Ming stepped out of the building with a triumphant grin. She strutted like someone who'd just pulled off a grand heist.
The envelope with the cash felt solid in her hand, proof she'd won.
Sliding into the backseat of the car, she blinked in surprise. Mary was already in the driver's seat, hands folded gently on the wheel.
"I—how did you—?"
Mary just winked at her through the rearview mirror.
Ming decided not to ask.
They pulled off, and Ming passed the envelope forward.
Tanya barely looked at it before tossing it to Emilia, who opened it and counted with the speed of a seasoned card shark.
"There's more than a hundred thousand in this briefcase!" Emilia murmured.
Ming beamed, her chest swelling with pride. "You wouldn't believe what I had to say to get the money."
Ming begins to explain the story of how she was stopped at the desk and called to see the manager, who proceeded to threaten and try to steal the cash, to which she turned the tables and got him to back down.
Allegra groaned and slapped her forehead. "You fool."
Ming blinked. "Excuse me?"
"Greedy men don't just let fish go." Allegra growled. "They bite later when you're not looking."
Mary's eyes flicked to the mirror.
"Two cars." She said calmly. "Have been following us since we left."
Tanya slowly turned to look out the rear window. Her expression went utterly blank. Allegra, who'd seen that face before, shifted uneasily in her seat. "Oh no. Not that face."
"We're being followed?" Emilia clutched the briefcase a little tighter.
Ming shrank into her seat, her triumph quickly curdling into dread. "Oh God..."
Mary, as if none of this was new to her, reached back and offered a tin of cookies. "Shortbread, anyone?"
Emilia, eyes still on the rearview mirror, took two.
She handed one to Tanya, whose gaze remained locked on the pursuing cars, until she blinked, snapped out of it, and took the cookie.
She nibbled absently, as if it grounded her.
Then Tanya grabbed the briefcase. "Drop me at the shopping center, keep driving after that."
Mary's tone, for the first time, showed concern. "Are you sure?"
"I can handle myself." Tanya said, already opening the door.
Ming leaned forward, desperate. "Wait, can you actually handle it? I mean, I know some karate."
Tanya gave her a faint smirk. "It's not practical. Trust me."
The car pulled up to the curb. Tanya stepped out and shut the door with a soft click.
Just as Mary pulled away, Emilia's voice cut through.
"Wait, Tanya!" Emilia shoved the door open and bolted out, sprinting after her. "Wait up!"
"Emilia!" Allegra shouted, but it was too late.
Mary swiftly closed the door with a flick of her magic. Mary hit the gas before anyone else could follow.
"Ma che cavolo?!" Allegra yelled. "Why didn't you stop her?!"
"She made her choice." Mary said, eyes on the road.
Allegra looked out the back window. One car followed them. The second, she realized with a sinking feeling, must've stopped at the mall.
Mary's lips curved into a mysterious smile.
Tanya strolled through the mall like she had all the time in the world.
She paused at a storefront window, eyes drifting over the collection of luxury watches gleaming under spotlights.
She was about to move on when a voice behind her blurted, breathless and panicked, "Tanya… they're coming. Four of them."
Tanya gave a slow blink, then turned to her with a faintly annoyed sigh.
Emilia's chest was heaving, she looked like she'd sprinted the whole way from the car.
"You followed me?"
"You were about to get attacked!"
Tanya let out a quiet sigh and extended the briefcase. "Hold this."
"Me?" Emilia blinked.
"You want to help, don't you?"
With obvious hesitation, Emilia took the briefcase.
Emilia stared warily at the case like it might detonate. "Uh… are you sure I should be holding this?"
"You'll be fine." Tanya replied breezily.
Emilia clutched it tight to her chest, standing awkwardly beside Tanya. "Totally calming, thanks."
Tanya turned her attention back to the boutique's window, this time focusing not on the watches but the glass itself… specifically, the reflection.
"They must be close." Emilia whispered, eyes flicking around the mall.
"I know." Tanya replied, still gazing at the watch display.
"Huh?"
"Guy in a hoodie just peeked from behind the plant. Another is trying to blend in with a map kiosk. Hilarious."
Indeed, it is Casey finally graced Tanya with her presence.
Oh, I thought you went on strike. Tanya questioned.
Nah, you had so many girls around I guessed you wouldn't have time for me, hehe
A soft chime echoed in her head
NEW Mission
100,000 Pound Mouse
Objective 2: Defeat the thugs (0/4)
Reward: 10 000 EP
Objective 2: Protect Emilia Clarke
Reward: Bronze Tier Item
Up for the challenge
Tanya's smile widened. It had been a while since a decent mission.
She turned to Emilia, her tone suddenly bright.
"Let's play a game."