Morning came slow and gray, light leaking through the broken blinds of the hideout.
Everyone was waking up—diana stretching with a tired groan, Kane rubbing his eyes, Mostang lighting a cigarette before even fully sitting up, Valeria tying her hair back, Celeste checking medical supplies automatically.
Emma was already standing.
Back straight. Hands behind her back.
Eyes cold, focused.
The room felt different when she was like this.
Heavier.
Diana noticed first.
"…There's a meeting?" she asked, voice still rough from sleep.
Emma nodded once.
Everyone gathered—sitting on whatever they could. Crates. The floor. A broken chair.
Emma didn't clear her throat. Didn't prepare. Didn't soften.
She just spoke.
"I was approached."
Everyone looked up.
"There is a large organization—one that has been watching Vencor for years. An alliance of women who hunt criminal syndicates. They want us to work with them."
Mostang raised an eyebrow.
Kane leaned forward.
Valeria watched Emma's tone more than her words.
Emma continued:
"I met with them. Their structure, their planning, their reach—it's effective. But I made boundaries clear."
Her voice sharpened like a knife.
"No one orders us."
"No one touches us."
"And no one interferes with our decisions."
Diana smirked softly—yeah, that sounds like Emma.
Emma continued:
"I accepted collaboration. Because it increases our information network and resource pool. Our goal remains the same."
Her eyes lifted, scanning each of them.
"Vencor."
The name alone felt like blood on the floor.
Kane clenched his fist.
Mostang flicked ash off the side of his cigarette without speaking.
Valeria nodded slowly—already analyzing next moves.
Celeste listened, calm but alert.
Diana leaned back, arms crossed, gaze locked on Emma with quiet respect.
Emma then added:
"There is something else."
The room stilled.
"One of their members, Selene, will be working with us closely. She already knows our location. I allowed it."
Mostang's brows shot up.
Kane blinked.
Diana's eyes flicked immediately to Valeria.
Valeria didn't say a word—but her jaw tightened.
Emma finished:
"Trust no one except this room. Collaborate. But never depend."
"We move tonight. Our first target is Vencor's medical stabilizer."
Silence.
Then Mostang exhaled smoke.
"…So the war's starting for real, huh."
Emma looked at him.
"It started years ago."
Kane stood. Determined.
Diana gave Emma a small nod—I'm with you.
Valeria simply said:
"Then I'll be ready."
Celeste closed her medical kit.
The group—all broken, all scarred, all chosen—stood together.
Emma spoke one last line:
"No more running."
The room felt like storm clouds gathering.
They weren't a group anymore.
They were a force.
-----
Emma led the group through the alleyways, her steps steady and unhesitant.
They reached the hidden door—no sign, no symbol—just a steel panel in a wall that looked abandoned.
A camera clicked.
The guard inside didn't speak.
The moment he saw Emma, his spine straightened and he opened the door without question.
"Welcome back, Phantom."
His voice was respectful. Controlled.
Everyone in Emma's group exchanged quick glances.
They stepped inside.
---
The Womens Organization. Is called The Owls.
----
The Owls' Hideout
The air was cool.
Dim lights.
Quiet footsteps echoing.
The place felt organized, calculated, disciplined.
Women were everywhere.
Training.
Discussing.
Sharpening knives.
Looking over maps.
A silent storm of purpose.
Every one of them looked strong. Focused. No wasted movement.
This wasn't a gang.
This was a military shadow.
Mostang's smirk grew instantly.
He leaned back slightly, hands in his pockets, whistling low.
"Well damn…"
He scanned the room.
"…hello, beauties."
Half the room turned to look at him.
Not with flirtation.
With the same expression someone gives a fly.
One woman—taller than Mostang, shoulders like stone—just slowly raised one eyebrow.
Diana facepalmed.
Kane sighed.
Valeria didn't even turn—she knew this was coming.
Celeste bit her lip to hold laughter.
Emma didn't acknowledge Mostang at all.
She simply walked forward.
Selene appeared from the upper balcony, descending steps like a whisper.
Her eyes locked on Emma first.
Then on Emma's crew.
Calm. Sharp. Beautiful in a dangerous way.
Mostang opened his mouth to try again—
But Selene's stare alone shut him up.
"Men." Selene said flatly.
Mostang blinked.
"…fair."
Emma didn't smile—but there was the faintest shift in her eyes.
Selene stopped in front of her.
"Welcome, Emma. Your team as well."
Emma nodded.
"We're ready for the briefing."
Selene stepped aside, motioning deeper into the headquarters.
"Then follow me. The Council is waiting."
Mostang whispered under his breath to Kane:
"Bro… they're all scary and beautiful. I think I've found paradise."
Kane whispered back:
"They'll break your bones."
Mostang:
"…paradise."
Emma walked on, silent, focused—
Her team following.
The war wasn't coming.
It was already inside the room.
Aria's voice cut through the hallway—calm, composed, but there was a weight in it.
"Emma."
Emma stopped.
Her team stopped with her.
Diana stepped forward instantly, protective, already sensing something off.
"What do you want with her?" Diana asked sharply.
Aria didn't even look at Diana—her eyes stayed on Emma only.
"This is private."
Diana's jaw tightened, ready to refuse—
But Emma lifted her hand without looking at her.
"Follow Selene. Wait for me."
Her tone was flat.
Unarguable.
Diana froze… then clicked her tongue and obeyed, turning back to the others.
Valeria stayed a moment longer—her eyes on Aria, calculating—before following.
Mostang whispered:
"Bro, this place has more tension than my last breakup."
Kane didn't respond. He was watching Emma.
.
Suddenly.
Aria's voice cut through the hallway—calm, composed, but there was a weight in it.
"Emma."
Emma stopped.
Her team stopped with her.
Diana stepped forward instantly, protective, already sensing something off.
"What do you want with her?" Diana asked sharply.
Aria didn't even look at Diana—her eyes stayed on Emma only.
"This is private."
Diana's jaw tightened, ready to refuse—
But Emma lifted her hand without looking at her.
"Follow Selene. Wait for me."
Her tone was flat.
Unarguable.
Diana froze… then clicked her tongue and obeyed, turning back to the others.
Valeria stayed a moment longer—her eyes on Aria, calculating—before following.
Mostang whispered:
"Bro, this place has more tension than my last breakup."
Kane didn't respond. He was watching Emma.
---
Private Room
Aria led Emma to a quiet side chamber—stone walls, a small table, nothing unnecessary.
Emma stood.
Aria stood.
Silence.
Finally, Aria exhaled slowly.
"I know."
Emma's expression didn't shift.
Aria continued:
"I know Selene has a crush on you. The entire council knows, actually."
Emma's eyes lowered, but only fractionally.
Not surprise.
Acknowledgment.
Aria went on, calm and direct:
"She's trying to get close to you. To claim you. That's her nature. She doesn't take what she wants by force—she makes you soften. She makes you let down your guard."
Emma didn't blink.
"…and?"
Aria leaned closer, voice more serious now:
"Don't attack her."
Emma's eyes sharpened—but she didn't speak.
Aria continued:
"Selene has influence here. The kind that can create… complications. If you strike first, they'll paint you as the threat. And even your reputation won't protect you in this territory."
Emma looked away for one second—a rare sign of thought—then back.
"…so ignore her?"
Aria nodded.
"Yes. Ignore her. Don't play her game. Don't react. The moment you react, she controls the board."
Emma remained still.
No anger.
No frustration.
Just calculation.
Aria placed a hand briefly—lightly—on Emma's arm.
Not affection.
Warning.
"You are new here. Even your name carries weight… but not enough to erase her influence, if she decides to turn this into something political."
Emma nodded once.
Silent.
Resolute.
"Understood."
Aria stepped back, relieved.
Emma turned for the door—
Aria called out one more time:
"Emma."
Emma paused.
Aria's voice softened—not weak, but concerned.
"You're not alone here. Even if it may feel like it."
Emma didn't answer.
She simply walked out.
Face unreadable.
But her footsteps were quieter…
More thoughtful.
She rejoined Selene and her team—
And not one person could tell what Emma was thinking.
The council chamber felt different this time.
Not tense.
Not hostile.
Just… watching.
Like predators observing another predator walking into their den.
Emma took her seat.
Valeria on her right.
Her team sitting behind, forming a silent shadow.
Selene sat across the long table, not hiding her gaze— but Emma pretended she didn't exist.
Aria stood.
A bell struck once.
---
Council Discussion Begins
Aria's voice carried through the room, clear and controlled.
"We begin. Operation: West Block Sweep."
A holographic map lit up the table.
Gang territories glowing red.
Strategic targets marked in yellow.
"Tonight, we eliminate three major syndicate branches under Vencor's support network. Each branch controls weapons, trafficking routes, and financial channels."
One of the older women—Lady Isolde, sharp eyes, dark brown hair—spoke:
"We need efficiency. No destruction of public zones. Clean. Quick. No survivors connected to the chain of command."
Emma crossed her legs slowly.
"I'll handle the Kill Zone. Personally."
Valeria's eyes widened slightly.
A few council members froze.
Isolde raised a brow.
"Alone?"
Emma didn't blink.
"I don't require help."
That tone—simple, not prideful—just fact.
Some women smirked.
Some looked impressed.
Selene's smile widened.
Aria tapped the map again.
"Emma will take District 7."
Then she shifted the map to Valeria's side.
"And?."
"Valeria."
Valeria said her name.
"Valeria, you will serve as Emma's auxiliary—communication and positioning. No engaging unless commanded."
Valeria nodded firmly.
"Understood."
Mostang whispered behind Emma:
"Bro we finally official assassins, let's gooo—"
Diana smacked His Head.
Quiet.
---
Strategic Breakdown
Aria continued:
"We the Owls. Will take district 5 and 7, Emma and her team—District 7 is where Vencor's lieutenants are most active."
Selene leaned forward slightly—voice silky:
"And if Emma needs reinforcement… I will accompany her."
The table stopped.
Eyes turned.
Emma's tone remained flat.
"Unnecessary."
Selene's smile did not fade—but her eyes narrowed with interest.
"You're confident."
Emma didn't look at her.
"No."
"I just don't trust you."
The room shifted.
A few muffled laughs.
Aria hid a smile.
Selene…
Did not look offended.
If anything—
She looked more charmed.
---
Rules of Engagement
Emma leaned forward now—hands folded.
"Before we proceed—one final condition."
The room quieted.
Her voice was calm.
Measured.
But it carried absolute authority:
"No one touches my team."
Cold silence.
"No one commands them."
Her eyes were unwavering.
"You want me, you get me. Not them."
It wasn't a threat.
It was a law.
The council exchanged looks—calculating—but none challenged her.
Aria nodded once.
"Accepted."
The bell rang.
"Council adjourned."
---
And Selene's eyes followed Emma again, like a hunter studying something it both desired and feared.
Chapter end