Run: 2026-02-17-01KHMMHF1P83M3SNKMTJT678JE

Rain pounded the pavement as Detective Harlow Quinn raced through the deserted streets of Soho, her eyes locked on the fleeing figure up ahead. Tomás Herrera had slipped through her fingers once too often, and she wasn't about to let him vanish into the night again. Her boots splashed through the puddles, the worn leather of her jacket soaked through as she pushed her body to its limits. Herrera was fast, but Quinn had youth on her side. She closed the distance, her hand darting towards her holster as she prepared to call out for him to stop. Before she could act, Herrera ducked into a narrow alleyway, disappearing from view. With a frustrated growl, Quinn followed, her senses heightened as she navigated the twisting path. The sound of dripping pipes and the distant hum of traffic echoed around her, but there was no sign of her quarry. Ahead, a metal door stood ajar, the faint glow of light spilling out into the gloom. Without hesitation, Quinn surged forward, bursting through the entryway and into what appeared to be an abandoned underground station. The space was vast, dimly lit by flickering bulbs that cast long shadows across the crumbling tiles. The air was thick with the scent of burnt sage and something... otherworldly. Quinn's hand tightened on her weapon as she swept her gaze across the cavernous chamber, searching for any sign of movement. "Herrera!" she called out, her voice echoing off the walls. "There's nowhere left to run." A faint shuffle to her left drew her attention, and she whirled, gun raised. But the figure that emerged from the shadows was not her suspect. Instead, a young woman with vibrant blue hair and piercing eyes stepped forward, hands raised in a gesture of surrender. "Easy, Detective," she said, her voice calm and even. "We mean you no harm." Quinn narrowed her eyes, unwilling to let her guard down. "Where is Herrera?" The woman tilted her head, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I'm afraid I can't disclose that information. But perhaps I can offer you something else that might be of interest?" Quinn hesitated, her mind racing. She knew she should pursue Herrera, but something about this woman and the strange atmosphere of the place had piqued her curiosity. Reluctantly, she lowered her weapon, though she kept it within easy reach. "I'm listening," she said, her tone clipped. The woman's smile widened, and she gestured for Quinn to follow. "This way, if you please." Casting one last glance around the cavernous space, Quinn fell into step behind the woman, her senses on high alert. They wove through a maze of narrow corridors, the air growing thicker with the scent of incense and the faint hum of energy. Quinn felt a prickle of unease, but her investigative instincts were piqued. Finally, the woman stopped before a heavy wooden door, ornately carved with intricate symbols. She produced a small bone token from the pocket of her coat and pressed it into the center of the door, which swung open silently. "Welcome to the Veil Market," the woman said, ushering Quinn inside. The room beyond was a bustling hub of activity, its high vaulted ceiling adorned with glowing orbs that cast a warm glow over the scene. Stalls lined the walls, their wares ranging from the mundane to the truly fantastical. Quinn's eyes widened as she took in the sight, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing. "What is this place?" she breathed, her gaze drawn to a stall where a creature with scales and horns was bartering with a cloaked figure. "As I said, the Veil Market," the woman replied, a hint of amusement in her voice. "It's a place where the supernatural and the mundane intersect, where those with... unique needs can find what they seek." Quinn felt a shiver run down her spine. "Supernatural? You mean like..." "Vampires, werewolves, witches, and the like?" The woman chuckled. "Yes, Detective, those are all very real. And they all have a presence here." Quinn's hand instinctively went to her holster, her fingers brushing against the cold metal of her gun. "And Herrera? What is his connection to all of this?" The woman's expression darkened. "Ah, Tomás. He's a... special case. A former healer who lost his way, you could say. He's been using his skills to aid those in need, but his methods have drawn the attention of those who would seek to exploit his abilities." Quinn's brow furrowed. "So he's not the one I should be after?" The woman shook her head. "Not entirely. Tomás is caught up in a larger web of intrigue and power struggles. If you truly wish to uncover the truth, Detective, you'll need to delve deeper into the hidden world of the supernatural." Quinn's mind raced, her instincts warring with her sense of duty. She knew she should pursue Herrera, but the prospect of uncovering a deeper mystery was tantalizing. With a resigned sigh, she nodded. "All right, I'm listening. What can you tell me?" The woman's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Excellent. Let's begin with the Raven's Nest..."