Before they could call out to her, Jillian turned a corner, vanishing into the bustling street ahead. Jonathan and Camilla exchanged glances, their exhaustion evident, but they couldn't afford to hesitate.
"We need to move before she gets too far," Camilla urged, tugging Jonathan forward.
They navigated through the crowd, keeping their eyes locked on Jillian's figure in the distance. She was walking with purpose, unaware of the two familiar faces trailing behind her. Each step felt heavier, their bodies still weak from the escape, but determination pushed them forward.
As they closed the distance, Jonathan clenched his fists. They had risked everything to get here, and now that they were so close, the weight of what they were about to do settled heavily on his chest. Would Jillian even listen to them? Would she care?
Taking a deep breath, he called out.
"Jillian!"
Jillian froze at the sound of her name, her body tensing instinctively. That voice—it was impossible. Slowly, she turned around, her eyes scanning the dimly lit street until they landed on the two figures standing a few feet away.
Jonathan and Camilla.
Her heart pounded in her chest, a mixture of shock, anger, and suspicion flashing across her face. She had no idea how they had gotten here, but one thing was certain—wherever they had come from, trouble followed.
Jonathan took a hesitant step forward, his expression pleading. "Jillian, we need your help."
Jillian folded her arms, her stance firm. "You shouldn't be here." Her voice was cold, unwavering.
Camilla, exhausted and desperate, stepped forward as well. "Please, just hear us out."
Jillian studied them for a long moment. They looked rough—worn out, desperate. Whatever had happened to them, it had been bad. But that didn't change the fact that she had no reason to trust them.
"How did you get here?" she asked, her tone sharp.
Jonathan exhaled, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "We escaped from Victor."
That name sent a shiver down her spine, but she masked her reaction. "And you came to me? Why?"
Jonathan hesitated, then spoke carefully. "Because you're the only one who can help us."
Jillian let out a humorless laugh. "And why would I do that?"
Camilla's eyes flashed with something unreadable. "Because if we don't stop Victor now, he's going to come for all of us—including you."
Jillian narrowed her eyes, studying their faces. They weren't lying. But that didn't mean she was ready to trust them.
"Then start talking," she said. "And make it quick."
Jillian's gaze remained cold as she studied Jonathan and Camilla. They were exhausted, desperate, but that wasn't her problem.
"You still haven't answered my question," she said, crossing her arms. "Why come to me?"
Jonathan hesitated, glancing at Camilla. She looked away, clearly uncomfortable.
"We had nowhere else to go," Jonathan admitted. "No money, no shelter. We thought you—"
"You thought wrong," Jillian cut in. Her voice was sharp, leaving no room for sympathy.
Camilla clenched her fists. "Jillian, please. Just one night—somewhere safe. Then we'll disappear."
Jillian let out a humorless chuckle. "You think I have a place for you? I don't. And even if I did, I wouldn't let you in."
Jonathan stepped forward, frustration flickering in his tired eyes. "You don't understand—"
"No," Jillian interrupted. "You don't understand. I don't owe you anything. After everything, you have the nerve to come here asking for help?" She shook her head. "You should've stayed in the shadows where you belong."
Silence hung between them, heavy and suffocating.
Camilla's shoulders slumped. She knew begging wouldn't work, not with Jillian.
Jonathan exhaled slowly. "Fine. We'll go. But at least tell me—" He hesitated. "Is Clara still around?"
Jillian's expression didn't change. "Find out yourself."
And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving them standing in the dark, uncertain of what to do next.
After a few steps, Jillian's steps comes to a halt, "I will help but under some conditions," she stated. "You tell me Victor's secrets," she added.
Jonathan and Camilla exchanged glances, their exhaustion evident, but Jillian's words forced them to stay alert. She stood tall, arms crossed, her expression unreadable.
Jonathan narrowed his eyes. "And if we refuse?"
Jillian smirked. "Then you're on your own. You barely made it out alive this time. How long do you think you can keep running from Victor?"
Camilla clenched her fists, frustration flickering in her eyes. "You want us to betray everything we know just for a place to stay?"
Jillian shrugged. "You don't have many choices. I can offer you protection, resources, and a fresh start. But I need leverage."
Jonathan exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. "Victor's secrets aren't just dangerous. They're deadly."
Jillian stepped forward, lowering her voice. "And that's exactly why I need them."
Silence stretched between them as Jonathan weighed their options. Camilla glanced between them, her jaw tightening. "If we do this… we want assurance."
Jillian arched a brow. "You'll lack nothing. But betray me, and you'll regret it."
Jonathan let out a bitter chuckle. "Funny. Victor said something similar."
Jillian smirked again, tilting her head. "Then you already know what's at stake. So… do we have a deal?"
Jonathan hesitated, his fingers twitching at his side. He glanced at Camilla, searching for a sign, but she remained silent, her expression guarded.
Jillian tapped her foot impatiently. "I don't have all night. Either you take the deal, or you walk away and figure it out on your own."
Camilla exhaled sharply. "Fine. But first, we need to know—why do you want Victor's secrets so badly?"
Jillian's gaze darkened. "Because he took something from me, and I plan to take everything from him in return."
Jonathan studied her, his expression unreadable. Then, after a long moment, he nodded. "Alright. You have a deal."
Jillian extended her hand. Jonathan hesitated before shaking it, sealing their uneasy alliance.
She pulled back, her voice firm. "Good. Now, follow me. We need to talk somewhere less exposed."
With that, she turned, leading them away from the school's back entrance and into the night.
Jillian took them to an abandoned warehouse where they could stay for the night. Later Jillian summons Dante and Leo. Upon arriving Jillian proceded, "spill the beans."
Jonathan and Camilla exchanged uneasy glances. The dim light in the warehouse cast long shadows over their tense faces.
"You want us to betray Victor?" Jonathan asked cautiously.
Jillian crossed her arms. "You already did by escaping. Now, I need the truth. Everything you know."
Camilla sighed, rubbing her wrists where the restraints had left marks. "It's not that simple. Victor isn't just some man you take down overnight."
Leo leaned against the wall, arms folded. "Then start with something simple. What does he want with you two?"
Jonathan hesitated before answering. "It's not just us. It's about a list—a record of deals, names, secrets that Victor would kill to protect."
Dante narrowed his eyes. "And where is this list?"
Jonathan took a deep breath. "Hidden. And if Victor finds it before we do, we're all as good as dead."
Jillian smirked. "Then I guess we better find it first."