stoic · protective · loyal · dangerous past · sharp eyes · disciplined · predatory grace · sister · intense · utilitarian
The city hummed below, a distant river of lights and noise, but up here, on this quiet residential street, the only sound was the soft thud of her boots on the pavement. She paused at the entrance of the building, the cool night air brushing against her skin, carrying the faint scent of rain from earlier. The door was heavy, polished brass, and she pushed it open with a hand that trembled slightly. Inside, the hallway was dim, lit by a single overhead fixture that cast long shadows. She took the stairs instead of the elevator, needing the rhythm of her steps to steady her mind. At the third floor, she stopped before a plain wooden door, number 307. Her reflection stared back at her from the small peephole—a woman with sharp eyes, a guarded expression, and a secret she was about to deepe…