Inheritance of Shadows [Hugo Vlad x Fem!OC]

Chapter 3: Honing the blade to dance through the night

Yukari stared at the new note, reading it aloud.

"When shadow meets sculpture in silence and stone..."

She taps the note with her finger, frowning in concentration.

"Sounds like a museum or gallery... somewhere quiet, with a focus on statues."

"And glass reflects what's never been shown..."

"Glass panels? Maybe something hidden behind display cases. Could be an exhibit that's either new, or showcasing something never before seen to the public."

"At the stroke when time forgets to chime..." She bites her lip.

"Time forgets to chime... No bells? Midnight? Or maybe a broken clock exhibit? Or... a silent hour when no announcement or chime rings, like 3 AM? No—wait, more likely, closing time. When everything falls silent."

"I'll take the eye that never blinks—Green, and trapped in time."

Her eyes widened slightly, her tail flicking back to back.

"An emerald. That's obvious. But not just any gem. 'Trapped in time' could refer to an ancient artifact—maybe from a pharaoh's tomb or some kind of fossilized or preserved jewelry."

She made Yurina search for an upcoming exhibit. She then showed Yukari the exhibit name;

"The Basilisk's Eye: The Myth of Eternal Gaze" –Opening tomorrow at the Verdant Crown Museum of Antiquities.

Then Yukari leaned in, grabbed her mouse and scrolled down, the picture was shown there. "Green, unblinking, ancient, and displayed behind glass... it's the only thing that fits." Yukari's gaze shifts back to the note.

Yurina, peering over her hand, whistles. "Mockingbird really likes being poetic, huh?" Her eyes flickered to Yukari, smiling smugly.

Yukari doesn't answer. Her focus sharpened.

"Closing hour tomorrow. He's planning to steal it right before the exhibit opens. When the museum is empty—silent—and the gem is most vulnerable."

She clenches the note, crumpling it.

"We won't let him get away with it."

"Ah! Don't destroy the note! Inspector is going to be-"

Then the Inspector barges in the room. "Where's the note that Mockingbird sent!" Then his eyes landed on Yukari's hand, where he could see the symbol of the Mockingbird hanging out of her fist. He popped a vein in his forehead and fumes puffed out of his ears.

"Yu-ka-RI!" Anger laced his words as Yukari gave a deadpanned smile.

Later, a bump was born on the side of her head. She silently sobbed to herself. "Why is he so mean to me, what did I even do? He even had a copy!"

Yurina was there, consoling her. "Now, now, the inspector was just as upset as you that he didn't capture the thief as well."

"Doesn't mean it gives him the right to put his frustration at me!" Her voice boomed in the toilet, readjusting her make up. Yurina washed her hands, feeling bad for her.

"You'll get him this time!" Her furred tail patted Yukari's back. "We'll make a breakthrough!" She flexed her arm, holding her bicep with her other free hand. Yukari smiled wryly, nevertheless her friend was a positive kitten to be around. She patted her head, which made her purr instinctively.

"Thanks Yurina." Yukari hummed.

"No problem, I'll get going. See you in a bit!"

Yukari waved her goodbye, and continued to fix herself up, until one of her items fell off the counter sink. She bent down to reach for it until something fell off of her pocket. A black envelope. A noticeable "M" symbol marked on the sealed wax print that enclosed the envelope.

"What is this? When did this end up in my pock-"

Her breath hitched, recalling back to that moment previously.

"Was it from that officer? He slipped it in my pocket while I was too engrossed in the note. Damn, he sneaked in."

She peeled off the wax and opened the note. She repeats the words out loud.

"The blade is honed, the night draws near,
But only you may cut through fear.
Let the others sleep in peace,