Kavisha trudged through the fog-shrouded alleys of lower old town, her boots splashing in shallow puddles that reflected the dim glow of distant lanterns. The building she was headed to loomed ahead.

  It's a crumbling stone work and faded facades harkening to its once the proud past as a successful merchant's home. However with the empire's new peace the middle class had moved to new and more spacious homes in New Town.

  The home's stone facade was now marred by a century of neglect. Black mold crawled like veins up the walls, and grime streaked the windows, giving it the appearance of a forsaken husk. But Kavisha knew better; this was no abandoned ruin.

  Inside the husk of a building was a richly appointed home.

  She rapped sharply on the weathered oak door, the sound echoing faintly in the quiet street. It creaked open almost immediately, revealing the hulking frame of Jake who filled the doorway.

  The man was a mountain of muscle with broad shoulders. His entire physique seemed to be straining against the ill-fitting butler's coat.

  Though no was truly fooled, with every knowing Jake was the chief enforcer and right hand for his master.

  He had cauliflower ears and a scruffy beard framing his face.

  With the sight of him being enough to scare even the biggest longshoreman.

  Yet when he spotted her, his stern features cracked into a wide, toothy grin.

  "Kavisha," he rumbled, his voice a low gravelly baritone laced with genuine warmth.

  She snorted, crossing her arms over her chest.

  "Don't start, Jake. I'm not in the mood for your games tonight." though she could never be really mad at him. Unlike most, Kavisha was more familiar with Jake's affable side. In fact he was the one who taught her how to fight with both knives and fists.

  He chuckled softly, holding up his massive hands in mock surrender, his hands a road map to half a dozen fights.

  Without a word, he stepped aside and led her through the narrow foyer. The contrast was immediate: the exterior's filth gave way to warmth and luxury.

  Crystal sconces flickered with enchanted light that cast a blue hue over the velvet-upholstered chairs and fine paintings in the hall. While the scent of jasmine incense wafted through the air, masking any lingering dockside odors.

  They ascended a curved staircase to the upper floor, stopping at a large heavy door.

  Jake knocked once before pushing it open, revealing Sookesh's study. Bookshelves lined the room's walls.

  While a massive desk dominated the center of the room its surface filled with paper work and ledgers.

  Sookesh himself sat demurely behind the desk with his legs crossed.

  At first glance he looked more like a merchant's young wife than the brutish image one might have of Haigan's most notorious gang leader.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  His gang controlled everything from smuggling rings, protection rackets, underground fights, and even whispers of assassination contracts.

  Thus, if it was profitable and illegal, Sookesh had his "dirty little hands" in it, as the streets liked to say.

  Yet, as mentioned, he looked nothing like the thug his reputation suggested. His lithe form was dressed in a flowing silk dress typical of a highborn merchant's wife.

  The dress was made with a deep crimson fabric embroidered with gold threads that accentuated his slender waist and sensual limbs. His raven-black hair was braided in the ankalipin style, his only hint to non apsara that he was a man.

  He looked up as they entered, his movements showing a dancer's grace. While a radiant smile bloomed on his face. "Oh, Jake dear, thank you ever so much for bringing dear Kavisha in for me," he purred in a melodic, feminine voice.

  Then with a theatrical flourish, he blew a kiss toward Jake.

  The enforcer, normally a terrifying figure who could snap a man's neck without breaking a sweat, visibly blushed, his cheeks flushing crimson beneath the scruff. He ducked his head awkwardly, muttering something incoherent before retreating and closing the door behind him.

  Few in Hagian's underworld knew that Jake and Sookesh were lovers. As their bond a closely guarded secret both for their reputations and because sodomy was illegal and frowned on by the church.

  Kavisha rolled her eyes, though a fond smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. "Uncle," she said, her tone exasperated but affectionate, "if you're done teasing Uncle Jake, I need to ask you a favor."

  Sookesh's eyes sparkled with amusement as he got up and glided over to her, his silk dress whispering against the floor. "Uncle," he echoed with a soft laugh, placing a manicured hand over his heart. Kavisha wasn't truly his niece biologically, at least.

  As a child scavenging the streets with Lucien she'd run into the crime boss who had taken an interest in her and by extension Lucien, mostly because she was a fellow apsara in a city with few of their race.

  When Kavisha was younger she had briefly clung to childish fantasies that Sookesh was her father. Though she knew that was impossible now. Though, even as she distanced herself from his criminal empire she and Lucien still maintained a familial bond with him and Jake.

  "Anything for you, my darling niece," he replied, his voice velvety and warm, like honeyed wine. He perched on the edge of his desk, folding his hands demurely in his lap. She sighed once more and leaned against a bookshelf.

  "I need the location of a young noble who just arrived in the city. She has blond hair and blue eyes and wears really gaudy armor.”

  When she finished her description Sookesh was already tapping a finger against his chin as his mind began shifting through the web of informants that fed him Hagian's secrets. After a moment, he nodded.

  "Ah, yes. The Graceful Doe, in Upper Old Town, the ducal suite."

  Kavisha straightened, committing the name to memory. The Graceful Doe was a respectable inn, catering to nobility and wealthy travelers. "Thank you, uncle. Truly." He waved a dismissive hand, but his eyes softened.

  "No need for thanks, child. Family looks after family." She stepped forward, pressing a quick kiss to his smooth cheek, the scent of his jasmine perfume lingering for a moment as she pulled away.

  From her pocket, she drew a silver pence as payment for the information and placed it on the desk. Sookesh protested mildly, but she was already turning toward the door.

  "Stay safe out there, niece," he called after her, his voice laced with genuine concern.

  Kavisha paused at the threshold, glancing back with a wry smile.

  "Always do."

  Then she slipped out, descending the stairs past a still-flustered Jake, and melted into the night-shrouded streets.

  ****The next day****

  The apartment Kavisha and Lucien shared was modest, and it felt positively cramped thanks to Lucien's size. It consisted of just two rooms warmed by a small fireplace in the main living area, its hearth cracked from years of use. T

  he place was decidedly run-down with bare brick walls exposed where plaster had long since crumbled away. The floors were scuffed and uneven. With the room having a persistent draft whispering through ill-fitting window frames.

  Kavisha stood in the smaller bedroom, the one she claimed as her own, carefully slipping into a dress she had bought specifically for Sunday church services. It was far more feminine and frilly than her usual attire.

  The dress was a soft lavender with delicate lace trim along the neckline and sleeves while the skirt fell in gentle layers to her ankles. Still, as the cool material settled against her skin, a faint smile tugged at her lips.

  Even if this was just for a con, it still felt... nice.

  She took a little extra care with herself, smoothing the fabric, adjusting the fit, cleaning her boots until they were presentable rather than merely functional.

  And for once, she left her hair loose, letting it fall freely down her back instead of braiding it.

  When she stepped out of her room, Lucien looked up from looking out the window. He froze for a moment, blinking. “You look nice,” he said simply, a small, genuine smile tugging at his tusked grin.

  Kavisha waved him off, though she looked faintly pleased.

  She gathered her paperwork, the guild documents, contract forms, and permits she had to have, and slid them into her bag.

  Then she slung the strap over her shoulder and nodded toward the door.

  “Come on,” she said. “Let’s go meet a knight.”