Yuu Yuu, Mellissa, and I all approached the knight station. There was a crowd of people outside that seemed to be cheering on the knights. People of all ages gathered around, crying out for Marx top help.
We filtered our way through the sea of people and found that big lug of a man.
"Isn't that Halmote?"
I pointed.
Halmote was there with his large mustache and tiny eyes when we forced our way to the front. He rubbed his belly and huffed.
"Oh, this ain't good, no sir, no sir."
I was a tad wary of asking, but I pushed out my question.
"Halomote, Jade asked me to come here along with Yuuna and Mellissa. Would you allow us to get inside?"
I timidly asked.
The last time I dealt with this strange man, I was in handcuffs, and he didn't treat me the nicest.
"Oh, it's you again. Well, I guess I can if Jade asked."
He moved his large body to the side, allowing us to have an opening. Once we slipped in, the interior was quiet in comparison to the commotion on the streets. There were people in suits all around that I assumed to be Radiants, and Jade was at the back along with them.
"Feodora, Mellissa, Yuuna! Over here."
The Radiant knight waved at us. We followed her into one of the interrogation rooms. There, Vivian and Eve were already stationed looking at the one-way glass.
"Glad you three could join us. I'll get right to what's going on."
Jade approached the front of the room where the one-way glass was. The group of us, all associates of Jade, watched as she directed what we were going to do.
"As I told you all, we have five new credible bomb leads. We haven't announced this to the city, and we're not going to either. It'll create havoc. And I'm certain none of these bombings are even going to happen."
Eve bit her lip and squinted her eyes.
"Why would you think that, Jade? Didn't you see the destruction that just happened? What's stopping five more?"
The knight crossed her arms and stood tall.
"That's the very reason why I believe at least three or four of these new credible leads are fake."
I was confused too. So, I raised my hand, earning the eyes of everyone. Reactively, I lowered my hand.
"I have the same concerns as Eve, though, Jade. How are you concluding that these new threats aren't credible. It sounds to me like-"
I paused momentarily before accusing her.
"It sounds to me like the Radiants have more information than you're letting on."
The knight paced around and took a deep breath.
"It's because these bombings have been senseless in their patterns."
Vivian tilted her head.
"Senseless? Isn't that a little cruel to say to the victims, Jade?"
Annoyed, the white bunny remarked.
"Senseless as in no particular target, Vivian. They have been sporadic, and I'm under the impression that they aren't meant to be a show of something against Radiant City."
Jade stated.
She put finger to her chin and contemplated a moment before continuing.
"In previous cases of a serial bomber, they tend to like to make a statement or want to show distain for their targeted attacks."
With her hands on her hips, she looked back at us.
"And there is no clear statement here thus far. It's destruction here and there. But now we have received all these tips. So, it's either someone isn't clear on what they want, or their aim is something more sinister and these tips are calculated in comparison."
Mellissa raised her hand. Jade confirmed with a nod.
"Are you implying that the bombs might be decoys to a true goal?"
Mellissa asked.
"That's just what I'm implying. But I don't have the information to know what the true aim is. And that's why instead of spreading our forces thin, we Radiants want small groups to go and search these locations."
Jade's wisdom shined in her approach. With my new understanding of her train of thought, I asked.
"So, you want us to spread into small groups and see if these threats are credible and to keep a heavy knight presence in the city?"
Keenly, the Radiant knight looked my way with a sharp nod.
"That's just what I want, Feodora. From how it looked today, we had to spread our forces all over the blast sites, leaving openings for whoever may have wanted to come into town and do something in the shadows."
The knight pulled out the piece of paper in her hand.
"And these leads do just that. They are made to spread us knights thin for the person or people involved to freely move around the city. We won't fall into their trap."
Eve scratched her head.
"Yeah that makes more sense. If all the knights in the city were to go out searching for these new leads anyone could waltz in here and do what they want with fewer people roaming around."
The psycho cackled.
"So, where are these leads trying to take us?"
I asked.
"I was just about to read them off, Feodora."
Jade and I were on the same wavelength.
"The first location is the factories near the city. Primarily the ore plant is where we are looking at. We have reason to believe there is a credible threat to use that plant's highly flammable substances for bombs."
I recoiled a little.
"You mean one of the places we have to search could be a potential bomb itself?!"
I grumbled.
All the knight did was sigh and stare back at me.
"Yes. And call me a fool but I think I want you on that case, Feodora."
"Huh? Why me?"
Jade's eyes shined a slight gold.
"Because I'm sending Mellissa and Yuuna with you. If that place is a bomb waiting to happen, your best bet is to have Countess Mellissa with you. She'll be valuable."
I pried deeper.
"Ah, wouldn't putting me in that much danger hinder your other investigation, though?"
Jade paused and put a finger to her lip.
"In a way, yes. However, suppose the culprits of our recent investigation are in some way involved. In that case, it might be beneficial for you to be the one to lead that team."
I put one hand on my hip.
"You think the disappearances are connected to this serial bombing case? That's a reach, Jade."
The knight shook her head.
"No, that's not what I'm saying. Something about all these events I feel as though they're tied together somehow."
Her eyes shined that lush pale gold. It took me off guard as she looked about the room.
"Everyone here is part of my consulting team. I wouldn't have established this team this way if I didn't feel like it would lead to victory."
Jade crossed her arms. Her aura shook the room with her determination. I wasn't sure what she meant by this feeling, but it would seem that Jade had a way about her that I couldn't put my finger on.
"The way to victory shows that you are the best person to put on this team, Feodora. I feel as though it would lead to something important."
The Radiant knight pointed at me, that aura ever so stronger.
"I have a feeling that this is the right choice despite the dangers of it."
The other girls were silent as they listened intently. I wasn't sure what her "feelings" were but it felt to me like everyone else besides me understood what Jade was saying.
"If that's how you want to do it, Jade, we'll see what happens."
Eve chimed in, knocking her head against the bud of her gun. With a slight cackle, she looked my way.
"Feodora, for the time being, just go with the flow. I'm sure you'll be okay. You're strong enough alone to handle anything that comes your way."
Eve's ominous blue eyes shined all the more.
I scratched my cheek.
Mellissa giggled.
"Oh Jade, never a dull moment with you. Not to worry, I'm sure my other side won't let anything happen to Feodora."
"Huh, but it was Countess Mellissa that tried to kill me the other day!"
Jade coughed to gather our attention again.
"Anyway, Vivian and Eve, you both will check on the second bomb threat. It's the farmland just east of here. Scan the area and make sure there's no chance of a strike. Eve, with your technical knowledge-"
"Right. I can defuse any bombs if I find them."
Eve agreed.
"A few Radiants will scan the shopping district as the third threat was there. The forth is the Radiant castle gates, and those are heavily armed. And lastly, Me, Abigail, and a few of her Baron members will search the Baron group as they are the fifth threat of attack."
Yuu Yuu whispered.
"Even the Baron group?"
Jade nodded to Yuu Yuu then looked back at me.
"Feodora, you have my number. Eve, you have my contact too. The moment you find something, tell us, and we will be on our way. Do not hesitate to get out of there if you suspect a bomb."
We all agreed by nodding.
"Right!"
The five of us said in unison.
"Prepare yourselves before you go. I want you out of the city by 10AM. We don't have time to mill around. We will find the culprit or culprits of these bombings if it's the last thing we do!"
Jade's eyes shined an incredible gold. I couldn't look away from their glamor.
"Follow my lead and I'll take us all to victory!"
I was caught up in her chant as I raised my hand in the air.
"Right!"
I declared.
Everyone looked at me it seemed that I was the only one that was drunk in excitement from Jade. Again, Mellissa giggled at me like she always did.
The group filtered out of the room but before I could go, Jade grabbed the side of my jacket.
"Wait, I need to speak with you alone for a bit."
She closed the door behind us and took me to the other side of the room, away from the door for good measure.
"I want you to use any tactic you can to capture potential culprits. Do you understand me, Feodora Cicer?"
I pulled back slightly.
"You'll allow me to use the dark symbols without repercussions of the law?"
Jade gave me a glare. She was clearly giving me the okay without giving me the okay.
"The faster we deal with these bombers, the sooner we get back to finding the people who've gone missing. Use what you need, and I'll protect you."
Jade was putting her full trust in me. The comradery between us grew stronger as we put our trust in one another.
"Right, Jade."
The orders to break the laws to find the truth. That's who this knight was. Someone who, at all costs, would see the way to victory. I was learning more about Jade every day I worked with her.
"Don't worry, you're on my side. And I will do all that is in my power to protect you, Feodora."
Jade smiled.
Her rare smile always made my heart pound faster.
"Also, Feodora, before you leave, I wanted to explain the Rosary and how to properly use it."
Jade stopped me before I could leave the room. She shut the door behind us and nudged me to bring it out.
"You're working beside Mellissa Ann Cafree today. So, I should teach you how to use it and its functions. She seemed to have taken a liking to you, and I want you back in one piece."
I took out the white cross that she gave me earlier. Jade took it and raised it up for me to focus on it.
"This is the Rosary. It was a tool created by Polechenote, a partner of mine."
"Polechenote? I don't believe I've met her."
"You haven't, but eventually, you will. I'll introduce the two of you soon enough."
Jade pointed back at the rosary.
"Mellissa Ann Cafree's other side is known as Countess. Countess is reckless and violent. She is the kind of person that would laugh as she tortures you to death. She enjoys the pleasure of hearing others cry out in pain."
Coldly, Jade continued.
"Don't trust Countess to save you. The only person she looks out for is Mellissa, her vessel. If she helps you, always remember, there are stipulations to her kindness."
Jade warned.
"She really sounds like a demon."
I murmured.
"Anyway, you can tell her to heel using the rosary. She'll be bound by a spell, making her stop. Sometimes you'll have to issue that order countless times for the spell to grow strong enough to stop her."
I nodded.
"Right. The more the order is issued, the more likely Countess will be forced to listen."
The knight pointed to the top part of the rosary.
"Next, if she gets too out of control, you can force her to leave. But be wary of this. If she leaves and Mellissa returns, it will take until the next day for her to be able to come back out."
I looked at the rosary, enamored by the tool.
"So, if I force her to leave, she won't be able to come back out until the following day?"
I didn't know how a spell like that was possible, but here it was.
"It's like unleashing a devastating weapon then forcing it back into the box."
I pondered, looking over the device.
"Kind of. Just be certain that if you need her to leave, you won't need her again. Putting her back into Mellissa's body could be the worst thing you do in the heat of battle. Countess is dangerous but helpful when in a pinch."
"Right."
"Think of this rosary as a leash that helps you control the dog you're walking. But the dog will still pull and buck back the entire time. This won't stop Mellissa from killing you, but it will give you a slight chance to live if she puts her claws into you."
I shrugged.
"If worse comes to worse, I'll deal with her."
Jade smirked.
"You're a dark vessel, something Countess has rarely, if ever, encountered. Her attraction to you is special, Feodora. Even though I haven't dealt with this situation much."
I pondered for a bit. Something didn't add up to what Jade just said.
"Rarely encountered?"
I closed my eyes, opened them, and faced Jade.
"Jade, how old is Mellissa Ann Cafree?"
She crossed her arms.
"Just over twenty-one, if I recall. What of it, Feodora?"
I put the rosary in my pocket and looked back at Jade.
"You wanted Eve to keep Countess away from me. That's why we went to the other gate of the city, to avoid her, right?"
Jade nodded.
I continued.
"How would you know how Countess Mellissa would have reacted to me without seeing her ever interact with other dark vessels?"
Jade signed.
"A slip of the tongue. I made sure nothing would happen to you because you are important to the investigation. Just a judgment call."
I felt as though Jade wasn't telling me the full truth. But that would mean that Jade was lying about Countess Mellissa interacting with other dark vessels. How many years ago was it since the last dark vessel entered Radiant City?
But instead of pushing her further, I let it go as I faced the door.
"Anyway, I'll get going."
I patted the rosary in my pocket. Jade smirked and slanted her eyes like a devil.
"Good luck don't die. I like you, Feodora."
With those last chilling but oddly uplifting words, I made my way to meet up with Mellissa and Yuuna. After our discussion, all of the consultant team made our way out the gates.