Blueprints tossed into a small fireplace.

  Evelyn stood watching the edges curl and orange wisps melt away the hard lines and careful math she had spent so many hours on. The fire illuminated a sharp jawline, unkempt brown hair, clear dark eyes bearing the signs of many nights without sleep. She crossed her arms, emotionless, watching the fires consume the papers.

  “So you’re going back on the deal?” a deep male voice asked from behind her.

  Evelyn turned around to face a figure in a white suit, with a featureless and smooth black face. Like a figure made of ink. They reclined leisurely on an expensive-looking sofa.

  “If you want to try and re-create the design feel free, but I’m not letting something like that out into the world. We’re a hundred years too early.”

  The fire flared as she spoke consumed the remaining paper, snuffing itself out as she stepped away. Nothing remaining but a clean brick and an empty andiron. Like nothing had ever been there.

  “Evelyn, it’s a shame. They were really looking forward to seeing the Yola engine.” the figure stood, straightening its crisp white jacket and black leather gloves. “They paid you well and..”

  “They can have their money back. I refuse to cause another war.” Evelyn cut off the figure and walked to her desk, heels echoing through the room.

  “You’re going to end up in a bind with the Crusaders again, the Houses can’t protect you.” the figure insisted, crouching next to the empty fireplace and feeling around. Making the noise of his tongue clicking when he finds it totally vacant.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  “Sucks for them, I’ve been told I’m a handful.” Evelyn snorted, mildly amused as she was picking up a warm looking jacket from her chair. Putting it on, she looked out the wall height windows on the city below. Rain poured, people and vehicles continued to move in their usual patterns. Nothing was out of place.

   “You are a handful, which is why I’m not surprised.” the figure joins her next to the window with a jacket of their own. “Do you really think it’ll be a hundred years before they’re ready?” he asks, nodding out the window.

  Evelyn studies the streets some more, it always seemed to be raining before she left a place.

  “Your associates might be ready, but the boy isn’t.” the last words left before the figure is left alone staring out the windows of the office. He turns around to survey the vacant office

  “Our deal is still on Evelyn! The Sons are patient!” They sigh and go back to watching the rain. The lights below seem to speed by in short pulses. In the blink of an eye the streets are in twilight, and the rain seems to have intensified.

  “He’s more than ready, you stubborn child.” The figure mumbled after a long pause of staying still. The their head and pull out a cellphone. A soft female tone answers once he puts it to his ear.

  “Yes hello. I’m Mr. Keys, Is Dominic in? Yes, if I could I’d like to speak with him, this is about his mother. Thank you.”

  “This is Dominic.” A male voice answers after a short minute or two of waiting.

  “Yes, Dominic nice to hear from you, I’m Mr. Keys. I’m calling about your mother.”