CHAPTER 36: CH 36: YOUR CHOICE - PART 4

Kana quickened her steps, now trying her best to lose the person following after her.

The quiet of the evening was supposed to be calming. But right now, every sound—the wind rustling through the trees, the tap of her shoes on the cobblestone—made her skin crawl.

The narrow streets were nearly empty, bathed in the warm orange light of the setting sun. Long shadows spilled across the pavement like spilled ink.

She didn’t see anyone behind her.

But she knew.

Someone was following her.

It wasn’t just paranoia. It was too steady. Too deliberate. Every time she rounded a corner or changed her pace, she could still feel it. That presence.

That weight.

They didn’t approach. They didn’t speak. They just watched.

Not like a predator stalking prey. But like someone watching a precious object they didn’t want anyone else to touch.

It made her stomach twist.

Kana pressed her lips into a thin line and picked up her pace. Her legs moved faster, the bag at her side bouncing awkwardly against her hip as she cut across a narrow street and finally caught sight of Lysera’s familiar door.

Almost there.

She didn’t hesitate. Her hand slammed against the door—three urgent knocks.

Please open.

The door creaked open almost immediately.

Irielle stood there, her golden eyes warm and amused.

"Welcome ba—"

She paused. Her expression shifted.

"What’s wrong?"

Kana tried to smile, but her face couldn’t move that way. Her throat was tight, words stuck behind clenched teeth.

Irielle took one look past Kana’s shoulder and her smile dropped completely.

Then, in a quiet voice, laced with steel, she said.

"Someone’s following you."

Kana managed a nod.

"I never saw them clearly. But... they’ve been there a while."

Irielle’s eyes narrowed. Her expression sharpened like a blade unsheathed.

"They’re skilled. Even I barely sensed them."

She muttered.

She reached out, took Kana by the wrist, and pulled her inside without another word.

"Stay here. Don’t go out again."

Kana blinked.

"Wait—where are you—?"

But the door closed before she could finish.

Left alone, Kana sat in the quiet house. She wrapped her arms around the pillow beside her and hugged it to her chest. The walls were familiar, warm even—but it didn’t feel comforting tonight.

Not with that shadow lingering just outside her memory.

Not when even Irielle’s expression had turned serious.

She stared at the floor, lips pressed together.

How long had they been following her?

And why did it feel like it wasn’t an enemy—but something else?

Meanwhile, outside.

Irielle moved like mist.

The streets were quiet, bathed in the deep blue hues of twilight. The last of the sunlight filtered through the clouds, casting long shadows and a thin golden glow.

The air was still, the kind of silence that warned something was about to break.

She spotted him quickly—just half a block down.

A man in a dark coat. Hands behind his back. Unhurried steps. His posture too relaxed, too calm. His face was plain, forgettable—but Irielle noticed the glint of regulation-pressed seams and silver insignia hidden under his collar.

Military.

Same kind Lysera wore.

Irielle stepped in front of him in one smooth movement, her body blocking the street. She didn’t draw a weapon. She didn’t need to.

The man paused, clearly caught off guard.

"What—"

"You’ve been following her."

Irielle said, voice soft but cold.

The man blinked.

"I don’t know what you’re—"

Wrong answer.

Her smile returned—but it didn’t reach her eyes.

She stepped closer.

"You should really pick your lies more carefully."

The man hesitated.

"Listen, I’m just—"

She moved.

A swift chop to his neck silenced him. He collapsed like a dropped sack of flour. She caught him by the collar before his head hit the ground and exhaled sharply.

One motion. One breath. That’s all it took.

She slung him over her shoulder like he weighed nothing, then turned toward Lysera’s house with a faint sigh.

"You better be worth the trouble."

She muttered, already marching off into the night.

Irielle made her way through the station’s outer perimeter, head down and steps silent. The guards didn’t notice her, and if they did, they wisely pretended not to.

Her presence wasn’t one they wanted to question. With the unconscious man slung over her shoulder like a sack of laundry.

She made it through the back corridors without incident, moving quickly and efficiently until she reached the office at the far end of the hallway—the one with Lysera’s name on the plaque.

She didn’t knock.

The office was empty.

Of course it was. Lysera was never where she was supposed to be.

With an exaggerated sigh, Irielle stepped inside and dumped the man unceremoniously onto the floor, letting his head thump against the rug.

She eyed the room, unimpressed. It was neat and sterile, much like Lysera herself. A few dull books lined the shelves. A stack of paperwork sat perfectly aligned on the desk.

Boring.

Irielle moved past the desk and flopped onto the couch like she owned the place, one leg dangling over the armrest, arms tucked behind her head. She yawned.

It was several minutes before the door finally clicked open again.

Lysera stepped inside, papers in hand, muttering to herself. But the moment she saw Irielle sprawled out on her couch, she froze mid-step.

A beat passed.

Then she groaned.

A long, exasperated groan.

"Irielle. What are you doing here?"

Irielle gave her a lazy smile.

"Oh, I’m just delivering something."

She gestured behind her, toward the lump on the floor.

Lysera raised a brow, then stepped closer. Her gaze fell on the unconscious man—his uniform faintly matching the color of hers, though the insignia was different.

Lysera crouched down and nudged him with her boot.

Still out cold.

"I decided to take care of him. He was tailing Kana all evening. Thought you might know something about him. Or maybe not. Either way, I thought you’d like him back."

Irielle said, tone casual.

Lysera let out a sharp breath and stood up again, brushing off her gloves.

"I really don’t have time for this."

"Sure you do. You’re the one always preaching about duty. Consider this part of it."

Irielle said, stretching her arms.

Lysera glared at her.

"You knocked him out before asking any questions?"

"He lied to my face. And I don’t like liars."

Irielle replied sweetly.

Lysera pinched the bridge of her nose.

"You really are a menace."

"And you’re welcome. Anyway, I’ll leave the rest to you. Don’t say I never do anything nice."

Irielle said, grinning.

Lysera sighed. Today was going to be longer than she’d hoped.

Lysera walked over to her desk and set the papers down with a heavy sigh. She stared at the unconscious man for a long moment before finally muttering.

"Fine. I’ll see who he reports to."

Irielle smirked.

"You’re welcome."

"I didn’t say thank you."

"You were thinking it."

Lysera shot her a look, but it lacked real bite. She crouched beside the man and began checking his badge and uniform tags while Irielle lazily rolled onto her side, watching.

"Any idea why he was following Kana?"

Lysera asked.

"Not yet. But I don’t like it."

Irielle replied, tone suddenly serious.