by L J Branch
“Good, between you and me, I hate when people do that,” Diamond said with a barely noticeable smile, a bit impressed by Abbie’s bravado. “Don’t call me Your Highness either, Diamond is fine and boss while on the job.”
“I see,” Abbie said as she looked down at the streets of the capital. Everywhere she looked she could see thieves. Some thieves donned their mod-suits and others didn’t but they all seemed to enjoy themselves. “Everyone’s so happy.”
“An eternal party. It’s said to be the Goddess Juventas’ idea. It makes the Guild a place where our members can be free and relax. This party being interrupted is never a good sign. What tends to follow is the announcement of a war or the death of someone of the royal line,” Diamond explained though the last bit was said a bit more quietly. “Fortunately, all my predecessors had an heir before passing on, allowing the royal treasure to continue being passed down.”
“What is your treasure, by the way?” Abbie asked as she realized that Diamond’s treasure was still a mystery. “Your glove?” Abbie guessed and Diamond shook her head. Though Diamond’s face remained as impassive as ever, Abbie could see a hint of pain in Diamond’s eyes. This was enough for Abbie to realize that Diamond’s glove was a topic that was in her best interest to avoid. For a moment, Diamond said nothing as if she were silently debating something in her head before she nodded to herself. Forming one of her guns Diamond quickly pressed the barrel of the weapon into her bare palm. Abbie jumped when Diamond pulled the trigger and continued to look on incredulously as Diamond removed the weapon and revealed a flattened bullet. “My treasure is my very blood. It is Royal Blood and Royal Blood must never spill,” Diamond said as if reciting something she had heard countless times.
“You’re indestructible…” Abbie trailed off as she understood what Kat meant when she said that Diamond was more durable than Jack.
“Only my skin and bones, it’s why I am able to handle the recoil of my weapons so well. My durability is more for everyone else’s protection than my own. Should my blood spill…the consequences will be devastating from what I have been told. I try to keep myself as healthy as possible. I drink nectar on a strict schedule to prevent the chance of any unnecessary bloodshed,” Diamond explained before she took a sip from her flask. “That being said, I am not immortal. I can be both hurt and killed, my enemies just have to be a bit more creative.”
“But that’s still insane! You can probably pull off some crazy things with that.”
“It has definitely been helpful. This is the only treasure not forged from ash but instead carried down through my family from parent to child,” Diamond said and soon they felt the shuttle land. “Come on we’re here,” Diamond said as they stepped out in front of a large building. Abbie instinctively reached for her own mark as she looked at the large one carved on the bank’s surface. It looked like a large thief badge only the inner three circles were no longer empty. Inside the smaller circles in the black, red, and gold sections was a hand, an apple, and a wine glass carved in them respectively.
“How the hell did I hack you?” Abbie whispered in confusion when an opening formed for them in the front of the bank when its stone-like exterior dissolved into ash and allowed them passage.
“A lot of resources aren’t exactly spent on freezing a recruit’s assets. They used modern civilian tech. Don’t be too amazed by what you see here though, the only people who know how it works are the Hattori family. Where the Mages’ Circle focused on the arcane arts, the Guild preserved the knowledge lost in the dark ages and left it to the Hattori family to further develop it. Eventually, we ended up centuries ahead of what you see in the outside world. At the end of the day, however, we just read the manuals the Hattori family sends us. You’re probably closer to understanding it than myself at this point,” Diamond explained as they made their way inside. However, before they could make it to a teller, they ran into an older man.
“Ah, if it isn’t the young Midas.”
“Councilor Ardent,” Diamond greeted, her voice colder than Abbie had ever heard it.
“I hear you were successful in your latest heist, I suppose congratulations are in order but do not get overconfident because of one success. You have much to do before you even come close to being seen as a worthy heir,” the man said before his hard gaze moved to Abbie. “And who is this?”
“Someone I contracted.”
“So, you needed help from a civilian?” the councilor questioned with a visible sneer that made Diamond clench her fists tightly. Abbie decided right then that she didn’t like the man before her.
“I did what I needed to do to succeed.”
“Careful with your words, your grandfather had the same mentality before your mother brought him down. Don’t want others to think we have another ‘Mad King’ on our hands,” the man said as Diamond’s eyes widened in anger.
“Sorry, but don’t you have somewhere to be? We are busy,” Abbie interrupted and Diamond used that moment to force back her emotions.
“Indeed, we are. As much as I would love to continue this conversation, we must go,” Diamond informed the councilor.
“I see, well don’t let me stop you. Just make sure to unmark the civilian, would you? You’re in a sensitive position, you can’t afford any mistakes,” the councilor warned before he left.
“Thank you,” Diamond said after he left.
“Don’t mention it. You got mad and it looked like somethin’ bad was gonna happen. He just wanted to get a reaction out of you. Don’t give him the satisfaction,” Abbie said as Diamond released a long breath and calmed her nerves. “Who was that prick anyway?”
“Heathcliff Ardent, current head of the Ardent family and Vivi’s father.”
“Vivi? Where have I heard-wait-as in Kat and Jack’s guardian!?”
“The very same. Congrats, you just met the closest thing Katarina has to a grandfather. She adores him by the way, so try to stay off his bad side,” Diamond said matter-of-factly as Abbie looked at her in blatant horror. Abbie then scowled when she saw the amusement that shined in Diamond’s eyes. “I’m kidding, Vivi and her father do not get along and Katarina barely knows him, they aren’t close at all.”
“Not funny.”
“On the contrary, it was hysterical,” Diamond said bluntly as her face didn’t betray the amusement Abbie knew Diamond felt at her expense. “Come on, let’s finish up this visit.”
* * *
“Without a doubt, you delivered the safety deposit box owned by Arch-Mage August,” A well-dressed woman said from behind a counter. “Congratulations, Your Highness, you’ve succeeded where dozens of first-years failed before you,” the woman said before she placed a black briefcase on the counter. “I will take this to my superiors and mark this job as complete. In addition to your payment, the Guild will award your band five hundred honor each. With your current amount, your treasures are now worth enough in the Guild’s eyes for you to begin creating a business in an industry of your choice. Good work as always, Your Highness,” the woman said before she turned to Abbie, “The same goes to your band and the contracted as well.”
“Er, thanks,” Abbie said bashfully before she glanced at Diamond. “Honor?”
“It’s how we gauge our reputation, the higher the honor, the more resources become available to you,” Diamond said as she opened the briefcase. Now Abbie wasn’t sure what she expected to see in that case, part of her thought it would be just filled with wads of cash just like in all of the old movies. Instead, to her complete and utter shock, she found that the case was filled with gold coins. The coins were placed in stacks of ten, five rows and ten columns inside of the case. “Five-hundred, perfect.”
“Is that pure gold!?” Abbie asked, her face filled with shock as Diamond nodded. Abbie did the math quickly in her head before she stared at the gold in wonder. “That’s over half a mil, easy, and for what? Notes and trinkets?”
“A job is a job,” Diamond said with a shrug. “This was val
ued highly, why, I do not know or care because we have just gotten paid,” Diamond said and then turned to face the teller. “Thirty-five percent into my account, and twenty-five to both Jack Frost and Katarina Umbra,” Diamond said before turning to Abbie. “Give her your information so that she can give you the remaining fifteen percent.”
“H-hold up! I’m gettin’ paid too!?”
“Yes?” Diamond said before realization hit her. “Please don’t tell me you did this for free…”
“Uh…”
“Juventas, give me strength,” Diamond whispered. “What kind of life did you lead that you’d rob a bank for free? Regardless of the circumstances?” Diamond questioned as she rubbed the bridge of her nose. “Give her your information. Even a Doll can only be built with so much patience.”
“I have as much patience as is required of me, Your Highness,” the thoroughly amused bank teller said. Her amusement only grew when she noticed how the civilian looked at her. “In fact, this part of the job is my favorite. Civilians who have never met Dolls before always make the best expressions. Though after all the decades I’ve been doing this, this one may be my favorite. Would you like it in USD or Global Coin?”
“GC, it’ll make my purchases a lot easier. There is so much I wanna say…but I’m tired,” Abbie said as she rubbed her temples to fight off an impending migraine. Abbie just gave the teller her information and watched as the Doll left to deposit the gold. “I couldn’t even tell the difference.”
“You’re not supposed to,” Diamond pointed out. “They are meant to be indistinguishable in every way. The pilot was one too.”
“You know, it’s weird, normally I’d be freakin’ out a lot more about this but…I just can’t,” Abbie muttered.
“That…may be our fault.”
“How?”
“Tell me, Abigail, since meeting Katarina, have you ever felt foreign emotions filling you? The urge to do things you never once even fantasized about?” Diamond asked curiously.
“Oh…yeah…” Abbie said dryly, though there was a look of fondness on her face as she thought about all the risks she had taken since meeting Kat.
“The reason that happens is a side-effect of being near us. As a thief, our presence is projected outwards and can change another’s very cognition which helps us with sneaking into places. However, how exactly it affects people’s cognition depends on the thief. Katarina makes you feel rebellious and free of inhibitions. Frost can seduce and charm others, their personal preferences be damned,” Diamond said as Abbie finally understood the strange feeling Jack radiated. “My presence? It dominates, makes people submit to my will and be happy doing so. In fact, my mother who shared my presence could paralyze people with only a look when angry. Unfortunately, there is no real off switch for this but its effects are least potent when we are not actively trying to use it. Because of this, allow me to be the first to apologize.”
“For what?”
“Unfortunately for you the three of us have presences that when combined make it very hard for a civilian like you to uphold their inhibitions. The fact that you will be in constant contact with all three of us…I am truly sorry. I can’t say you will stay the same person you are now,” Diamond stated and her expression softened ever so slightly as the weight of her words registered with Abbie.
“I’m changin’,” Abbie said simply but it wasn’t a question like Diamond expected but more like a statement, a realization of something she had long since suspected. Abbie wasn’t a fool, she knew the slight changes in her behavior weren’t exactly normal but she didn’t want to pay it any mind, because it didn’t hurt her. On the contrary, Abbie liked the feeling they gave her. A feeling of freedom from the incredibly reserved person she had always been.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” Abbie said firmly. “I…I think I like who I’m becomin’. It’s scary, of course, to know that no matter what happens I am going to change as a person. But that’s life though, isn’t it? We’re always changing. Who I’ll be next year was always going to be different than who I am now. The difference now is that I can see that being a good change for once.”
“You…are something else. It seems Katarina has chosen wisely,” Diamond said after a moment and Abbie smiled a bit when she realized that at some point, she had earned the boss’ approval.
“So, what’s next on your agenda?”
“Now, as the boss, I have to plan for our future,” Diamond answered. “The first semester requires one thousand points of honor and each semester continuously raises the quota by five hundred. With this heist done, we each effectively have twenty-five hundred points of honor. We need twenty-two thousand to graduate.”
“So, you have a really long way to go.”
“Yes, and right now I’ll need you by my side for our next endeavor.”
“What?” Abbie asked, clearly caught off-guard. “If you need me to hack somethin’, you got it. Well, as long as it’s ethical.”
“No, actually I don’t need a hacker for this. Now that we have met the honor requirements, I’m going to start a business. What I need now is an assistant,” Diamond revealed. “That is unless you prefer working at the diner?”
“Let’s talk benefits,” Abbie began without preamble and her face bore the most serious expression Diamond had ever seen from the hacker. Abbie’s feelings for Kat and newfound hunger for adventure aside, Abbie had just made six years of her current salary in a week. There was no way she was about to turn down Diamond’s offer.
CHAPTER 8: Power Moves
Santa Monica, Eric’s Apartment
It had been a few weeks since Abbie started her new impromptu job as Diamond’s assistant and to say it was a step up would have been an understatement. The work wasn’t overly difficult and the pay was good. All she really had to do was help Diamond schedule her days and look into properties for the band’s first business venture. Diamond had surprised Abbie when she took her input seriously and shaped strategies around Abbie’s advice. Despite the change in pace, a small part of Abbie couldn’t wait until the next time they accepted a job. The previous job had given Abbie a thrill and awakened a part of her that she had long since thought she had buried. Abbie tried to distract herself in her free time, something she had a lot more of since her career change. During this time, she would either spend it with Kat, Eric, or alone as she used it to keep her skills sharp. Currently, she was with Eric as she acted as a practice audience for the music he created. As Abbie listened to the music, she noted that another poster had joined Diamond’s. This one showing three young women of Korean descent. They appeared to be triplets though each had their own unique style. On the poster, there was simply one word, “Hindsight”.
“Yeah! How’s this one?” Eric asked as he nodded his head to the beat.
“It’s actually better than the last one. I can’t believe it, you’re actually good at this,” Abbie said with a laugh. With a grin Eric brought the music to an end before he turned to face his friend. “See you added a new poster. I didn’t know you were a fan of K-pop.”
“Me either,” Eric said as he glanced at the poster. “But I heard rumors that Roderick Midas was thinking of adding them to his label in order to make up for Diamond’s disappearance. I figured I’d learn from his example, broaden my horizons and get a taste of all sorts of music. Now I see what’ I’ve been missing! They’re good, Abbie. If they get the right people backing them, they can blow up here in the West,” Eric explained. “But enough about my taste in music, what’s up? I thought you and Kat had something planned today?” Eric asked and Abbie could see he was a bit concerned. “Everything alright between you two?”
“Huh? Yeah, we’re doin’ great. Gonna see her in a few,” Abbie reassured Eric. “I’m actually here on business. My boss is gonna host an event soon and music is needed. So, I’m here to offer you a chance to make a quick buck, that is if you’re interested?”
“Am I interested!? Of course, I can’t beli
eve you got me a gig!” Eric said jovially. “Thanks! I appreciate it but you know my music ain’t really good for cocktail parties or anything. Who are you even working for? Don’t think you ever told me.”
“Just someone in the entertainment industry. Figured you two could help each other a bit. I want you to network and get your foot in the door.” Abbie explained. “I’ll send you the details later since I actually have to get goin’ now. Just come prepared to play the music you always have, be the DJ you’ve always been. Feel the atmosphere and work accordingly,” Abbie said as she made her way to the door. “I know you work best under pressure so I’ll add this, mess up and both of our career plans are shot,” Abbie said seriously which made him look at her with a mix of confusion and horror. “Good luck.”
* * *
Santa Monica, Garage
Abbie hummed to herself as she looked online on her tablet for different car parts while Kat worked on the vehicle she had stolen.
“So, what’s our budget?”
“Budget?” Kat asked as if confused. “Babe, I’m splurging. The price doesn’t matter, we’ll make it back eventually. Honestly, no matter how much we spend it’ll be a profit because I was saving up to buy this car eventually.” Kat explained. “Seeing how we had that good five-finger discount, I have enough cash to trick this baby out to my heart’s content. We just need this thing ready to make one hell of a statement. We have to show up to the grand opening of our first business in style, after all.”
“I’m just surprised we managed to set up a nightclub so quickly, the paperwork alone should have taken way longer,” Abbie mused as Kat grabbed a wrench.
“Between the Guild being able to forge any document you could ever need, and renting a few Dolls for some quick construction, you’d be surprised at what you can get done,” Kat said before she slid from underneath the car. Oil stains covered Kat’s face as she looked at her current project with a grin.
“I see,” Abbie said before she frowned. “Wait, how come you never got a fake ID?”