This could work. If I played it right, I could complete the job AND add another corruption to my count. Witches typically had higher essence values than normal humans – their magical power made them more... potent.
"When?" I asked.
"Two days. Gives us time to scout, plan the approach, get you integrated with the team." Marco stood, extending his hand again. "Welcome to the Jackals, probationary member Cain. Don't die on your first job."
I shook his hand. "I'll do my best."
---
We returned to the main bar, where Katrina was waiting with a knowing smile.
"I see Marco recruited you," she said.
"Provisionally."
"He always says that, but nobody leaves the Jackals once they join. It's too useful." She poured three glasses of whiskey. "To new beginnings and profitable partnerships."
We drank, and I felt the first stirrings of something resembling stability. I had a place to fall back on – Melissa's apartment, at least temporarily. I had work coming up. I had a foothold in this world.
"You'll need a place to crash," Marco said, as if reading my mind. "The Jackals have a safehouse in the warehouse district. Nothing fancy, but it's warded and secure. You can stay there between jobs."
"I appreciate it."
"Don't thank me yet. The rooms are shit, and you'll be sharing space with some real characters." He drained his glass. "Come on, I'll show you."
The safehouse was exactly as advertised – a converted warehouse with makeshift rooms, communal areas, and enough weapons to outfit a small army. About a dozen people were scattered around when we arrived, and they looked up with varying degrees of interest.
"Fresh meat," someone called out.
"Be nice," Marco said. "This is Cain. He's on probation, so don't break him before his first job."
A woman approached – tall, athletic build, with scars that suggested a violent history. Shifter, I guessed from the way she moved. Wolf, probably.
"I'm Sarah," she said, offering her hand. "Welcome to the circus."
I shook it, noting her firm grip. "Thanks."
"You fight?" she asked.
"He lasted three minutes with Marco," someone else said. "He fights."
Sarah's eyebrows rose. "Impressive. What's your background?"
"Military," I lied smoothly. "Special operations. Got out, found out the normal world is boring."
"Yeah, I bet." She gestured around. "Well, this is home sweet home. Your room's upstairs, third door on the left. It's small, but it locks. Don't steal anyone's shit, don't start fights you can't finish, and always check the fridge before eating – some of the guys keep blood bags in there."
"Good to know."
Marco showed me to my room – he wasn't kidding about it being small. A bed, a dresser, a single window with bars. But it was clean, secure, and mine.
"Get settled," he said. "Tomorrow, we'll do introductions properly and start planning the retrieval. For now, rest. You've had a busy day."
He left, and I sat on the bed, processing everything.
In less than 24 hours, I'd gone from dying in an alley to having a home base, a job, and access to the supernatural underworld. Not bad for a fallen angel.
My phone – well, Melissa's old phone that she'd given me – buzzed with a text.
Melissa: You alive?
I smiled and texted back.
Me: Alive and employed. Found work.
Melissa: Legal work?
Me: Define legal.
Melissa: That's what I thought. Be careful.
Me: Always. I'll come by in a few days.
Melissa: Looking forward to it. And Cain? Don't get yourself killed.
Me: Promise.
I set the phone down and lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling.
[Status Update]
[Power Level: 2% - LOCKED]
[Fragments: 82.2/1000]
[Faction: The Jackals (Probationary Member)]
[Safe Haven: Established (Melissa's Apartment + Jackal Safehouse)]
[Upcoming Mission: Retrieval - Vampire's Ex-Wife]
[Potential Target Identified: Witch, Thornwood Coven]
[Next Steps: Scout target, plan approach, execute mission]
[Secondary Objective: Corrupt target during mission]
This was good. This was sustainable. I had a path forward that didn't involve just randomly seducing women and hoping for the best. Now I'd be working jobs, building reputation, climbing the supernatural hierarchy.
And along the way, I'd encounter exactly the kinds of women I needed to rebuild my power.
Powerful witches. Vampire nobility. Demon contractors. Shifter alphas. All of them potential targets, all of them opportunities.
I just needed to be smart about it. Strategic. One job at a time, one corruption at a time, building my strength and my position until I was powerful enough to take what I really wanted.
Revenge on Heaven could wait.
Right now, I needed to focus on survival and growth.
And in two days, I'd have my first real opportunity to do both.
I closed my eyes, letting exhaustion finally catch up to me. My body was healed, my strength restored to 2%, but I was mentally drained from everything that had happened.
Tomorrow, I'd meet the rest of the Jackals properly. I'd start planning the retrieval. I'd begin my real integration into this world.
But tonight, I just slept.
And dreamed of the witch I'd soon be meeting.