Episode 16 – Promise (1/2)

◈ Meanwhile in the Purge Headquarters ◈

Nelaira sat on her futon and looked at the lone elibu in front of her Other people in his position would be on guard, afraid that the Ink would spread and infect them That the Tainted in front of them would suddenly lose their mind and attack But not him He stood in a leisurely posture with his sickly pale hands behind his back, showing neither fear nor revulsion towards her

He had neither bodyguards nor weapons that could protect him from Nelaira if she chose to attack Yet Nelaira didn’t believe, not even for a second, that she could pose a threat to him

Thehis face that looked no older than 30 He wore a wide smile that didn’t reach his eyes One couldn’t pinpoint rong with his smile, it neither looked insincere nor polite, it wasn’t sly nor evil, yet itabout the ave her the creeps

Those thin slits that were his eyes looked at her without emotion They were so narrow that Nelaira couldn’t tell what color his eyes were

Nalen Talath, the e Headquarters Exactly the calculating and cold-blooded man she had asked to see

“You wanted to see me?” The man started the conversation with a sickly pleasant tone that re sound of a snake

She suppressed her revulsion and steeled her resolve “Hasyou?”

That disturbing smile never left theto help either of us”

Nelaira chuckled wryly “He is not going to give up until you let him see me”

The man responded in a pleasant, friendly tone, but Nelaira could feel the sarcasht! We better let him see you then!”

Nelaira tried her best to keep her e nice forever Do you really want the world to know that you are holding me prisoner? Is this a prison or a quarantine?”

Nalen Talath grinned wider, a tinge ofinto his s tone “It's a quarantine of course! Why would you compare it to a prison?”

Nelaira’s heart skipped a beat She could feel cold sweat for on her back It felt like it took the man hours to continue, yet only a few seconds had elapsed

“Aren't you sweet? Worrying about our matters You have too much time on your hands”

He was probing her and waiting for her to mention “the deal” he had been informed about That was the only reason why he was still here Nelaira decided to finally get to business She couldn’t delay any longer in fear of losing his interest She had to put on a flawless performance, for he was her only hope

“I’d be willing to help you deal withhim off your back”

The usting smile “Is that so?”

Nelaira sighed and put on a pitiful act, her long ears hanging doards “As you said, I have too much time on my hands, yet at the same time, I have very little time left If you help me spend these last moments a bithi your best to stop the spread of the Ink, I don’t have many days left in me”

The er wasn’t moved by her words He still stood with the same expression like a doll

Nelaira didn’t give up “You can, of course, suggest what you wantI would say I’ll rewrite the letter until you are satisfied This would also help you to deal with the aftermath of my death”

She paused shortly before continuing “You've got nothing to lose in this deal You only stand to profit If I tell him that it is me who doesn't want to see hi trouble for you”

Nalen looked at her for a while, his eyes inspecting her closely Nelaira felt her scalp turn nuaze was quite unpleasant It seemed like an eternity passed before he responded ”What are your demands?”

Nelaira’s heart jumped The fish had taken the bait Now she only needed to reel it in The erratic heart beats reverberated through her body

“I want you to bring me some blank paper and pens so I can draw Also, I want you to bring me 3 new books to read every week”

As she waited for his response, she could feel her heart ju with dread and fear of failure

“What kind of books do you want?” Nelaira felt like a giant weight has been lifted fros would have given out, and she would have sluround

For the first time, she was happy to see Nalen’s smile, as iterratically, but, this time, it was out of joy Success!! She tried to stifle her excitement and not let it show on her face

”I prefer roer the book, the better”

Just you wait I’ll wipe that fake friendly smile from your face sooner or later

”Alright I'll see what I can find Is there anything else you wish to discuss?”

”No, that is all” Nelaira s heart gave her away

”Then, I'll be taking my leave” Nalen Talath s the roo while, even after the doors closed, once again, i her in this cold metal box

The first part of her plan was a success Nelaira couldn’t help but feel satisfied

Her request for books was a diversion frooal was the letter

If she had asked hihed at her naivety If they didn’t stand to profit from it, they wouldn’t be moved If she offered to write a letter that was beneficial to hienda Who would help their captors from the kindness of their heart?

She had toelse froet it

That letter was vital It was her one and only chance to pass her secrets onto the love of her life She had to forge every word, every sentence with utmost care, so that only he would be able to understand the hidden

The blanket of the night covered the streets of the city, but it couldn’t suppress the sudden chatter and excite out of their houses to see as going on

There were only two s in the opposite direction from the crowd

The first was a sed around the street skillfully, dodging people as if he was a leaf blown by the wind His blonde hair ju ears

His bright lireen eyes resembled that of a feline as he skillfully used the cover of the darkness to conceal himself from unwanted attention

The second one was a girl, no older than the boy, her shtly wrapped around the boy’s neck Her nose nuzzled the boy’s neck, the short black hair, growing from the back of the boy’s head, tickled her

Her chest pressed onto the boy’s back tightly, her head full ofponytail of the girl followed behind the two like a ribbon, waving and glittering in the darkness of the night