Ava was having a shit morning. Her company had chosen her to represent them in negotiations with the Mage's Guild at almost no notice. Her colleague who was supposed to do it, was arrested after being investigated for tax evasion of all things...stupid bastard should not have got caught. It completely ruined her plans for her thirtieth birthday. She sighed, she was not as prepared as she would like to be and had barely had any time to get ready. Her long black wavy hair was not co- operating so she had no option but to put it in a messy bun. Due to lack of sleep she was paler looking than normal. Her green eyes had bags under them. Her designer suit clung to her hourglass figure flawlessly. At least that part of her appearance was good today. She looked in the bathroom mirror studying her face. High cheekbones, almond shaped eyes, full lips, shame she looked so tired. She splashed water on her face, gave it a slap and headed off.
She arrived at the mages guild for the scheduled meeting with the guild master. She had reports that suggested he was an arrogant prick but she was used to dealing with that. She walked into the meeting room and there he sat. His appearance suggested late thirties but he was suspected to be older than that...by decades, no one knew for sure. He had tanned skin, white hair, an angular handsome face with piercing blue eyes. He was tall as he stood up to greet her, standing a full foot above her even with her heels, wearing a nice suit.
"You must be Ava, I'm Lasare." He greeted her with a smile.
"That's right, pleasure to meet you Lasare." She welded a smile on her face and held out a hand for a shake. He took it and gave it a respectable squeeze.
They both took seats at opposite ends of the meeting table.
"Shall we get started?" She asked, pulling out her files to check her figures.
"Straight to business, not one for small talk I take it?" He smirked at her.
"Well, I'm sure you're a busy man, I'm sure you are keen to get this done and return to your day." She kept the fake smile on her face.
"I've reviewed the figures and the price you are asking for is too high. It would behoove you to re-evaluate."
"My price is my price, you want the expertise of the Mage Guild you will pay us accordingly." He answered defensively.
"You say that, but you are not the only option here, we can go elsewhere." She retorted.
"An inferior, expensive option." He looked unimpressed.
"Maybe, but you are asking for so much that it would still be cheaper... also without the negative press the Mage Guild has been receiving lately." She raised an eyebrow.
He looked irritated.
"Negative press? Your own company has been receiving plenty of that for the scandal abroad with several of your board members."
She wore a wry smirk.
"Based on the testimony from a deeply unreliable witness who has since... decided to withdraw their accusation."
His tone became sardonic.
"I'm sure that was exactly the case."
Her tone became mocking.
"The Mage Guild on the other hand...The department head using a clairvoyance spell spy on a women's changing room. Your HR guy using a mage hand spell to grope women on the train. Then your deputy flashing people then hiding under an invisility cloak. Either you need to keep your staff in line or do a better job covering up their indiscretions."
Lasare looked incensed.
"If you think we have so much negative PR, why are you even entertaining this deal? I have removed the problematic elements from the guild. There is no justiable reason to undercut us like this."
She sniggered.
"You need to accept you don't bring the value to this deal you think you do. You've heard our offer. I'll give you some time to think about it."
Giving him a smug look.
He glared at her. Narrowing his eyes.
"Are you sure you want to insult the Mage Guild like this?"
She was derisive.
"Pfft mages, you're overrated, the whole lot of you. And you are just a conjurer of cheap tricks."
He suddenly became suspiciously calm.
"Oh Ava...you shouldn't have said that. I'm no 'conjurer of cheap tricks'. You are about to find that out."
He flashed a malicious grin.
Ava looked at him curiously.
"Whatever you say Lasare, you have until our next scheduled meeting to decide."
He maintained his grin.
"I'm certain you will be open to reconsidering the original figure by then."
She collected her files. Off put by his reaction. As she walked out the door she could swear she heard him muttering something...then felt like she got slapped in the back. It was bizarre there was no behind her. She spent the rest of the day at the office, apart from having to do her colleague's work as well as her own, it was uneventful. She eventually went back home for the evening, she had an odd feeling like someone was watching. Even when she thoroughly checked her apartment, armed, paranoid and found nothing.
She had some dinner and took a shower. The hot water felt invigorating against her bare skin. When she stepped out she caught a glimpse of her back in the mirror out of the corner of her eye. Her eyes widened as she struggled to get a good look at it, grabbing a hand mirror to check. Her back looked like there was a sunburn in the shape of a circle and a bunch of indecipherable symbols inside. What the fuck was this? Did that fucking Guild Master do this? She knew someone who could take a look at this tomorrow, unaffiliated with the guild. She sighed, did her nightly routine and dressed for bed. Her nightwear of choice was a silken vest and shorts.
She sank into bed, turned out the lights and threw the covers back over herself. As she closed her eyes and snuggled beneath her covers she felt the mark on her back...tingle...sting? She wasn't sure how to describe it. Then she felt a presence in her room.
She opened her eyes and stood at the end of the bed.
Tall, humanoid, male anatomy. It was made of inky darkness with wisps of black smoke effusing off of it. Piercing blue eyes staring at her.
Before she even had the chance to fully register its presence it had ripped off the covers and her arms were pinned above her head. It wasn't even using its hands to hold her. It casually climbed over her. Ava was horrified at what was happening. What was this thing about to do to her?