Chapter 336: Pulling Off The Mask
Gen woke up to the familiar, stale air of the basement apartment.
She'd been living in silence for the past few days and she didn't regret her decision.
No. She couldn't allow herself to regret her decision.
It will be a stain on the memory of those she seek to honor.
She sighed.
She'd chosen to sleep in the night and walk around during the day.
There was less of a chance that she'd be found if she did this as most vampires kept to a different schedule.
She laid on the bed for a moment, staring up at the ceiling.
She went through everything that had happened since moving here in her mind.
She didn't want to do this but it was necessary.
She sat up slowly, stretching as she did. Her eyes moved to the corner of the room where her cloak hung from a nail in the wall.
Next to the cloak was a chair. Sitting on the chair was her iron mask.
Avenger.
The identity she had taken up when there was no justice coming to save the day.
She's long since learned that if you want something done well, do it yourself.
It hadn't been an easy decision to become someone else, to step into the shadows, but the truth had demanded it.
Faewall was rotting from the inside and no one was willing to see or face this ugly reality except for her.
She stood up, approaching the small hole in the wall where her clothes were folded neatly.
She looked to the side where her cloak hung and for a moment, she felt a twinge of doubt.
But it disappeared just as fast as it came. She'd chosen to be on this path and at this point, there's no going back.
She knew that her actions as Avenger were dangerous but she didn't have the luxury of regret.
She moved to the small, cracked mirror hanging on the wall and stared at her reflection.
Her face stared back at her. Then it morphed as she called on her chameleon tattoo.
Her skin bubbled like a boiling soup before settling down.
This time, she hadn't changed into someone else. In fact, it was still her but with a big change.
She admired her face in the mirror. Even as a sixty years old woman, she still looked good.
She chuckled to herself, admiring her older self.
Satisfied with the change, she put on appropriate clothing for the age she was playing as.
Once she was dressed, it was time to go.
She stopped at the door, glancing back at the mask and cloak.
She'll need them later. Not now but very soon.
She left the basement apartment, locking the door behind her and walked to the hidden car she had parked a few streets away.
The vehicle was old with worn paint and rusted hinges but it would get her where she needed to go.
She slid into the driver's seat and started the engine which rattled before sputtering to life.
She pulled out of the alley, merging into traffic.
It didn't take long for her to get to her destination. A fallen tower she'd found on one of her explorations.
She was glad she had taken up urban exploration because that had given her an unparalleled knowledge of the hidden spaces in the city.
Places that even vampires have forgotten.
She packed a car nearby and walked into the remains of the once grand tower.
Stripped of all valuables, cordoned off for being a safety hazard and being forgotten made it the perfect place for her meeting.
She moved quickly through the broken remnants of the tower until she reached a small, hidden door at the back.
She knocked in a rhythmic code known only to those humans who had done business with the Matten coven over the years.
The door opened and standing there was a tall woman with silver-streaked hair.
"Madame Overseer." The woman greeted. "It has been a long time."
"Madame Athena." Gen nodded at the woman.
She'd been the Faewall contact that Ezra had acquired in First City when they ran the farmer's market.
After they'd arrived in Faewall nineteen years ago, they had used her to establish themselves as was the plan.
And today, Athena was still an influential member of society with her fingers in many pies.
Since she was human, Gen had to deal with her using an aged up face.
But that didn't mean she wasn't going to use her Aura to make things easier.
"Athena." Gen nodded to her. "You'll forget about this meeting after we're done."
"What?" Athena asked like she didn't hear what was said clearly but Gen knew her command was already working.
Gen entered and Madame Athena closed the door behind her.
It was a short walk to reach a small room with a table and chairs.
They both sat.
"Do you have it?" Gen asked, wasting no time.
"Yes I do." Madame Athena reached into her bag, pulling out a thin folder.
She handed it to Gen. "The final version of the guest list for James Harlow's upcoming ball."
Gen opened the folder and began reading the document inside.
Her eyes scanned the names of the vampires, humans and celebrities who had been invited to the event of James Harlow, CEO of Harlow Industries and richest man in Faewall.
The ball was James' annual display of power and influence.
Everyone who was anyone would be there. Including her target.
Madame Athena watched her in silence for a moment before speaking. "Judging by the expression on your face, I can tell that you're planning to disrupt Harlow's precious event. He won't be pleased with that."
Gen didn't look up from the list. "Then it's a good thing I don't care whether he's pleased or not. He can fuck off for all I care."
Athena smiled knowingly. "I guess this is personal. I always did think of you as the revenge kind of woman."
"This isn't even about revenge." Gen's eyes hardened as she looked up. "It's about justice."
Madame Athena tilted her head slightly, studying Gen.
"Whatever you call it, I know it'll be dangerous. Be careful. James Harlow doesn't play fair."
Gen closed the folder, tucking it under her arm as she stood. "Neither do I."