The din of the Horned God drifted off into the distant reaches of her hearing as she focused on the glass of water sitting before on the table. Her gloved hands placed on either side, palms facing towards the glass. Small bubbles began to form floating to the top as more and more followed them. She had successfully brought the glass of water to a roiling boil. Steam rising from the surface of the water. “It’s amazing in that today’s age, something such as that is seen is mundane. Only hundreds of years ago you would be burned at the stake for being a witch.” His voice broke through her concentration, bringing the boil to cease almost immediately “Even now, science has created monsters much worse than a few witches” she whispered.
Marli had gained the trust of a few black market dealers that dealt in ancient relics. After breaking away from the Night Watch, her network of resources had disappeared overnight. “Did you bring what I had asked for?” Her gaze was cold as his grin grew “You doubt the great Diablo? My my my, you ask for something that no one has shown any interest in. Suddenly I have four other buyers which in turns raises the price we originally agreed on.”
“They must have been waiting for me to surface, casting a net.” Marli thought as her face locked in her normal appearance of of indifference “Then I must pass on the offer.”
She had expected him to bring several counter offers after she refused the price. He simply tipped his head with a sly grin before sliding out of the booth “Been a pleasure in doing business then.” Watching him weave his way through the normal Friday evening crowd towards the back hallway. Lifting the glass to her lips she let the warm water slid down her throat “Disappointing news” she thought. Closing her eyes Marli disappeared within a cloud of filth. Drawing no attention as roars of laughter and cheers consumed the attention of the patrons while two men downed shot after shot at the bar.
Marli watched her black market dealer slink out of the Biergarten, crossing the street towards Darkside. Waiting several moments after her disappeared from sight she followed after him. He moved with surprising speed past groups of party goers that were on their way to some gathering or some show at The Crusades. Making his way to the right into the scaffolding that seemed to be forever part of the building across from Haitian Market. Staying within the shadows Marli waited to see if anyone followed in after him into the building. Minutes passed by before she climbed up the far side of the scaffolding. Entering through the third floor window.
The room stunk with years of discarded food and various remnants of clothing piled up in the corner. Stepping over rusting cans of processed beans she listened to the thick silence. A soft murmur drew her attention to the still form of a vampire buried beneath layers of filthy, stained rags. Gently she removed one of her long blades. The steel flashed quickly with a subdued glow as the hieroglyphics imprinted within the blade sliced cleanly and quickly through the vampire's neck. Severing the head without a sound. Not having to worry about the living dead creatures heart pumping blood she continued down the hallway towards the sound of voices from the floor below.
The black market dealer was speaking with someone just out of view from her vantage point at the top of the stairs. “I’ve got three other buyers for this so if you want it, you’ll have to come up with enough scratch to please me.”
“You’ll find my offer is more than anything your other buyers have offered and will scratch that itch quite nicely.” The buyer's voice was very familiar, the soft tones of the woman Marli knew quite well. “Kierwin, of course they would have her try in bringing me back into the watch.” she shifted slightly as she waited for the deal to close. Kierwin handed him a thick brown envelope “Now for the relic.” Opening his jacket he removed a purple velvet pouch. Without waiting Marli transferred herself directly behind the dealer. Her blade sliding into his side, piercing the heart as her gloved hand grips tightly over his mouth. Muffling any sounds that would escape. Glaring through Kierwin as his body slumped to the floor “Marli, was that really necessary?” She didn’t give Kierwin a chance in turning the tables around. Lunging at her Marli grabbed Kierwin’s wrist, twisting it behind the woman. “ahh, damnit. I’m on your side Marli.” Biting the glove off of her free hand she wrapped her bare hand across the back of Kierwins neck sending her into fit of horrid visions. Her body locked into rigid shock “stop it, stop it.” she cried out. Removing her hand from Kierwins neck, Marli quickly twisted her locked wrist, dislocating the wrist and shoulder. “Don’t follow me.” picking up the dropped pouch Marli walked over to the dead dealer. Retrieving her blade “wait.” Kierwin gasped out in agony “a lot of things have changed recently. The council has fallen and we’ve scattered to the wind.”
This brought Marli to a stop, if what Kierwin had said was true then she would truly be free from any control “Why should I believe you?” Rolling over onto her back Kierwin looked over to Marli “It all started with Tokyo. An agent uncovered something, I still don’t know but the filth there is so highly evolved that it destroyed the order from within. Handlers and agents and higher became targets or were infected. The Night Watch is gone Marli. That relic is part of treating the infected.” Marli looked at the pouch in her hand “A cure?” she asked “yes, for infected humans and the chosen.”
“I wish you luck Kierwin and I hope that you and the others find peace before it takes over.” Marli walked off, leaving Kierwin behind.
Marli had gained the trust of a few black market dealers that dealt in ancient relics. After breaking away from the Night Watch, her network of resources had disappeared overnight. “Did you bring what I had asked for?” Her gaze was cold as his grin grew “You doubt the great Diablo? My my my, you ask for something that no one has shown any interest in. Suddenly I have four other buyers which in turns raises the price we originally agreed on.”
“They must have been waiting for me to surface, casting a net.” Marli thought as her face locked in her normal appearance of of indifference “Then I must pass on the offer.”
She had expected him to bring several counter offers after she refused the price. He simply tipped his head with a sly grin before sliding out of the booth “Been a pleasure in doing business then.” Watching him weave his way through the normal Friday evening crowd towards the back hallway. Lifting the glass to her lips she let the warm water slid down her throat “Disappointing news” she thought. Closing her eyes Marli disappeared within a cloud of filth. Drawing no attention as roars of laughter and cheers consumed the attention of the patrons while two men downed shot after shot at the bar.
Marli watched her black market dealer slink out of the Biergarten, crossing the street towards Darkside. Waiting several moments after her disappeared from sight she followed after him. He moved with surprising speed past groups of party goers that were on their way to some gathering or some show at The Crusades. Making his way to the right into the scaffolding that seemed to be forever part of the building across from Haitian Market. Staying within the shadows Marli waited to see if anyone followed in after him into the building. Minutes passed by before she climbed up the far side of the scaffolding. Entering through the third floor window.
The room stunk with years of discarded food and various remnants of clothing piled up in the corner. Stepping over rusting cans of processed beans she listened to the thick silence. A soft murmur drew her attention to the still form of a vampire buried beneath layers of filthy, stained rags. Gently she removed one of her long blades. The steel flashed quickly with a subdued glow as the hieroglyphics imprinted within the blade sliced cleanly and quickly through the vampire's neck. Severing the head without a sound. Not having to worry about the living dead creatures heart pumping blood she continued down the hallway towards the sound of voices from the floor below.
The black market dealer was speaking with someone just out of view from her vantage point at the top of the stairs. “I’ve got three other buyers for this so if you want it, you’ll have to come up with enough scratch to please me.”
“You’ll find my offer is more than anything your other buyers have offered and will scratch that itch quite nicely.” The buyer's voice was very familiar, the soft tones of the woman Marli knew quite well. “Kierwin, of course they would have her try in bringing me back into the watch.” she shifted slightly as she waited for the deal to close. Kierwin handed him a thick brown envelope “Now for the relic.” Opening his jacket he removed a purple velvet pouch. Without waiting Marli transferred herself directly behind the dealer. Her blade sliding into his side, piercing the heart as her gloved hand grips tightly over his mouth. Muffling any sounds that would escape. Glaring through Kierwin as his body slumped to the floor “Marli, was that really necessary?” She didn’t give Kierwin a chance in turning the tables around. Lunging at her Marli grabbed Kierwin’s wrist, twisting it behind the woman. “ahh, damnit. I’m on your side Marli.” Biting the glove off of her free hand she wrapped her bare hand across the back of Kierwins neck sending her into fit of horrid visions. Her body locked into rigid shock “stop it, stop it.” she cried out. Removing her hand from Kierwins neck, Marli quickly twisted her locked wrist, dislocating the wrist and shoulder. “Don’t follow me.” picking up the dropped pouch Marli walked over to the dead dealer. Retrieving her blade “wait.” Kierwin gasped out in agony “a lot of things have changed recently. The council has fallen and we’ve scattered to the wind.”
This brought Marli to a stop, if what Kierwin had said was true then she would truly be free from any control “Why should I believe you?” Rolling over onto her back Kierwin looked over to Marli “It all started with Tokyo. An agent uncovered something, I still don’t know but the filth there is so highly evolved that it destroyed the order from within. Handlers and agents and higher became targets or were infected. The Night Watch is gone Marli. That relic is part of treating the infected.” Marli looked at the pouch in her hand “A cure?” she asked “yes, for infected humans and the chosen.”
“I wish you luck Kierwin and I hope that you and the others find peace before it takes over.” Marli walked off, leaving Kierwin behind.