"Can you check the list and see where we're heading first?" the cargo driver beside me asked, keeping one hand on the steering wheel.
I reached for the clipboard and scanned the paper. "The first on the list is Beauty Rose Spa. We'll take that first," I said, pointing at the name.
By 3 p.m., we had already delivered items to several places, including salons, spas, beauty stores, and a few small cosmetic shops.
"So, our next stop is a derma clinic," I said, checking the list again and running my finger down the page.
"It's the farthest one. Just bear with me," the cargo driver replied, adjusting his cap.
I gave him a small nod and leaned back in my seat.
Earlier, I had received a message from Theai. The manufacturer we checked was cleared. The company that Damian and Captain Edmund looked into was also fine. According to them, Glow Beauty was a new company and had not yet registered its products with any official authority.
They said they were just promoting the brand for now and were planning to complete the registration soon. By next week, they planned to get approval so customers would not think the products were fake. They also wanted to improve the packaging and add clearer information.
However, the company firmly denied that their bottles contained unusual lettering or caused negative effects. They insisted they hired skilled experts and believed someone might have tampered with their products.
They even gave Captain Edmund some sample products to test.
Now, my squad was back at the salon, investigating and questioning the owner directly.
After a few more minutes on the road, we reached the derma clinic.
The truck slowed to a stop. I jumped down and opened the back, lifting two boxes into my arms.
"Glow Beauty delivery!" I called out as I stepped toward the entrance.
The door opened, and a lady stood there. She smiled politely.
"Where should I put these, miss?" I asked, shifting the weight in my arms.
"Upstairs in our storage room," she replied, stepping aside and motioning for me to follow.
I followed her inside. The clinic was large, with beauty products displayed on every wall. The scent of lotion and perfume filled the air.
We climbed the stairs, and she opened a door at the end of the hallway. The storage room was large, filled with shelves stacked with boxes and bottles.
I placed the boxes carefully on the floor and wiped my hands on my uniform.
We went back downstairs. She opened the register and counted the money.
"Here you go," she said, handing me the payment.
I took the cash and slipped it into my pocket. As I turned to leave, a sudden wave of dizziness hit me.
I pressed my fingers to my forehead. "What's going on?" I murmured.
The room began to spin. My legs weakened, and I stumbled, falling to the floor.
My vision blurred.
"You need to rest, Mistress. You used up all your magic yesterday," the lady's voice echoed in my head.
"Make the other guy leave," another woman's voice ordered from somewhere nearby.
I heard quick footsteps approaching. The corners of my vision darkened.
I tried to lift myself, but my arms felt heavy.
Then I lost consciousness.
---
When I woke up, my vision was still blurry.
I found myself tied to a chair. Thick ropes wrapped around my wrists and chest.
"You're awake," a woman's voice said.
I lifted my head slowly. My head felt heavy and a little dizzy.
Two figures stood in front of me. Beside them floated a dark book, turning its pages on its own.
"Well, what a coincidence. You're that agent from yesterday," the woman said, crossing her arms.
"We met yesterday?" I replied, trying to focus on her face.
She let out a soft laugh. "You're right. Who would recognize me?"
She covered her face with one hand and whispered a chant. A faint glow surrounded her. She slowly moved her hand away, revealing a different face.
Her skin looked smoother. Her features changed. My eyes widened.
"What? How?"
"Surprised?" she said. Her voice sounded younger.
"You're the lady who helped us yesterday. But how? You were cursed and turned into a grotesque monster!" I asked, pulling against the ropes.
She tilted her head and smiled. "Not quite. That was my clone, which I sent yesterday to deceive you."
She walked closer and placed a hand on the floating book. "I sent that clone and made it turn into a monster so you would believe I was innocent."
"Everything you said was a lie?" I asked, clenching my fists.
"Yes," she said without hesitation. "When I dropped the hair treatment on purpose and tampered with that young lady's hair, it was just a way to get close to you. Everything I told you was a lie."
She paced slowly in front of me.
"I cursed the products and carved runes into them. Many foolish young customers fell for my trap. Their beauty feeds me. That's how I stay young."
She stopped and looked at me sharply.
"Did you really think I didn't notice you that day? From the moment you stepped into the salon, I knew you were investigating. You pretended to clean up the mess with your handkerchief and insisted on throwing it away, and that only added to my suspicion."
I kept my eyes on her.
"So I sent my clone to trick you. But here you are." She tapped her chin thoughtfully. "What should I do with you?" She circled around me, tapping her fingers against her arm. "I planned to drain someone's life force tonight, but I think I'll pass. Maybe I should kill you and make it look like Glow Beauty Co.'s fault. That way your agents won't suspect us."
"I'll make you pay for deceiving us," I said.
She smirked and glanced at her companion. "You won't leave this place alive."
"Maybe," I replied softly as I heard a familiar voice in my head.
Suddenly, the windows behind them shattered.
Thick vines burst through the glass and lashed into the room, wrapping around the walls and knocking over shelves.
The woman spun around, her eyes wide.
"What is this?" she shouted.
I smiled despite the ropes digging into my skin.
They found me.
"Chrono Shards!"
I summoned two shards that floated behind me. They sliced through the ropes binding my hands.
The ropes fell to the floor, and I stood up freely.
"They found us, Mistress!" her companion shouted, eyes wide with alarm.
"How did they find us?" the witch said, tilting her head in confusion.
"It's over for both of you!" I called, clenching my fists.
The vines slammed harder against the clinic walls, cracking wood and glass, revealing my companions outside.
Captain appeared in front of me. "We've been looking for you for hours, just so you know," he said, his shadowy aura stretching out. In a blink, shadows wrapped around us, and we were teleported outside the clinic.
"Thank goodness you're alright, mate!" Damian exclaimed, her eyes full of relief.
"Thanks for finding me," I said, brushing dust from my clothes.
"Get ready!" Captain said.
They all summoned their weapons. Damian's white wolf appeared beside him, growling low.
The two witches stepped through the broken clinic doorway, a dark floating book hovering beside them.
The one who looked like the apprentice lifted her hand, and a small doll floated next to her, moving as if it were alive.
She chanted something under her breath, waving one hand. The doll twitched, pulsing with dark energy.
"Margaret?" Theai shouted, her voice tense.
I saw Margaret move on her own, a small piece of cloth clutched in her hand.
"Where are you going?" I asked, stepping forward as she walked toward the two witches.
Theai released her vines, shooting them toward Margaret, while I extended my hand, preparing my skill.
"Temporal Shift!"
I waved my hand, sending a pulse of golden temporal energy meant to reverse her motion. She hummed softly, a melodic sound that wove through my magic. My energy faltered, and Theai's vines froze halfway.
"She's bewitched," Captain said, his eyes narrowing as he observed.
I glanced at the torn cloth in Margaret's hand. "Whose clothes is that?" I asked, noticing a small tear along Captain's sleeve.
I turned back to Margaret. She handed the cloth to the witch, her movements slow and stiff.
"Is that the person who helped us yesterday?" Damian asked, her voice wary as she looked between Margaret and the witches.
"Yes, long story," I replied.