Dominic Gray

Sarah Sinclair. Another one of the dirty rats working with The Prophecy. Her boyfriend James Reed is a dirty little liar. He is working for The Prophecy as well, but he has that girl under his wraps. What she doesn't know is that her boyfriend is not what he says he is. He is working for the higher-ups in The Prophecy, and as much as I would like to kill him, it would disrupt my plan. But his time is coming soon, that much I could promise him.

Sarah's parents met a tragic end, victims of the very darkness that now threatens to consume her. Their deaths haunt her every step, a reminder of the danger that lurks within The Prophecy's shadowy grasp. And now, with James by her side, she walks a perilous path, unaware of the betrayal that awaits her.

I stare at the canvas sitting in the center of my studio completely devoid of paint. Sarah Sinclair's death was soon approaching as I needed blood to create yet another masterpiece for my Red Series.

With the name of the next victim burning in my mind, I knew that time was of the essence. I needed to know how the detectives were planning to counter my moves, to anticipate their every move and stay one step ahead of them at all times.

Challenging dear sweet and foolish Detective Victoria had been a calculated risk, one that I knew could either lead to my downfall or cement my dominance within The Prophecy. She was foolish enough to pick up a fight with me and now that she had I wasn't going to let go of her or her friend Xander so easily. But regardless of the outcome, I was determined to see it through to the end.

As the weight of my actions settled upon me, I felt a surge of adrenaline course through my veins.

Slipping through the shadows of the night, I made my way to the bustling police station, its walls pulsing with the frenetic energy of those who sought justice in a world teetering on the edge of chaos. With practiced ease, I bypassed the security measures and slipped inside, a silent specter in the heart of the lion's den.

Moving with purpose, I made my way to the heart of the station, where Victoria and her team labored tirelessly to unravel the mysteries that lay hidden within the darkness.

As I casually strolled through the bustling police station, I inwardly relished the thrill of being in the heart of the action. My senses keenly attuned to every movement around me, every opportunity for gathering information.

Suddenly, my leisurely pace is interrupted by an unexpected collision from behind. Whirling around, I find myself face to face with Detective Victoria Blackwood, her expression momentarily startled before recognition dawns in her eyes.

"Sorry about that," she apologizes, recovering quickly. "I didn't see you there."

I offer a charming smile, my heart quickening as I realize she's recognized me. "No harm done," I respond smoothly, my mind already anticipating her next words.

Blackwood's gaze lingers on me, a spark of recognition igniting in her eyes. "Wait a minute," she exclaims, her voice tinged with excitement. "You're... Ares Noir, aren't you? The artist?"

My pulse quickens with a mix of excitement and satisfaction. I nod, maintaining my calm demeanor despite the rush of adrenaline coursing through me. "Guilty as charged," I reply with a playful grin.

Victoria's surprise gives way to genuine delight, her face lighting up with a smile. "I'm a huge fan of your work," she says, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "Your pieces are so captivating, so... enigmatic."

I chuckle modestly, basking in the praise. "Thank you, Detective. It's always nice to meet a fan."

Eager to capitalize on the moment, Victoria reaches into her pocket and retrieves a notebook and pen. "Would you mind giving me an autograph?" she asks eagerly, extending the items towards me.

I accept them graciously, my mind already formulating my next move. "Of course not," I reply, quickly scribbling my signature onto the page before handing them back to her.

"Ares, please," I corrected with a playful smile, maintaining the façade of innocence. "Actually, I'm here to file a report for my missing car," I explained casually, hoping to deflect any suspicion.

Victoria nodded sympathetically; her attention momentarily diverted. "I'm sorry to hear that," she offered sincerely. "I'd be happy to help you with that."

As she guided me toward a desk to file the report, I subtly observed her, noting the pendant that hung around her neck. It was a familiar symbol, one that hinted at deeper connections and hidden truths.

The car I told her about was my parent's car which had disappeared after the incident making it impossible for her to find it but enough to not raise any suspicions about me.

"Nice pendant, Detective. Quite unique design. Is it yours?" I inquired casually, masking my curiosity beneath a veneer of charm.

Victoria's expression softened, a hint of sorrow flickering in her eyes. "Unique is one way to put it. It used to belong to my mother," she explained, her voice tinged with emotion.

"Used to?" I prompted gently, sensing an opportunity to glean more information.

"My mother and father died when I was young," Victoria revealed, her gaze distant. "It's one of the few things I have left of them."

"I'm sorry to hear that," I offered, careful not to push too hard. "What were their names?"

"Janet and Edward Blackwood," she replied with a bittersweet smile, her voice tinged with nostalgia.

Shifting the conversation to safer ground, I gestured toward the murder board visible in the next room. "How's your recent investigation going?" I inquired a note of intrigue in my tone.

I glanced at the board, feigning interest. "It looks quite intriguing," I remarked, hoping to steer the conversation in a direction that would benefit me.

"Can you show me the way to the washroom please?" I asked her.

"Sure, just around the corner towards the right," she replied, and I nodded.

As Victoria led me towards the washroom, I made a mental note of the station's layout, studying the architecture and memorizing the corridors. It was essential information for my plan to plant the camera and microphone later that night. I noted all the entrances and exit points, as well as the officers and detectives who would be on duty during the night shift.

After using the washroom, I thanked Victoria for her assistance, my mind already racing with plans for the valuable information I had obtained. With a final smile and a promise to keep her updated on the status of my missing car, I bid her farewell and slipped away, leaving Victoria none the wiser about my true intentions.

As I disappeared into the crowd, a sense of triumph surged through me. I was one step closer to achieving my objectives, to unravelling the mysteries that lay at the heart of The Prophecy.

...

The same night

Under the cover of darkness, the city sleeps, oblivious to the clandestine activities unfolding within its midst. Shrouded in the shadows, I move with the stealth of a predator through the deserted streets, my senses alert to every sound and movement.

Earlier that evening, I had encountered Detective Blackwood, a key player in my intricate game of deception. Feigning interest in the investigation board, I had subtly maneuvered the conversation, probing for weaknesses and opportunities to exploit. Victoria, unsuspecting, had obliged, leading me on a brief tour of the station before parting ways.

Now, armed with invaluable knowledge of the station's layout and security measures, I advance towards my target—the police station. My heart races with anticipation as I approach the imposing building, its facade looming ominously in the dim moonlight.

With the precision of a seasoned operative, I slip past the perimeter defenses, evading security cameras and patrols with practiced ease. Each step is calculated, each movement deliberate as I navigate the labyrinthine corridors of the station, my senses finely attuned to any sign of detection.

Finally, I reached my destination—the investigation room. With a deft hand, I retrieve the surveillance equipment concealed within my coat—a compact camera and microphone ingeniously disguised within innocuous objects. These tools of espionage are my allies, my silent witnesses to the machinations of those who would oppose me.

Carefully, and methodically, I position the devices, ensuring optimal coverage of the room. Every angle is considered, every blind spot accounted for as I set the stage for my covert operation. The tension in the air is palpable as I work, the weight of my mission pressing down upon me like a leaden cloak.

At last, with my task complete, I take a moment to survey my handiwork. The surveillance equipment is in place, poised to capture every whisper, every gesture of the detectives as they labor to unravel the mysteries before them. With a sense of grim satisfaction, I slip away into the night, leaving no trace of my presence behind.

As I fade into the shadows, a nagging thought tugs at the corners of my mind, urging me to delve deeper into the mysteries that surround Victoria Blackwood. The pendant she wears, once belonging to her parents Janet and Edward Blackwood, holds secrets I'm determined to uncover.

Edward Blackwood—a name that resonates with significance, linking Victoria to a past she may not fully comprehend. As the pieces of the puzzle begin to fall into place, a chilling realization dawns on me: Edward Blackwood, Victoria's father, is more deeply entwined in the web of darkness than she realizes.

My mind races with possibilities, each thread of connection leading me further down the rabbit hole of intrigue. Edward's involvement in The Prophecy, his connection to my own family, and his role in shaping Victoria's destiny—all these elements converge to form a sinister tapestry of deceit and betrayal.

But Edward's secrets are well guarded, hidden behind a facade of respectability and authority. Unraveling the truth will require finesse and cunning, qualities I possess in abundance. With each passing moment, I grow more determined to expose the darkness that lurks beneath the surface, to confront Edward Blackwood and reveal the secrets he has fought so hard to conceal.

As I slip away into the night, a sense of purpose fills me, driving me ever closer to the truth. Edward Blackwood may hold the key to unlocking the mysteries that haunt Victoria's past, but I am the one who will uncover them, no matter the cost. With determination burning in my veins, I set my sights on the next phase of my investigation, knowing that the answers I seek lie just beyond the shadows.

With each passing moment, Victoria Blackwood became an enigma I was increasingly compelled to unravel.