"I know next to nothing about this scheme," Amber answered slowly, "which makes it all the worse that I want to say 'yes'."

A slow smile spread across Raven's wine-red lips. "I do tend to have that effect on people," she admitted blithely. "However, you must know that a large part of this operation centers around trust. The trust of those I enlist in me, to clarify," she added, her wide, vicious smile belying her offhanded tone.

Amber Chase inclined her head slowly. "I have two questions. The first of which being, what do I have to gain?"

"Let me answer by telling you more about this mission," Raven said. "Underneath Stone Manor lie extensive vaults--I'm sure you've heard of them." At Amber's short nod, Raven continued. "The vaults safeguard treasures of many kinds: priceless heirlooms, jewels, billions of dollars, the usual; they would be yours for the taking. Well, yours and that of the other members of my crew," Raven amended. "However, I have a different objective for breaking into the vaults."

"The Oracle," Amber finished for her, her features settling into gravity.

Raven smiled once more. "Precisely. In his supercomputer, Kieran Stone has in his possession information that could make or break the fate of the world-" she paused, "but that is not what I care about. I have my own reasons for wanting access to the Oracle."

"And--just to clarify--these reasons are important enough to warrant breaking into the underground vaults of the most powerful, dangerous man in the world with the objective of hacking into his private supercomputer?"

Tilting her head to one side, Raven's grin waned seductively secretive. "Of course."

Nodding slowly, Amber thought for several seconds. Then, she looked up, meeting Raven's eyes. "My second question: what are our chances of succeeding?"

"Honestly?" Raven asked. "I have no idea." She laughed, an emotion that bordered on hysteria tugging at the edges of the sound. "Are you sure you'd want to know, though?"

"I suppose not," Amber answered wryly.

Both women's heads snapped towards the door at the sound of footsteps on the other side of it. A wicked grin flashed across Raven's lips as fingers fumbled at the doorknob.

"Don't scream," she said, before flinging herself on top of the armchair that Amber was sitting in.

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A/N:

*chuckles evilly* I've been waiting for this chapter, darlings. I feel like everything about it is shocking and exciting--don't you? Vote and/or comment if you enjoyed reading this installment at least a quarter as much as I enjoyed writing it, and have a wonderful rest of your day/night!