Chapter 13: S-Tier Problems

In the luxury suite of Jaime Lewis Hotel where Ray Hooks had stood hours earlier, Serafina Jackson, sat relaxed on a plush couch. The faction leader of the Dallas Grizzlies exuded elegance and intimidation in equal measure.

Her long black hair spilled in loose waves past her shoulders, framing sharp cheekbones and pale skin made more striking by red lipstick and dark eye makeup. A tailored black blazer, slightly oversized, hung over a deep crimson blouse and she held her cigar between two fingers, the other hand resting lazily on the arm of her chair. Behind her stood two Visors who were silent the whole time.

The lower-tier visors who had accompanied Ray Hooks from earlier, now stood before her, terror barely concealed in their postures.

“Yes, go on. I can hear you.” She took a slow drag from her cigar.

“So after that happened, Director Grey stepped in, but they still took Ray in,” one of them continued as smoke curled from her lips.

“He’s held captive at USOV?” She dropped the cigar into a plate and stood. “I’ll take care of this.”

Back at USOV headquarters, Grey and Kent were locked in closed-door discussions. It had been just over an hour had passed since Ray Hooks’ arrest. The S-tier visor sat in a specialized holding cell designed for visors, its mana-dampening effects matching that of the restraints he came in. He was under constant surveillance, he remained motionless with arms folded, head down, saying nothing.

In the agents’ common area, Liam sat with Amir, Elaine, and Sarah. He’d met Sarah the previous day, a B-tier visor with dark skin and hair braided into a tight bun. She wore a fitted tactical turtleneck with reinforced seams and a slim harness across her shoulders.

“What do you think they’ll do to the S-tier?” Sarah asked.

Amir scoffed. “Probably nothing. Ray’s an S-tier, and there’s no way Miss Serafina lets him face any real punishment, even if he was the killer. This is all formality.”

“I was impressed by the Director today,” Elaine interjected. “Can’t imagine how bad it would’ve gotten if he hadn’t shown up.”

Amir shrugged. “No faction leader in Michigan would go against Grey without considering consequences. The only reason he isn’t on the ranking board is because he pulled strings to stay off it. He’s USOV Director, but spotlight isn’t particularly his thing.”

Liam, disinterested in the conversation, stood and headed for the exit. The morning’s events had cost him breach-hunting opportunities, slowing his intended progress. He needed fresh air and hoped his breach tracking device would signal new activity soon. The device looked like a sleek smartphone, designed to ping with coordinates when a breach occurred.

Elaine noticed him walking away but chose not to stop him or ask where he was going.

As Liam reached the front, Serafina walked in with her two visors. Lost in thought, Liam barely registered the woman and her suited companions, probably because suits were standard USOV attire, after all. Only after passing did he glance back with a curious “hmm…” before blurring out of sight.

Amir nudged his chin towards the entrance. “Speak of the devil.” Serafina’s entrance commanded immediate attention. The facility fell silent as all eyes turned to her. “Where is Director Grey?” she demanded.

Right then, Kent emerged. “Right this way, Miss Serafina,” he said, motioning towards the hallway.

Soon, Serafina now sat across from Director Grey in his office. Kent stood beside him, her two visors standing behind her chair.

“I need them both outside,” Grey said, gesturing to her men as he genuinely didn’t like his office feeling crowded. Serafina nodded slightly, and they departed without question.

The moment they left, her voice carried absolute authority. “I will be leaving here with Ray.”

Grey scoffed. “I’m sure you know there are rules and protocols. He’s been accused of murdering an A-tier. His presence is needed for investigation.”

“Has there been any proof of his involvement?,” she asked.

“Not at the moment,” Grey said plainly.

“Then why is he still held captive?”

Grey leaned back. “Ever heard of flight risk? Moreover, Ryan—the Netherlights faction leader who lost their A-tier, personally assured me this won’t slide.”

Serafina chuckled darkly. “The pests in Michigan are getting noisier, huh?” Kent flinched.

Grey then said. “Isn’t it strange that Dallas Grizzlies enter Michigan, and within days, there’s a dead body linked to one of your people?”

Her lips curved into a devious smirk, eyes going dark. “And what if I use force to get my visor out of this place?”

Grey smiled, leaning forward with hands covering his mouth, elbows on the table. “Then I don’t have to remind you that you’d be breaking a law far greater than what your visor is accused of.”

Serafina stood, raising three fingers toward Grey. “That’s how long I’m giving USOV. Three days to deal with this bullshit and release my visor, or you’ll need Lucien himself to stop my wrath!”

She strode out without closing the doors, her men following. They departed in their SUV. Grey remained seated, his face calm but clearly trouble, already turning through the possibilities in his head.

Meanwhile, Liam walked the streets in his black three-piece suit, vest buttoned clean, shirt collar slightly open to undercut the formality. He smiled at a text from Yaela: “I’m coming home soon, miss me?”

Women’s stares and winks followed him as he pocketed his phone. Then his device buzzed; the distinct sound of a breach alert. “Finally,” he muttered.

Same time Back at USOV, agents scattered to gear up and deploy. Serafina had already left when Grey reached the main control room. An analyst at the monitoring screens looked up with alarm. “Director, this is bad.”

“What’s happening? How bad?” Grey grabbed a military-style headset with boom mic from another analyst.

The analyst’s response chilled the room: “S-Class threats. Not just one…”

The screen flickered with red markers.

“…two of them.”

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