Bullets tear through the air over the cover we squat behind. Larkspur hands me another clip for my GoldenSeal pistol.
"These motherfuckas don't quit, do they?" They ask me while reloading.
"They must own a bullet factory or something," I reply. Judging by how much ammo they're willing to waste on shots that can't hit us.
"I count eight of them. Speaking of eight, you saw that 'Upon My Heart' is getting another season?"
"Seriously? How can they still have more story to tell? Didn't they solve the dads murder in the last one?"
"I think they're gonna focus on the sister, remember she had that thing with the ghost girl?"
"Oh, who gives a shit about that? Those were the most boring episodes!"
The river of gunfire stops and we hear a symphony of CLICK's. Amateurs that they are, they started firing all at the same time, which means they need to reload at the same time.
I nod to Larkspur and we pop up and open fire on our attackers. Precise shots lead to their brains and blood decorating the wall behind them. They all fall dead as we walk out from our cover.
The corpses of various gang members now litter the gym floor. Most of them were still hostile to one another. But they keep making truces to team up and kill any Bay Leaves they encounter. It hasn't worked out in their favor. Even outnumbered, the average Bay Leaf outclasses the majority of any wannabe gangster. But something must be said about their tenacity; the more of them we kill, the more of them seem to pop up.
It wouldn't surprise me if they were cloning these assholes to ambush us. This is turning into a battle of attrition. If we lose steam or make a mistake then any one of these ambitious shooters could take us out. We've held out and haven't lost anyone so far, but if something doesn't change; we could be in trouble.
Larkspur and I exit out to the street. The summer sun begins assaulting us, and the sounds of general chaos permeate the streets. Sirens of all kinds ring out, people scream, and gunshots from somewhere else echo over to us. The block we're on is clear of any attention, so we calmly walk to our ride.
"Aight, so don't get mad at her," Larkspur says as they get in the driver's seat.
"Already a lil' pissed off," I respond, not knowing the subject of my anger.
"Kadupul told me that-"
"Ugh!" I groan, knowing exactly where this is going.
"That you wanna cut ties with Hazel, or cool things off with her," Larkspur presses on.
"And I'm guessing that you have your opinion on the matter?"
They shrug and start the car.
"I just think you should give it some more thought. Have you ever been with someone that makes you nearly as happy as Hazel has made you?"
"Firstly, how do you know if she makes me happy? Secondly, why does everyone care about my relationship status?"
"To answer the first one, you remember how we grew up together? I think I know you well enough to detect a change in your general attitude. I've never seen ya so… peppy. Second, why wouldn't we?"
I just shake my head and make a sound of disgust. Larkspur drops it and focuses on driving.
It's bad enough that my mind keeps going to Witch-Hazel on its own, I don't need everyone around me bringing her up. The fighting is the only thing that takes my mind off the magical beauty. Each second I think of her I want to entwine myself with her more and more.
Like right now, I need to stop. I shake my head and focus on the world around me.
A car speeds up right next to us, the windows roll down and I instantly recognize what's about to happen. I lunge to protect Larkspur, folding my right arm to cover my head.
Less than a second later bullets crash through our windows. Our latest assailants are better shots than most, which helps in this instance. Their shots land solidly on my torso and arm to get repelled by my treated jacket. Each one feels like getting hit with a bat but it's better than the alternative.
Larkspur quickly ascertains the situation and manages to grab my gun from my hand. When the shots stop, I lean back and Larkspur puts a bullet through the head of the other driver.
With a corpse at the wheel, the car swerves into a streetlight. None of them were practicing car safety, and fly out the windshield as they crash violently. Their bodies land in twisted shapes far from their car.
Larkspur speeds up and I lean back.
"You good?" I ask them. They check themself, as there are no injuries that I can see.
"I'm good," Larkspur looks in the rear view mirror. "More of them!"
Another car is speeding up behind us, moving on our left side. Before I can move to the backseat, a shotgun blast shatters the windows of the other car. Blood splatters all over the inside. The car loses control and spins off the road.
Narrowly avoiding the wreck, a lone motorist pulls up next to us, holding a Verpa lever action shotgun. Though she's wearing a helmet, I recognize the copper colored hair of Tamara anywhere. She signals for us to follow her. She takes us into the more civilized part of the city. We pull over and leave our respective vehicles, following her into a… frozen yogurt store?
Tamara walks right in like it's our hangout spot. If the woman behind the counter is at all concerned that we're armed, she doesn't show it.
"You two okay?" Tamara asks us.
"We're alright," I answer as I watch her combine raspberry, chocolate fudge, and mango yogurt. I should either be disgusted or feel ignorant at her genius. "Why are we in here?"
"Because it's a thousand degrees outside. You want some?" Tamara mixes another flavor, lemon, then sprinkles blueberries into her already complex cup. The urge to comment on it gets stronger but I choose to ignore it.
"Maybe later," I reply. Tamara shrugs but Larkspur grabs a cup and starts picking out flavors.
"This was one of the first places Koki'O took me to when I first came to Oleander City," Tamara explains.
"She's not with you now?" The employee asks. I'm surprised that Tamara answers with,
"She's doing something else."
"Shit's getting crazy out there, Tamara," Larkspur comments with a mouth full of cherry froyo. Our seasoned leader lets out a deep sigh and leads us to a small table.
As we sit down, I regret not getting any yogurt since it looks good and I want to cool off. But I don't want to get up right away to get some.
Later. Later for sure.
"I think I've shot more bullets this past couple of weeks than I have my whole career," Tamara says to us. A pang of guilt hits me as I recall this is all my fault. What's worse is that Tamara, or any of the other Bay Leaves don't seem mad about it. We're all fighting this exhausting battle because of me and no one has any objections. I don't know why that upsets me more than the actual fighting, but I can't deny that it's under my skin.
"This whole situation is a… what's the word?" Larkspur and I look at Tamara snap her fingers in an attempt to conjure the word she's looking for.
"Clusterfuck?" I supply.
"Close enough. We're stamping out little fires. We need to cut the head off this thing," Tamara attests.
"Are we putting out fires or are we cutting off snake heads?" Larkspur asks for the sake of clarity.
"Shut up, I can mix metaphors if I want to. Point is, we need to do something different."
They both eat their frozen yogurt in silence for a moment and my desire for it skyrockets.
"I have an idea," I disclose as a thought pops into my head. Tamara looks me right in my eyes, attempting to guess what's running through my mind. She squints and furrows her brow.
"I'm not going to like this, am I?"
"No." I take the last scoop from Larkspur's cup. "You're gonna hate it."
✨🔮✨
I'm trying my best to do push-ups when Lantanna comes up to me.
"Don't mind me, finish up." She says.
It feels like my chest is on fire. How does Hollyhock do so many of these? I crash to the ground in exhaustion.
"Thirty?" She estimates.
"Yeah," I lie.
"What good is doing push-ups to a magician?"
"We can't always rely on just our magic, our bodies are our first instruments. We should hone them," I pointlessly spout to my new Mentor. Her physique is much more honed than mine.
"Uh huh, not trying to impress your girl with your gains?"
I can't deny that I've flirted with the idea. The scene in my head has Hollyhock feeling my more toned muscles and soon exploring other places. But first I have to work on getting said muscles.
"Well, put that on hold. Because we have a situation brewing and now seems like an opportunity to prove if my teaching has sunk in."
I struggle to get to my feet.
"What kind of situation?" I ask as I wipe the dust off my hands.
"Let's meet up with the others and I'll discuss it then."
Lantanna gathers all the sorcerers in a circle. Based off their mumbling, they don't know what this is about either.
"Settle down, everyone." With those three words, all the noise stops. "Now then, our friendly wizards in Utoto Mkubwa gave us a tip. An old magical artifact we all thought lost has resurfaced in the non-magical world."
That gets everyone talking again but the captain demands silence once more.
"The artifact we're looking for is the Moonlit Lyre. Far as we can tell, it's being sold off at an auction next week."
"How'd we miss this?" Datura asks.
"As it's been explained to me, the Moonlit Lyre was lost sometime around the beginning of the Araucanian wars. It's not a very powerful magical tool, so no one paid much attention to it. I guess the conquistadors had it for some reason or another. Lost it in a battle, and someone picked it up and it's exchanged hands from then on. How the wizards in Utoto Mkubwa came across it is unclear."
"What's so important about it?" I ask.
"It can call the creatures of the night, both the mundane and the magical. While it usually requires a magician's touch to trigger its call, during a full moon it primes itself. And a full moon is coming up. Best if we get it to prevent any mishaps."
"If they caught wind of it, why doesn't Utoto Mkubwa take care of it?" another sorcerer asks.
"The auction is taking place on Narcissus island. So it's under our purview, which really means it's our problem not theirs. Plus, it gives us a chance to put our initiative to the test."
I see an opportunity to bring up what Hollyhock told me.
"I have someone that can provide us with fake identities to help us go undercover," I put forth.
"Why would we need those?"
"Because the alternative is always glamouring people to make them believe we are who we say we are. This way, we have papers do all the convincing for us."
Lantanna rubs her chin in consideration at that.
"You still have much to teach me it seems. Okay, so do I want to know why you have someone that can get fake identities?"
"... Probably not."
"Then I'll stay ignorant. How soon can we get them?"
"I'm not sure, I'd have to check. But I'll ask for their opinion on our mission. My contact is… very knowledgeable in things like this."
"You'll leave out the magical details?"
"Yes."
Lantanna looks around at her sorcerers.
"Do we think infiltrating a fancy auction for her first mission might be too much?" she asks the circle.
"She seems more than up to the task," Datura is the first to give his blessing. Soon the others form a chorus of agreement. A bit of warmth goes to my cheeks hearing their praises after I beat them all so severely in our duels.
"Then it seems we're in agreement, we'll follow your lead in this mission. Acquire anything you think we need for it by whatever shadowy means you seem to have. We don't have a lot of time so here." She reaches into her pocket and tosses something to me. As it lands in my hand, I recognize it as a sorcerer emblem. Like the one before, it turns jet black.
"That's yours, a permanent emblem. The world is yours to go out into," she raises a finger "with my permission. I don't want to lead a manhunt to track you down, got it?"
I nod in compliance.
"Good, then go get what you need and report back when you can. Datura, give her your bracelet."
He obliges the request and hands the band over to me. It's a band of simple leather with a sliding knot. What's remarkable about it are the aquamarine beads that decorate it. With a closer look, I can see swirling particles of magic in each of them.
"We talk through those, hold the utmost right one to get into contact with me. Range should cover the globe, barring any magical interference. I expect regular updates. Now go get started. The rest of you, prep just in case and form teams of three."
With that order, I make my way back to my home and grab some things. I try to remain calm, but I'm excited to see Hollyhock again. Now with this emblem, I can see her more often, everything is going my way it seems.
With all my things gathered, I exit IronHenge. With a sigh, I dissolve into the Leyline to travel to Oleander City.
Moments later, I find myself Hollyhock's apartment. Teleporting inside, I look around to see my lovely assassin isn't home. I put my things down and leave, thinking I'll find her at their HQ.
It… takes a bit longer than I'd like to find it as I have trouble remembering exactly where it is. Finally finding it, I climb the steps. The Bay Leaves mill about, clearly busy with something, but most greet me with a nod or a "'Sup?". One of them point me in the direction of the woman I'm looking for, or rather, who they think I'm here for. Luckily, I find her talking with Hollyhock.
"Hello, Hazel," Tamara says, not looking up from whatever she's holding. Hollyhock has her back to me and almost flinches learning I'm here. She turns her head, her latest scar still stands out on her face for me.
"Hey," she says to me. I can't but feel like it was a bit forced, but I choose to move on.
"Tamara, remember when I asked about fake identities?"
"Technically, Hollyhock asked me, but yes."
"How fast could you get them?"
"Depends, on a lot of things. Like where you want them to pass and the persons they're covering."
"I have a mission in a week, and I'd like your advice on it."
That gets her attention. She looks at me with piqued interest.
"Talk to me."
"There's an auction going to happen on Narcissus island." Tamara's eye slightly narrow at that.
"You need to steal something from it?" She asks. Hollyhock raises an eyebrow at me.
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, you're talking to a criminal about an auction. If you needed someone killed, you'd just say that. Are you after a specific item?"
"Yes."
"Do you have any detailed information on the building? Other items for auction? guest list? Security?"
"Not at all." Her questions make me realize how woefully unprepared we are for this mission.
"Don't sweat it," she says as she summons over Digitalis. "Digit, Hazel here needs heist info for an upcoming auction happening on Narcissus island. Get her whatever you can."
He looks me up and down for a second then shrugs.
"I'll get it done," he replies. Digit walks away and Tamara focuses on me again.
"May I ask why you need to steal this specific item?"
"Would you be mad if I said I can't tell you?" Tamara smirks at my reply.
"I actually like you more with your secrets, keeps things interesting. Can I ask if you have a competent team for this heist?"
The sorcerers of IronHenge are seasoned magical fighters. It's doubtful they have any relevant training to pull something like this off. Not without raising too many questions that is.
"They're not exactly thieves. But they are-"
"Stop, don't think that any other profession will neatly translate into stealing. That'll trip you up. Unless you plan to magically swipe whatever you're after."
Hollyhock scratches her jaw.
"Well, that would be convenient, wouldn't it?" I half joke to dispel the tension before it forms.
"In any case, I did have an I.D made for you. I'm not sure where you wanted to originate from, so I made it American." She produces something from her pocket and hands it to me. A small book titled 'Passport.' I open it to find a picture of me with a bunch of information about me.
"How'd you get this photo of me?" I ask. Tamara points to a corner of the room to reveal a device I believe is a camera.
"Composite photography from surveillance," she answers. I don't know what she means by that but I don't want further information. "There's a California state I.D in there too." I retrieve a rectangular piece of plastic that also has my picture on it.
"Your fake name is Hazel Bannarasee. I figured you're attached to 'Hazel'. So you better starting reacting to the last name like it's been yours your whole life."
"Got it."
"Now, for your own group of mysterious individuals. Until you get me some pictures of them, and tell me where they're trying to go, I can't help you much more. How many of them are there?"
As the answer comes from my mouth, I realize it's too big an ask to make but I say it all the same,
"There's twenty of us."
"Yeah, there's no way I can get that many passable ID's for people I don't even have pictures of in time for your auction."
"But mine will pass?"
"Sure, but you'll need a fabricated net worth about your persona to feasibly get in. That is, if you're trying to attend the auction as a guest."
"I haven't thought about too much," I admit. Tamara nods then taps Hollyhock on the shoulder.
"Take Hollyhock with you, she'll plan the whole thing out."
"But our-" Holly starts to protest but Tamara cuts her off.
"We got it handled, and we won't do it without you. Help her," she says with a softness I've never heard in her voice before. Judging by how Holly reacts, I'm guessing it's new to her too. Holly exhales through her nose, but nods in agreement. She bids me to follow her with a tilt of her head. I walk behind her to Digit who types with precise speed on what I think is a computer.
He's explaining various bits of information about the auction that I know I should pay attention to. Yet my mind focuses on Hollyhock, specifically her energy. That edge I thought I imagined when we were last together is back, sharper and colder than before.
I don't like it.
Digit prints out all the relevant information and hands it over to Hollyhock. She, thankfully, was paying attention. As we walk out of the building she's looking over the papers but I'm looking her over.
"So, what exactly are we going to steal?" She asks. Hollyhock either doesn't notice or wants to acknowledge me inspecting her.
"A lyre," I answer. She flips through the pages and taps on a photo.
"A lyre is like a harp, right? Is this it?" I look at what she's pointing at.
"I don't know what it looks like exactly but I figure that's it."
"I'm guessing it's magical? What does it do?"
"It's called the Moonlit Lyre. It can attract magical creatures, even when a non-magical person plays it under a full moon's light."
"Sounds like a recipe for disaster. For a second, I thought you were trying to get a sweet payday."
"I have to earn a living somehow," I joke. Hollyhock sniffs.
"Let's go back to my place, plan this properly," she posits.
That cold edge is definitely back.
I oblige all the same, teleporting is back to her home. The assassin barely reacts to it, seemingly used to the magical means of transport. She looks around her living room to see my things.
"Looks like you already made yourself at home," she comments.
"They're just for this mission," I inform her. Holly nods and sits, laying out the papers.
We start formulating a plan by assessing the various factors at play here. Security will be high because there are some other high value items for sale. We don't have to worry about escape routes as magic will solve that for us. We'll have to steal it after the auction started, since we don't know where it's held. It also isn't magical enough to detect on its own.
I keep thinking 'we' but I haven't officially asked Hollyhock to help yet.
I know that if I ask, she'll help me. I know that more than anything. If she offers her services, I know I'll accept. But neither of us has made the ask. Why is that? Why am I hesitating? A few days ago I was so sure about us, now there's this strange tension. What is this?
🌿💀🌿
An air of forlornness seeps from Hazel. I guess hearing all these obstacles in her way has her out of sorts. Along with the fact that she won't get the covers for her team in time. She'd be doing this by herself.
That is, if I weren't planning on helping her.
I may be trying to cool things between us, but I'm not an asshole. Hazel needs help and I can't deny her that. She deserves that, if nothing else.
"This would be a bit much to take on yourself, good thing you got me to help you out."
"Really? You'd help with this?" She asks somewhat incredulous. I try to think of something innocuous enough to respond with. But the truth slips from my mouth faster than I could process it,
"You'll always have my help, Hazel," I answer with more emotion than I meant to give. It cheers Hazel up in an instant, and I clear my throat. "So let's focus up here."
"Hold on, I have to report to my new Mentor."
Hazel moves her wrist near her face and holds onto a bracelet I've never seen her wear before.
"Lantanna?" She says into the beads. A woman's voice comes from the jewelry,
"Hey Hazel, how are things going?"
"It's complicated," she replies. Figuring that I shouldn't talk, I start writing down relevant info for this heist. Hazel sees what I'm doing and winks at me.
"Your contact can't get the covers?"
"Not in time for the auction, since they don't have any pictures of us."
I slide a paper over detailing exactly what we'd need for fake papers. Hazel reads off the list to Lantanna.
"…and heights," she repeats to someone else. "We can get that done by today. I'll send it through a Replicus, do you have one?" Hazel retrieves a thin wooden oval from her things. The inside glimmers with sparkles of all colors.
"Yeah, I have one."
"What can you tell me about the auction?"
Hazel relays the general readout of the info as I write down a game plan.
"We'd need eyes on it, since it's too weak to detect by itself."
"Figured as much, so we need to get inside."
I ask on the paper "how many people are going to be on this?"
"How many of us are gonna be in on this, captain?"
"All of us are in this."
So twenty. I write that some will need to be there only as backup. And ask if they can possibly create a replica. Hazel mouths "why?" I inform her that otherwise there will be an intensive investigation, and we want to avoid that. She nods at my insight.
"Captain, can you get an artificer to make a replica? If we take this and leave nothing behind, it'll raise some questions. Ones with no other explanation besides magic."
"Hmm, that's a good point, but we don't know what it looks like." I tap the photos we have. The auction house got it from all angles.
"I have photos, I'll send them now." Hazel makes a gesture with her hands and the pictures are neatly cut from the papers. They then float over to her wooden oval thing. They enter and disappear a tiny shower of twinkling lights.
"Got them, I'll get an artificer right on it," Lantanna says.
I guess it's like a magic fax machine?
I write out the plan, keeping it simple for these less criminally inclined magicians. After Hazel relays the plan we wait for a moment.
"Sounds all good to me, one question remains."
"What is it?"
"Who is that I hear sniffing on the other end?"
I move my hand to cover my nose, heat flushes into my face with embarrassment. Hazel hesitates to answer and a laugh comes from the beads.
"Oh, that's her. Isn't it? Heh, 'unusual occupation' indeed. Forget I asked, I didn't hear anything. Good work, Hazel. We'll get to work on our side. Do what you got to do over there."
Hazel lets go of the bead and a sheepish expression spreads across her face.
"What was that about?" I prod. Hazel opens her mouth, doesn't say anything, and darts her eyes to the side to think of something. "Such a reassuring silence."
"I… may have… told her about you." Hazel finally offers.
"May have?" I prod further.
"Definitely. She took a big risk accepting my initiative and taking me on for sorcerer training. Lantanna said she needs to know what motivates her team."
"And that means telling her about me?"
Hazel bashfully nods. The heat in my face doesn't dissipate.
"I didn't tell her what you do, or your name, or anything important!" She tries to assure me. "Just the… general situation we've found ourselves in."
I elect to ignore asking about the 'general situation' we're in. So I inquire about something more important.
"The last two magicians I've met tried to kill me and wipe my memory. So you'll have to excuse me if I'm not thrilled hearing you told another one about me. Since you let me know that non-magical people aren't supposed to know about magic."
"Well, not just her, I had to tell the whole circle of sorcerers."
"… Did you think that was gonna comfort me?"
"It's factual. Besides, Lantanna is oddly okay with you, when I told her I broke a rule, she all but said she doesn't care."
"I don't love that you said 'oddly' but I guess it doesn't matter either way. If she wipes my mind, I'd like to say I told you so, but I doubt I'd remember."
"She's not going to wipe your memory, Holly."
"How can you be so sure?"
Hazel holds my hand, looks me in the eye, and with a serene voice says,
"I'd kill her before she got the chance."
The intent was to reassure me, I can't help but feel a shiver trail down my spine. Her gray eyes don't waver as they look into my soul. She meant that.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," I manage to say while keeping my cool. "I'd prefer if you didn't burn too many bridges, even for my sake."
Hazel shrugs and looks over the papers before us. I can tell she wants to say more, but holds in it for now.
I hammer out more details of the plan. Assessing what I'll need to get it done. Any possible complications that could arise; such as other parties getting involved. Hazel pops up, realizing something.
"You were making a plan with Tamara, did I interrupt something important?"
"We're making a plan to cull the annoying ass groups that haven't calmed down yet. It's the week after, don't worry about it."
"You're sure?"
"Am I sure it's the week after?"
"No, I mean I'm always popping into your life with something that turns your world upside down," Hazel explains. I chuckle.
"I think you did that when you saved me that first night. It's okay Hazel, I like helping you. But if you wanna make things more even, you could always pick up a gun and cut down some goons for me."
"I'd be happy to. Well, not happy, but you know what? Never mind. Let's go back to this."
"Better to move on from you putting your foot in your mouth," I acknowledge. She huffs.
"How's this looking?"
"Things are looking good, magic circumvents a lot of problems. There's one thing that could pose a serious issue. Other parties."
"What do you mean?"
"We can't assume we're the only ones interested in robbing this auction. Not for the same reason, obviously, but there are some pretty valuable pieces at this thing. This one necklace is worth five million euros. Something like that is bound to attract attention."
"I can see that. Is there any way to find out if anyone else is after this auction?"
"Most heists aren't broadcasted. Anyone after this is gonna do their own silent research. And we have to assume they knew more about it in advance, and did far more recon than us."
"So they might have infiltrated the staff, and could be armed?" Hazel hypothesizes.
"It's a solid possibility," I reply. "Now, we can't put out feelers to see if there are other parties without tipping our hand. So we gotta prioritize in case something happens. If a third party or more hit this auction, we let them have whatever they want besides the lyre. If they're armed and shit starts to go sideways, just teleport out with the lyre. They won't let security footage get out and will have more important shit to worry about."
Hazel nods with my contingency.
"Mission first," she says "I understand."
"Okay, I'll start getting stuff I'll need together. Talk to your people and start to coordinate with them."
The days pass by as everything comes together. It's strange, planning with a group I know nothing about on the other side of the planet. I don't know what these sorcerers are capable of. If they have enough discipline to follow instructions of this nature.
In all likelihood they do. From what I've gathered about sorcerers, they're a unit of fighting magicians. Some form of discipline must've been drilled into them. Still, relying on them to have Hazel's back when I don't know them leaves a… itchy sensation under my skin.
I squash it and focus on what's important. Which gets evermore difficult with Hazel flirting with me. A brush of fingers there, a foot lightly touching mine. Our hips meeting as she stands closer than necessary, and a come hither bite of her soft lips. But I can't say it's all on her. Sometimes I catch a bit of her scent and look to her. I get lost in those gray eyes of her. It won't be until she smiles at me that I realize how long I've been looking at her.
This should be easier. All I have to do is nothing, I just have to do less than what I'm doing, I just have to not act like I'm an idiot. So why is this so hard? Why I do have to act like she's the air itself? Why is this so hard?!
I know why and knowing doesn't help, in fact, it makes it harder. I-
Enough. We have a job to do.
The day comes. We have everything we need, the plan is put together, and Hazel has all she needs to enter the auction undetected. Now, we just need to get there. We drive out to an open field, it's empty since it's too hot to be outside. I take out all the equipment and put it into a neat arrangement. Hazel looks around to make sure no one can see us. If anyone could, I wonder what they'd think? A Black woman dressed in black tactical gear with an Asian woman in a stunning purple bodycon dress. With a pile of black cases between us.
Satisfied with her observation, Hazel relaxes. Her leg slides through her dress' slit as she leans on her hip. I can't stop my eyes from traveling down her thigh.
"Are you ready for this?" She asks. I bring my eyes back to her face.
"I've teleported before," I remark, trying not to admire the rest of her body. Hazel takes her left middle finger and traces a line back and forth on her chest. I can't tell if she wants to tease me further or does it idly. Her dress neckline plunges down to her navel.
"We'll be traveling by Leyline, it's much different from teleporting."
"Unless you have a jet somewhere in your dress, this is the fastest way to get to Greece in time, right? Let's do this."
"I'm sure you're gonna love it."
Hazel nods then takes my hand.
Then everything fades to black.
✨🔮✨
We dissolve into the Leyline. Even as particles flying through magical veins of the Earth, I still feel Hollyhock's presence. The molecules of my being are holding her molecules.
Moments later we reform at our destination. Being ten hours ahead of Oleander City the sun is disappearing below the horizon. We're on a beach near the building where the auction will happen. However, I sense I'm forgetting something.
Hollyhock moves from behind to vomit on the sand.
That's what I'm forgetting.
"Sorry, I forgot to mention that many people vomit the first time they use a Leyline." She finishes and spit on the mess she made.
"Yeah, you failed to bring up that fact." She shakes her head and gets up to her feet. "Feels like my stomach did a thousand backflips in one second. My body is shaking."
"That's normal, that'll go away in a minute or so," I assure her.
"Did you throw up when you did this for the first time?"
"No," I admit. "But like I said, most do."
"Uh huh." Hollyhock steadies herself. She then kicks some sand over her spilled breakfast. "Hope no one steps in that."
"I'm sure they won't. I'll get into contact with Lantanna and the others." Hollyhock nods as she tries to will her body to settle. "Lantanna, you there?"
"We're here outside the building, watching some people making their way in. Nothing out of the ordinary seems to happening. We'll be here on standby, let us know the second anything goes wrong."
"Understood." I look to Holly who seems to be alright now. She's gathering the things she needs and nods at me. We walk off the beach and see the building where our mission lies. Hollyhock gives me an earpiece and the contact lenses she explained have cameras in them. I don't understand how these cameras could be so small and thin. Though I guess I've exposed her to things she doesn't cognize either. I equip all my gear, Holly nods and makes her way towards her spot.
I was hoping for a good luck kiss, but she's very professional. I like that part of her too but still. Focusing on the mission at hand, I walk over to the building. Sparing a glance to Holly who starts scaling the side of a building assisted by a grappling hook. I look away to so as not to draw any attention to her.
I produce my clutch bag that holds my invitation and identification. A short line forms outside by the other guests. What if any of them have a genuine interest in the lyre?
I shake the thought from my head, it doesn't matter.
The front of the line gets closer and a man dressed in black is waving a flat wand over people before letting them in.
"What is that?" I ask in a low voice.
"That's a metal detector. He's checking if people have weapons. He'll just wave it over your torso and legs, you'll be fine," Hollyhock's voice answer.
🌿💀🌿
I get into position across the street from the building. From here I can see through a number of windows. The largest one lets me see into the main hall where the auction will start. I can see a few guards patrolling the perimeter. By the looks of them, most are ex-military. Serious security. I unpack my equipment and open a line to Digit.
"Digit, you hear me alright?"
"Hollyhock? Didn't you just leave? How the fuck did you get there so fast?"
"Hazel knows how to fast travel, you ready to do this?"
"I'm always ready," he replies. "You'll need to tell me how you got there so fast one day."
"Maybe,' I reply back. A couple of latches undone reveal the signal snatcher. A device that looks like half of a sniper rifle with a dish attached to its scope. I plug it into the console in front of me. "You ready to piggyback into the signal?"
"Affirmative," he says, going into a professional tone. I peer through the scope and look for something to exploit. These guys are good, but not perfect; I see a guard take out his phone for something. I aim my digital weapon at it and pull the trigger.
"Good tone, I'm in," Digit says. I pull back before anyone can see me and watch the screen as Digit does his techno magic. He jumps from the guards phone, to the Wi-fi, and worms into the security system. From there it takes him seconds to gain control over it. "I'm patching it over to your console. Bring me a challenge next time."
"Heard Hazel might break into the Pentagon next month," I snidely propose as I cycle through the cameras.
"Ha. Ha. Ha."
"Do you see any sign of anyone else on this network?" Digit parses through all connected devices with dizzying speed.
"Nothing out of the ordinary and all are on site, if there is another party here, they aren't on the network."
That still doesn't mean there isn't one.
"You still need me?" Digit asks.
"I got it from here, but I'll call if I do."
"Understood." The call ends and I turn on the cameras in Hazel's contacts. The image is in black and white, somewhat grainy but clear enough for me to ID people there. "Hazel, if you hear me, tap your bag twice with your index finger."
Hazel looks at her bag and does as I instruct.
"Okay, the eye cams are working. The auction should start in about a half-hour. This is a cocktail hour, people taking before the main event. Try not to draw much attention."
"Hard not in this dress, I noticed you looking earlier."
As soon as she says that I cycle to a camera that has Hazel in view. Fuck me, she's gorgeous. More than a few people turn to watch her as she walks by.
"As long as you don't get tied down in a boring conversation," is all I muster up in a semblance of intelligence.
"Don't worry, you know you're the only one who can tie me down," Hazel flirts. I clear my throat.
"Focus girl, we're here on a mission. I'll look through the cameras to see if anything is weird. I'll let you know."
Nothing important shows up on any of the cameras. Staff rushing around to get stuff ready. Chefs preparing dinner. Some guards on a smoke break. But it's mostly rich people milling about. I stop on two waiters in a hallway standing close to each other, but move on when I see they're only doing a drug deal. Nothing that could compromise this mission.
I do see a man in suit that doesn't fit him that well, looking very nervous in the main hall.
✨🔮✨
"Hazel, there's a man to your left, near the bar, wearing a brown suit. He seems pretty nervous. It could be nothing, but get closer and see if you can find out why."
I spot the man she's talking about and make my way over to the bar, trying not to look at him as I approach.
"Can I have a Figgy Thyme?" I ask the bartender who nods at my request. I look around as if I'm actually interested in my surroundings before I land on the nervous man. His brown suit is too big for him, he's fidgeting a bit too. The ice cubes in his blue drink shake around as he looks more and more out of place. "What kind of drink is that," I ask him. He looks around like I might be talking to someone else.
When I hold my gaze he figures out I'm talking to him.
"Oh, it's just a soda. I don't really drink," he explains. The bartender gives me my drink and I swirl it about with a gentle hand.
"I want to see if I can get a hit on his face through a facial scanner. Talk to him and get a clear shot of his face for at least twenty seconds," Holly says in my earpiece.
"Not even on the weekends, or at a fancy auction?" I ask him, getting his attention. He looks at me with a nervous smile.
"On occasion, but I figured I should keep my wits about me here. I'm here for my boss."
I sip my drink, maintaining eye contact the whole time.
"Why would your boss send you here?"
"He's doing something in Sakura city but wanted a painting here. So he sent me here in his place. I've never been to anything like this."
"He's clean, no hits on any international crime databases. He does have an unpaid speeding ticket but that's about it. If he was a criminal, he would try to be calmer than he is."
I tap my glass against his and smile.
"Here's hoping you get it and a nice raise!" I walk away before he can come up with a response.
"This drink is a little too sweet," I comment.
"In a weird way? Like it's drugged?"
"No, a bit too much syrup is all."
"Hmm, well, I'm not seeing anything else suspicious. We should be in the clear."
As I weave through the crowd, I see something out of the corner of my eye; someone walking fast with a red hood. I turn to get a better look but lose sight of them.
"Holly, I just saw someone in a red hood, I think, to my right, but I lost them. Do you see them?"
"Hold on… I see a woman in a red dress."
"No, the red was on their head."
"I see a guy with a red pagri, him?"
I search and see what she's talking about.
"No, no it covered them head to shoulder."
"... I don't see anyone else wearing red on their head, are you sure that's what you saw?"
"Yes, positive. What about the eye cams? Did they catch it?"
"They're black and white only, but I'll rewind through."
A tense moment passes as I try to relax.
"I don't see anybody wearing a hood in the footage, these cameras can only see so much. I'll keep looking, but the auction is starting soon, if anything looks amiss, tell me."
"Got it." I look around once more but see nothing like what I saw. "Maybe I imagined it."
"Don't doubt yourself. Not on a mission, that's when it starts to fall apart. I may not see what you're talking about, but you'll start unraveling if you doubt yourself. That won't help anything."
I nod at her wisdom even though she isn't here. Lantanna needs to know. Hollyhock gave me a "smart" watch to hide the fact that I'm talking to my bead bracelet. Not sure what's so smart about it but it helps not attract attention when I raise my wrist to say,
"Lantanna, I think I saw something strange, keep everyone on high alert."
"Understood, anything specific?"
"... Red hoods."
"Ladies and gentlemen! If I could have you attention please, we're about to start the main event!"
Everyone starts to find seats for the auction.
"Lantanna, the auction is about to start, get the spell primed."
"On it," she responds.
"I'm ready to kill the lights when the lyre comes out," Hollyhock says in my ear. "It'll be for three seconds, no one will suspect that anyone could swap out an item that fast. I still haven't seen anything that can mess this up. Perfect heist."
I walk to the front row and try to calm my nerves, this is almost over, and nothing can mess this up. Someone is about to take the seat I need, I flash a smile at them and they let me have it.
"I have eyes on where they're storing the items, I have the lyre in sight. I'll let you know when they move it. Tap your bag twice if you copy."
I comply.
The auction goes without issue, I don't see another red hood anywhere. It's possible I imagined it. People bid on items for some very high numbers which makes me think about how much money Hollyhock might have.
"They're moving the lyre, get ready."
I prime the teleportation spells in my hands. My right one will pull the lyre and my left will send it to Lantanna. With a quick update, the captain is ready to receive.
"I'll kill the lights on your signal. Nod twice and I'll do it."
They bring the Moonlit Lyre out and start talking about it. The history is very spotty, though non-magical research can only do so much. I nod twice and hear Hollyhock count down,
"3… 2… 1." The lights shut off and I cast the spell. I feel the transfer of the lyre from my hands to the captain. The announcer assures the confused crowd that everything is okay.
"Security is trying to find out what happened, but far as they know it was a glitch. Great job, Hazel."
"Well, let's continue with the a-"
A gunshot rings out that grabs everyone's attention.
"WHAT WAS THAT?!" Hollyhock asks. I turn to see where it came from, a group of men holding guns stands in the center, they're all wearing red hoods.
"LISTEN UP! EVERYONE STAY CALM AND WE'LL GET THROUGH THIS!"
🌿💀🌿
Where the hell did these guys come from?! I glance at all the cameras and it seems like security is just now getting alerted. How could I have missed this?
No time to focus on that. I grab the rifle I have stored and assemble it with pure muscle memory as I try to compact my growing rage and panic. I set up on the ledge and look through the window. A small group with pistols is trying to keep the crowd under control. All of them have red hoods on.
Shit, Hazel was right.
I still don't understand how security could've missed this. So it's an inside job? That doesn't matter, I need to focus.
"Hazel, I have eyes on the group. Did you get the lyre out?"
"Yes," she answers.
"Good. I have a gun on the group, security is on the way. I say we see how that plays out."
I watch the group and notice they're moving in a weird way. As if they're amateurs. No, it's more than that, they look strained. Security rushes in and the group immediately opens fire on them. A cacophony of screams and gunshots go out into the night. I hear sirens blaring in the distance.
"Hazel, these guys are killers, tell Lantanna to get out of here. The police are on their way. Get out of there when they're distracted," I instruct.
"But what about the people?"
"They're here for the items, Hazel, and don't have no problem shooting someone over them. Get! Out! NOW!"
"Can't you shoot them?"
"If I shoot them, the police will try to figure out who shot them. We don't want anymore investigating than there already will be. We did our mission, get out of there. You either teleport now and I wipe the security footage. Or I keep the footage so the cops can check it later, but you find a blind spot."
"But-"
"HAZEL!" I cut her off. "You said you'd listen to me, so you get your ass out of there, I'll cover you, but you need to leave, now!"
✨🔮✨
I groan, knowing she's right. My urge to fight them is strong, but the mission comes first. Even though knowing where they came from would be beneficial. The guards that came rushing in are down, some definitely dead. Others have serious injuries. People are screaming and panicking. The armed group is too small to suppress us all, but they attempt to do so anyway. One of them goes to the stage and shoves the auctioneer to the side and breaks the glass that housed the lyre.
"They're grabbing the lyre," I inform Hollyhock.
"I know, I have eyes on them."
"Why do they want it?"
"Hazel, it's valuable and they're thieves. I have to stress the importance of you getting out of there, now. Make a choice, but please get out!"
The panic in Hollyhock's voice snaps me out of my indecision.
"Can you kill the lights again? I'll teleport out."
"Yes, okay, thank you," she says with palpable relief in her voice.
🌿💀🌿
I kill the lights for Hazel and watch through her eye cams as she teleports outside. I turn the lights back on inside and sigh as the tension leaves me. This situation got ugly fast but there's no evidence we were here so it's best to leave before more shit hits the fan. I start to pack when I hear through Hazel's comm,
"HEY! What are you doing here?!"
I see another hooded figure looking at her through her eye cam, holding a gun. My body moves on its own to reposition the rifle and get a visual of whoever is threatening Hazel.
I line up my shot and exhale.
✨🔮✨
I teleport outside to greet the humid air. With no reason to stick around, I move to the beach we came from when I hear someone yell at me,
"HEY! What are you doing here?!" I turn to see another red hooded figure. Must've been here on watch duty. His movements are peculiar, as a matter of fact, they all move kinda weird. It's hard to put an exact word to it. I prime a magic bolt in my hand when a shot rings out.
The hooded man spins and falls to the ground, clutching his shoulder and dropping his gun.
"You good, Hazel?" Hollyhock asks. I guess she saved me again.
"I'm fine, he's not," I reply. A dull popping sound comes from him and he stops writhing in pain. I move over to him.
"Hazel, what are you doing?!" I hear the sounds of Hollyhock packing her gear.
"I want to know what that sound was," I answer. Kneeling next to the man, I pull his hood back to see blood pooling in his mouth.
"You killed him?"
"No, I winged him, right shoulder," Hollyhock responds. I check and see where her shot landed, clear of arteries.
"He's dead?"
"Blood is pooling in his mouth," I inform her.
"One less share to divvy out for his partners, I'm on my way down now. Move."
"I want to see if there's anything-" I stop myself when I pull his shirt open. Over where his heart should be is a large circular bruise but it's almost like a crater.
"What is it?"
"I… think his heart exploded."
"What?!"
"There's an indent in his chest and a huge bruise." I squint to at the bruise to see if there's any clue I can find out. There's a faint pattern I can barely make out.
"Hazel, that is gruesome, but not our problem. We need to move, now." I shake my head and get up.
"You're right, of course. Let's-" As I say that, another sound emerges from his mouth. A quick glance and it looks like his teeth are dissolving.
"C'mon!" Hollyhock, the master of stealth, says as she appears next to me.
"His teeth are dissolving," I point out. Hollyhock leans over to get a brief look. Her face twists in disgust but she says to me,
"Sucks for him, the police will be here soon so let's not be near the dead body."
We run from the scene and make it to the beach. I transport us back to Oleander City and Hollyhock manages to not throw up this time.
I contact Lantanna to confirm that she has the lyre. She says she'll get it back right away and placed with the appropriate person.
"What are you going to do?" She asks.
"I want to see if we-I can find out anything about the people who attacked the auction."
"Why?"
"There were a few things that were too weird for me to ignore. Could be a coincidence paired with extreme caution, but some things aren't adding up."
She talks with someone else for a moment.
"Well, we recovered the Moonlit Lyre and that's what matters. If you think something's off, then I'll give you some time to check it out. You get two days to find something substantial, then you come back, understood?"
"Yes, I understand."
"Good, I'm not doing all this so you have excuses to go on dates with your girl."
My face heats up and I end the call with Lantanna.
I turn to Hollyhock watching her look around for people.
"We're in the clear. Now, we can talk about what happened back there."
"Okay, first-"
"Lemme stop you right there," Hollyhock interrupts. "When I say 'get out of there.' you get out." Hollyhock closes the distance between us. "That was a dangerous situation, the mission was complete, and you kept yourself in harm's way. It was reckless, and not at all necessary. Why didn't you listen to me?"
Hollyhock stares at me with those smoky quartz eyes of hers.
"Were you going to let them hurt me?" I ask.
"No," she answers immediately.
"You think I can't handle danger? Is that it? Did you forget I've been fighting with you in your city?"
"That's not it, Hazel."
"So you had my back and you know I can handle myself, so what's the problem, Holly?" I demand.
I stare right back at her. She keeps her face unreadable, my ears hone in on her heartbeat to hear a tight and steady rhythm.
What is this? What's going on with her?
🌿💀🌿
Why? Why can't this be easier?
Hazel locks her intense gray eyes with mine. She doesn't waver one bit as she demands an answer from me.
"I was worried, okay?" I give up. "The other fights we've been in, I was next to you, I was by your side." Hazel's expression softens and I release the tension in my shoulders.
"That auction, I was too… removed from the situation to help the way I wanted to. So when you didn't listen, it rubbed me the wrong way."
It's the truth. Or part of the truth. A truth I'm willing to share.
Hazel sighs, then nods.
"I get that. I'm sorry I did that. But them getting the drop on us… rubbed me the wrong way too," she replies.
"Yeah, it was frustrating, but if you get caught up like that then shit can go sideways real fast."
Hazel pulls me in for a hug. Even though I know it'll complicate things, I hug her back.
"I'm sorry, Holly. I didn't want to put you in an position like that," she says into my shoulder. I rub a circles on her back.
"Just… just know I want the best for you, Hazel."
That's the whole truth.
"I know, Holly. I know."
We hug each other for a short while before we separate.
"So, the lyre's squared away, but you think something was weird with those thieves?" Hazel nods. "Let's see what we can find out."
Back home, we go over the footage of what happened and try to come up with theories. Security was legit, and I didn't see any guards taken out before it all went down. An inside job makes the most sense, though it wouldn't be so bloody if it was the case. Unless those guys didn't care about them at all. So a double cross to cover their tracks?
There isn't much news on it yet, but there are reports going out about the gist of the events.
Doesn't seem like anyone else died, the thieves made off with millions of euros worth of goods. All except the real lyre. So that's one supernatural disaster averted at the very least.
"I still don't see where they came from," I remark. "Digit could scrub through the footage faster. Catch anything I'm missing. But our actual magical heist leaves awkward questions to dance around."
"Plus, we're already back home minutes after leaving," Hazel points out. "We should wait at least a few hours before we reach out to the Bay Leaves." I nod, impressed with her point.
"That's true, guess you have learned a thing or two being around me."
My phone lights up with a call from Tamara. No doubt she kept an ear out for us and caught wind of what happened. Seeing no need to worry her, I answer right away.
"What happened?" she asks right out the gate.
"Some goons in red hoods crashed the auction. They shot some guards, stole some stuff. We got what we needed beforehand. We're fine."
"Red hoods?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm, you laying low?" I look around my home. I'm in another continent across the ocean. Should be far enough.
"Yeah, we're good."
"What's your take on who did this?"
"Sloppy, but had the element of surprise. Lotta weird things about them, we'll look into them later."
"Make it back soon."
"Understood." I end the call and sigh. "That's the biggest lie I've ever told Tamara. Think I got away with it."
Hazel doesn't craft a response to that.
"Can you bring up the video from the eye cameras?" She asks instead. I oblige. "Fast forward to when I teleported outside." As I watch, the magic Hazel casts isn't caught by the cameras. She's inside one second then the next she's outside. We see the guy that stopped her. A moment later my shot hits his shoulder. He falls in pain for a few seconds then he balks, his torso rising. All life leaves his body a second later.
Hazel looks at his chest to see the crater left there, with my shot far out of the way.
"Pause it." I do and squint to see what Hazel could looking at. She points at the bruise. "Do you see that?"
"Only thing I see is a horrible contusion in black and white. What do you see?"
"Hmm. Can you zoom in?" I zoom in. "Why isn't clearer?"
"That's not how zooming works. I can't add resolution to it."
"We can both make up words, Holly." I sigh, annoyed. "Doesn't this little bit look like a straight line? Not from whatever did this, it was there before." I kinda see what she's talking about. A thin line peeks from the site of the bruise.
"It's probably just a tattoo," I guess. Hazel doesn't seem satisfied with that theory.
"Have you ever heard of thieves doing something like this?"
"There are contingencies that groups plan. In case someone gets arrested or tries to talk to the police. Making sure no one knows the entire plan, or real names, where the stash is, things like that," I explain.
"Okay, but anything like this?"
"Some crews do kill members that get caught or mess up to protect the others."
"Anything like this specifically?"
"By exploding a heart? No. Nothing like that."
"Is something like that even possible?" I ruminate on it for a second.
"A surgeon could implant an explosive device that's remote triggered. But that seems like a lot of work for a smash and grab job. I'd hardly call this the heist of the century. Shooting them would be a lot easier."
"Uh-huh. And what about his melting teeth?"
"That's to prevent ID by dental records. Teeth are rarely messed with, so they're a reliable way to ID someone."
"You heard of anyone doing something like this?"
"They'd usually pull the teeth out by hand, or take the entire head. There are cyanide capsules under false teeth, but they don't melt bone like that."
"Okay so we both saw that this group move in bizarre ways, and they have extreme fail-safes," Hazel starts.
"And they had random guns. Crews usually run with the same kit, but each of them had a different pistol. Also weird considering what kind of job they were pulling."
"And we don't know where they came from. Neither of us saw them coming, they showed up out of nowhere when the Moonlit Lyre got brought out."
I connect the dots Hazel is pointing out.
"You think magic played a hand? A magician did all this?"
"What other explanation is there for this? There's too much that doesn't make sense. When I saw that red hood before it disappeared. How they appeared from nowhere. It's not a comfortable thought, but it's the only thing that makes sense."
We chew on that for a while.
"Fucking hell, you might be right. I'm guessing the only way you could make sure is if we got the body?"
"Is that possible?" I shake my head.
"Don't have the pull to get access to a random body in another country. Do you want to go back over there? We break into a morgue and take a look?" I suggest. Now Hazel shakes her head.
"No, I've taken up enough of your time. We have our theory, but the important thing is we have the lyre. If there's another magician out there, doing things like this, it's best if I handle it through IronHenge."
She stands up and kisses my forehead. With a soft voice she says,
"Thank you, Holly. I'll see you again." With a snap of her fingers all her stuff disappears and a second later she's gone too.
I sit there for a moment longer before I start putting stuff away. Despite my best efforts, I think about the sensation of her lips on my head.
Days pass and the time for my plan comes. After some precision crafted lies, hacked phones, and fake messages. The gangs that have been the biggest pains in our ass show up to one location. Under the pretense to discuss a possible alliance to team up against us. They trickle in, arriving fashionably late. They look around for any traps or anyone that shouldn't be there. As always, no one looks up. We wait on the beams above with our guns at the ready.
✨🔮✨
I finally finish the report Lantanna wanted of the mission. She insists on me being as specific as possible, excluding the help we got from Hollyhock. Though overall a success, the idea of another rogue magician out there troubles me. Especially if they're using regular humans for their schemes. If a magician is responsible for the attack then they'll find out that the lyre they got isn't the real one soon enough. Without knowing who they are, I can't guess how they might react. Though Lantanna promised to keep an ear out for anything matching what we learned, we still have to wait.
I hate waiting.
Between strenuous training sessions and fruitless research, I think about Hollyhock endlessly. Even though I saw her only a few days ago, I still miss her. Beyond that I can't shake the feeling she's holding something back from me.
As long as she stays safe, I'll have another chance to talk to her, and settle this uneasiness in me.
But she's a Bay Leaf, what danger could take her? She always finds a way out.
🌿💀🌿
Shit! Shit! Shit!
In very little time this fight got way out of hand. Someone brought out a van of civilians, to trade I guess, for some deal they discussed in side channels. We shouldn't have missed that but it hardly matters now. A few Bay Leaves chased after the scumbags that grabbed some civilians as human shields. Others pressed the fight outside so no one gets caught up in the crossfire.
I put a bullet through a head of someone who took aim at Larkspur. They drop dead and I swivel to put a hole through someone else's chest. Bullets occupy every imaginable direction. Incoherent orders overlap each other. Until silence is delivered to them at a thousand and three hundred feet per second. The sounds of carnage and pandemonium inundate me. I spy a corner of the building going up in flames. I'm not sure how or when that happened, but no one else seems to notice it yet.
Larkspur and I are the only Bay Leaves left in the warehouse, we should get out soon to join the others. As I put down more targets, I hear someone whimper near my feet. Ducking down, I see a young girl hiding under someone that got gunned down. She doesn't look older than fifteen. She's, of course, terrified as I spot her. I move my gun to the side and offer her a hand up.
"I'm not gonna hurt you," I try to assure her. She's understandably hesitant, but we don't have a ton of time to waste. "C'mon we have to hurry." I pull her up to her feet and take off my jacket. "This'll protect you. Keep it over your head and run!" I instruct as I wrap my jacket around her.
"Larkspur! Get her out of here, I'll cover you!" Larkspur nods in understanding as the kid runs to them. I rise to my feet and swivel around to see any threats. One pops up, gun at the ready. My first shot goes through their arm, the second their neck. I turn on instinct and see another with a shotgun hoping to get a lucky shot on me. I scatter her brains on the wall behind her, and turn away to put down another.
Three more assholes need their frontal lobes adjusted before I get a moment of peace.
Larkspur has left with the girl. The fire has spread to the ceiling. Unless they're dead, anyone else in here should be leaving.
I scan my surroundings one more time, the heat of the summer mixed with growing fire has sweat stinging my eyes. With this helmet on, I can't wipe the salt away but I also don't want to get shot in the head again. Seeing no threats around me, I start running out the warehouse. I have to navigate the obstacle course of debris and corpses. I almost trip over one but regain my footing.
I hear it before anything else.
A gunshot rings out.
I'm caught in mid-stride.
The whole world decelerates as I look down.
I watch the bullet exit my left lung with a thin coat of blood. My blood. Droplets drift off into the air as the round spins and flies away from me.
The pain hasn't started yet.
Doing math I didn't know I was capable of, my mind tracks the angle of the shot. My arm moves without permission and aims my gun where the shot came from. With practiced ease, I pull the trigger and send a shot back.
I turn on my heel to face my shooter, but it turns out my shot was better. They fall slack as a river of blood flows from their throat.
The pain hasn't started yet.
I skid a bit as I try to regain my balance.
Another shot finds me, this one with even deadlier intent.
It tries to vacate my skull, but my helmet keeps my brain sheltered. The impact throws my head to the side and I try not to let my neck break. Coming from the right, I turn my eyes to see my next shooter.
How could've I been so sloppy? How did I miss all these people?
They see their first shot didn't do the job and they aim lower. With my gun in my left hand I can't move fast enough to stop what happens next. They pull their trigger, their next shot finds its way through my right thigh. The slug goes clean through me as I line up my own shot and empty the remains of my clip into their chest. They drop their gun and crash against the wall behind them.
The pain hasn't started yet.
My right leg buckles underneath me, strength evaporating fast.
As I fall to my knee, peace hasn't found me yet.
One more bullet tries to worm its way into my thoughts. My helmet stops the invasion. But at this distance and with no time to brace, I'm launched backwards from the impact. A wooden crate catches me, splinters flying every which way. Before I can collect myself, more shots try to lobotomize me. Each lands square on my forehead, feeling like a punch to the head, rather than one through it.
All I can manage to do is stay conscious as my skull withstands the onslaught. My helmet can't take much more of this, I feel the distinct crumbling of it reaching its limit. I hear a miraculous CLICK from my latest shooter.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT HELMET MADE FROM?! GODDAMN DIAMONDS?!" They stop to reload and I summon all my willpower to focus up. My vision clears up and I see they got shot in their shoulder, slowing their reload. I throw my empty gun at their head.
"AHHH, SHIT!" As they recoil from that I pull out Ratkiller and throw it as they go to look at me. The blade pierces skull with little resistance and the hilt knocks against the skull. They stand for a couple seconds longer before, falling to their knees, then falling on their face. I use my heel to pull their gun to me, reload it and look for anyone else.
When no one else pops up to shoot me, I relax. Removing my helmet, my shirt is getting wetter by the second. I gasp for air once it's off.
My adrenaline is gone.
My strength leaves my body.
The pain starts.
✨🔮✨
Pain shoots throughout my entire body, bringing me to my knees in an instant.
Instinctively, I know that Hollyhock is the source. She's in danger, worse; she's in great pain. I get up and pull my battle dress to me, donning it through magical means. With no time to waste, I teleport to Lantanna. I don't know how I knew where she was and I don't care. She jumps back when she sees me appear next to her.
"Hazel, you scared the-" I cut her off with,
"Holly is in danger, I have to save her, now!"
Her and the other sorcerers' confusion is reasonable, but I don't have time to clear things up.
"How do you-"
"I can't explain right now, please just let me leave!" My initial instinct is to leave without permission. However, Lantanna has been accommodating to my circumstances. Asking her first is the best way to avoid complications later.
"I can't just-" she starts to reply but stops as I ball my hands into fists. In the reflection of her eyes, I catch a glimpse my face; it's twisted in rage. Lantanna goes into a fighting stance as a reflex, the others get to their feet as well. She narrows her eyes for a moment and says,
"Go. Go save your girl." She eases out of her stance and everyone else stands down.
I relax a bit and bow.
"Thank you."
Wasting no time, I take the emblem and leave IronHenge once more. A while ago, that would've seemed like an impossible dream, but as I rush to save the woman I love I see how my life has changed.
For better or worse, isn't clear yet.
I delve into the Leyline and flow towards Oleander City to save Hollyhock.
🌿💀🌿
Each breath turns into fire as it enters my lungs, but it doesn't extinguish when it meets the rising liquid. My veins pour blood to fill my chest with a tender hand. It's a small comfort that I can sense none of my ribs broke. The round went clean through without fracturing or breaking bone.
Not that it matters, with my helmet broken I can't contact anyone, and I definitely can't yell out for help. Both because I can't be sure there's no one else here, and I'm physically incapable of doing so. Blood drains from my leg and my head is pounding from all the shots endured.
I prop myself up against the crate, and look at the fire expand without anything getting in its way. Soon it'll compromise the support beams and this whole building will collapse. Not quite the end I imagine for myself, but there are worse ways to go. Just wish I wasn't so sweaty.
I start counting my breaths, wondering which one might be my last.
I don't even get to ten when Hazel appears before my very eyes. She's wearing what I recognize as her battle dress. Worry immediately washes over her face as she approaches.
Two more shots ring out. The one I shot in the throat still had a little life left and decided to shoot Witch-Hazel in the back. Panic raises in me, and I try to get up. But then the rounds clink down to the ground, smashed against her dress that I forgot was bulletproof.
Hazel lets violence dominate her face as she pivots to the one responsible. He looks up at her in confused horror. Even though he'll be dead in seconds, Hazel aims a hand at him. He has time to make one last perplexed look. Hazel instantaneously creates a terrifying stream of fire that incinerates him in the blink of an eye. Where he was, there is only charred ash left.
✨🔮✨
I kneel over Hollyhock and my training kicks in. She has a punctured lung, a shot through her leg, and bruises on her head. Lying her down on her back, I prime some magic in my hands.
"Okay Holly, save your breath, answer me with blinks. One for yes, two for no, understand?"
She blinks.
"Okay, are there any bullets in you?" She blinks twice. "Good."
Her lung takes priority, but she'll bleed out from her leg if I don't act fast. With only one set of hands and no potions or elixirs, I have one choice.
"Listen close, I need to OverHeal you, I'll spare you the details, but you must stay as still as possible, okay?"
She blinks and tenses her whole body.
"I have to take the blood out of your lungs first, it's going to feel weird but you have to remain still." She blinks and I get started.
🌿💀🌿
Weird doesn't exactly cover the sensation of this feeling. The liquid that filled my lung gathers together and lifts itself up inside me. What's stranger is the feel of Hazel's magic inside me, or rather how familiar it's become to me. The only way to describe it is a gentle smoke, one that doesn't irritate or smother.
I can only look up at the ceiling, catching glimpses of Hazel's hands at work as she operates on me. I could turn my eyes down to see her, but I know seeing her worry over will destroy me.
She already rushed from the other side of the planet to save me. What if she's too late? What if something more important comes up? What if she can't find me in time?
There are too many 'what if's' that lead to her heart breaking over me.
I-
All my focus goes into keeping still as I feel… I don't know what I'm feeling actually. My veins? Being pulled?
✨🔮✨
With OverHealing, a magician forces the patients body to regenerate. Using their own magical energy. Usually only used for minor injuries that would be considered a waste to use an elixir on. Usage of this technique on major injuries can lead to complications. It's a strong drain on one's magic. Adding too much magic at once has explosive effects on the body which results in tumors. Add too little and the bonds between cells will fail. And those are only the big three problems. I don't even know what the ramifications of doing it on a non-magical person are.
But it's like Hollyhock said, I can't doubt myself.
I supply a steady supply of magic to regenerate Hollyhocks veins, while drawing out the blood in her lung. The veins need repairing first so the blood doesn't go to the wrong places. Then I'll patch her lung tissue.
🌿💀🌿
It's getting harder to stay still as Hazel does whatever she's doing. It's an insanely itchy sensation on the inside of my body, I fight the urge to squirm as it continues.
"I'm repairing your veins, if you move at all there will be horrific results," Hazel explains. "I know it feels weird, but please stay calm." With those last two words, a wave of tranquility hits me. This is Witch-Hazel, she's in her element here. She's saved me before, she'll always rush to save me.
And I'm trying to break her heart.
✨🔮✨
My training serves me well for the rest of the operation, with the veins healed, she won't lose any more blood. Fixing her muscle and lung tissue is far simpler by comparison.
With her injuries patched up, I help to get her upright. She moves to sit on her knees and holds her side.
"This feels so weird," she says.
"That's natural, it's your nerve endings reconnecting. You lost quite a bit of blood, so you're feeling drained." She nods, but an absent expression is on her face. "Let me take care of-"
"What are you doing here, Hazel?" She asks.
"I came to save you, thought that was obvious."
"What are you doing in my life?"
🌿💀🌿
I have to do this now. It's now or never. If I can't break her heart now, I'll never be able to.
It's for her own good. So that she doesn't cry over my dead body one day and get consumed with grief. I don't want that for her, anything but that for Hazel.
This is for her good.
"What are you doing in my life?!" I ask louder, manufacturing rage I don't have within me. "Look around," I wave a hand at the scene we find ourselves in. "Crime, destruction, and death is all I fucking know; so what are you doing here?!"
Hazel stands up to look down at me with pained confusion on her face.
"What is this, Holly?" I grit my teeth, a tightness grows in my chest.
"You and me live in different worlds, I'm always going to be stuck in the shadows, your world is full of light. All I know is how to hurt and kill others, you heal and give life. We're opposites, plain and simple. We're too different to be together." The words were harder to say than I thought they'd be. I always thought them, but I never voiced them until now. Each one was a agony worse than any knife or bullet I've suffered through.
I didn't think I could feel pain like this inside from my own words. The tightness in my chest evolves into a black hole. Its inescapable pull threatening to consume my still beating heart if I don't stop. Each pulse aches with sorrow, begging me to take it all back, to apologize. The sting in my eyes is unlike anything I've felt, tears sure to spill out soon. My body, my whole being is screaming at me to stop. That I'll drop dead right now if I don't.
I press on.
"Even now, I'm trying to hurt you since it's all I know," I croak out. Each word's rage spawns from what I'm feeling about myself right now. What everyone's been saying to me these past few weeks comes to mind; what about my happiness? What about I want?
What I want is to know Hazel won't cry over me, that she won't be hollow and alone from my death one day. That matters more than my own heart.
"SO WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" I can't bear to look as I shout these words.
The roaring fire fills in the silence after my question. I try to get my breathing under control, shouting seconds after having a punctured lung is tiring. From my kneeling position, I only see Hazel's lower half out of the corner of my eyes.
Her hands shake for a moment, then they ball up in fists. I see her hands go up and for half a second my instincts take over and I brace for her punch. But the strike never comes. Her breathing gets heavier.
Curiosity wins out and I look up at her.
Witch-Hazel stands, looking at me with bewildered fury, her fists balling up her long hair. Her clenched jaw struggles to hold back what she wants to say. As if what I asked is such a ridiculous question.
I ask again,
"What are you doing here, Hazel?" No need to shout.
But she does. She shouts her answer because she needs me to hear it, no matter what.
Clear as day, she yells right in my face,
"IT'S BECAUSE I LOVE YOU!!!"
Ch. 33 End.