Distraction and Observation (Manifesto)

[Nhysa]

When Nhysa laughed at his tease it sounded almost like a purr. She rather wanted to lead Li there now, except a job was a job – even if this one was all just part of her cover. Far below them Edwin Dean stood an attentive sentinel, still casually blended in with the club’s glitz. He knew they were up here, and a confrontation might have been interesting, but not particularly bright on his part. Neither did he intrude despite the thickening darkness that obscured his woman in red from view. Client privacy was as important as their safety. Instinct was something you couldn't teach.

If this had been anything other than recon, she might have spent some time discovering who was in the booth with the woman. But Manifesto and its ilk could keep those secrets tonight. By the time the woman in red emerged, Nhysa watched only long enough to ascertain which exit Dean was going for. By now she’d observed enough to know it’s what he would do.

Physical reflexes were the only thing left to test, and she didn’t want Li caught up in that. “One more task, and then you are mine,” she told him with a predatory smile. Then she slipped away, the shadows folding around her.