With the wind whipping around him like a fierce gale, Dranor stood on the roof of the very factory that Caspian and Erica had just left. His lips formed a thin line, gritted teeth hidden behind them. Fingernails dug into the skin of his palm as he clenched his hands into fists. They were not sharp, yet the hands were clenched together so hard that blood leaked from between his fingers.

Anger did not truly begin to describe what he felt. Neither did frustration. When Vanya had reported in with news that Erica would be leaving for a random inspection of this very factory, he'd concocted a plan to eliminate the woman outside of her tower. A little Alchemy to soften the metal and perfect timing should have been all it took to take her out right then and there. No one would have even suspected an assassination if she were felled by randomly falling steel bars.

The plan had been perfect. It should have gone off without a hitch.

Dranor glared down at the young man walking alongside a far-too-pleased Erica. As he watched them enter the MAFT, his mind churned with a million thoughts. How had that brat heard the steel grinding against its brethren? No human should have been able to hear such a soft noise over the roaring thrum of so many machines. Their ears lacked the acoustics necessary to achieve such an accomplishment.

He had clearly underestimated that young man.

After she had infiltrated Dorehan Tower, it had been determined by Vanya that killing Erica outside of the tower would be the best idea. They were not concerned about guards, or the Sorceress having any kind of advantage on her home turf. If anything, with the limited amount of space and the desire to spare her home of damage, she would have been at a distinct disadvantage should they choose to kill her in Dorehan Tower. What concerned them was evidence.

If Erica were to die inside of Dorehan Tower, everyone would know that her death had not been a natural one. A Sorceress dying in her own home was a preposterous notion. People would realize that foul play was involved. And once that happened, the Sorceress Council would get involved.

The last thing either of them needed was for Alicia Nueva to head up an investigation into Erica's death or—Spirits forbid—for Sylvia de Floresca to personally take part in the investigation. Erica might be a Sorceress, but she lacked the experience and power of older Sorceresses. In some ways, the woman was still green. Dranor was confident he could defeat her in a straight-up fight, but even he knew that it would be foolhardy to go up against someone of Alicia's or Silvia's level. They were beyond him.

"Did you eliminate Erica?"

"No."

Vanya must have heard the anger, disappointment and frustration in his voice, because her next words were soothing. "Do not fret, my love. There will be other occasions. I am sure we'll be able to kill her outside of her own territory."

"I am aware, but that does not make this failure any easier. I doubt we'll ever find a more perfect opportunity again."

This had been a once in a lifetime opportunity. Erica had been touring a dangerous facility, made even more dangerous by how low the safety standards of this refinery was compared to others. She had been without her Knight, and with only a young, fledgling boy training to become a Knight accompanying her. How often would a Sorceress be left so vulnerable?

Probably never.

"Please, do not let this bring you down. We will find a way. We always have."

"I... you're right. Of course you're right. I am sorry."

"There is no need to apologize. I understand your feelings. It is difficult to fail in such an important task, but we have not truly failed yet. There will be other opportunities. We simply have to wait for them."

Dranor smiled, even though he knew Vanya could not see it. She had always been an understanding woman. That patient and tolerant nature was part of the reason he loved her so much.

"What do you want to do now?"

Dranor thought for a moment, then sighed. "There is not much that we can do. I'll make a tactical withdrawal for now. Please remain in the tower and learn everything you can about the Sorceress. It's important that we kill her outside of Dorehan Tower."

"What if we cannot kill her outside of her home?"

Dranor grimaced. "Let us hope it does not come to that."

Dranor took one last look at the MAFT as it drove away, then leapt from the building and made for his temporary hideout in the city.

Another opportunity to kill Erica would come along, surely.

All he needed was a little patience.