Chapter 172: 0 [Bonus Chapter]
Zed and Dak watched her peak in the alleyway. The small group in their smaller hideout could hear commotion going on in the slums. This was typical at night. People would fight, steal while searching for a safe enough place to sleep without being hurt or robbed. Ability users without income was a dangerous combination which is why it was so easy for the illusionists to surface. They provided a decent environment for them to live and if people died or went missing, most wouldn’t notice.
Their hideout was much smaller than the one Mojo questioned them, but it was equipped with the necessities to be operational. It wasn’t a flashy, nice place but it had cots, food, heat and electricity. It had some appliances and they were both curious if they could open the refrigerator, freezer or anything else. Everything looked new in the rundown building but magic could make things look nice quickly.
Zinnia finally closed everything up and called everyone to the center.
"Bring it in everyone," she yelled.
People casually strolled over alone, aside from Zed and Deke and one other trio.
’Ok so it’s 14 of us, not 10. Interesting.’ Zed thought.
"This is our new operation. I have been promoted and am responsible for all of you so cross each other or cross me, you die, understood?"
"Yes boss," everyone chimed automatically.
The undercover vampires responded quick enough and picked up on everyone. They were well trained for a reason.
"Now, our first objective is going to be selecting a volunteer to have their power drained by the Necrams as a show of good faith for our boss. We need to find someone we can force over and this is where you come in. The person who brings me someone the most valuable will be rewarded. Failure to do so will result in a memory wipe of being in this group and your mask," Zinnia said confidently.
"Boss, so if we bring someone and they’re not good enough, what about dat?" Someone asked.
"That’s not going to get you kicked out. You made an effort, that’s what we need."
"Good, good. Thanks boss. Dat’s good, real good. I’m gonna get you da best person I swear it," The man said confidently.
"Ok 60. Anyone else have questions?"
"Yes boss," Dak said while raising his hand slightly. A few people laughed, but nothing harmful. Zinnia’s smirk could be seen through the mask.
"What is it, 69?" Zinnia asked.
"I have a candidate in mind already but I think we’d need to work together. What are your thoughts on that?"
"I ain’t working with nobody! I want dat reward for me. Forget about it," 20 said.
"Zip it 20," someone else said. "Hear the boss out."
"How many? Shouldn’t you 67 suffice?" She asked.
"We would but I don’t want one of us to get wiped by not bringing someone back. I noticed there is a trio as well. What’s your rules about working in groups?"
"Hey, yeah. 69 has a good question, Zinnia. Also, why did we know your name as a black and purple? Why weren’t you a number?" One of the members of the trio asked.
’Why didn’t I think of that?!’ Zed thought while remaining calm.
"My number isn’t important anymore. It was 7 but that’s in the past. You knew me by name because I was under trial by Mojo for a promotion. That’s why I revealed it when recruiting all of you." She said clearly.
"Makes sense to me. Can we get on with this?" Someone else asked.
"32, why so hasty?" Zinnia said with a glare.
"Just how I am. Action now, talk later." The woman laughed.
’Another woman. Good. They don’t solely recruit men. I was starting to have suspicions that Zinnia was the only female.’ Zed thought.
"Calm yourself. To answer the other question, groups won’t be punished if they work together to secure the objective. You can bring one person or multiple back as long as they’re able to be memory wiped, it’s not a problem." Zinnia said calmly.
"So you can wipe us?" another member of the trio asked.
"Yes 48 and I suggest you, 49 and 50 work together like 67 and 69 will. Anyone else planning on grouping up? Now’s your chance."
People looked at each other but no one really moved or wanted to make the effort to group up.
"What’s the reward boss?" Zed asked calmly. "I want to know how big of a fish I should bring, if you know what I mean."
Zinnia snickered. "I can’t give it away. It’s worth it. How does that sound?"
"Just fine to me. So they’re going to be handed over to the invaders to be drained of power? Does that kill them?" Dak interjected, matching Zed’s calm demeanor.
"The prisoner will be held by us until the boss sends someone to retrieve them. This is an important job that could go well or get us all wiped. I chose you all for good reason. You have 24 hours and we have a nice luxury in my office. I have a wall display of the time, date and with a countdown." She said gleefully.
They watched her walk into her office but couldn’t see inside it. She closed the door, grabbed what she needed and came back out. They watched her use a spell to put the new display up and everyone was surprised it was almost midnight. She started a timer from 24 hours and it started ticking.
"Well, I’m getting some shut eye. Take these to get back into the building," she said while handing each person a small magical circle.
"What is this boss?" 47 asked. "I’ve never seen anything like it."
"It’s a custom made magical orb that holds the spell to get in and out. Simply hold it to the door and it will activate the magic inside. Once you get through, the wall will seal itself up. If you’re leaving it open for too long, it will glow red. That means you have 30 seconds to get in or out or it shuts and if you’re in the middle, you get crunched."
"Pretty awesome technology. Who developed this, these Necrams or invaders you speak of?" Zed asked politely.
"Good question 67 but I can’t answer it. Bosses’ orders."
She finished handing them out and went into her office and shut the door.
She took off her mask and looked in the mirror next to the bed she had. The office was large inside, despite it looking small from the outside. She took out her contact lenses, revealing unique yellow pupils and demon eyes. She had blonde hair and was beautiful.
’Finally, I hate those contacts because they make it harder to use my abilities. They can’t know who I am though. Now that I’m level 2 but have my own hideout, I have to call the boss with the new phone they left me. I wonder if I’ll recognize his voice?’
He picked up the ordinary smartphone, turned it on and saw it had 3 contacts.
"0.
Agent Z.
Mojo."
’Agent Z? That’s one of the bosses elite. I guess 0 is the boss, here goes nothing.’
Ring-Ring-Ring.
"Hello Zinnia," a voice answered calmly. "So tell me, why are you hiding your true identity to me?"
’What the fuck?!’
"Apologies mam. Who are you?"
"Call me Zero. Why is such a powerful demon like yourself hiding as a lowly level 2 for?"
’Shit!’
"If you’re in charge of this, you should know why I’m hiding my identity. I don’t want certain people knowing I’m in the Illusionists."
"Good. Your secret is safe with me but you are certainly much more powerful than a lowly level 2. You can be my eyes and ears down there but you report to me directly. Keep your phone on you. Think of yourself as an elite in hiding."
"That would be an honor. I have two very promising vampires who can help us hand someone powerful over to the Necrams. Are you still in touch with their leader?"
"I am. If you bring me someone worthy, I’ll even give you power. Who are they?"
"Outcasted vampires who faked being charmed by Mojo. They don’t know I know but they did a really good job of hiding it."
"Excellent. Keep them moving upward toward me."
"Yes, anything else?"
"The exchange will happen tomorrow at midnight with Agent Z. You’ll have a reward waiting for you if he deems it worthy. Otherwise, it’s goodnight, Zinnia."
"Understood. I won’t disappoint you."