The Lady of the Night
Bella Swan. By day, she was a quiet, caring librarian. By night she was something…more. Known to her nocturnal customers as Isabella, the Lady of the Night, she was a thief of exceptional standards and skills, with very select clientele. A woman of many talents, she was currently creeping through a silent house, on even quieter feet. The room was cast in subtle hues, a result of the moonlight shining through the windows.
She slinked up the wooden stairs, pausing occasionally to peruse the fine artwork scattered tastefully on the walls. Normally it would be pieces like these that she would take away with her; however someone was willing to pay a large amount of money for a very specific item. She would have to come back here at a later date. Security would probably tighter, however, since it was practically non-existent now, she would enjoy the challenge. Only one exhibition stood out, a display of graduation caps in a wild array of colours. She estimated around 150, it was rather intriguing. They must hold some sentimental value, yet why would anyone have that many?
Ignoring her curiosity she went upstairs for her prize. Making her way to the end of the corridor she swung open a wooden door and went straight to the drawers to the left of the large bay windows, as per her instructions. The rest of the room was filled by a long black coach and a whole wall of CDs, in what was probably another sitting room. She opened the first drawer, quickly emptying it of its neatly filed papers. Once clear she reached to the back, expert fingers searching for the inch long strip of ribbon. She found it and pulled, cringing as the fake back came away with a loud squeak.
The hidden compartment contained several things, and also that which she sought. A plainly decorated wooden box; its largest side was no bigger than her longest finger. She returned the board and quickly refilled the drawer. She lifted the lid of the little box. Her benefactor had only asked for this plain old thing when her usual jobs tended to be big, expensive or well-known. She prided herself on being able to overcome most security defences. She would have dismissed the job if it hadn't been accompanied by a fat wage. That was what drew her in, that someone would pay so much for such a simple thing, so she had accepted the offer.
The lid lifted on small brass hinges, and inside was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. A diamond encrusted, oval shaped, gold ring. It was elegant and old, she guessed maybe a hundred years old, probably older, and would look stunning on anyone. She tried to picture it on her hand, a half seen man at her side. It was useless to become attached; it only caused trouble, which she very well knew. This wasn't the first time one of her artefacts was particularly interesting.
She sighed and slammed the lid shut, putting it away until later and promptly proceeded to exit the house with no extra trouble. Ring and box safely tucked into one of the many pockets about her person.