Noir
Chapter 94

As the rest of the day unfolded, I found myself lost in thought, my mind wandering to the kiss Eton and I had shared. The feel of his hands on my body was etched into my skin, a constant reminder of the fire that now burned between us. I went about my day within the agency, trying to focus on the mundane tasks assigned to me, but every step was heavier, every task more challenging.

In the dimly lit hallways, the whispers of the agency's operatives grew louder, their curious glances piercing through me. They had noticed the shift in our demeanor, the way we now looked at each other, and the rumor mill had already started churning. I felt a mix of excitement and dread at the thought of what the others might think or say, but I knew that our newfound bond was something we couldn't ignore.

As the hours passed, I found myself drawn to the war room, the epicenter of our mission to rescue Lyra. The maps and intel scattered across the tables were a stark reminder of the seriousness of our situation. Eton was there, his eyes intense as he studied the layout of the enemy's fortress. Our eyes met briefly before he cleared his throat and returned to his work. The air was thick with unspoken words, but we both knew that now was not the time. We had to keep our heads in the game, to focus on the strategy that would bring her home safely.

The rest of the team trickled back in, Sterling avoiding eye contact with us as he unpacked his gear. The room buzzed with energy, each person feeding off the other's determination. Briefings were held, assignments were given, and the tension grew as the time for the rescue operation approached. But through it all, Eton and I remained steadfast, our secret shared in the lingering glances and the occasional brush of our hands.

"We need to talk," Eton murmured in my ear as we went over the final details of the plan.

I nodded, feeling the weight of his gaze on me. "After the mission," I replied, my voice low and filled with unspoken promise.

He sighed, his eyes darkening with concern. "We can't let this affect us, not when she needs us."

"I know," I whispered back, trying to ignore the flutter in my stomach.

As the team gathered around the table, Eton cleared his throat loudly, and the room fell silent. "Alright, everyone," he began, his eyes darting between each member before focusing on the map. "We've got a solid plan in place. We're moving out at dawn. Get some rest, and I expect you all to be ready."

The room emptied, leaving us alone once again. Eton's hand reached out, and I took it, feeling the warmth and strength that I had come to rely on. We walked down the corridor to the makeshift mess hall, where the scent of something warm and savory filled the air. It had been hours since we'd eaten, and my body craved sustenance.

"How did you manage to get them to cook something decent?" I asked, unable to keep the amazement from my voice.

Eton smirked. "I might have promised to give them a hand with the next patrol."

We sat down at a table, the tension of the day melting away as we devoured the food. The simple act of sharing a meal together felt like a rare treat, a moment of peace in the chaos that was our lives. Our conversation was light, avoiding the topic of our kiss and the tumult of emotions it had unleashed.

As we ate, I couldn't help but steal glances at him, his strong jaw, the way his eyes lit up when he talked about strategy, the way his hand clenched into a fist when he spoke of the enemy. He was a man of honor and valor, and I was drawn to him like a moth to a flame.

After the meal, we walked back to the war room, our steps measured and silent. The moon cast long shadows on the floor, and our boots echoed through the empty corridors. We paused at the door, our eyes meeting again. "We're in this together," Eton said, his voice firm. "Whatever happens after, we save Lyra first."

I nodded, feeling the gravity of his words. "Yes" I agreed, and with that, we turned our attention t the night's hunt.

~~

The next day, we woke before dawn, the tension palpable as we readied ourselves for the mission. Sterling checked our gear, his eyes flicking to us briefly before focusing on the task at hand. We didn't speak of the kiss again, our focus solely on the rescue ahead.

As we approached the fortress, the scent of roasting meat drifted through the night air. It was a stark reminder of the comforts we were fighting for, and the stakes of our mission. Our stomachs rumbled in protest, but we pushed the hunger aside.

"We're close," Eton murmured, his eyes scanning the shadows. His hand found the small of my back again, a silent reassurance as we moved into position. The rest of the team was spread out around us, each member a ghost in the darkness.

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The fortress loomed ahead, its walls a stark contrast to the velvety sky. The moon cast a silver glow over the scene, illuminating the path we had to take. We had studied the layout, memorized every nook and cranny.

As we made our way through the quiet night, the sound of our breaths and the crunch of gravel beneath our boots seemed amplified. We had to be careful not to alert the guards, their footsteps echoing in the distance.

In a brief moment of respite, I chewed on a piece of jerky, my eyes never leaving the horizon. The salty taste and chewy texture were a comfort, a simple pleasure that grounded me in the chaos.

"Thank you," I said, my voice barely a whisper.

Eton's eyes searched mine before he spoke, his voice low and serious. "For what?"

"For being here," I replied, feeling the weight of his presence beside me. "For fighting for her."

He nodded, his grip on my hand tightening. "Always."

We approached the fortress, the smell of roasting meat now a taunt, a siren's call. We had to stay focused, to remember why we were here. The vampires were notorious for their loyalty to their Elders, and we knew we would face a fierce defense. The guards patrolled with precision, their eyes sharp and alert.

"Remember, they won't be easy to take down," Sterling murmured into our earpieces. "They're protecting something much more precious to them than their own lives."

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Eton nodded, his gaze unwavering as he surveyed the fortifications. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, and I could feel the tension in his body. Despite the danger, there was something reassuring about his presence.

As we moved into place, the wind whipped through our hair. Above us, the stars twinkled like distant sentinels, watching over our perilous endeavor.

"Lyra," I whispered into the void, willing her to hear me. "We're coming."

The first encounter with the enemy guards was swift and brutal. One of our team members, a young werewolf named Remy who had recently been recruited, took a fatal blow. He crumpled to the ground, his life slipping away like sand through our fingers. The reality of our mission hit us hard, and we pushed on with renewed determination.

As we made our way deeper into the fortress, we encountered more and more resistance. The vampires were indeed fiercely protective of their Elders, their eyes burning with an ancient loyalty that seemed almost inhuman.

"Lyra, we're here!" I called out, my voice echoing through the mansion's corridors.

Her reply was faint but clear. "I don't need saving," she insisted, the conviction in her voice unwavering.

We pushed forward, ignoring her protests, knowing we had to get to her before it was too late.

The sound of fighting grew louder, and the smell of blood filled the air. My stomach churned, but I gritted my teeth and continued. We turned a corner and found ourselves face to face with a vampire, his fangs bared and his eyes gleaming with malice. Eton stepped in front of me, sword at the ready, and I knew that no matter what happened, he would protect me.

Our blades clashed, the sound ringing through the corridor like a bell tolling for battle. The vampire was strong, his moves swift and deadly, but Eton was stronger. With each strike, I could see the flicker of doubt in the creature's eyes. And then, just as we thought we had the upper hand, the unthinkable happened. A crossbow bolt embedded itself in Eton's side, thrown from the shadows by an unseen attacker. He stumbled back, pain etching his features. The vampire took advantage of the distraction, lunging towards me.

But Noir was there, moving with a speed that defied belief. He intercepted the attack, his hand wrapping around the creature's throat, his fangs bared. For a moment, the room froze, the only sound the gurgling of the vampire's last breath. Then, Noir tossed the lifeless body aside and turned to us, growling, "Leave here and don't return."