To catch their breath, Dante and Raven slipped into the shadows of an abandoned train yard. As the rest of the city continued on, the flickering city lights served as a reminder that they were about to become even more entangled in the chaos from which they were unable to escape.
Raven's fingers clenched around the edges of the rumpled picture Ortega had handed them. Valerie's disappearance was linked to the man in the photo—the one wearing the silver serpent ring.
She straightened up and shook off the fatigue, saying, "Okay." "We must be serious now that the games and fun are over. Valerie's life is in jeopardy. And our incredibly skilled police force? Indeed, they will not perform squat. Therefore, it is up to us.
Dante rubbed his temple and nodded. "I agree."
This means we should probably give our alliance a name," she added. Something fierce. similar to the League of Truth. or those who seek justice. Or something riskier, such as—The Phantom Enforcers.
Dante let out a sigh. "Raven—"
"Oh, or how about The Ass Busters?" She smiled. "Because we bust—"
"Pay attention." Dante squeezed his nose bridge. "Remember, your friend could be in danger."
"Oh. Correct. She cleared her throat. "All right, what do we have?"
Dante took his phone out and looked through his files. "I have something to show you."
A shaky camera shot a grainy video, which he played. It featured an elderly man talking to someone off-screen while seated on a street corner. His hands were making wild gestures, and his voice was thick with an accent.
"I swear, I saw her! A girl with dark hair and terrified eyes who appeared to be fleeing from something! Perhaps two weeks ago. After asking me for directions, she vanished. She really did resemble that missing girl on the news, I promise. Yes, Valerie Cruz. Yes, that is the one."
Raven gasped. She gazed at Dante, then at the screen.
"Oh my god," she muttered. "Valerie is safe, then." She blinked. "Alive, but not safe, safe?"
Dante gave a nod. "Yes, if this man isn't experiencing hallucinations. She is still alive.
Raven combed her hair with a trembling hand. "Goddamn it. We must locate her. I must inform Javi—perhaps he can locate her—
Dante's face grew serious. "I don't think you should put your trust in anyone just yet."
Raven scowled. "Javi is our partner. He has always been with us. He is more familiar with Valerie than I am.
Dante let out a sharp sigh. "Now, consider this: don't you think Valerie would have told Javi about her danger if she had truly trusted him? Rather, she was abducted.
Raven looked at him, taking it all in. "Are you saying—?"
Dante said cautiously, "I'm saying it's suspicious." "I'm not implying that Javi is unclean. However, I am stating that we are still unsure of whom to trust.
Raven hesitated after opening her mouth to argue. Despite her desire to stand up for Javi, Dante was right.
She was frightened by that.
She rubbed her face and muttered, "All right." "But I detest this."
"Yeah, well, welcome to my world."
Raven clutched her injured shoulder and moaned. "This whole thing is making my wound hurt even more, ugh."
Dante looked at her. "That wouldn't be a problem if you didn't insist on acting like a human wrecking ball in every risky situation."
"Hey! You act as though I intentionally do it.
"Don't you?"
Raven paused. "I—not the point!"
Dante gave a headshake. "You must get some rest. Let's first treat that shoulder so you don't bleed everywhere. We'll then reassemble, grab some food, and discuss this at a later time.
Raven sighed. "All right. But I'll choose where we eat if you're forcing me to sleep.
"No."
"Yes."
"Definitely not."
"I promise, Dante, that if I don't get tacos, I'll call our alliance "The Ass Busters" and refuse to answer to anyone else."
Dante let out a groan. "What makes me tolerate you?"
She grinned. "Because your life would be so much more dull without me."
He rolled his eyes without protesting.
In an instant, the search for Valerie began.