"Griseo, what story are you drawing this time?"
A few days later, in the art studio on the third floor of the video store, sunset light streamed through the window and washed the pale gray floor in warm gold.
Belle munched on potato chips as she watched Griseo draw to her heart's content. More precisely, she was there to ask when the next installment would be ready.
After spending twenty-four hours with Elysia and Eden, Belle seemed to have awakened something.
Griseo was, of course, working on the next issue of The Stars. But why did the title and characters of her new story seem so familiar?
"Belle, do you want to read it?"
"Yeah! Let me see!"
"TOPS's Number One Songstress and Her Personal Bodyguard"
"One last job. Once it's done, we'll be even!"
Dark-gold tassels hung from the vaulted ceiling. A draft carried the mellow scent of century-old whiskey through the room.
In a small bar in New Eridu, light from the crystal chandeliers shifted across the room. Its patrons looked like people who moved freely between the city's light and shadow.
In one corner, a blonde beauty sat quietly, turning a dagger over in her hand.
Across from her sat an elderly man in a gentleman's suit. He placed an envelope on the table and slid it toward her.
The blonde lowered her gaze. Her bright violet eyes settled on the envelope.
A three-inch photograph was attached to it. The woman in the picture was none other than TOPS's Number One Songstress, Astra Yao.
"Got it," the blonde said. She took the envelope and rose to leave.
"Wait!"
The old man stopped her. She paused with her suit jacket in hand and turned her head slightly.
"What is it?"
"You really are cold. After all the