Noir
Chapter 86

"Why?" I'd choked out, my voice hoarse from the strain of the battle as I had stared at the man who had at one time best friend. "Why have you turned?"

His expression had shifted, the anger momentarily giving way to something else, something haunted. "You wouldn't understand, Jerricha," he'd whispered, his voice a mere echo of the laughter we'd once shared. "You never knew the true cost of living in the shadows of your fae parents."

My hand had tightened around the hilt of my weapon, the cold steel grounding me as the whispers of my heritage grew to a deafening roar. "I know enough," I had responded, the newfound power coursing through my veins giving me the courage to face him. "I know that there's always a choice."

The silence had stretched between us, a testament to the chasm that had grown between us. Then, with a heavy sigh, he had lowered his hand, the battle-worn room seeming to hold its breath. "Maybe once," he had said, "but not anymore." With a flicker of his wrist, he had conjured a portal, the swirling mass of energy a stark reminder of the world we were both a part of. Afterward, before I could finish what I had started, he had stepped through, disappearing within as it had closed behind him.

As he had stepped through the portal, the feeling of displacement made my stomach had lurched, the world around me shifting from its power. With a heavy sigh and my assignment gone, I had made my way back to the agency, where I had found myself with the brothers watching me with a mix of curiosity and concern. The whispers had faded, leaving me with a newfound determination to uncover the truth about my birth parents and the legacy they had left behind. Eton had approached me, his eyes searching mine for the answers I didn't have. "Well?" he'd prompted. "What did you replace?"

"More questions," I had replied, my voice firm. "I wasn't able to capture him as he stepped through a portal. But I'm ready for whatever comes next."

The Steel brothers had exchanged a knowing look before Noir had spoke up. "Good," he had said with a hint of a smile. "Now, let's get to work."

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And so, my journey as a huntress had truly begun. With every case, every evil brought to justice, I felt the whispers guiding me, pushing me to understand the complex tapestry of my heritage. The fae had raised me, but I wasn't. However, my time with the fae had made me strong. And it was that strength that would be the key to unlocking the secrets of my birthright.

My second assignment was more straightforward, a string of thefts with a magical twist. The thief was a young half-elf, lost and desperate, using her powers for survival rather than malice. Her eyes, when I finally caught her, were filled with a despair that mirrored my own confusion. But unlike her, I had found a place to belong, a purpose that didn't involve running from my past.

As I'd approached her, my sword sheathed, I'd offered her a choice. "You can come with me," I'd said gently, "or you can keep running. But know that you're not alone."

For a moment, she'd just stared at me, her eyes wide with disbelief. Then, slowly, she'd nodded, allowing me to lead her back to the agency. It was a small victory, but it had made me realize that perhaps my true calling wasn't just to fight, but to save those who were lost in the shadows like I once had been.

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In the weeks that followed, I'd honed my skills, balancing the elegance of magic with the discipline of human combat. I'd studied the ancient tomes in the agency's library, hoping for clues, but none of the heavy volumes had brought me any closer to knowing where I had actually come from.

The whispers had grown quieter, but the hunger for knowledge had grown stronger. I'd train tirelessly, pushing my body to the brink, eager to master the magic that was as much a part of me as the beating of my heart. In the mirror, I'd see glimpses of my heritage, my eyes flickering with a light that wasn't quite human. The Steel brothers had noticed the change in me, and while they didn't speak of it, I could see the hint of curiosity in their gazes.

One evening, as I'd practiced my swordplay in the agency's training yard, Noir had appeared with a young girl. She had reeked of garbage and was filthy from head to toe, but I had instantly felt drawn to her. With a nod in my direction, Noir introduced us, "Jerricha, I'd like you to meet, Lyra."

Lyra had looked up at me with wide eyes, and for a moment, I had seen myself in her. A human girl with a touch of magic, searching for a place in a world that didn't quite fit. The whispers grew louder than ever, telling me she was important, that she was like me. I had taken her under my wing, teaching her the basics of combat and control over her powers. Her natural talent had astonished me, a wildfire waiting to be harnessed.