Aly sat silently for a moment, her sharp mind weighing the risks and rewards. “What do you need?”

Lilly’s eyes lit up. “We’ll need a secluded space to perform the ritual—a place where we won’t be disturbed."

Alph chimed in,

“I can arrange the space, boss. There’s an unused storage room on Level Four. It’s quiet, out of the way, and no one will bother them there.”

Aly nodded slowly.

“Fine. You’ll have what you need. But I want constant updates. Alph, you’ll oversee their work and report directly to me.”

“Understood,” Alph replied, his tone serious.

Anderson and Lilly both bowed slightly. “Thank you, Lady Eldalis.,” Anderson said.

Aly’s lips curled into a small, dangerous smile.

“See that you don’t. Distantias has been a thorn in my side for far too long."

The two men turned to leave, their steps purposeful as they exited the room. Alph lingered for a moment, waiting for Aly’s final word.

“Alph,” she said, her tone softer but still commanding.

“Yes, boss?”

“Keep an eye on them. They seem loyal, but magic users are often too ambitious for their own good. Make sure their loyalty lies with us, not their own schemes.”

Alpha gave a single nod. “You got it, boss. I’ll handle it.”

Alexander Distantias would fall. And when he did, it would send a message to every organization on the Blue Hope: Eldalis was not to be crossed.

-

Aly Eldalis leaned forward in her chair, her piercing eyes locked onto Anderson and Lilly as they stood before her.

Anderson cleared his throat and began, his deep voice steady and deliberate.

“Lady Eldalis, our approach is straightforward but highly effective. I will conjure what is known as a Haunting Beast—a spectral entity designed to infiltrate and unsettle the target. This beast will serve as the vessel for Lilly’s curse.”

Aly raised an eyebrow; her interest piqued.

“A Haunting Beast? Explain its nature.”

Anderson nodded.

“It’s an ethereal creature, invisible to most forms of detection. It moves silently, capable of passing through physical barriers and magical wards unless they’re specifically designed to repel conjured entities. The beast’s primary role is to attach itself to the target, creating a channel through which the curse can take effect.”

Aly tapped her fingers on the desk.

“And this curse? How does it function?”

Lilly, standing slightly behind Anderson, stepped forward. Her voice was calm but carried an edge of confidence.

“The curse is a focused one, Lady Eldalis. Once the Haunting Beast establishes a link with the target, it will transmit the curse. This isn’t a generic curse meant to cause random harm—it’s precise. The effects can be tailored based on your preferences: paralysis, disorientation, or even death. The key is ensuring the target is marked by the beast first.”

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Aly’s sharp gaze flicked between the two mages.

“And what are the risks? What could go wrong?”

Anderson answered without hesitation.

“The primary risk lies in the conjuration phase. The Haunting Beast requires a stable environment to manifest. If it’s interrupted, the spell collapses, and we’d need to start over. Additionally, while the beast itself is nearly undetectable, it’s not invincible. If someone realizes what it is and dispels it, the curse cannot be delivered.”

Lilly added, her tone measured,

“And my curse has a specific condition, Lady Eldalis. For it to take full effect, I must maintain uninterrupted visual contact with the target during the final casting phase. If my gaze is broken, the curse fails.”

Aly frowned, leaning back in her chair. “You need to stare at the target? That seems like a vulnerability.”

Lilly didn’t flinch. “It is, but it’s a manageable one. That’s why we prefer situations where the target is isolated or unaware of our presence. Once I establish eye contact, the curse activates almost immediately. The challenge lies in ensuring I’m not disrupted during that critical moment.”

“And the materials?” Aly asked, her tone sharp. “You mentioned needing materials before. Are they still necessary?”

Anderson hesitated for a moment, then spoke. “If Lilly’s curse succeeds, the materials aren’t required. Her direct approach eliminates the need for additional magical support. However, if she’s interrupted or if the target avoids her gaze, the curse won’t take hold. In that case, we’d rely on the materials to amplify the Haunting Beast’s potency, increasing its ability to latch onto the target without her direct involvement.”

Lilly subtly added,

“The materials are a contingency, Lady Eldalis, not a necessity. With proper execution, we can achieve our goal without them. But it’s wise to have them ready just in case.”

Aly studied the two mages, her expression unreadable.

“You sound confident. But confidence alone doesn’t win battles. Tell me this—how do you ensure the target won’t realize what’s happening?”

Anderson smirked slightly.

“The Haunting Beast operates in the background, Lady Eldalis. Most targets won’t even know it’s there. It doesn’t attack or engage; it simply watches and waits. When the time is right, it creates the link for Lilly’s curse. The beauty of this approach is its subtlety. No one notices until it’s too late.”

Aly nodded slowly. “And if the target is protected by bodyguards or other mages?”

Lilly’s lips curled into a faint smile.

“The Haunting Beast avoids unnecessary conflict. It can slip past physical guards without issue. As for mages, unless they’re actively scanning for conjured entities, they won’t sense it. Even if they do, they’d need to act quickly to dispel it, and by then, the curse would likely already be in motion.”

Aly leaned forward again, her elbows resting on the desk.

“This Alexander Distantias you’re targeting—he’s careful, reclusive. What if he never allows himself to be seen? How do you make eye contact then, Lilly?”

Lilly’s smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of determination.

“That’s where we rely on our intelligence network, Lady Eldalis. If he’s truly as elusive as they say, then we find someone close to him—someone who has seen him recently. Once we have even the smallest thread of a connection, I can extend the curse’s reach through that link. It’s more complicated, but it’s possible.”

Aly tapped her fingers against the desk again, her mind racing.

“And what if he’s shielded by powerful wards or enchantments?”

Anderson answered, his tone unwavering. “That’s why we move carefully. We’ll test his defenses before committing to the full spell. If we encounter resistance, we adjust our strategy accordingly.”

Aly sat back, her gaze piercing.

“This is a delicate operation. One mistake could expose us, and I’m not in the business of making mistakes. If you fail, it won’t just be your lives on the line—it’ll be the Eldalis family’s reputation.”

Lilly met Aly’s gaze, unflinching. “We understand the stakes, Lady Eldalis. We’ve done this before, and we’ll do it again. Trust us to see it through.”

For a long moment, the room was silent. Then Aly nodded. “Fine. You have your orders. Alpha will ensure you have the materials and the space you need. I expect results—and no excuses.”

Anderson and Lilly bowed their heads in unison. “We won’t disappoint you, Lady Eldalis,” Anderson said firmly.

As they turned to leave, Alpha stepped forward, giving Aly a reassuring nod. “I’ll keep them in line, boss. You have my word.”

“You’d better,” Aly replied, her voice cold but resolute. “This plan is the beginning of something much bigger. Don’t fail me.”

With that, the three of them left the room, leaving Aly alone with her thoughts.