“We have an important job.” Kayson leaned on the counter of a wooden table. Dim chatter from the restaurant he’d dragged us to rang loose in my ears. Suzaki and I paid close attention to Kayson while Bruno and Eve engaged in a silly pizza-eating contest. The cramped booth didn’t help my mood.

This uptown joint paid the Brass Kings to keep trouble from their hair. Marrizo’s Pizzas. It bordered on being a mockery of Italian with its comical chef mascot. I leaned back in my chair, fighting to keep my ears tuned to Kayson while having to watch Bruno and Eve shove pizza down their throats. It was alarming how much that tiny girl could eat.

Kayson sighed. “Fine, you two can have it your way. If you fail to follow my directions, you can go sewer diving as punishment.” He shifted his attention toward Suzaki and me; neither Bruno nor Eve wanted to lose their game.

“We’ll be infiltrating a vital and illicit Crimson Eagle business. With guidance, I’ve tracked down a front for where they sell their underground alchemy supplies,” Eve stopped with a pizza halfway in her mouth. She removed the pizza and set it down on her plate, causing Bruno to cheer in victory.

“Shit, really?” she asked. I rubbed my eyes; illegal alchemy was a sure-fire way to piss off the Segreto and Sects in one swoop.

“Yes, really. Our Captain thought it best to target their sources of income. So I launched an investigation and have watched this dealer for a few days now. We get information off of him and then get their alchemist.”

I let out a low whistle. Alchemy had strict oversight from the Sects and required a lot of schooling and permits. Only then were the highest levels achieved by cultivators with compatible Soul Seeds. And if they fucked up? You were in for an awful time, saddled with products that ruined bodies and Souls. It was the one thing that deserved high regulation.

Though, the Segreto probably had a monopoly on any underground sales. It wouldn’t surprise me if they had an oversea supplier or received the drugs from the Sects themselves. They were professional criminals, unlike our motorcycle gang. And I knew for a fact they didn’t like anyone stepping on their toes in the drug game. Selling dangerous products was terrible for business and was something that the Sects would get off their laurels to crack down on. It could, in the wrong circumstances, directly challenge their power.

“Why don’t we rat out the Crimson Eagles to the Segreto?” I asked.

“Who do you suppose tipped us off about the illegal alchemy sales? Our Captain got the information from one of their go-betweens. When it comes to street gangs, they prefer not to get their hands dirty. It’s easier for them to use us to sort out their issues.” Kayson said.

“Alright, sorta tracks.” It frustrated me that people didn’t straightforwardly deal with shit. All this back-of-the-room bullshit. What was the point of power if you did nothing with it?

“Nobody likes to feel controlled, especially unruly street gangs. They want this handled without the Sects noticing, which they would if the Segreto dealt with it personally. If you put the pieces together, it’s not hard to understand. But for our purposes, we’re more concerned about hitting our enemy's revenue stream; everyone wins.”

I liked the way he broke it down. Kayson explained without that same insufferable condescending attitude Tristan always had. I relaxed, less on edge. Sure, we were taking a risk for the sake of the Segreto. But this was set up for us to take advantage of. We weren’t liable to get stabbed in the back by the Segreto afterward for taking this alchemist. Or, I hoped not.

“S-so we find out where their alchemist is, then what?” Suzaki leaned in.

Kayson rubbed his neck. While he thought, I took a closer look at this fake Italian place. At our lieutenant’s request, the owner gave us a booth in the corner, at least two empty seats away from anyone else. Not that anybody would want to sit near us, given we were all decked out in Brass Kings colors. Even if most people considered our gang more organized and reasonable than the Crimson Eagles, it didn’t give us a friendly reputation.

I sighed. I hated this place. It reeked of garlic and desperation, and the food was too damn greasy.

“Well, what comes after is still in contention. That’s above our scope. First, we track down this alchemist; it’ll reflect well on the Seventh Division. We’ll let the captains worry about it afterward.”

“Aint Alchemists supposed to be like, real dangerous?” I asked.

Kayson nodded. “Sometimes. Most of the time, an alchemist is the type of person who spends all day in a lab stuffed with equipment and paid to pump out drugs. We’re not like the United Eastern Nations. The Rising Sun has standardized their alchemy; only those with talent or Soul Seeds maintain the practice. We’re a far cry from the old days. I doubt whoever the Crimson Eagles found is a major threat.”

It made enough sense. Since the Immortal of Knowledge, Johann Schäfer, came to the Rising Sun, he forced specific standards and oversight in his businesses. Our Alchemists weren’t hermits stuffed away in caves or Sect masters. The traditional practice of alchemy was largely outsourced to the tech companies in our country. Master alchemists employed cutting-edge equipment and trained mortals to produce superior products. In return for control over alchemical drugs, the Sects gave Schäfer and its partners’ tax breaks.

A big old corporate fuck fest. Just thinking about the entire thing made me itch. My thoughts turned to the jade pill bottle hidden in my room. It was the exact sort of drug Sects used. More than likely made in a lab like we were talking about. Where did Romeo get a hold of it, and what did it do?

“Don’t have to worry about that. Nobody is a threat when I’m here! Haha!” Bruno flexed a bicep, making Eve groan. I shook my head and laughed. Immortals-damned dofus.

“Alright then, let’s get this damn alchemist. I think it’s a bad idea to get mixed up with this sorta crap, but if we’re gonna do it, we should do it quickly.” Too much about this might backfire.

“Don’t be angry, Luca! We’ll find someone to challenge to a glorious duel; I’ve been seeking a good brawl after that young master! Oh, Immortals, they’re my favorite type! The only thing better is the big-headed—“ Bruno said.

“Quit reminding me. The Captain is still upset about that. But no, I’m hoping this doesn’t lead to any fights at all.” Kayson rubbed his eyes.

“Was it that much trouble?” I asked.

“Well, what did you expect, dumbass? You two beat up someone in a sect—“ Eve began to pipe up before Kayson shot her a withering glare. It was good he did because I was a second away from opening my mouth to shoot an insult back at her.

“Luca. You’re going to be performing a very special role. I’ve considered your placement on this team. This is going to require you to expand your skill set.”

“And what the hell does that mean?”

“You need to specialize. You’re quick on your feet, and both you and your Soul Ability are adaptable. You’ll make for a good frontman.”

I gave him a nervous look. I did not like where this was going.

Kayson gave out the details of the job. I would have to go into a club and somehow convince them to let me into their secret fighting pit as a spectator. That was where the dealer was; from there, I had to get the dealer to sell me drugs. He’d stay outside and use his spiders to keep tabs on what was going on inside.

My only backup for this dangerous-as-hell mission was Eve.

“What the fuck do you mean, she’s posing as my date?” I interrupted him, shocked. Eve looked equally as upset. Which made sense; we hated each other.

“With the rest of us outside, she’s the best option. The two of you have synergy—if something goes wrong, Eve can stun, and your ability will find you a way out. You’re quick on your feet and can take advantage of the situation. Also, she’s essential as a pickpocket. During the deal, you distract the seller, and she’ll swipe their phone.”

“Give me anyone else but her.” I jerked a thumb towards Bruno and Suzaki. Eve scowled. If I thought she was angry at Kayson, her expression turned downright murderous for me.

“Send me in alone. I don’t need him.” Eve said, her voice laced with rage.

“Oh yeah? You’d freeze up like when we broke into that studio last—“

“Excuse me?” Kayson interrupted. Eve launched over the table, shoving her hand over my mouth.

“Fine, fine. We’ll do it.” She answered, silencing any attempt I made to contradict her.

We finished up the meal. Kayson went over some particulars of the plan before he dismissed us. After this, he had a meeting to attend with the Captain. The Crimson Eagles escalated over the past week. They randomly jumped our guys in the streets, wrecked our bikes, and hunted down our businesses. The Captain wanted to strategize on prevention methods to protect her division.

It got worse. Tristan appeared to have the most success at hitting the Crimson Eagles back. Not only was he gaining favor with the Viceroy, but he was also courting the other Captains with elaborate gifts. Of course, that asshole then turned around and used his increasing fame to apply more pressure on our division. Demanding we contribute more, to throw our bodies at the enemies. I had to admit our incident in the Lantern District didn’t help things. It became apparent this job needed to go off without a hitch.

Was he petty enough to target this division for harboring? That fucking psycho. Did killing Captain Till not do enough for him? Guilt layered in me for putting my new friends at risk.

I resolved to double down on my training. If I got strong enough, it would be enough to keep the psycho from gunning after me. Were he to ignore that, I’d cut him down. Each night I still pictured that bloody knife of his stabbing into Till, then plunging into me. Once I dealt with him, I’d sleep a lot easier.

Eve suggested we all—aside from Kayson—spend the night at a concert. Bruno and Suzaki agreed. And since they were in, I reluctantly went too.

The tense air between us didn’t let up, even with the relaxing swing-rap of the isles playing on blast. It didn’t make it less fun, but I still felt anxiety’s claws digging into me. At one point, it almost felt like I belonged, that I was one of the group.