The sun hung lazily in the sky, casting golden streaks across the café's glass windows. The hum of life surrounded them—people chatting, cups clinking, the occasional burst of laughter—but to Seraphina, the world felt distant. Her body was here, but her mind still lingered in the underground halls of Oblivion Division.
Across from her, Lena Aurellian Voss stirred her iced coffee absentmindedly, green eyes sharp despite the easy smile playing on her lips. She had always been this way—lighthearted, playful, yet capable of unraveling truths with a single glance.
"So," Lena said, dragging out the word as she leaned in. "Are you going to tell me why you look like you barely slept or do I have to start guessing? Because I have a few wild theories, and I know how much you love those."
Seraphina smirked slightly. "I'd rather not suffer through another one of your conspiracies."
Lena gasped dramatically, pressing a hand to her chest. "You wound me. My theories are always well thought out."
"That's the problem," Seraphina muttered, taking a sip of her tea.
Lena tilted her head, studying her. "But really, what happened? And don't say 'nothing.' I know that look in your eyes. You're calculating something, replaying events. You only do that when something big happens."
Seraphina hesitated, glancing at the people around them before lowering her voice. "I was at an interview last night."
Lena's brows raised. "An interview? At midnight?" She arched a brow. "What, for a vampire council?"
Seraphina shook her head, biting back a smile. "No. Something… different."
Lena's amusement faded, curiosity taking its place. "Go on."
Seraphina set her cup down, fingers tapping lightly against the table. "It's called Oblivion Division. A hidden organization."
She leaned back, crossing her arms. "I knew you wanted to be a detective, but I didn't realize you meant underground detective. Should I be questioning my observational skills now?"
Lena didn't react immediately. Instead, she observed her, as if weighing the truth in her words. Then she sighed. "Of course, you'd stumble into something like this."
Seraphina raised a brow. "I didn't stumble. I knew exactly what I was doing."
Lena hummed. "And how exactly did you get to know about this… Oblivion Division?"
Seraphina met her gaze evenly. "I had my ways."
Lena clicked her tongue. "Vague. Suspicious. Exactly what I expected."
Seraphina smirked but said nothing.
Lena leaned back, crossing her arms. "Alright, fine. Next question—how did you get there? I assume it wasn't as simple as taking a cab to 'Secret Spy Headquarters' on the map."
Seraphina let out a soft chuckle. "No, it wasn't. There's an entrance, hidden beneath an underpass near the Icelandic coast. You'd never find it unless you were looking for it."
Lena's gaze flickered with something unreadable. "And you just… walked in?"
"There were protocols. Security measures."
Lena's lips twitched. "I'm guessing you had fun with those."
Seraphina's smirk deepened. "Let's just say their version of 'security' was more for show than necessity."
Lena exhaled, shaking her head. "You're unbelievable. One minute, you're here, drinking tea like a normal person, and the next, you're infiltrating secret organizations. And what exactly is your role in all this now?"
Seraphina glanced outside, watching the sun reflect off the glass buildings. "I work there now. From evening until dawn. It's deadly, Lena. The work, the people. But there was no question of self-defense in the interview."
Lena frowned slightly. "Meaning?"
Seraphina smirked. "Meaning, I already know what comes next."
Lena's expression shifted slightly—something between concern and intrigue. "And after?"
"I sleep." Seraphina looked at her. "Then I spend my afternoons with you or in the city."
Lena's gaze softened. "Good."
They sat in silence for a moment before Lena exhaled dramatically, shaking her head. "Unbelievable. You planned all of this, and you didn't even tell me? I'm offended." She placed a hand over her heart. "Betrayed, even."
Seraphina chuckled. "Would you have believed me?"
Lena sighed, then grinned. "Probably not. Alright, last question—for now. Who's in charge?"
Seraphina didn't answer right away. She thought of Ezrin Theon Holloway—his unreadable eyes, the way his presence filled a room without effort, the way his words felt like calculated traps disguised as conversation.
Lena noticed her pause. "That bad?"
Seraphina shook her head. "That… interesting."
Lena grinned. "Now I really want to meet this boss of yours."
Seraphina smirked. "Let's hope you never have to."
The afternoon passed quickly, and soon, Seraphina found herself heading home to prepare. She was no longer an outsider—she was part of Oblivion Division now.
A sleek black car pulled up outside her apartment—The Black Route. That's what they called it. More than just a pick-and-drop service, it was an extension of Oblivion Division's control. No member was allowed to arrive on their own. It wasn't just about secrecy—it was about security, about ensuring no one tracked them, about reminding them that leaving was never truly an option.
Seraphina stepped in without hesitation, the driver offering no words, only a curt nod before taking off toward the underpass near the sea. The pick-and-drop service—efficient, silent, inescapable. She stepped in without hesitation, the driver offering no words, only a curt nod before taking off toward the underpass near the sea.
As she passed through the pathway to Ezrin's office, a man sat at a desk, his gaze sharp yet unreadable.
Kieran Aldric Crowe.
Ezrin's right-hand man.
Without a word, he slid a black ID card across the desk. "Your ID. Try not to lose it."
Seraphina picked it up, studying the embedded security chip. "I assume replacements aren't easy to come by?"
Kieran met her gaze. "Not for people who intend to stay."
She smirked. "Good thing I do."
He leaned back slightly. "Welcome to Oblivion Division. Let's see how long you last."
Ezrin, silent through their exchange, finally moved. They stepped into an elevator, descending deep underground. The metal walls, the dim lights—it felt like a cage.
As the doors slid open, Ezrin finally spoke. "Self-defense."
Seraphina smiled—a mocking smile. She had predicted this.
The match began. She read her opponents with ease, dodging before they struck, anticipating their movements. Ezrin observed, intrigued. She had the mind of a strategist, but her execution lacked force.
As the fight concluded, she straightened. "Why didn't they hit me?"
Ezrin smirked and walked away.
Kieran spoke instead. "It wasn't a real match. It was a test."
Afterward, a man led her through the facility, finally stopping at an unmarked door. "Your office."
She stepped inside. Minimalist. Cold. Directly opposite Ezrin's. A reminder—she was being watched.
She was in Oblivion Division now. And there was no turning back.
She settled into the chair in her office, letting the reality of it all sink in. The organization was exactly as she had envisioned—dark, daring, calculated to its core. Every part of it exuded control, precision, and secrecy.
A wave of exhaustion washed over her. Of course, it would. Her routine had shifted completely, her body adjusting to the nocturnal hours of Oblivion Division. But she would adapt. Quickly.
She always did.