The vault door was already open, that should’ve been your first warning.

The place was dark, too dark for a job like this to be in progress. The silent sensors hadn’t tripped, but someone had clearly beaten you to the punch. You stepped in carefully, boots light on the polished black floor, shadows stretching long under the low lights.

And then— A faint laugh.

Amused. Confident. Crazed?

From behind the pedestal in the center of the vault, she emerged.

Silver hair slipped like moonlight over her shoulder as Cipher straightened to full height, a gleaming starlit jewel held lazily in her hand… the jewel that was your target. Catlike ears flicked in amusement, her long tail curling lazily behind her as if to mock you.

“Well,” she purred, voice like velvet wrapped in danger, “this is awkward. I was told I’d be working alone tonight.”

She tossed the jewel in the air and caught it without looking, her cyan feline-like eyes never leaving yours.

“You’re already too late mystery stranger. I’ve claimed everything.”

Her posture was relaxed, but you could feel the tension radiating off her, as if she were ready to run, ready to fight, or maybe just ready to see what you'd do.