“Master Durbin, I can assure you that I have provided you with everything I know about the task and your targets. And I did warn you about the targets being connected to Josephine Wong, the new liaison of the Division in this area. So you should have been made aware of the risks.” Carol Summers did not appear pleased by the direct calling out of her real name, she then walked towards a meeting room down the hallway from the bedroom she was just in: “You know she is dangerous, and her associates are capable - and you agreed - ”

“No, this man is no known associate of Josephine Wong. I am pretty sure of it.” Timothy Durbin shook his head and followed: “I don’t know him. And I know most, if not all of her most powerful associates, Blue, Nameless, Pei, that Lycan black sheep Alexander, even those in the Grant Academy and Assembly of Knights. No, I do not recognize this man.”

“What does he look like?” Carol Summers stopped in front of the door to the meeting room: “What kind of power does he wield?”

“I cannot tell.” Timothy Durbin said: “It happened too fast, and it was just a flash of blinding lights - of golden lightning. This is not just me, none of the others, those whom he did not target, could tell what it was, or who he was.”

“If he’s this powerful. Then how come you are here with your complaint and accusation of incompetence?”

“I did not see it. But according to the testament of the others - his figure dissipated after he delivered that strike that broke my mortality scapegoat. He either simply left, or that was just a temporary projection of him. Either way, it would be a great concern.”

“What did he say?” Caroli Summers’ frown almost could not get any heavier: “Did he state his reasons for stopping you?”

“The targets you sent us after, they are his students or his disciples.” Timothy Durbin said: “But you told us they were just a couple of talented civilian born mages. This is a gross mishandling of intelligence, one for which you should know that I will hold you accountable. You better - ”

The glass in Carol Summers’ hand exploded, tiny pieces of sharp glass and droplets of drink shot everywhere. Even the agitated Timothy Durbin was startled by this sudden happening and backed off a little.

“No. You’d better listen and listen carefully. I will not be accused, threatened or arbitrarily demanded of by some wheezing old bag of dying flesh that used to be a disgraced knight!” Carol Summers’ voice was raised and at the same time became colder, the room grew dimmer and the air seemed to have frozen as she spoke: “You signed the contract, you agreed to the terms and you were made fully aware of the risks. What do you think those materials you are recklessly and foolishly squandering daily with little regard are for? So the way I see it, you were ambushed, you let your guard down and you failed, which cost me a crucial piece of artifact. So you go recover, while we still have use for you, do you understand?”

Timothy Durbin was stunned for a brief moment, then he huffed and walked away.

“Anything else you’d like to say, Emilia?” Carol Summers turned to Emilia Corin: “Be quick, because I have a meeting with a fellow high broker.”

“I - I just wanted to say I know them - two of the targets at least.” Emilia Corin chose to speak in a softer and calmer tone: “I saw them a few times - they work for an inn in San Jose. And they saved me from the assault of some of my family members. They did not appear to be - to be this strong back then ...”

“Oh? That’s quite interesting.” Carol Summers raised her left eyebrow: “So, even with your ability, and with the leather armor and the swords, they still slipped through your fingers?”

“I know - I know. Even Beatrice had trouble dealing with them. I just quite don’t understand, how - ”

“My intel said they were from civilian backgrounds, and displayed no specific magical talents when they were young.” Carol Summers nodded and said: “So they must have been wearing powerful artifacts like you were.”

“Yeah … yeah.” Emilia Corin frowned, she decided not to mention Caroline’s comment on her power being borrowed.

“Which inn is this?” Carol Summers asked: “Tell me the name of this inn they work for.”

-------------------------------

“Greetings, Ms. Summers.” accompanied by three men in suits, all of whom had a tattoo on their neck, Soren Lupei, one of the six high brokers of the Exalted Bondsmen, liaison for lycans, vampires and netherborn came into the mansion and was greeted by Carol Summers herself: “How is this newly renovated mansion treating you?”

“Good, and thank you for holding back on the bid.” Carol Summers smiled and showed the men the way into the mansion and into their meeting room: “Before we start, can I introduce you to some drinks, or snacks if you’d like?”

“We’ll have some of your wine, if that’s okay.” Soren Lupei sat down with Carol Summers by the central table: “I heard that you’ve had some pretty interesting investments in wineries lately.”

“And you heard right. But I didn't do it for the wine, I did it for the soil and the locations.” Carol Summers waved her hand at the maid that was in the bedroom with her, and the maid brought out a transparent bottle of chilled wine, along with several glasses.

“So. First things first.” after taking a sip of the chilled wine, Soren Lupei reached into her suit jacket and pulled out a small folder, then pushed it towards Carol Summers: “Intel sharing, one of my favorite parts of our alliance.”

Carol Summers picked up the folder and started reading the contents within, something concerning caught her eye, and she started frowning as she continued reading.

“Lucias Vyn, that old hag has some tricks.” Carol Summers sighed and put the folder down on the table: “Who would’ve thought she’s the one with the second most connections to the Grant Academy? How reliable is this?”

“Some unfortunate guy stumbled onto our turf and gave us this to keep himself alive. So make of it what you will.” Soren Lupei shrugged and looked Carol Summers in the eye: “It did check out with some other things we’ve heard - the tunnel was burnt, by someone unknown. And the beast inside was released.”

“I’m glad we know this before we act. But I didn’t burn it.” Carol Summers shook her head: “I still have a lot of use for it, not to mention the fact that I have a lot of vested interest in its establishment.”

“Well, as far as I know. Tamil Brooke didn’t burn it, and neither did Lucias Vyn.”

“How can you be sure? She hid her connections pretty well, maybe she had other motives.”