The problem with Rayvinn being free to wander wherever wanderlust took her...she tended to end up in less than safe circumstances. Perhaps she had a homing beacon that beeped within her brain to alert her that there was a revolution occurring in a realm three hundred miles away or an economic crisis that was the linchpin for an entire nation to fall ten thousand miles away. Whatever the reasoning, Rayvinn had never been in any new or familiar area without finding herself in a heap of trouble. In all fairness, she never actually went looking for the trouble. Somehow it just happened around her and was drawn to her like a magnet. A trouble magnet or maybe a crazy magnet...either description fit her nearly as well as her nickname: Harbringer of Chaos.

With all of this in mind, it isn?t so far fetched a tale to believe that somehow, while being on the run from the Armenian mafia after ?accidentally? kidnapping their leader and killing nine others; she managed to end up in a prison six hundred and fifty-seven miles away from RhyDin.

It all began when...

?I had been traveling for a couple of days when I stopped for a drink and a bit of rest. An altercation broke out and things heated up rather quickly. After breaking my barstool over the back of the aggressive brute that had attacked me without provocation, I jumped atop the bar counter so I would have the advantage of high ground.?

?You deny that you started this altercation?

?I do deny it. I also don?t see what that has to do with the mission you are questioning me about.?

?Anyway,there were several more locals left to dispatch and I had just drawn my swords when I heard the faintest of whistling noises and saw two of the larger men drop to the ground screaming. After a moment of confusion, I noticed a dagger protruding each from the back of one leg. I visually retraced their steps and noticed someone standing nearly undetected in the dark corner. If I did not have the vision inherent to my people, I would have missed him. It was Jack. He smiled and stepped from the shadows while beckoning that I follow. I had all of three seconds to jump down from the bar and get across the room before the crowd pressed in. We made it outside and were able to slip away.

Once we were safely away and regrouping, he said he had tracked me down because he had an assignment that required a female agent able to assume deep cover and infiltrate the personal staff of the dictator leader of Istandor. Get close, acquire information. The operative would be left with no backup so she would need to be accustomed to this type of mission...dangerous and self-directed for the most part. She would need to be quite resourceful and able to do whatever necessary to obtain the intel.?

?When you say she needed to be able to do whatever was necessary...what do you mean? Did Agent Aurene order you to execute Aborin Tevlak if you had the chance? Also, did you feel that you were qualified for this mission? Do you think, perhaps, someone more qualified might not have been captured? Why would you choose such a dangerous assignment when you have already admitted you were of a fragile state of mind.? The interviewing agent removed her glasses and calmly placed them upon the table in front of her as she gazed unblinking at Rayvinn, awaiting answers to all of those questions.

?No, Jack did not order me to execute Aborin. And as I said already, I needed a distraction. I also needed to remember who I am, get past this emotional weakness. I needed to test my skills and live the only way I am really comfortable...alone and on the edge. I was made for this type of mission, so I agreed immediately. I do not feel that there was anyone more qualified for the assignment. I did not botch this mission, my cover was blown by something entirely unrelated.?

?Continue the story.?

?He briefed me on my cover story, outfitted me with the necessary documentation and what I would need to be convincing and escorted me several miles from the border where I met the asset that would assist me in gaining entrance to Aborin Tevlak?s compound.

Aborin had need of an appraiser and distributor since his last one met with an unfortunate accident. The asset, being a member of the Tevlak family was able to arrange a meeting for me. I was within the compound that very day after passing a battery of tests. I spent my first few days focusing purely upon my cover job; learning his likes and dislikes. Afterwards, I learned his routine and, in the process, more about his personality. I was able to focus much more upon my primary objective at that point. I proceeded to...become more familiar with my target. I allowed him to... ?

?You mean you had sexual relations with him.? It wasn?t even posed as a question. She simply interrupted and voiced her assumption, which caused Raye to smirk.

?Perhaps you don?t know this, Miss Fontane, since you sit behind a desk all day. A good female operative doesn?t necessarily need to compromise herself in order to complete her mission.?

?So, you are saying you did not have sexual relations with Aborin Tevlak? Is that correct?? The sound of her pen scrawling across the parchment stopped as she looked up to assess Rayvinn?s silence. The battered elf nodded after she returned from the jaunt down memory lane, her face eased from it?s contortion as she looked up to meet the other woman?s gaze. Another moment of shared silence before Rayvinn continued quietly.

?As I was saying, I allowed him to believe he had charmed his way past my aloofly guarded demeanor. He was quite confident of himself and viewed me as a prize he was certain he would soon win. I utilized this to my advantage and proceeded to work my way into his inner circle. I was known to be quite wealthy and successful in my chosen profession, so it was easy enough to ingratiate myself with him and his social contacts.?

?Tell me of the night your cover was compromised.?

?There was a masked ball that night at the home of Iliana Noreska and I was escorted by Aborin Tevlak. The majority of the evening was spent in anonymity as we danced and mingled with others. The whispers had started not long before the midnight unmasking; most had finally realized who he was but were not entirely certain whom his date was. He had danced with the same woman the entire evening, after all and this behavior was quite unheard of. When we unveiled, the gossip began. In the throng of drunken ass-kissers, there was a man that inched his way closer and closer, pushing the other guests aside. He had apparently followed me all the way from RhyDin.?

?Who was this man, did you recognize him? How did he know you??

?He was Armenian. He knew me because I...obtained...the leader of his organization and he had been trying to get to me for over a month before I left.?

?When you say you obtained his leader...do you mean you kidnapped him??

?No, I mean I rescued him from a car and arranged for medical attention. Anyway, the Armenian blew my cover. At first Aborin would not believe him but soon he was convinced.?

?What happened then?? Agent Fontane reached down to touch a button on the camera for a close up of Rayvinn?s face. Big mistake.

?You know exactly what happened then. And turn off the f*cking camera...turn it off!?

Suddenly Raye was out of her chair and had the camera in hand. Her uninjured arm was drawn back and the camera was heaved towards the wall where it busted. Without pausing to see the camera pieces flying, she was attempting to lift her metal folding chair, crying out as she made the mistake of trying to move the arm imprisoned against her chest by a sling. Limping steps had her at the door and just as she was about to open it, it swung towards her and there stood Jack in the doorway.

?Agent Fontane, I believe you have enough information to file your report. This debriefing is over as of now.? The blond appeared ready to argue but one look at Jack?s stern face quieted her before she could voice her protest. A nervous look was flitted towards Rayvinn as if she wasn?t sure if the imbalanced woman would attack her as she had the camera. There was no cause for worry, however, as Raye hadn?t taken her gaze from Jack?s since he had entered the room.

She knew he had risked everything to extract her from Tevlak?s compound. She also knew that he knew exactly what had occurred there, without her speaking a word of it. Rayvinn couldn?t decide if she was more relieved or ashamed that he knew. For the moment, it didn?t really matter.

?Where are....? She stopped, knowing better than to speak the names of the three that were not an official part of the rescue attempt but had risked themselves to free her. ?Are they safe??

She really didn?t have much memory of their arrival. By that time, she had been so far from reality that she didn?t even know where she was. What did they know of her ordeal? What had they seen?

After the altercation with Agent Fontane, Jack took Raye to an apartment safehouse whose location was known only to himself and Hank. She would remain here until she was fully recovered from her ordeal in Istandor. Hank occupied the apartment next door to her own so that he was close by should she need assistance, but far enough away that Rayvinn wasn?t feeling suffocated. Jack had apparently finally decided to stop treating her like some fragile child; funny what it had taken to achieve that victory. Many of her own belongings were present and she silently thanked Cor for turning them over to Jack so she could at least have the comfort of familiar clothing and personal items.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, brushing her hair after her shower, Raye indulged in memories of the not so distant past that were prodding at her consciousness.

She had been introduced to Aborin Tevlak Sr. by his eldest son, Aborin Tevlak Jr. also known as Abrin. When the door to Aborin Sr?s study opened and she was ushered in, Rayvinn had left all traces of herself at the threshold and assumed the identity of Olivia Darkmont.

A long legged, self assured stride drew her through the gleaming solid oak French double doors, the thin heels of her knee high boots clicking as she moved across the smooth hardwood floor to stand before the dictator?s desk. It was a no nonsense walk, all business but hinting at an underlying grace of limb. Rayvinn knew the first few moments under Tevlak?s scrutiny were the most important. First impressions were everything and what he needed to see was a self confident, independent, smart businesswoman who just happened to possess an exotic beauty like he preferred.

Aborin Tevlak was a collector of beautiful and rare works of art, including people, and Istandor did not have a known population of elves. When he first gazed upon Ms. Oliva Darkmont, his deep brown eyes narrowed in scrutiny as they traveled from the lightly pointed tips of her ears to the pair of large almond shaped pale jade eyes, across her delicately angular cheekbones and jawline, down her gracefully long neck then over the rest of her elegantly proportioned body. The returning trip was even slower, perhaps undressing her mentally before his gaze settled upon her own and an unabashed, roguish grin brought the warmth of charm upon his otherwise strict countenance.

?Ms. Darkmont, Abrin tells me that you are here for a job. Tell me...what is your relationship to my son??

Raye easily appeared to be twenty years younger than Tevlak, so it wasn?t so far fetched an idea that she might simply be a girlfriend of his son?s. Perhaps a girlfriend seeking to use that status to further her own agenda.

?Mr. Tevlak, your son contacted me not the other way around. I am not so unknown in certain circles. He requested I appraise an item for him. Once the job was complete he said there could be more work for me. Here I am.?

?What item did you appraise for him??

?I am not at liberty to discuss a client?s business with anyone other than the client or an appointed trustee, Sir.?

?Do you realize who you are speaking to, Ms. Darkmont? I could have you thrown into a prison for your impertinence.?

Rayvinn remained calm, not a bat of her lashes to give away the sudden spike of adrenaline. Her hand remained still at her side, though there was the slight urge to slide the small handgun from the thigh holster beneath her dress. She knew he was likely just testing her, but Raye sometimes had an itchy trigger finger.

?I do realize who you are, Mr. Tevlak. You are my client?s father and not a named trustee. My intention is not to insult you but to protect the younger Mr. Tevlak?s privacy. Surely, a man of your status can appreciate privacy.?

The gamble worked and Aborin threw back his head and laughed heartily. ?I have watched giants of men crumble in fear before me and you dare to stare me down and lecture me on privacy.?

He motioned to one of the deep maroon leather armchairs before his desk. ?Please sit, Ms. Darkmont. I have a few moments before I must meet with my advisers.?

?Thank you, Sir. I know your time is quite valuable.?

Rayvinn sat upon the edge of the chair and leaned over to place the Italian leather briefcase upon the Oriental rug beneath the pair of chairs facing the desk. Delicate hands were folded and placed in her lap as she returned her attention and gaze to the dictator. His return gaze was rapt upon her own and the two remained in silent contemplation of one another for several more moments before he cleared his throat and the tension was broken. Rayvinn feigned girlish embarrassment and averted her gaze to rest momentarily upon her hands in her lap. When she looked up, through a thick veil of lashes, she noted that his gaze remained upon her. She didn?t allow herself to revel in her sense of victory, but she knew she had him. She knew that look. Phase One of her mission was complete. She knew she would begin working for Aborin Tevlak immediately.

Raye shook out of the memory and reached over to the nightstand next to her bed and picked up her cell.

?Hank, can you drive me to the cemetery? I need to talk to a friend.?

For a visual of the outfit: http://www.polyvore.com/undercover_job_interview/set?id=44455603

After a few hours of fitful sleep upon the unforgiving ground next to the grave marker, Raye was awakened by Hank gently shaking her uninjured shoulder.

?Raye, wake up. It?s time to go now.?

Focusing her eyes upon his face, Raye nodded slightly and allowed Hank to assist her to stand; groaning as she moved.

?I feel like somebody dropped me out of a plane without a parachute, ran over me with a tank and then did it all over again,? she complained as she made her way to the car, hobbling along after Hank.

A sympathetic look was turned back upon her but he didn?t know what to say to comfort her, so he remained silent. After opening the passenger door for Raye and buckling her into the seat, he moved over to the driver?s side and started the ignition.

?Anywhere else you feel like going before I take you back to the safehouse??

Rayvinn shook her head as she stared out the window, watching Dyarhk?s memorial grow smaller and more distant as they drove. Soon, she wasn?t seeing the streets of RhyDin pass by, but a much different landscape...

?He really told you not to tell me where I am being taken??

She was leaning forward from the backseat, speaking to the driver and one of the two bodyguards in the car. The second was sitting in the seat next to her. When no answer was forthcoming, Rayvinn leaned back and stared out the window, trying to figure out exactly what was going on.
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When she left Aborin?s study, he had mentioned an appointment this evening for her to appraise something. She had slept for a few hours and walked the grounds, under the guise of getting some exercise and seeing the sights, accompanied by these same two guards that either didn?t speak Common or just refused to. A few hours later, with no sighting of Aborin, Rayvinn had returned to her own room and found a large flat white box laying upon her bed with several other smaller boxes arranged neatly next to it. After lifting the small envelope from the top of the larger box, she opened it and scanned quickly, sharp brows arching heavenward. Raye read and reread the neatly penned note then placed it back inside the envelope and sat it aside.

Dexterous fingers immediately lifted the lid to the largest box and laid it upon the bed before moving past several layers of tissue paper. A soft gasp escaped Rayvinn, as she stared down at the contents; fingertips moved with deliberate slowness across the delicately beaded bodice of the garment cushioned within the box. Fighting down the urge to grab ahold of the dress and yank it free of it?s confines, she lifted it gingerly, eyes wide as each inch of the silk became visible.

It was quite a bold dress; amber, gold and the red of fire teased one another throughout the entirety of the flowing skirt. The gown was strapless with a heart shaped bodice, decorated with intricate beadwork and cut low for a daring revelation of cleavage. The silk of the gown was unlike any Raye had ever touched and was immediately brought up to brush delicately across her cheek.

After a few more moments she relinquished the gown and laid it upon the bed away from the other boxes. The next largest box was opened and within was a delicate shawl of the same shade of gold that danced along the length of the skirt and train of the dress. The other boxes contained a pair of strappy gold open toed heels, a matching clutch purse, gold elbow length opera gloves, a fragile gold bracelet and matching earrings. Raye pushed the boxes onto the floor and then assembled the outfit upon the bed before stepping back to simply stare at it. It was all far too expensive to accept but the note had specified that she was to be ready for the appraisal appointment at seven this evening and she was to wear what was contained within the boxes. Looking at her watch, she noted the time and stepped towards the attached bathroom so she could bathe and primp. She had two hours to ready herself for wherever she was being taken.

Two hours later Rayvinn stood at the base of the winding staircase and peered around for Aborin. The manager of the Tevlak residence appeared and ushered Raye out front to the waiting car, complete with driver and the two bodyguards from her walk earlier in the afternoon.

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The car stopped before a sprawling architectural masterpiece just as the sun was beginning to set. When the door opened on her side of the car, the hand that stretched out to assist her from the car was not that of the driver, but belonged to Aborin Tevlak looking debonair in a tuxedo. His gaze roved over her face and the intricate style of her hair, then lowered for a quick inspection of the rest of her before returning to lock upon her own.

?You rival the sunset, Ms. Darkmont. I am happy the dress was such a perfect fit.?

The words were spoken against her ear in a low, tantalizing voice as he leaned close for a brief moment. Rayvinn felt her heartbeat quicken and her reply was suddenly stuck in her throat. Her immediate response was an amused smile stretched over cherry painted lips as he stepped back and offered his arm. Her golden gloved hand was rested upon the inside of his elbow as they moved smoothly up the steps.

?Where are we, Mr. Tevlak? You?re driver and bodyguards wouldn?t speak.?

Rayvinn cast a quick glance over her bared shoulder at the thought of the guards and found them following several paces behind. Her gaze was redirected straight ahead, though she glanced at Aborin through her periphery. His eyes were still upon her as his hand lowered to his pocket and retrieved a small black case which he handed to her. They stopped as the door was held open for them and she took that moment to open the case and peer inside at the pair of pearl handled opera glasses.

?I needed you to appraise this opera with me. And please...call me Aborin.?

For a visual of the outfit: http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=44669153