Scene 6copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ38IfKXg9lj
Never having been one to allow things to get very dirty in the first place, Kennina had underestimated just how much time and effort a full scale purge of a two story house would take, especially considering that it took her around 20 minutes to even so much as locate the cleaning supplies.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡqIlfijCFdp
Every window had been thoroughly swept clean of any dirt and dust that had gathered across its glass, then wrenched open and left that way despite the winter air in an effort to aerate the house and make it smell a little less like mildew and rotting wood. The floors had been taken to with both a mop and a broom and the corners of every room cleared of so many cobwebs that she could have easily supplied Hollywood with horror set materials for the next 35 years or so on her own. Finally, at around 11[O1] that night after a warm shower she’d collapsed into bed and promptly fallen asleep.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Xxq3tVYGA
Knocking on her door roused her at some point the next morning and Kennina noted the time on her phone as something close to 9:00 am before leaving her bedroom and padding down the stairs to answer it.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡZf803Jc6a9
Abban’s hulking shadow easily eclipsed any sunlight that might have made its way up to her front door. “Mornin’ Kennina. You ready to head out?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡjmsARu0jbK
Blinking sleep quickly from her eyes she nodded. “Yes, of course. Just let change real quick; I’ll be right out.” Closing the door carefully, Kennina hurried back up the stairs to her room and pulled the first outfit she could get her hands on out of her suitcase, throwing it on before heading back out of the front door and locking it behind her.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡGu7jgIhlHA
The other three had retreated to the retaining wall bordering her property, Abban standing beside his two seated companions. Catching sight of her, Seoirse immediately leapt to his feet and scrambled over to present her with what had been hidden behind his back.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0EByvHERvg
“A rose for ma lovely Yankee Rose.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPMkHQZJIT
Kennina felt a small blush of surprise spread across her face as she reached up to take the offered flower. “O-Oh, thank you Seoirse.” The petals were soft and smooth to the touch, her fingertips coming away stained reddish-purple by the deep hues. “It’s beautiful.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtVUlO5Bht
“Oh, would you look at that! Your brother has got a crush!”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡFnehQbwiPF
“Aye, an’ wha’s wrong with tha’ Morrigan?” the younger MacanBairn defended, unabashed. “Let’s get to it an’ take her ‘round the city! I’m sick o’ sittin’ ‘ere!” Without waiting for either of the other two he started down the street.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3OnUalE8cn
“We’d best be getting’ after ‘im; come on now.” Abban said with a sigh, shaking his head as he headed after his brother. Exchanging quick, amused glances the two women followed the siblings.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡdxPTjhMWrf
By the time they caught up, Seoirse had started warbling along to an old Scottish drinking tune at the top of his lungs, much to his older brother’s chagrin.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡdnkU1Ndy0Y
“He’s pit his arm aboot her neck,copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡvcqD2lTQI6
Hech hey sae wanton!copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡWuQNpNGCAk
He’s pit his arm aboot her neck,copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡVVKUOCsNHU
Hech hey sae wanton he!copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡhtwqmMCaPP
He’s dang her doon upon a sack, and there she’s got her corn grund!copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGvYhTP5HE
There she’s got her corn grund meal and multure free!”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0tOhuPsM5y
“Oh shud up Seoirse! It’s too early fer ya ta be this loud!”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKGldSAfpV
“Are they always like this?” Kennina asked Morrigan quietly.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVzxcYGYd6
“Baring missions, when even Seoirse knows he needs to bloody shut it? Yes.” She informed her, carefully brushing the straight raven bangs back away from her face only to have them immediately resume their former position. “Abban, bless him, keeps him in check as much as he can but as you can see it’s too little affect. They drive me crazy, but I wouldn’t trade them for the world.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡlqJv7i86kH
“Sounds like you’re very close.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8WcQE4kH2E
“Weren’t you, with your team?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡsOwjA1xWMo
Kennina shrugged and sighed. “If I had my choice I wouldn’t be here. Not that I mean any offense but…”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡnGbZJBpAqv
“None taken; believe me, I understand.” Morrigan told her. “You never know, though. You might be able to transfer back so bear with it.” Only in her sweetest dreams; deep down she knew that she’d never seen New York again. “I hear you’re high ranked in your class; that you scored in the top 5.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡd5E4uhIc9M
“#1, actually. Alaric and Etain, my former team mates, ranked numbers 2 and 3 respectively.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡbNE6EShO6v
“So you’re elite.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡyLC4ypYZBg
“I wouldn’t go that far.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡNdhn05C98r
“I scored 23rd in my class; Abban, also in my class, scored 9th.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡRCYBFvalhw
“And Seoirse?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77y1pCOc13
Morrigan shook her head. “You’d never know it just by looking at him, but in his class he scored 4th.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNFglt4x5Y
“So he’s good when he decides to pull his head out of his ass, is that what you’re saying?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡEiwL5krAQD
“Yes, I’d term it that way.” She said. “I take it that he’s not your type?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡXHmlKqr4I5
“I don’t really have a type,” Kennina told her, looking down at the flower as she rolled its knobby stem between her fingers. “I’d love to find someone and settle down but…I’ve sworn my life to fighting the Vampires and until they’ve been wiped out-.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPYDEJX5BE
“You can’t give it up?” she nodded, pulling her curls back into a ponytail to better keep them at bay. “Why not date another warrior then? Someone who knows that risk that you, or he, could go out one night and not come back?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡuPW1gCvrmD
“Because, on top of setting myself up for emotional disaster, it would be wholly irresponsible of me.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6m2OqNVAX
“You’d rather risk you’ll die alone?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uLhHId1hi
“It’s better that way.” Kennina’s voice was laced with an air of brittle finality. “So, where are we headed exactly?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡjElxYZ7gRc
“A few places; Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, Big Bend etc. And, of course, our favorite lunch spot. The point of the day is to show you around the city and get to know you a little better before we get down to work tonight.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ00gpRd5rz7
“Wan’ ta play a bettin’ game, Lass?” Having given up on quieting his brother Abban had fallen back into step with the two of them. “Let’s see ‘ow long it takes ‘im ta can it on ‘is own. I’d reckon it’ll be about 3 ‘ours.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbcthltaE7
“I think that I can bet in good confidence that he won’t shut up.” Kennina replied with a smile. “I may not know your brother, but I do know his type.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡeGJXYLK9Pa
And shut up he didn’t; all day it was nothing but ceaseless babble from the younger of the two MacanBairns-and the occasional question from one of the others when he darted off into the crowds again or else paused to take a breath-and by the time the sun had begun to set Kennina felt confident that she could both ace a history course on London’s monuments and comfortably sing along with almost any pub-load of drunken Scotsmen.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVoKji8AZm
When darkness fell, however, the change in the merry mood was abrupt; Seoirse stopped talking instantly and his expression settled into a grim seriousness which, though he couldn’t have been more than a few months older than her, aged him considerably. “Back ta work, then.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡowSxYgEV2k
“That it is,” Morrigan answered quickly. “Abban and I will run to HQ and get a head start on things; take her home to get her gear and then meet up with us. We’ll brief you when you arrive.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡBejHay7Qmx
“Righ’; ya ready to go Yankee Rose?” she fell into step behind him as he headed down into the subway terminal; the use of public transit was, of course, more than familiar to her but the route was not and so she was stuck looking to him at every stop that the underground train made to see if the stop it had ground to would be the one at which they’d get off.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8JbdSjiW7I
The walk to her row house from station was made in 5 minutes at a dead sprint, and she made a point to take careful note of its location.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IpvxEBt7j
“Come in; I’ll be right down!” Leaving him standing in the atrociously upholstered foyer Kennina ran up the stairs and threw on her gear under her coat before returning to the front room.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhO3HgqfRl
“Bit o’ a dingy place, don’t ya think?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡxcm9uRCvCG
“If you think that this is bad, you should have seen it yesterday.” She told him as she strapped her hand blades into place. “I had to evict a couple colonies of spiders.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡhoXCPgCyYp
“Well, ya’d think they’d provide better room an’ board for ya’.” He said with a small shrug as they dismounted the porch and hurried back towards the subway. “’oh ‘bout this; once all this blows over the three o’ us will help ya do some refurbishin’.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡTdnWCIz76W
“I have a feeling that I won’t be here long enough for that to be necessary.” Not anywhere near long enough.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡkrbV5vSWnx
“Eh, well, if ya sae so.” They took the steps of the escalator two at a time. “We gotta take another line ta get ta HQ; it’s about ta leave so we gotta hurry!” The metal grills on the floor rang like struck bells beneath their feet as they darted around in between the other people crowding the station, leaping onto the subway just as the doors slid shut. “Is it this busy back in New York?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡIClZG8iA7O
She nodded. “Yes, for the most part. Maybe a little bit less, simply due to the fact that the subway system back home runs 24/7 so no one feels like they have to rush places before it closes.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡkfxijjKLTQ
“Bet tha’s useful once things get goin’ aye? We’re stuck on foot most o’ the night.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3imi9O7AHl
“Is it overly busy in London? Is there very much activity in the city? Much in the countryside?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡUs7FAljcz1
“Activity? Nae, it’s usually fairly quiet.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5CerE8uFJ
Kennina stared at him for a moment waiting for further elaboration, but when none came she prodded “usually?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡolEfj0FT91
“Morrigan an’ me brother will brief ya’, darlin’. It’s best ya get the full version from them rather than the shortened one.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEb0rnt1Ti
Back out of the terminal and onto the streets, down to the Scotland Yard building and around the corner to the hidden entrance into the alleyway. Now that night had fallen, the formerly empty main room was filled with occupied desks rustling papers and cups of coffee; the pair found the other two members of their team seated in the same room where she’d first met them the day prior.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡwO54EtDedU
“I need ta’ go an’ get ma gear; I’ll be right back.” He left her standing in the doorway and vanished down the hall again.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡF33b3HFlgO
“Come on in Lass, it’s best tha’ we get down ta things. Ma brother already knows all ‘bout what’s goin’ on so he needn’t be ‘ere for the start.” Abban stood with his usual posture of crossed arms, reclined against a nearby wall with the curving polished wood handle of a massive war hammer leaned beside him. “Morrigan, if ya wouldn’t mind?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0Gdda9L0X
The woman, sitting at the only table in the room cleaning a pair of silver colt pistols, looked up from what she had been doing. “Yes, of course.” Quickly reassembling the pieces, she set the gun and cloth in her hands down and stood up. “I’m not sure how much the activity in New York compares to the activity here, but it’s not all that unusual for us to go for months without seeing any signs of the Malformed, and when we do see them it’s never in large groups.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTAY6Wmkl1
“Let me guess,” she said grimly, her hands tightening into fists around the cross bar of her weapons, “that’s changed.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtJfeCFCEt
“Aye, changed it has.” Seoirse, a pair of matching short swords strapped to the back of his unhidden gear, answered as he came in from the hall. “Was right abou’ four months ago now when it happened; the Malformed appeared in numbers the like o’ which we’d never seen before. Now, it’s a blessin’ to go a night without a murder!”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTNXcxgrRc
“We’re used to them being disorganized an’ unintelligent but this lot is different; they’re vicious an’ smart. It’s almost as if-.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡg6qcz1k0vQ
“They’re answering to something.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PRXXYeCQT
Silence descended immediately on the small room, tension coiling thickly in the air as the three English hunters stared at her motionless and with various expressions of shock.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5DlwVaMs7
“She’s a problem for ‘em than, the right bastards! Another Code Red!”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡLgjROybjfZ
“Seoirse, shut the bloomin’ door!” Abban bellowed, his younger brother jumping and scrambling to do as he was told, expression falling into something almost stricken as he realized his mistake.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡEi3zq9VKwj
“Aye, sorry Abban. Sometimes I forget…I didn’ think she’d know.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡiFyE86epQu
“We don’ know she does know! It could ‘ave just been an assumption an’ now you’ve gone an’ made a mess o’ things!” For the first time his eyes were unfriendly as they fell on her again. “For all we know, they sent her ta keep an eye on us!”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡkce3f4eimx
“But they don’ know we know anything!”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeN8YV0OLU
“They might now!”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡuDj8raeIrF
Kennina spun around at a flash of movement in her peripheral vision and found herself staring down the barrel of Morrigan’s guns, her formerly calm eyes all at once cold and threatening. “Why were you really sent here Lane?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwWXjixzgh
Kennina immediately put her hands up and stepped back. “Because I overheard something that they didn’t want overheard and stupidly thought that digging further into the matter after lying to their faces was a good idea.” Her words spilled out in a panicked rush, green eyes locked on the weapon. “I haven’t even told my former team mates the details of what it was that I overheard because it would put their lives in the same perilous position that mine is. And I’m not going to tell any of you anything either for precisely that same reason!”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6dGuw6JM0q
Another tense few seconds passed before Morrigan lowered her weapons and tossed them back onto the table. “Sorry about that, but we had to know; can’t afford to take any chances.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡVuItMkMf8W
“Believe me,” Kennina said as she slowly let her hands fall back to her sides, “I get it.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡvaBwLSkMcS
“There’s no need for secrecy Lass; we know at least as much as you do.” Abban informed her, hefting his massive weapon over one shoulder and heading across the room to open the door. “We’ll talk more abou’ this in the mornin’, somewhere where we’re less likely ta be overheard. Fer now, let’s bother ourselves with continuin’ the search for wha’ever the hell is behind all o’ this madness!”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡtWZecSXhNP
“He’s right; I know for a fact that I’m being tracked, and the three of you may be as well.” She told the other two quietly as she followed him out. “It’s best that we simply follow the orders that we’re given; blend in for as long as possible.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡGMjGLoiJMT
“Wit’ the Yankee Rose ‘ere I’d reckon tha’ things are abou’ ta blow.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOj6aBoyJQ
“I hate to say it, but I agree with you.” Morrigan told him, snapping her weapons into their holsters at her belt. “But the two of them have a point, we’ve sat here for long enough.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡzghAhrs0ah
Outside, the other two members of their team were sheltering on the staircase. The night which had set in was cold and a light but incessant drizzle had begun to fall while they were inside.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡiTYPvY1jtO
“Looks like it will be a good night for them; there’ll be less people out on a rainy evening and they’ll be less aware in their hurry to get home.” Kennina’s voice was cold and almost clinical, unaffected by the situation that she’d seem so many countless times by now that it no longer had any weight on her emotions aside from the distant flare of the embers of hatred still smoldering inside her. “Easy prey.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSPdOoTYIw
“Most o’ the trouble happens up in the Eastern district o’ the city near Havering, Lass. It won’ take us long ta get there if we hurry.” Abban rumbled, staring up the stairs. “The subway’s still runnin’ fer the moment; let’s make use o’ it.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbbkWWhMqC
“Morrigan’s pistols and my blades are easy to conceal, but won’t your weapons both arise at least a little bit of concern?” Kennina asked as they followed his lead. “Maybe it’s different here in London, but after 9/11 happened getting out weapons on and off of public transportation became a nightmare.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡy6mzlOb8V5
“I though’ ya were the #1 back ‘ome Yankee Rose. Don’ tell me ya really don’ know wha’ a basic concealment charm is?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡLnWqN0Pjd8
“Charms and Enchantments was an honors level course for Ranged-Supports; as a forward, I was not only not required to take it but discouraged from doing so.” She told him, bristling somewhat. “But, now that you mention it, it does explain a few things.” Like how Alaric could think nothing of taking his massive longbow into a crowded train station and not even receive so much as a second glance from any of the security personal that he passed and how he could make shots in total darkness that would require the vision of an eagle without hesitation.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡvd66qcbI6m
“Your Support used them?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡcl9UNEZM1c
She nodded. “Adeptly.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5E7cRTSDCU
“Interestin’ ta see how the requirements for the same job differ in other parts o’ the world; would seem they don’t wan’ ya quite so sharp at their door Lass.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡml0j2wd2iC
“Remind me tomorrow an’ I’ll show ya how to carve a concealment charm into yer weapon.” Seoirse said, sidestepping closer for just long enough to bump shoulders with her with a wide grin. “Should at least know tha’; never know when keepin’ somethin’ shrouded can be useful.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRc0GWcGjy
Into the subway tunnels for the third and-she hoped-final time that night, mounting the escalator and heading down to the platform before boarding a train bound for the afflicted district. Between the rain and the approach of closing time people were beginning to clear out, making their return to the surface streets through the turn style relatively swift and easy.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsr28mJR8B
“How are we going to do this?” Kennina asked the other three as they pushed through the doors onto the street. “I’m not clear on how your team works.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡOsi7BLNeJm
“It all depends on the situation really.” Morrigan informed her, brushing away the bangs which the rain had pasted to her forehead. “Normally we prefer to stay in a group if possible, though if necessary we will split up. Of course, now that you’re here with us the option of pairs is opened up as well. Abban?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7owh5SXvQo
“Our biggest concern tonight is ta cover as much ground as possible,” he replied gruffly. “We’ll be splittin’ up; keep within screamin’ distance an’ holler if ya need help. I don’t wan’ to be losin’ anyone tonight.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCLmWjmvHB
“Right then, I’ll go this way!” Seoirse took off down a dark alley on his own, the silver glint of his swords quickly disappearing into the rainy shadows.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡDDVlJHqRNF
“Idiot tha’ he is ma brother will be fine Lass. He ranked 4th, after all.” But she had to admit that she wasn’t entirely convinced. “Keep headin’ up this way; Morrigan an’ I will head West an’ branch off.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡrFk5j2ey5R
“Right.” As the remaining two members of her team broke off Kennina quickened her pace, keeping her footing just barely on the wet pavement and pushing away the passing thought that she should perhaps have thought to bring an umbrella out with her will blinking the rain pelting into her face out of her eyes.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡxshcMyLSa6
Her footfalls and the slightly clanking of the buckles on her gear were the only sounds to interrupt the hiss of wind and rain; but for her, the streets were deserted and her only company was the shadows. Empty, or so she thought.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMTGpCKshB
A flash of movement off the one side caught her eye and she skidded to a halt, pirouetting to face the source of the commotion with blades at the ready only to catch sight of the tail end of a mangy stray retreating into the night.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡd3UpNOKpM7
“Damn dog.” She muttered crossly, checking her surroundings before resuming her path Northwards. Nothing. No hostile presences nor any signs of them. Kennina had just begun to consider calling the search and moving on to another block when she took a right turn and ran face first into exactly what she’d hoped she wouldn’t find.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡhb9aKyymvF
In a narrow passageway along the back of a number of dilapidated houses crumbling away into a state of disrepair were signs of a struggle and a pair of bloody drag marks leading further into the dark. Swearing under her breath and tightening her grip on her weapons she continued forwards, slowly and with the silence of a hunting cat, and strayed from beneath the protection of the street lamps’ harsh artificial glow.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ5vMWCkUEk
Once the shadows had closed in on her completely she paused, waiting for her vision to adjust to what little natural light that there was before observing her surroundings with a cautious critical eye. The silence of the area was so oppressive and thick that it felt as if she were being hushed, the glossy black folds of the numerous bulging black trash bags stacked into a careless pile beside the crouching darkened shape of an overflowing dumpster reflecting a few slivers of the distant city glow; the cold air smelled of old garbage and blood, and the drag marks vanished around another corner to ultimately lead through a ragged hole punched into the wood and insulation of one of the abandoned homes crowding one of London’s poorest districts.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡUqnbqwpIMN
Senses on high alert for any signs of danger, Kennina carefully picked her way over to the hole and peered inside; nothing could be made out from that distance against the yawning featureless black.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡcaedg00hhA
Well, shit. She thought. Looks like I’m going in.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡeOdIf3totq
Watching the placement of her hands and feet and mindful of any wires or nails Kennina pulled herself up onto the cusp of the hole before dropping down the interior on the other side.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkhrn7oDcL
The[O2] instantly recognizable scent of death was stronger here, much of the debris of scattered boards and broken uneven shards of brick slathered with drying blood. Lying the one corner was a mass of shredded meat and bone the like of which Kennina didn’t care to get close enough to really look at.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8orexuv8ud
How long ago had this happened? How many Malformed were responsible and where were they now? Before she could even attempt to answer any of those questions a loud cry from a few blocks away, muffled by the collapsing walls, echoed to her through the hole.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡbBsrnv5TwP
Seoirse! It looked like the younger of the two MacanBairns had gotten himself into trouble just as she had feared that he would, and was now in need of aid which she couldn’t count on Morrigan and Abban being close enough to deliver.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡDqRjnqhvBS
The sharpened edges of her hand blades bite deep into the sagging brick and dissolving mortar which formed a shell around the house’s melting interior as she threw herself back through the hole and hit the pavement running. The rain was slowing up now as she ran through the streets, weaving left and then right and then left again in search of the alley where he’d parted from them and then in search of where he’d ended up.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0uli9UHeP7
The crescent moon broke through the thick cloud cover just as she finally managed to locate her imperiled team mate, beaten bloody and backed into a corner by three snarling Malformed as he tried to ward them off armed with only one blade the other lying near where she stood on the ground from when he’d been disarmed.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSuxmRWoZy
Snatching the fallen blade from the uneven pavement Kennina chucked it as hard as she could in the direction of the struggle, succeeding in hitting the Malformed nearest to her; it bounced harmlessly off of the thick leather biker’s jacket that it wore, but had the desired effect of alerting it to her presence.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYWfXHmL2w
All three turned their attention away from Seoirse and onto her, beady red eyes fixating on their new target as their contorted faces peeled back into renewed snarls over mouths filled with teeth like needles.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPqhUSppHY
“I’m sure that you’re all having a merry time beating on him, but pitting three of you against someone who only scored #4 on the examine is hardly fair don’t you think?” her sweet tone was belied by the devilish sneer imprinted on her face, green eyes taking in even the slightest motion of the three Malformed as they considered their new opponent in a flurry of hisses and growls. “Now, me? I ranked #1; I can handle a bit of rough play. Keeps things interesting!”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡmXrCcA3haY
The play of a shadow on the alley floor before her alerted her to the presence of the forth just as Seoirse shouted a warning of “Behind you!”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHp4uZZ8Pi
In an effortless movement of force and practiced grace Kennina dove forwards underneath the path of the blow aimed at the back of her head, planting her hands firmly against the cold wet pavement and bringing the rest of her body up behind, locking her ankles around its neck and flipping it forwards onto its back as she rolled up into a crouch and quickly returned to her feet.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bIuCUsncJ
The other three were moving now, spreading out and advancing on her from different angles to give their stunned fourth number the needed time to recover. The Malformed in the biker jacket took a swing at her with two inch claws but Kennina easily avoided it by leaping backwards out of range before swinging her body around the axis of her firmly planted feet and wielding the centrifugal force to her advantage to drive her claw blades upwards through the soft flesh underneath its chin up into its head; the Malformed collapsed to the alley floor like a felled tree.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdg4PJcvMM
With one of the remaining three distracted by the once-more-properly-armed Seoirse, the two left closed in on her rapidly from both sides. Dropping her center of gravity as she fell into a crouch, Kennina swept the legs from underneath one of them before flicking her wrist to angle the second half of the motion upwards sharply into the second’s head. Razor edged blades bit through flesh bone and sinew before the downed one could recover, and with the defeat of Seoirse’s opponent the last one standing turned to flee.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZjVAlagOg
“Are we just going to let it get away?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡcFMLKHdhho
“If ya wan’ ta go after it be my guest Yankee Rose.” Her companion replied breathlessly, going to his knees. “I don’t trust myself walkin’ at the moment.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡXJS84osCJq
The thing had reached the mouth of the alleyway by the time Kennina turned to go after it but she only managed to take a few steps before a furious Abban rounded the corner; a single swing of his hammer was all that it took to drop the fleeing Malformed to the ground with a crushed skull. Morrigan was right behind him, weapons aimed and eyes sparking as she took in the blood and Malform bits strewn across the dead end.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxydehtDKC
“Well,” she straightened up and replaced her pistols in their holsters. “It looks like we missed the party.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡMJuDhXhPV2
Returning down the alley to where Seoirse knelt trying to catch his breath, Kennina held out a hand to help him up. “Are you alright?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡAEa9aQ4Fqz
His cheek was cut open and there was a large knot forming above his blackened right eye, but when he took her hand to rise to his feet his stood without much difficulty. “Yeah, I’ll be fine thanks ta you. Tha’ was incredible; you move like they do!”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡQtZIGOLRjl
“Oh, I don’t know,” she replied with a smirk, “I think I’m just a bit more graceful.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsl8hoF2cf
“An’ certainly more deadly,” Abban said as he walked over to the pair to give his brother a once over after thoroughly examining the scene. “I’d rather face a hoard o’ them ov’r you, Lass, from the look o’ the ones that were unlucky enough to get in a tussle with you. Did you find anything before ya had ta come runnin’ back ta save his arse?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBW0PlQyIt
She nodded. “Yes; I found an abandoned building that they might have been using the hide from the sun. Inside of it was a kill that looked fairly fresh, and I’d hazard a guess that a few of the Malformed here were among those responsible for it.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdESSAYO2z
“You’re probably right,” Morrigan agreed as she joined them at the back of the alley. “It’s getting to be fairly late, and we really should find some medical attention for Seoirse; I’d be confident in saying that he’s not quite feeling the full extent of his injuries for the moment because of the adrenaline. Shall we call it?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7FqpTWcO7k
“I’d say tha’ we should.” Abban pulled his brother’s arm around his shoulders to help him better limp along and the four headed out of the alleyway and back into the street. “I can handle ma brother on ma own from ‘ere. Morrigan, you should take Kennina ‘ome; make sure ya give ‘er the details.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsKZDdAiPk
“I will, Abban.” As the pair hobbled away, the older woman turned to Kennina. “Come on, let’s get out of this cold.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡvI7xazFTqN
They passed quickly down the dark streets, sticking close together and huddling deep into the warm clothing worn thrown over their gear. Luckily, it was without incident that the two made it back to Kennina’s little row-house.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡZHyIYOvn3t
“Thanks for walking me back; I don’t doubt that I would have had at least a little bit of trouble finding my way back here on my own.” She said, eyes covertly scanning the surrounding darkness for any signs of watchers on foot or cars that might seem out of place. “I should have some tea or coffee somewhere, given that the Guild stocked the house in advance. Why don’t you come inside and have a hot drink?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡtkSvcE2Zn2
“That sounds marvelous, thank you.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡiN6WfyMuc4
Kennina closed the door tightly once Morrigan had stepped inside, latching it and doing one last check through the little window before turning away. “I cleaned out the entire place from top to bottom when I first got here yesterday, so I know for a fact that there’s no bugs. Of either sort.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡihuFWxWV7g
“Comforting knowledge,” the other smiled, following the shorter red-head from the small entry room into the kitchen. “Though I doubt they’d bother much with the use of civilian technology; too easy to stumble over when doing things like, as you mentioned, cleaning. I hate to make you think that someone’s lurking right outside your window but-.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡFBtiscbFkC
“They really might be?” she completed, stretching up onto her tip toes to pull a pair of mugs down from an overhead cabinet. “I know, trust me. Which would you rather?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRenRaeeC7
“Oh, tea please.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡDHkrrepEuX
“One thing that definitely is good about this place, to balance out the awful patterning and poorly maintained paint job, is the Keurig.” The little carton of Earl grey fit into the slot with a small clatter before the lid closed with a snap. “Don’t have to sit around and wait for water to boil with this baby.” Setting each of the mugs beneath the small tap in turn Kennina pressed the button to fill them. “How do you take it? Sugar? Honey? Milk?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡXLcr2HpDvT
“Just tea is alright.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡoKjtfGV0s3
“Here,” she handed the other her cup before sitting down across from here. “I’d assume that Abban wanted you to fill me in on exactly where it is that we’ll be meeting up tomorrow?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZGeHQB7t0
She nodded. “We passed Westminster abbey earlier today, remember; it isn’t all that far from HQ. Inside of the Western Doors you’ll find the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior; use the crowds that generally gather there to lose any tail that you might have and head to the lower floor. There’s a Crest Mark in the wall that leads to what might at one time have been a war room but hasn’t seen official use in a number of decades. We’ll be able to speak in complete confidence there.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcFod8Lc2Z
“I’ll manage to make it there eventually, but I’m just going to get it out there right now that I’ll probably end up being late; my grasp on London’s layout is still extremely poor.” Kennina told her. “Should I bring anything with me?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡcsMsAmdH8F
“Any documents that you were using in your fishing expedition; I assume that you brought them with you.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡEEA21paJ1p
She shook her head. “No, I didn’t. I…I won’t lie to you, Morrigan; I really do believe that they sent me here in order to get rid of my because of what I know, but I’m not about to just let them win. I left the book with my team so that the information wouldn’t die with me.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0G6124CzQe
“Bring a drop phone with you, then; something untraceable. We’ll need to get into contact with them about a package that they’ll be receiving in the mail soon: best to keep everything together.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡavWnXkLXDm
“You think that you could all be in danger as well?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rgl4h2Ljc
“Abban has a theory,” Rising to her feet Morrigan crossed the kitchen and lowered her finished cup into the sink. “For the moment it’s only just that, a theory. Though, I suppose that we’ll all be dead in the event that it ever becomes anything more.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡwiCefLPwAg
“What theory? What makes you think that your entire team could be a target?”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡsZWhYuP09v
“Tomorrow,” was her only answer. “Thank you for the tea, Kennina. I’ll be able to show myself out.”copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7v0ol9w2zh
By the time the sound of the front door closing behind her company reached her ears the rain had once more resumed its restless pattering against the windows.copyright protection70ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjopxUNnsY
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