Run: 2026-02-17-01KHMMGAHRBKKGR8T278N18J9P

Rain lashed the pavement, the gutters flowing like rivers as Detective Harlow Quinn stepped from her car, the green neon sign of The Raven's Nest flickering overhead. She adjusted her worn leather watch, her sharp jaw set with determination. "Tomás Herrera, you slippery bastard," she muttered under her breath. For weeks, she'd been tracking the rogue paramedic – since discovering his involvement with theVeil Market. Tonight, she would confront him and unravel the secrets of his clandestine operations. Entering the bar, the musky scent of old wood and stale ale wrapped around her. Quinn scanned the dimly lit room, her eyes landing on a man fitting Herrera's description – olive skin, short curly hair – seated at the counter, a Saint Christopher medallion glinting at his neck. She approached, her bearing military precision. "Tomás Herrera,"she said, flashing her badge. "I need to talk to you about the Veil Market." The man's warm brown eyes widened, but before he could respond or react, gunfire shattered the silence. Patrons screamed, diving for cover. Quinn dropped behind the counter, pulling her gun from its holster. Herrera crouched beside her. "What the hell is this?" she shouted above the chaos. "Someone doesn't want me talking to you," he replied, yanking a knife from his boot and clutching it tightly. Another burst of gunfire, and Quinn knew they had to move. "Come on!" She grabbed Herrera, dragging him through the hidden back room. They emerged into a narrow alley, the rain assaulting them sideways. "This way!" Herrera called, sprinting for the end of the alley. Quinn hesitated only for a second before following. If the alternative was getting shot, she had little choice. They ran through the labyrinth of Soho's back streets, the roar of the rain drowning any sound of pursuit. Quinn watched Herrera closely, his scar running along his left forearm a stark white against his otherwise tanned skin. His movements were swift, precise, like he knew exactly where he was going. Suddenly, the Spaniard stopped at the mouth of a tube station. "Down here," he said, pulling a bone token from his pocket. "It's safe." Quinn faltered, the stairs leading deep into the abandoned station. To follow him into the Undercity, the underground market... She hesitated, her hand instinctively checking her watch. Eighteen years of decorated service, and they'd lost her partner, DS Morris, to something supernatural. She couldn't afford to lose herself, or Tomás. But she had to see this though, and that meant following him, wherever he went. Taking a deep breath, she made her decision. "You better not be leading me into some trap." Herrera met her gaze, his expression serious. "Detective, I'm trying to stay alive here. TheVeil Market is our best chance." Quinn nodded curtly, watching as he slipped the bone token into a slot and pushed open the doorway. They descended into the bowels of the earth, the sounds of the rain fading behind them. Machines hummed, the air stagnant and thick with the scent of ozone. "This way," Herrera said, leading them through the winding tunnels. Quinn kept her gun at the ready, her senses alert. She had no idea what awaited them in the Veil Market, but she knew it was best to be prepared for anything. As they rounded the last bend, the market came into view. Stalls and tables filled a cavernous space, lit by flickering gas lamps. The air hummed with hushed voices, with deals being made in the shadows. Objects glinted in the low light, enchantments flickering at the edges of Quinn's vision. "Herrera," she said, her voice low, "what is all this?" He turned to face her, a grim smile tugging at his lips. "TheVeil Market, Detective. A place where the supernatural and the mundane collide. I think you'll find some answers here, if you look close enough." And with that, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving Quinn alone in the throng of people. She scanned the room, her hand still clutching her gun, the weight of what lay ahead heavy on her mind. To uncover the truth, she would have to delve deep into the heart of theVeil Market. But she was a detective, and that was what she did best. Time to get to work.