C15 The Charity Gala Trap

The charity gala in Lagos shimmered with gold lights, loud laughter, and perfumed air. Tall glass towers reflected the moon like they were plotting something. Inside the main hall, elites moved like colorful fish in a coral reef, oblivious to the storm brewing in the shadows.

Adaeze entered wearing a simple black gown Chisom designed to hide her weapons. Zarah wore a red dress sharp enough to stab someone without moving. Kachi had on a suit but somehow made it look like battle armor.

Chisom adjusted his glasses and whispered, “Remember, Karynda said he’d be here. But so will whoever wants to capture you.”

Adaeze scanned the crowd. Her pulse felt like it was tapping out a warning. She didn’t trust the music. She didn’t trust the laughter. She didn’t trust the way the chandeliers flickered like blinking eyes.

Then she saw him.

Karynda.

Leaning against a balcony. Mask gone. Face unfamiliar but gaze painfully known.

She started toward him… but someone stepped in front of her.

A woman in a silver dress.

Smiling.

Eyes sharp as broken mirrors.

“Hello, Adaeze,” she said softly. “I was wondering when I’d meet the girl causing so much trouble.”

Adaeze stiffened. “Who are you?”

The woman’s smile widened.

“I am Omalicha. Head of the Oracle Restoration Council.”

Chisom swore under his breath. “That’s the group that wants to rebuild the Core. The illegal one.”

Omalicha ignored him.

“You carry something precious,” she whispered to Adaeze. “Something we have been waiting for. And tonight, you will give it to us.”

She snapped her fingers.

The lights went out.

Screams erupted.

And Adaeze felt a cold needle of fear slide down her spine as guards surrounded them from every direction.

The gala wasn’t a meeting place.

It was a trap.

And they had walked in smiling.