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Her officers all looked up to her protect them as they went about their businesses. She felt the weight of that responsibility as she pulled into the parking lot.

The parking lot was nearly empty, the vast expanse of concrete dotted with only a few vehicles.

She maneuvered her car into a spot close to the entrance, cutting the engine with a sigh.

Just as she was about to step out, her phone rang, the screen flashing a familiar number. It was the Arbiter.

She frowned, wondering why the woman was calling her. She hesitated before answering, a sense of unease creeping in.

"Helena." The Arbiter\'s voice greeted her, cold and authoritative.

Helena froze, and she could feel the chill of the night seep into her bones, even from inside the car.

Did the woman know? Does she know I have found the Ascension well? Is she trying to get in my way?

"Yes, Arbiter." Helena responded, trying to keep her voice steady.

The Arbiter wasted no time on pleasantries.

"I am... displeased, with your recent actions," she began, her tone sharp and unforgiving. "First, you coerced Ezra to help you in your quest to get to Griffin. Did you think such actions would go unnoticed?"

Helena\'s breath caught in her throat. How had the Arbiter known about her dealings with Ezra? She had been so careful, or so she thought. "I-"

"Silence." The Arbiter interrupted. "You overstepped your bounds. Ezra\'s involvement was not part of the plan, and you jeopardized a delicate balance."

"I can guess your plan, Helena." The Arbiter stated. "Those assets are not your to give away. Understood?"

Helena clenched her teeth, anger coursing through her veins. She knew that her strategy was necessary, that using Ezra would lead her to Griffin more efficiently.

But now, the Arbiter was standing in the way of that. After a moment of silence, she answered. "Yes."

"Good. And then," the Arbiter continued, "there are the Blackthornes."

Helena froze once more, anger forgotten. She waited for the Arbiter to speak because her next words will determine what she had to do.

"You captured and killed them without considering my intentions for them. What do you have to say for yourself?"

Helena breathed an inaudible sigh of relief. The Arbiter didn\'t know that she had gotten the location of the Ascension well. Things were still on track.

She turned her mind to the Arbiter\'s question. She had eliminated the Blackthornes to hide her possession of the well\'s location and she didn\'t regret her actions.

Even if she had known that the Arbiter had her own plans for the vampire coven, she would have done the same thing. But that didn\'t matter now. She just had to give the right response.

"I didn\'t know." She admitted to the Arbiter, her voice barely above a whisper. She had nothing to fear, after all, she was speaking the truth.

"Your ignorance is no excuse." The Arbiter retorted. "You have disrupted my plans and shown a dangerous lack of foresight."

Helena smirked as she heard that. It was a double win for her. She had furthered her plans and stalled the plans of everyone else.

Without the Blackthornes, Griffin, Solomon and the Arbiter would have to find a new path to whatever they wanted. Not her. She just needed to break a lock.

She however, had no choice but to accept the rebuke, knowing she wasn\'t strong enough to challenge the Arbiter. Not yet, at least. "What would you have me do, my lady?" She asked.

"For now, you will comply with my directives without deviation." The Arbiter commanded. "You must learn the consequences of your actions and understand that your role is not to act independently, but to follow the path I set."

The call ended abruptly, leaving Helena in silence. She sat for a moment, staring at the darkened windshield, her mind planning her next steps. Everyone was behind and she was the only one ahead. Soon, she\'ll be on top.

Slowly, she gathered herself and stepped out of the car. She would have to be more careful, more strategic.

Now, she knew that the Arbiter\'s eyes were always watching, and any misstep could lead to consequences far graver than a reprimand.

With a small smile, Helena walked towards the entrance of the T-Max building. It was time to work.

She stepped inside and made her way to the elevator, the soft hum of machinery a comforting backdrop to her thoughts.

She swiped her keycard and pressed the hidden button for the lowest level, feeling the elevator shudder slightly as it descended.

After a few minutes, the doors slid open, revealing the dimly lit corridor that led to her domain.

As she walked, Officer Target approached her, his expression serious. "Captain, there\'s someone waiting for you in your office."

Helena\'s brow furrowed in curiosity. "Who is it?"

"Ezra Matten," Target replied, his voice low.

Helena nodded and continued down the corridor, her footsteps echoing off the sterile walls.

Her mind went back to the Arbiter\'s words and she smiled. What could she do when the man himself came to meet her instead of the opposite?

Ezra\'s presence in here was unexpected, and she couldn\'t help but wonder what had brought him here. Even with the Arbiter\'s warning, she could still do business with the man.

She opened the door to her office and stepped inside, her eyes immediately locking onto Ezra\'s tall, lean figure standing by her desk.

"Ezra," she greeted, "I didn\'t expect to see you here."

Ezra gave a nonchalant shrug. "I figured it was time we talked. There\'s a plan I need your help with."

Helena raised an eyebrow, motioning for him to sit. "Go on."

Ezra didn\'t waste any time with pleasantries. "I need your help to get the Maguire coven out of Griffin\'s sanctuary."

That was... not what she had been expecting.

Helena leaned back in her chair, contemplating his request. "Why should I help? And how exactly does this align with our goal of discrediting Griffin?"

Ezra\'s eyes were trained on her as he answered. "If the Maguire coven escapes, Griffin will be forced to divert his attention to recapture them. That distraction will give us the perfect opportunity to make our move against him. It will allow us to implement the plan without him breathing down my neck."

Helena considered his words, her mind considering the potential outcomes.

This could be a win for her. The Maguire coven was a member of the Silent Hand. They may be unaware of the well\'s location but they could have something else.

The key to unlocking the Ascension well, something she desperately needed.

She glanced up to see Ezra watching her like a hawk. She couldn\'t let Ezra suspect her true motives. Ezra had brought exactly what she was looking for into the palm of her hand.

She sighed, pretending to be reluctant. "It\'s a risky plan, Ezra. Griffin\'s sanctuary is heavily guarded. If we fail, it could jeopardize everything."

Ezra leaned forward, his gaze intense. "But if we succeed, it will give us the upper hand. We can\'t afford to miss this chance."

Helena paused, pretending to consider it. After a moment, she gave a slow nod. "Alright, I\'ll help."

"I was never in doubt." Ezra\'s lips curved into a satisfied smile. "I\'ll handle the details and keep you informed."