, "I haven't done it before but I'm pretty sure melting glass is doable."
With a grin, the prince turned to look at Clara, saying, "Who would've thought you'd be a genius?"
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THE SUDDEN INTRODUCTION of a plan to infiltrate Cloud Industries somehow left Clara and Zephyr alone in the diner—under the supposed guise of guarding Marek—while the others dispersed to gather supplies for the first act in their mission. Though neither said a word on the matter, both were aware that the choice of guardsmen was entirely on purpose.
Clara fidgeted, clearing her throat as she did everything possible to avoid Zephyr's gaze. Zephyr, on the other hand, kept his stare fixed pointedly on her, ignoring the way Marek was shifting his glances between them.
Unable to withstand the silence, Zephyr exhaled, saying, "What's wrong?"
"What?" Clara responded far too quickly, trying her best to appear nonchalant.
YOU ARE READING
Obsidian's Reign
ParanormalClara Avery was a normal human girl. Or, at least, that was what she'd been made to believe. And yet amidst the dying flames of her ruined car, the few boxes of her personal belongings, and her relentless bad luck, Clara has something far more valua...
