Everything hurt. Caitlyn’s head throbbed as if someone had taken a hammer to it, and her muscles felt like lead. She was caught in a strange in-between: too cold and yet too hot, her skin clammy with sweat. Blinking against the sting in her eyes, she took in her surroundings. The dim room was bathed in flickering neon light, its walls covered in a chaotic mix of graffiti and peeling posters. It smelled faintly of grease and smoke, a raw tang that turned her stomach. No windows made it look like it was somewhere underground.
A hard bed pressed into her back, a scratchy blanket draped over her. Caitlyn struggled to focus. What was the last thing she remembered? The warehouse. That much was clear. She’d gone there, sure she could handle herself. And then... She swallowed hard. They’d drugged her. Shimmer. She felt a pang of nausea and disgust twist in her gut.
The memory was fragmented, but a face floated to the surface—sharp gray eyes and a mane of pink hair.
“Feeling better?” A voice cut through her haze like a knife.
Caitlyn startled and regretted it instantly. Her head swam as though the world had tilted off its axis. A firm hand steadied her shoulder, and she looked up into the same gray eyes. They were colder than she remembered.
“You were a mess,” the woman said flatly. “Had to dump you in a cold bath last night. They gave you enough shimmer to kill a horse. Didn’t think you’d make it.”
There was something in her tone—worry, maybe, but it was buried under layers of irritation. Caitlyn realized for the first time that she wasn’t in her clothes. A plain, oversized nightshirt hung loosely on her frame. She pulled the blanket closer instinctively, feeling vulnerable under the woman’s unyielding gaze.
“Thank you,” Caitlyn said hoarsely. Her voice cracked, and she cleared her throat. “I wouldn’t have made it without you.”
The woman’s lips quirked into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “No shit. What were you doing back there?”
Caitlyn hesitated. “I was... trying to figure out who’s supplying shimmer. How they’re doing it, how to stop them.”
For a moment, there was silence. Then the woman let out a derisive snort, her expression darkening. “Are you serious? You really thought you’d just waltz into Zaun and take down an entire operation by yourself? What, did you think you’d scare them straight with your enforcer badge?”
Caitlyn stiffened. “I don’t—”
“Don’t bother lying,” the woman cut her off, her tone sharp as a blade. “I know you are one, an enforcer. And last I checked, Piltover’s finest are more part of the problem than the solution. So what does Marcus want now? Another raid? Or were you just here to clean up his mess and that went wrong?”
The accusation hit Caitlyn like a slap. “Marcus?” her suspicion was right then.
“Oh, don’t play dumb.” The woman’s voice dripped with scorn. “He’s in Silco’s pocket, same as half your people. Why else would you be here?”
Caitlyn shook her head, the motion making her wince. “You’re wrong. I’ve been suspended for investigating shimmer by Marcus. People are dying in Piltover because of it. I’m trying to stop it.”
A bitter laugh escaped the woman’s lips. “People are dying in Piltover? That’s your big sob story?” She leaned closer, her eyes hard and unrelenting. “People are dying everywhere. But I guess you only care when it’s your shiny city’s streets that get dirty.”
Caitlyn’s chest tightened, her fists clenching the blanket. “That’s not fair.”
“Fair?” The woman straightened, pacing the room like a caged animal. “You think this is about fair? You don’t get it. You come down here, waving your badge and your righteous little crusade, but you don’t see what it’s like to live in this place every damn day.”
“Then help me!” Caitlyn snapped, her voice rising. “If you know so much, help me take down Marcus and Silco. I can’t do it alone.”
The woman stopped in her tracks, her jaw tightening. “And why the hell should I help you?”
Caitlyn faltered, taken aback by the venom in her voice. “Because... because you want this to stop too, don’t you? You don’t want shimmer tearing through your people any more than I do.”
“What makes you think you’d stand a chance against them?”
“I just need to expose Marcus. Not everybody in Piltover is like him. If he's tried, then a serious investigation would start into shimmer and Silco’s investments.”
The woman’s eyes narrowed, and for a long moment, she said nothing. Then, finally, she spoke. “Fine. I’ll help you. But on one condition.”
Caitlyn braced herself. “What is it?”
“You leave Jinx alone.”
The name landed like a thunderclap. Caitlyn’s mouth went dry. “Jinx? She’s a terrorist. She’s involved with shimmer too?.”
“She’s… sometimes in the crossfire.,” the woman said, her voice quiet but firm. She didn’t elaborate.
Caitlyn stared at her, incredulous. “She’s killed people. Innocent people. And you want me to just let her go?”
“That’s the deal,” the woman said, crossing her arms. “Take it or leave it.”
For a moment, Caitlyn couldn’t speak. The sheer audacity of the demand left her reeling. But as she looked into those steel-gray eyes, she saw something she hadn’t expected: pain. This wasn’t just some hollow request. It was personal.
“I can’t promise that,” Caitlyn said finally, her voice low. “But I can promise to focus on Marcus and Silco. If she gets caught in the crossfire, that’s on her.”
The woman’s jaw tightened, but she nodded. “Good enough. For now.”
They stared at each other, a fragile truce hanging between them. Caitlyn knew this was far from over. The tension between them was palpable, their mutual distrust simmering beneath the surface. But for now, they had a common goal.
“Let’s get you back to Piltover,” the woman said, her tone clipped. “You’re still a mess. Name’s Vi by the way.”
“Caitlyn.”
As they made their way through the dim streets of Zaun, Caitlyn couldn’t shake the feeling of mistrust. But she also knew one thing for sure: she needed the woman. And that scared her more than she cared to admit.
----------------------------------------
A pang of unease twisted through Caitlyn as she thought of her absence. She prayed her parents would believe she had stayed over at Jace’s apartment, like in the old days of their friendship. Jace would back her lie, she knew, no questions asked. Her parents were likely at work now, giving her time to fix her appearance and sleep off the exhaustion clawing at her before she had to face them. She also needed to make a plan—a way to ensure the Zaunite woman wouldn’t betray her and figure out her next move.
Caitlyn opened the door to her house, the excitement and adrenaline of the past night draining from her body, leaving only exhaustion in its wake. She stepped inside and froze. Her mother stood in the foyer, her face set in cold anger. Even after years of mastering an unreadable expression, Caitlyn could recognize when her mother was close to losing control.
But it wasn’t just her mother that made her blood run cold.
"So, you survived," Markus said, his voice biting.
"Are you alright?" her mother asked, her tone as frigid as her expression.
Caitlyn nodded, unable to formulate words. The fight, the drugs—last night still weighed heavily on her.
“What happened yesterday?” Markus demanded, his words sharp and relentless.
Before Caitlyn could attempt an answer, her mother’s voice cut through the tension. “My daughter has just returned from a night missing, and she is clearly in need of rest. Thank you for your cooperation, Sheriff.” Her icy gaze pinned Markus in place. He clenched his jaw but didn’t argue.
“I’ll call off the search,” Markus said, but his tone was far from conciliatory. “You went rogue again. You’re fired.”
“Councilor,” he added with a stiff nod to Caitlyn’s mother before turning toward the door. He paused just before leaving. “Please ensure your daughter doesn’t do anything stupid. Vigilantes aren’t welcome in Piltover.”
The door clicked shut, but Caitlyn barely heard it. Her mother’s face was set, her disapproval palpable.
“Mom, I—”
“I don’t want to see you right now.”
“But—”
“Go rest,” her mother snapped. “We’ll talk later. I can’t even look at you.”
Hours passed before they finally spoke again.
“I cannot have my daughter running around without regard for the law,” her mother began, her voice like a whip. “You broke every rule. You were already suspended, and then you circumvented everyone to go to Zaun on your own! What were you thinking? You could have been killed!”
“Mom, listen—”
“No!” Her mother’s sharp tone cut through her again. “I’ve listened to enough of your little rebellion. It’s time you listen to me. From now on, I will be overseeing your finances. You’ll return to your politics lessons with Mr. Renwick. You will remain at home until you recover fully, and then you will follow my lead. You will never pull a stunt like this again.”
Caitlyn felt like she was talking to a wall. Tsis was how it always had been. No matter how much she had grown, no matter how many challenges she had faced—surviving ambushes, fighting drug dealers, making it through enforcer academy—she could never quite shake the fear her mother inspired. It wasn’t rational, but it was there, deeply ingrained after years of scolding and relentless reminders of her shortcomings.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
There was no point in explaining to her mother that Markus was involved. She wouldn’t believe her without proof, not after this morning. And then there was a matter of her investigation. How would she do it without resources? She cannot leave her house, without anything she cannot fight Markus and the entire Zaun on her own. Well, maybe not the entire Zaun. What was that the woman said? That in Zaun people die of shimmer every day? She felt sick to her stomach.
There was no use explaining to her mother that Markus was involved. Without proof, her mother wouldn’t believe her, not after this morning. And her investigation? How could she continue it without resources? She couldn’t leave the house, couldn’t fight Markus and all of Zaun alone. Well, maybe not all of Zaun.
The woman’s words echoed in her mind: In Zaun, people die of shimmer every day. The thought twisted her stomach, and bile rose in her throat.
She waved off the house staff who came to check on her, their presence only deepening her frustration. She didn’t need their help—paid by her mother, no less. She didn’t want anyone to be with her or help her. She was too proud for that. She would leave this place. She would solve this case and then she would cut ties with the constant emotional blackmail she’d been wrapped in her whole life.
But she had lost more than her freedom—she had lost her enforcer badge, everything she had worked for. And that was Markus’s doing. He must have been waiting for an opportunity to oust her. How else could he have known she’d gone rogue? Someone had tipped him off—someone connected to the people who had attacked her.
Without her badge, things would only get harder. But she would get it back. She had to.
First, though, she needed a plan.
----------------------------------------
She slept for the whole day and still her head spinned with fast movements. Her vision almost turned back to normal. Thankfully, no one noticed that she suffered not only from a fight, but also from the aftereffects of the drug.
Once again, she came to breakfast to see her parents there.
The Kiramman dining room was lit by a cascade of crystal chandeliers, their glow reflecting off the polished silverware and porcelain plates. Caitlyn sat stiffly in her chair, her mother’s sharp gaze fixed on her from across the long table. Her father was reading a letter, his face drawn with quiet concern.
“Caitlyn,” Mrs. Kiramman said, breaking the uneasy silence. Her voice was precise, controlled. “You understand that your actions have created a stir. The Kiramman name has been... questioned.”
Caitlyn placed her fork down carefully, her appetite long gone. “A stir?” she said, keeping her tone neutral. “I was doing my job, Mother.”
“And look where that has brought us,” Mrs. Kiramman snapped, folding her napkin neatly. “Suspended from the Enforcers, fighting in the streets like some common brawler. Do you think the people of Piltover see you as noble, Caitlyn? They see recklessness. And in their eyes, recklessness reflects poorly on this family.”
Her father looked up, hesitating before speaking. “Your mother is right, Caitlyn. Perception matters. We have worked hard to build the Kiramman name as a cornerstone of Piltover society. This—incident—threatens that foundation.”
Caitlyn clenched her fists under the table, her nails digging into her palms. “I didn’t ask to be born into this family if that’s what you’re implying,” she muttered.
Mrs. Kiramman’s eyes narrowed, but her tone softened with calculated diplomacy. “No, but you bear its legacy. And you must protect it. That is why I’ve decided it’s time for you to take a more active role in the family business.”
Caitlyn stared at her, stunned. “You’re serious? You want me to... what, sit in an office and tally numbers all day? Play dress-up at galas while Piltover rots beneath the surface?”
“You exaggerate,” Mrs. Kiramman said smoothly. “But since you bring it up, your first task will be to attend the Hextech Trade Gala tomorrow evening. I expect you to represent the family with grace and poise. It’s an opportunity to mend our reputation among Piltover’s elite.”
“You mean parade me around as damage control,” Caitlyn shot back, her voice rising. “Do you think that will fix anything? The people in Zaun don’t care about your galas. They’re suffering—”
“This isn’t about Zaun!” Mrs. Kiramman snapped, her composure finally cracking. She stood, her voice cold as frost. “It’s about us. About this family. Your actions have jeopardized our standing, Caitlyn. You owe it to your father, to me, to clean up this mess.”
The weight of her words pressed down on Caitlyn like a stone. She looked to her father, hoping for a reprieve, but he only sighed and returned to his letter.
For a moment, the silence was unbearable. Then Caitlyn pushed back her chair, the legs scraping loudly against the polished floor.
“Fine,” she said, her voice trembling with anger.
----------------------------------------
The gala was everything Caitlyn despised. Gleaming Hextech devices lined the hall, their brilliance matched only by Jace’s charisma as he explained the latest advancements to guests. His partner, Viktor, was absent as usual—he preferred the quiet of his lab to the spotlight. Caitlyn could hardly blame him.
Jace noticed her lingering near the edge of the crowd and broke off from his conversation to approach her.
“On business here, Ms. Kiramman?” he teased, nodding to her formal attire.
Caitlyn rolled her eyes. “My mother made me come.”
He offered her a sympathetic smile. “Maybe it’s for the best. I only heard about everything after you got back, but trust me, we were all worried about you. And before you say it—” he raised his hands to forestall her protest, “I’m not taking your mother’s side or saying she’s right. But you did go on a solo mission without authorization while already suspended.”
Caitlyn sighed, her defensiveness slipping away. He was right. She had been reckless, and the guilt weighed heavy. Before she could respond, a booming voice interrupted them.
“Ah, young Miss Kiramman!”
An older man with a rounded belly and extravagantly embroidered clothing waved as he approached.
“Guess that’s my cue.” Caitlyn gave Jace a tired smile. “I’ll talk to you later.”
As she turned to leave, Jace leaned in close. “Listen, Cait. I know you. You’re not going to let this go. If you need help, I’m here. Just... don’t try to handle it alone. And one more thing,” he added with a mischievous smile. “Could you please return the prototype you swiped from my lab? It’s not exactly stable yet.”
Caitlyn blinked, caught off guard. She thought she’d been careful.
“Who else could’ve taken it?” Jace asked, clearly amused. “If you insist on risking your life, I’ll make you a better one. Just be careful—and for the sake of both of us, don’t show it to anyone.”
Without waiting for a reply, he slipped back into the crowd, leaving Caitlyn both amused and embarrassed.
“Miss Kiramman!” The man who had called out earlier finally reached her. “It’s been far too long since I’ve seen you at one of these events.” His voice was loud enough to carry across the room. “You look tired, but that’s no wonder—I heard you were caught in the crossfire recently. Are you feeling alright?”
Caitlyn flushed, unprepared for the topic to be brought up here of all places. “Oh, yes, I’m fine. Just... taking a little break now.”
The man gave her a knowing smile. “Ah, yes. A break is a wise choice. I’m sure your mother is relieved.”
“As she should be,” another voice chimed in, cold and clipped.
Caitlyn turned to find herself facing Councilor Salo. His presence immediately chilled the atmosphere, even the jovial investor seemed taken aback.
“An enforcer’s job,” Salo continued, “is hardly suitable for someone of your station, Caitlyn.”
She met his gaze evenly, her voice steady. “I’ll be sure to remember that. If you’ll excuse me, I believe my mother needs me.”
Without waiting for a response, she stepped away. Salo’s smug expression lingered in her mind, but she had no patience for the likes of him. He epitomized the worst of Piltover’s politics: self-serving and devoid of principle. While Caitlyn often clashed with her mother, she still respected her for caring about the city’s welfare and working tirelessly to improve its quality of life. Salo, by contrast, had never done anything that didn’t directly benefit himself.
As she moved through the crowd, a familiar voice called out. “Hi, Caitlyn!”
Maddie, an acquaintance with whom Caitlyn had struck up a casual friendship, hurried over. Her straightforward nature was a refreshing change from the pretenses of the gala.
“How are you feeling? I’m so sorry about everything,” Maddie said earnestly. “I don’t understand why my dad would do such a thing.”
Everyone seemed eager to tell her how sorry they were, and Caitlyn was beginning to feel the strain. “Don’t worry about it, Maddie. It’s not your fault. Really, it’s fine.”
Maddie’s face twisted with guilt. “I just feel so bad. If there’s anything you need... if you want to spend some time together.. or even just talk, I’m here.”
Caitlyn offered her a tight smile. “Thank you, Maddie. I’ll keep that in mind.”
But as Maddie walked away, Caitlyn knew she wouldn’t take her up on the offer. She appreciated the gesture, but she had too much to do and no time for distractions.
----------------------------------------
The days blurred together, each one consumed entirely by her parents’ demands. Caitlyn found herself shuffled between lessons on trade, foreign language classes, and, most stifling of all, her mother’s relentless determination to immerse her in the intricacies of their business.
She felt trapped. Suffocated. It wasn’t just the sheer volume of obligations—though that alone was overwhelming—it was the nagging sense that this relentless schedule was deliberate. Her parents clearly didn’t want her to have any time to herself.
But even if she did, Caitlyn wasn’t sure she wanted to be part of this world. Politics felt like an endless cycle of empty words and manipulations, and she longed to create tangible change. Yet staying here offered her safety, and she wasn’t naive enough to ignore that fact. Marcus wasn’t coming after her, and she knew why. It was because she was the daughter of a councilor.
What Marcus didn’t know—what she was careful not to let slip—was that she’d uncovered his involvement in the case. As long as he remained free and shimmer continued to poison the streets, Caitlyn knew she wasn’t truly safe.
So, she endured. She continued her lessons, attending various events while planning her next steps and trying to figure out exactly how she would meet Vi without suspicion of her parents and how she would continue her investigation.
----------------------------------------
She snuck out at night, four days since being fired, when she was supposed to meet Vi. She managed to get to the location without any trouble.
The other woman was already there when Caitlyn climbed to the upper floor. She was leaning casually against a wall, arms crossed, her head turned toward the window. She had the kind of casual confidence Caitlyn could never quite muster. A strand of pink hair fell over her face, partially obscuring the tattoos creeping up her neck. The red jacket she wore seemed to sharpen her presence, drawing Caitlyn’s reluctant gaze.
The moment stretched, tense and quiet, until Vi’s lips curved into a knowing smirk. “Hi, cupcake.” The nickname, steeped in mockery, sent a flash of irritation through Caitlyn.
Cupcake? Caitlyn stiffened but forced herself to ignore it. Their alliance was fragile at best, and Caitlyn knew better than to test its limits. She knelt on the dusty floor, spreading her investigation notes in an orderly display. Maps, sketches, and lists filled the space between them, a physical representation of her determination.
Vi didn’t move from her spot, but Caitlyn could feel the weight of her gaze, sharp and unrelenting. The scrutiny made her fingers falter, but she forced herself to focus. When she finished, she gestured for Vi to take a look.
When Caitlyn finally finished and gestured for Vi to take a look. Vi pushed off the wall with an easy, deliberate motion, her boots scuffing softly against the floor as she approached. She crouched next to Caitlyn, her proximity unsettling. Caitlyn caught a faint whiff of smoke and a surprising hint of poppies scent. It was intoxicating. Her eyes scanned the notes with surprising focus. “You found all this on your own?” Her tone carried genuine surprise. “Impressive—for someone as green as you.”
Caitlyn clenched her jaw, swallowing the sharp retort that rose in her throat. The constant underestimation was grating, but she couldn’t afford to let it show. Not now. “First, I need to know how they operate,” she said, spreading a map over the small table in the corner.
The safehouse was technically a Kiramman property, but she hadn’t mentioned that to Vi. The fewer personal details she shared, the better. She didn't need to know who Caitlyn's mother was. This often ended badly, people would just use her to get to her mother. Better save it for later, or never.
“We’ll need locations, their chain of command, their methods, and how they distribute shimmer across the cities.”
Vi didn’t respond immediately. Caitlyn glanced at her, only to find the woman again leaning against the wall again, her smirk replaced by a thoughtful frown. The way the dim light caught her features left Caitlyn momentarily distracted. She looked back at the map quickly, hoping her blush wasn’t obvious.
It was a strange thing, their alliance—so fragile, with neither of them fully trusting the other. But they had no other choice and Caitlyn found it even more difficult trying to suppress the confusing feeling she had for the woman. Maybe not so confusing. The past year had been entirely about work, leaving her no time for anything personal.
Still, this was nothing more than physical attraction. It had to be. And it would pass, especially with how openly hostile Vi was toward her. Caitlyn wasn’t one to chase after someone who didn’t want her.
But damn her luck that the most captivating woman she’d ever met had to be a brash, guarded hothead teetering on the edge of lawfulness. Caitlyn had seen enough not to expect anything else from her.
And then there was that absurd question Vi had posed about saving Jinx. The thought of Vi being interested in someone else, of having a deeper loyalty, sent an uncomfortable pang through Caitlyn. She shoved the feeling aside. Stop it, she scolded herself. She was a professional, and she wouldn’t let one aggravatingly attractive woman reduce her to a blushing schoolgirl.
Looking down at the map, Caitlyn couldn’t shake the feeling that Vi was watching her—judging her. She didn’t dare raise her eyes, fearing her thoughts might betray her. That sharp gaze felt like it could see right through her.
She gripped the edge of the table, willing herself to calm down. She would get a grip, focus, and then—
“Most of their supply is underground,” Vi said suddenly, breaking the silence. “In the pipes. I don’t know exactly where, but it’s heavily guarded.”
It was the most useful information Caitlyn had received in weeks. Hope flickered in her chest. “The pipes,” she repeated, mentally cataloging the possibilities. “We’ll need to breach them without being noticed.”
“Not just that.” Vi’s tone turned serious. “You need evidence. If you want to connect this to Silco or Marcus, it has to be more than just shimmer supplies. They’ll dismiss it otherwise. You need documents, names—something that ties it directly to them.”
Caitlyn nodded, excitement building. “Then we catch them in the act. Or track shipments. There has to be a log, an approval form—no one distributes this stuff by foot alone.”
Vi raised a skeptical brow but nodded. “It’s a start. Going directly after Silco or Savika doesn't make sense. The pipes are your best bet. Follow the supply, find the lower people who control the chain.”
“Who’s Savika?” Caitlyn asked.
“Silco’s right hand. Big, mean, impossible to miss. You’ll know her when you see her.”
Caitlyn frowned. She had a feeling she’d already encountered the woman during her last visit to Zaun.
“There’s something else you should know,” Caitlyn said reluctantly. Her stomach twisted, but she pushed the feeling aside. Vi turned to her, suspicion darkening her expression. “I’m no longer an enforcer. Marcus found out about my trip to Zaun and used it as an excuse to fire me.”
Vi didn’t respond immediately. Her piercing gaze seemed to peel back Caitlyn’s layers, searching for weakness. “So, you’re on your own,” she said finally, her tone flat.
“Yes,” Caitlyn admitted. “But that doesn’t mean I’m giving up.”
Vi’s smirk returned, sharper this time. “Good. Because if you think you can do this without me, cupcake, you’re more naive than I thought.”
The jab stung, but Caitlyn swallowed her pride. She needed Vi, no matter how infuriating she was. And she wouldn’t let a little hostility stand in the way of justice.
Or whatever this was turning into.