A Watchdogs Promise

The morning light poured through Ember's Light, golden and alive.Roe's apron was already stained, trays stacked high for a catering event. The smell of grilled bread and spice clung to the air."Daddy, I can help!" Sofia insisted, wobbling with a tray nearly bigger than her."You'll drop it," Roe said, taking it gently away.He handed her a slice of bread instead."Eat. That's your job."From the doorway, Rachel leaned against the frame, one brow raised."Looks like someone's drowning in work.""I'm fine," Roe muttered, though his tone betrayed exhaustion.Rachel smirked."Tell you what. Why don't I take Sofia off your hands? You can focus on your big job.""Absolutely not.""C'mon," she said, grinning. "I can handle one kid. Easier than a monster."Sofia tugged his sleeve, eyes wide."Please, Daddy? Just this once? I'll behave."Roe sighed."Fine. But if anything happens to her, Rachel, you'll answer to me."Rachel saluted."Yes, sir!"Sofia cheered.The day began.Aurora's sunlit streets were a mosaic of color. Street vendors calling out, fountains spraying silver arcs through the plaza, children chasing air kites that glowed faintly with crystal dust.Sofia dragged Rachel from stall to stall like an unstoppable current of energy."Miss Rachel, look! Candied fruit on sticks!"Rachel grinned, buying one for each of them."You don't have to call me Miss, remember?"Sofia stuck out her tongue."You're still old."Rachel gasped, clutching her heart."You and your father are conspiring against me."They wandered through music and laughter, blending into the city's rhythm. For the first time in a while, Rachel forgot about missions and orders.At a jewelry stall, Sofia lingered over a small star-shaped pendant."You like it?" Rachel asked.Sofia hesitated."It's pretty. But Daddy says we don't need things like that. He works too hard already. I wish he didn't worry so much. He doesn't smile a lot, but when I laugh, I know he's happy."Rachel blinked."You really love him, huh?"Sofia nodded firmly."Of course. He's the best."She looked back at the pendant, then at Rachel."But you're awesome too, Miss Rachel. You're funny and brave, even if Daddy says you don't always follow directions."Rachel's eyes widened."He said what now?"Sofia giggled."It's okay. I like you just the way you are."Rachel's throat tightened."Thanks, kiddo."Music swelled in the plaza. Drums, flutes, laughter.Rachel blinked, just for a moment, at the dancers swirling through the square.When she turned back, Sofia was gone.Her heart stopped."Sofia?" she called, spinning through the crowd.No response.She pushed past merchants, faces blurring, panic clawing her throat."Sofia!"A man cursed as she shoved by. Someone else told her to calm down.Her breath came sharp, unsteady.What did I do? I looked away for a second.Her legs gave out near a narrow alley, tears stinging her eyes."Why am I like this…" she whispered. "He trusted me. And I blew it."A voice flickered through her memory."Free spirit. Unreliable. Always moving."Captain Femi's voice was calm and sharp."Talent isn't discipline, Rachel. One day, that gets someone killed."Rachel swallowed hard.Then, through the noise, another memory rose."I like you just the way you are."Sofia's voice.Rachel's hands clenched.Her breath steadied."No. I'm not losing her."Two men loomed over Sofia.The same thugs from the café.The one Roe had lifted by the throat grinned, scar fresh on his neck."Well, look who we've got here. Café man's little brat," he sneered."Let's see how tough Frost's hand feels when his girl goes missing."Rachel's voice cut through the air like a blade."Wrong child to mess with."The men turned.Too slow.She was already moving.Steel flashed.The first man screamed as red sprayed the wall.The second swung a pipe.She stepped inside it.Elbow to throat.Blade across flesh.He crashed into a brick.The first lunged again.She caught him by the collar and drove his face into the wall.Once.Twice.Blood-streaked stone.The second tried to crawl away.She appeared in front of him.Her blade rested under his jaw."You thought this was funny?"He shook."You ever come near her again"The steel pressed deeper.He whimpered.She shoved him down.They stumbled away.Rachel dropped to her knees beside Sofia.She pulled her close."I'm so sorry," Rachel whispered. "I should never have let you out of my sight."Sofia trembled, but smiled through tears."I knew you'd come."The words hit Rachel harder than anything else could have.By the time they returned, the sun had dipped behind the skyline.Ember's Light glowed softly, warm as home.Roe stood by the counter, wiping his hands.Sofia ran to him, throwing her arms around his waist."How was your day?" he asked, eyes flicking briefly to Rachel.Rachel opened her mouth, guilt written across her face.But Sofia beat her to it."It was the best day ever, Daddy."Roe's expression softened.He ruffled her hair."I'm glad. Go wash up before dinner."Sofia skipped off toward the back room, humming.Roe looked at Rachel for a moment longer, then nodded once."Thanks again."Rachel nodded back."Yeah. Anytime."As he turned away, she exhaled, a mix of relief and shame.From the doorway, Sofia peeked back with a sleepy grin.She made a small heart with her hands."See you tomorrow!"Rachel smiled faintly.The guilt didn't fade, but something else grew beside it.Resolve.That little girl trusted her.She swore she'd never let her down again.High above, on a shadowed rooftop, a figure watched.The faint glow of a lens blinked once."Tracking and assessment complete," Kavi murmured."I'll file the report tomorrow... after I have a little fun."The night swallowed him whole.