After finishing her training session, Seraphina headed to her office to freshen up. The exhaustion from the night lingered, but she had adapted quickly—just as she had predicted.
As she was about to leave, a knock on the door stopped her.
She didn't need to ask why. She already knew.
The man at the door didn't waste words. "Boss wants to meet you."
Seraphina gave a small nod, securing the last of her equipment before following him out.
She entered Ezrin's office, finding him going through a report. The dim lighting cast long shadows, the rhythmic movement of the aquarium water the only motion besides his hand flipping through the papers.
She settled into the chair across from him, waiting.
Ezrin finally glanced up, his cold eyes locking onto hers. "The victim's identity has been found."
Seraphina's fingers tapped lightly against the chair's armrest.
"He was the heir of a mafia family in Norway."
The words settled heavily between them.
"Still think this was just a message?" Ezrin asked, watching her.
Her mind shifted. No. This wasn't just a message anymore.
She thought back to the murder from four years ago. That victim, too, held power. The similarities between the two cases weren't just in the staging or execution—they were in who was being killed.
Her gaze flickered toward the report once more. This isn't random. It's a pattern.
Ezrin leaned back slightly, fingers tapping idly against the desk. "I've read your report."
His eyes flicked up, sharp and calculating. "So, you think the assassin is the same?"
Seraphina didn't hesitate. "Yes."
Ezrin studied her for a second before continuing. "Then what about the man who hired him? The one from four years ago—do you believe it's the same person who gave the order now?"
Seraphina exhaled, fingers tapping against the chair's armrest. The similarities between both cases…
She met his gaze. "I think so."
Ezrin nodded before standing up and leaving.
Seraphina stayed in place for a moment, exhaling sharply. Idiot. He didn't even tell me I could leave.
By the time she reached home, it was 5:30 AM. Without wasting a second, she collapsed onto her bed and slept until noon.
Later that afternoon, she met Lena at the mall.
As they browsed through the stores, Seraphina casually mentioned, "I'm going to Norway."
Lena, mid-sip of her iced coffee, paused before giving her a sharp look. "How long?"
Seraphina picked up a jacket, checking the fabric. "Didn't ask."
Lena's expression turned incredulous. "Are you even in your right mind? Why wouldn't you ask?!"
Seraphina merely shrugged. "Didn't seem necessary."
Lena groaned, rubbing her temple. "You worry me sometimes, you know that?"
Seraphina smirked but said nothing, continuing her shopping.
Afterward, they had lunch together, enjoying a brief moment of normalcy. But Seraphina's mind was already shifting toward what lay ahead.
By the time she returned home, it was late afternoon. She immediately began packing her essentials. The clock struck 5:30 PM just as she zipped up her final bag.
Not long after, a car pulled up outside her apartment. Without hesitation, she grabbed her things and headed down.
The drive to Oblivion Division was silent, the night settling around her. Upon arrival, she went straight to the equipment storage, gathering everything she would need for the mission.
Her fingers traced over the selection before picking out a few guns, rifles, knives, and extra rounds of ammunition. She knew exactly what she was doing.
A smirk tugged at her lips as she slid a blade into its sheath. Of course, I know how to use them.
A knock on the door interrupted her final preparations.
She turned as a man stepped in, his expression neutral. "Time to leave."
Seraphina gave a small nod, securing the last of her equipment before following him out.
The car took her to the private jet, where Ezrin was already waiting. Without a word, they boarded.
The flight was silent.
Seraphina settled into her seat, opening her laptop to continue working, her fingers moving swiftly over the keyboard. Across from her, Ezrin mirrored her focus, reviewing files, his expression unreadable.
But despite being immersed in his own work, his eyes flickered to her every so often, observing. Her precise movements, the way her brow furrowed slightly in concentration, the controlled steadiness in her posture.
She was working—but also anticipating. Calculating.
Ezrin said nothing. But he noticed.
After three hours, the jet touched down on Norwegian soil.
The moment Seraphina stepped out, the cold air hit her skin—sharp, crisp, and unrelenting. The darkness stretched endlessly, making everything feel hushed, concealed, almost unreal.
She exhaled, watching as her breath curled into the freezing air. No morning. Just endless night.
Beside her, Ezrin moved with his usual composed demeanor, unaffected by the biting cold.
A shiny black Bentley pulled up in front of them, the sleek exterior reflecting the cold Norwegian night.
Without a word, Seraphina and Ezrin settled into the back seat, the smooth leather interior cold against her skin.
Ezrin finally spoke, directing the driver. "To the family."
The ride was quiet.
Seraphina's gaze drifted to the window, recognizing parts of the route, mapping the path in her mind.
The car finally pulled up in front of a mansion—grand, imposing, exuding wealth and power.
As they stepped out, a man in a dark tailored coat approached, his expression neutral but respectful.
The doors opened, revealing an elegant yet dark interior—exactly as Seraphina had expected.
A man, likely a senior member of the family, greeted them. He knew why they were here—but not who they really were.
Soon, more family members gathered, their expressions a mix of grief, suspicion, and restrained tension.
Two brothers, two sisters, the mother and a cousin
For the next two hours, Seraphina and Ezrin extracted as much information as they could.
By the time they were done, they had what they needed to move forward.
As they left the mansion, stepping into the cold night, silence settled between them. Both were lost in thought, processing every detail.
Their destination, Oblivion Division's Norway branch.
The moment they stepped inside, the air shifted. Different location, same feeling. The office screamed luxury and control, much like its owner. Every corner was curated, sleek, and dangerously silent.
Inside Ezrin's cabin, Seraphina finally spoke.
"The older brother knows more than he's telling."
Ezrin, settling behind his desk, leaned back slightly. His gaze flickered toward her, unreadable as ever. "What makes you so sure?"
Seraphina crossed her arms. "His answers were too calculated. Too perfect. He never slipped up—but that's exactly the problem."
Ezrin smirked slightly. "Interesting."
His eyes remained on her, evaluating. "What about the younger brother and the cousin?"
Seraphina considered. "The cousin looked normal, but he's sharp. Calculative. I could feel it—his presence, the way he processed everything. He wasn't just listening, he was analyzing."
Ezrin nodded slightly. "And the younger brother?"
Her gaze flickered as she recalled the interaction. "Different from the rest. His posture, the way he spoke—it was more relaxed, almost detached." She paused. "I'm adding him to the suspect list."
Ezrin's expression didn't change, but his next words carried weight. "Good."
The first-ever compliment. He didn't elaborate, but she understood.
She was thinking on his level.