Angelique awoke from her drowsy slumber, still trapped in the concrete prison that Tracey had locked them inside. Two days had passed, and the day of reckoning had arrived. Angelique stretched and yawned, and then stretched once more as Minnielle was also roused.
The guards came in, just as they had before, and tied their hands together. They were left out at knifepoint to the living room and propped up on a table. “Stay put, or you’ll definitely die.” One guard said as he began to undo the boards on the windows.
Minnielle was still waking up from her rest as the final board was removed, opening up the room to the outside. “This is a painfully obvious trap…” Angelique said as the guards drew back the curtains. “I mean, what idiots would fall for this?”
She still received no response and opted to lay her head on Minnielle’s shoulder as they waited. Eventually, the entire setup was complete, and the guards left the two out upon the table, like fresh meat for a bear. They locked the doors and the sound of nails being hammered could be heard.
Angelique took this opportunity to untie her ropes with the shard of plate she had from her magical meals and began to quickly untie Minnielle. “We can run away before we are found, but we must hurry.” She said, glancing around. They could hear shouting from afar, and knew they were running out of time, and had to hide.
Minnielle and Angelique linked hands and began to dash from the window and into the tall forest behind the house. They ran to hide behind a bush, with a view of the house. They waited as the sound of rushing leaves passed them and landed on the overgrowth just outside of the room. Each wore a bird mask with a black beak and had cloaks that reached their boots. Angelique could see five of the men, all lined up in a circle around the room. White feathers flicked from their wide-brimmed hats.
The group leaped into the windows, breaking what little class still clung to the frames. One of them cursed, as they lifted the untied ropes on the table. “We’ve been tricked,” he growled. His hand flicked to the left, and two of the men lifted barrels of gasoline from their cloaks and doused the room. “Let's go.”
They all seemed to fly as they left the scene in flames. Angelique and Minnielle didn't bother to stay for the encore. They ran deeper into the forest, away from the home. After a few minutes of running, they reached an open market and rested upon a tree. “What do we do now…” Minnielle sighed, heaving from the adrenaline.
Angelique knelt down on the ground to rest. “We can't go back to Sumiatra. I can't put her into any danger. It's clear now that we're going to be targeted.” Angelique hopped back onto her feet. “We’ve got food, and I’ve got some money left in the bank. We’ll survive for long enough to figure this out and get out of danger.”
Minielle looked at Angelique with wariness. “But, Angelique. What happens if we're still in danger after we figure it all out?” Angelique did not seem bothered. She simply held her hand out to Minnielle. “Don't dwell on ‘what ifs’, let's get going.”
…
Tracey stepped from her carriage to view the scene. Half of her home was ablaze, with a heat you could feel from a long way away. “They make quick work. Pay them double,” she ordered her servant, stepping closer to inspect the fire. A dark shadow dropped towards her, its white mask flashing in the sun. “Oh my, you frightened me.” Tracey let out a sarcastic scoff and shook her hand. "I kid you, you did a wonderful job here."
The man bowed his head. “I apologize for interrupting my employer's day, but I have some bad news. We completed the ruse, but the two women got away.”
Tracey stood in silence, her hands shaking. “What do you mean?” she said, her voice starting to falter. Her hand whipped around and slapped his face, his mask flying to the side. “You bastard! I gave you one job!” She shrieked, her foot stomping the ground. She slapped him again, with a shriek, and threw her hat at him.
The man didn't move, instead choosing to stand still. Tracy Delmont reoriented herself and took a deep breath. “Your disgraceful incompetence could have ruined my entire plan. But luckily, the house burnt down. We can still continue on. And I have just come up with a better scheme.” She spun around on her heels and stormed back to her carriage.
“Coachman, go to my darling Alishe’s home. We need to pin down this agreement.”
…
Angelique stared at her reflection in the blade of her sword. “Wow, shiny,” she said, biting the end of her sandwich. Minnielle had just finished laying out their notes on the inn’s bed and turned to stare as well. “It’s not great...I think we got scammed.”
Angelique tossed it from hand to hand, holding her sandwich between her teeth. “It’ll do,” she mumbled. Minnielle brought Angelique’s attention away from the sword with her hand. “So, we just saw how the White Swan Guild attacked Tracey, so we can confirm her story. But where can we go from here on?”
Angelique let out a sigh. “I regret to say this but our only option may be to interview Slick’s family. As much as I was against it, this is a serious matter.” She got up and finished her sandwich, shifting her stance and thrusting her sword forward. “Shall we leave now?” she asked, putting it into her scabbard.
Minnielle rushed to change her maid's clothing out for civilian clothes and ran to be beside Angelique. “The guild had informed me of his family home, so I know the way.” she smiled.
The two walked the crowded streets of the small town, crossing multiple streets. Eventually, they came across the small, quaint home on the corner of an empty street. Its door was small and its windows had flowers on the sill. Angelique stepped forward and knocked upon the door.
There was a small click from a lock, and the door opened wide to show a small, plump woman with rosy cheeks. “How may I assist you?” the woman smiled.
Angelique was pleasantly surprised by the warm welcome. ‘This beats being kidnapped by soldiers, or nearly killed by a fork.’ Angelique bowed her head respectfully and said, “I am here to ask about an Audertion Slick. Are you his mother?” The woman’s face dimmed slightly. “Um, yes, my name is Rontielle, please, come in,” she said, moving aside.
Minnielle and Angelique both entered the small home to see a young boy doing his homework by the fireplace. “Who is this?” Angelique asked, sitting at Rontielle’s dining table.
Rontielle ushered the boy to say hello and laughed to herself. “This is Audertion’s brother, Norton,” she said, heading to the kitchen to grab muffins. “He was an orphan, Audertion found him a few years ago and we just couldn't leave him to the streets,” she said.
Angelique smiled and stuffed her hand into her pocket, making a small toffee with magic. She passed it to the boy, who grasped it in his hand and ran off to another room. Her attention was drawn away by Rontielle coughing loudly. “So, you have information about my son?” she asked, concern washing over her face. She pulled out a seat at the table and sat down.
Angelique shook her head. “All we know is that he is missing. You see, we were employers of his a while back, and we haven't heard from him recently. We are hoping you can shine some light on this matter.”
Rontielle bit her nail slightly, and her eyes seemed to shift. “Well, you see, Audertion hasn't spoken to me since a few months ago. The last thing he told me was to deliver a certain notebook to Alishen Angelique. That's it. “
Angelique looked at Rontielle earnestly. “Tell me, how did he seem that day?”
Rontielle thought back and sighed. “He had some bruises on his face, he seemed panicked. I wanted to help him but he told me he had to leave quickly. I do recall, he had someone following him. At least, I thought he did. A tall man, with a cloak. Maybe that's something. I remember….the man had a white feather in his hood. That was all that I saw of him.”
Angelique and Minnielle both glanced at each other and back to Rontielle. “Which way was he heading?” she asked.
Rontielle pointed to the west. "That way, I assumed the market.” Minnielle whispered to Angelique, “That's the direction of the Guild’s west headquarters.”
Angelique smiled at Rontielle. “Well, you have been a great help to me. I promise, we’ll figure out what happened to your son,” she said, standing and leaving.
Norton ran out of his room just as she was about to leave the room. “Here!” he said, holding out a small coin. Angelique took it gladly, and replaced it with another, magically appearing candy.
Rontielle clutched the boy's hand tightly. "Please, find him..." she said under her breathe.
Angelique left the house and lifted her own hood. “Well then, let's follow the trail. To the west, we go!”
…
Julian watched as Tracey stepped out of her carriage, her steps dainty and peaceful. He had cleaned up his look for the guest, but still had dark circles surrounding his eyes. He turned and stepped down his staircase to greet her at the door. "It's only been a day. But still, it is a pleasure to greet you." His voice was cold as he welcomed her to the house.
Tracey sat across from him in the salon, sipping her tea. The clink of a spoon swirling cream and sugar ticked in the quiet stillness.
“My Alishe, it is good to see you again.” She smiled, the click of her teacup to its saucer breaking the silence. “But, this matter we are discussing, is not as enjoyable.” She gently concealed her face beneath a gloved hand, and her lip quivered.
Julian crossed his fingers thoughtfully. “I just need proof of your previous theory from the other day. Then I will no doubt help you.”
Tracey’s lips curled into a slight smile beneath her hand. “Yes, of course. Um, this morning, when I invited Angelique to my home she...she burned down part of my house.” Tracey choked up as she spoke. “I barely got out alive.”
Julian watched her tearful eyes and nodded. “I believe you. I know how cruel Angelique can be...but this does not prove your other claim. I want proof that she is truly a demonic entity.”
Tracey nodded sadly. “Of course, well, you see. She has the ability to conjure demonic elements with her powers. I've been a witness myself to its horribleness.” Julian scoffed.
“You sound insane.”
Tracey nodded. “I know, but believe me, I can prove it!” She flicked her hand, summoning a tall man in dirty clothing inside. She smiled broadly at Julian. “This is a victim of her cruelty. His name is Sir Reginald Farse, and he works with the house of Swirche.” The man stepped forward and bowed.
“He had broken his arm, but now, with Angelique’s powers. He has a demonically possessed limb, and he cannot live for much longer.” Julian looked at the man, who seemed nervous and shaky. Julian caught notice of how part of the man's face was concealed by a scarf.
“If you don't believe it, ask the Swirche household. They’ll tell you of her demonic ability.” Tracey smiled at him with a kind face. “If you still don't believe after that, I can show you firsthand.” She held out a gloved hand to him.
“You’ll only gain from a deal with me. Angelique has always been a thorn in our sides. We can both relate, and we both understand each other so well. We can finish this, together.”
Julian stared between the man and Tracey. His doubts were still present, but he couldn't help but think back to his weeks of research. His mind thought of Angelique, whose legs seemed crippled beyond repair. 'She was said to never be able to walk properly afterward, but just that night she could walk around as if she was a new person.'
Julian bit his lip. 'She has a point now that I think about it. She could help me sleep, she was probably just draining my soul energy to make me die faster.' He cursed under his breath, anger growing from within him. 'She really dared to attempt to kill me. And worse, I barely realized!?'
Julian stared at her outstretched hand. “We have a common goal, I agree.” He took it on his own and shook it. “I believe you. And I will provide you with my resources to put an end to the evil that is Angelique Vosce.
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