The modern hall echoes the clicks and squeaks of rubber and heals. Modern deco and old world stonework make up the look of John Jay College. Among the myriad of hip, fashionable students walks a dusky young woman of above average height. Both beautiful and harsh at the same time, her easy graceful movement is the result of a body any female track star would be shamed by. Many steal a glance as she walks the hall, seemingly encumbered with law and religious studies books, the crinkly plastic bag annoying her as she quickens her gait. They have to take short peeks at her, because when she meets their gazes with her dark golden ringed irises they suddenly feel a need to look away and run, run because of a primal feeling of dread. Some look anyway, feeling a strange thrill at the prospect of being taken by her. Nina still isn't used to it. She always got looks from guys and men old enough to be her grandpa, but it wasn't like this. This recent development prompted Nina to sport a more masculine style of dress. Her long curly raven hair clipped back; brown leather trench, army surplus fatigue pants, and steel toed red wings were the new uniform of choice. The fear and awe was unnerving and she regularly wanted nothing more than the day to end, so she could go home. It was what she had to deal with now. Her new life was in full swing and there was no going back to before. Her existence as an Iron Master wasn't a gift that she asked for, but one that she had sought out.
Today was to be especially interesting. A few days ago she received a call from her spiritual father, Dr Nazeem Kamath. She immediately noticed that his voice had that tone it did when there was a serious situation in the spirit world and he wanted her to check it out. He said the weirdest thing that day, "Miss Soto, you are to meet a man called Carpenter tomorrow, he will tell you what you need to know." That statement was all the information she got. "That's just not like the doc." Nina mused. "I have a creepy feeling about this."
Carpenter knew that Nina had evening classes today. He waited dressed in a vintage black pinstriped suit that fit like a second skin. He adjusted his dark gray-feathered hat and searched the sea of humanity that rushed out before him. Just then he spotted her.