July 3, at the agreed-upon time of seven in the evening.
It had rained all day, and had only just let up. The road was still a little slippery, so the driver proceeded with great care to keep the tires from skidding and disturbing the young lady in the back seat.
Neon hummed softly to herself, bobbing her head with excitement. She looked just like a little girl on her way to a field trip.
Her maid, Alisa, was much more composed. She sat turned slightly toward Neon, smiling serenely, with her hands resting on her thighs beneath her kimono. In temperament, she seemed more like Neon's older sister.
In truth, although Neon and Alisa were mistress and servant, they had been together for many years. Having spent so much time side by side, they had grown quite close.
Daznuo sat in the passenger seat. From time to time, he glanced at the streets passing outside, then used the rearview mirror to check on the young lady in the back.
The young lady could afford to relax, but he, the captain of her guard, could not.
Fortunately, the Nosra Family's five black cars made it out of the main road in the west district of Twin City without a hitch and pulled up beside the Theodore River.
A cool night breeze stirred. The river reflected the crescent moon above and the streetlights along its banks, their glow broken into shimmering fragments.
Neon got out of the car and immediately stretched, breathing in the fresh air. She narrowed her eyes with pleasure. Even twenty minutes in the car had been enough to make her feel stifled.
"Miss," Alisa reminded her from the side. "Someone's coming."
Only then did Neon turn around. A short figure was approaching from the riverbank, carrying a