Chapter 55

Area Around Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Downtown Los Angeles, California, United States

Thankfully, there weren't any other stragglers, but there was one man missing and he was the one she needed or otherwise, this mission would be a complete failure. Without catching the ultimate bad guy behind this big heist, they would fail, leaving the mastermind on the loose, even if they did stop the actual robbery.

He's the only one left,Emperor said in her head. I sense him up there, on the other side of those tarp doors.

What's he doing? Gen asked.

He's about to put in the detonation code, Emperor answered.

Oh, hell.

With a burst of speed, Gen closed the distance between them, her footsteps silent. When she slipped through the hanging sheets of plastic, she saw the captain. He and the Chief of Police, Barry Fer, were the only two with the detonation code generators. The man's back was turned as he stood in front of a solid wall, oblivious to the fate that had befallen his men.

Maybe sensing Gen approaching, or seeing her shadow dancing on the dark wall in front of him, the captain spun around at once. He was a large man with dark hair and a boxy jaw. She instantly didn't like him, just based on the untrusting look in his eyes as they widened in shock and fear as he saw the figure emerging from the darkness like a vengeful wraith.

Before he could react, Gen was upon him, her hand closing around his wrist, spinning him around with a force gifted to her from her dragon. She twisted his arm around his back, fumbling for his free one, holding the detonation code generator. It clattered to the floor when she slammed him into the wall, pinning his arm there, keeping him in place. He was strong though and she knew that she couldn't hold him long, no matter what strength the chi of the dragon gave her.

She had the advantage due to surprise and needed to buy herself just long enough for Emperor to help. Therefore, she pulled the man back a couple inches, holding onto his wrist and shoulder and then slammed him into the wall again with a force that knocked the breath from his lungs. She leaned in close, her eyes gleaming with a fierce, primal intensity.

Do you have control over him?She asked her dragon in her head.

Yes, he answered with a growl.

Gen loosened her grip on the man, wanting to put as much space between her and him as she could. He smelled like sweat and tobacco and felt wrong to touch. However, as soon as her hands were releasing, she felt him do something he shouldn't have—move.

No!Emperor yelled in her mind. I don't have control over him yet. I thought I did.

It was too late and the captain whipped around, pulling his gun out of his holster and yanking it up, pointing it straight at Gen.

She backed up immediately, cycling through her options. Bellumferrum was probably her only hope, but she hadn't thought to retrieve it, too startled by this turn of events.

"Who are you?" the captain asked, releasing the safety from his gun, narrowing his eyes at her. "And how did you get past my men?"

"I-I-I…" She stalled, thinking of what she could say. How she could buy some time. Gen didn't want to get shot. Not ever, but not like this, so soon after starting her new life. Adrenaline and fear raced through her as she looked down the barrel of the gun, wishing she hadn't released the man, but knowing that she couldn't have held him long.

Then quite unexpectedly, the man started to lower his gun to the floor, a confused look on his face. He seemed like he was being operated by a puppeteer as he stood back up and blinked robotically at her.

I've got him,Emperor cheered in her head. Sorry about that and almost getting you shot. But he'll do whatever you want. Simply command him and he'll set the stage for act two of our plan.

Gen grinned with relief and triumph. She nodded to the man and pointed to his pocket. "Pull out your phone. I need you to make a call and you're going to say exactly what I tell you, no less and no more."