Celestial Assassin - Section Three - Path A

You frown at Casey. She’s leaning back on the white porch steps, relaxed as the feline she had been moments before. Moonlight glints off the golden chain around her neck, falling past a prominent collarbone, and disappearing into a black scoop-neck blouse.

 

“You’ve been here the whole time,” you say.

 

She shrugs her dainty shoulders. You’re not fooled by her slight figure. This woman is more dangerous than she appears.

 

“Then you know what I have to do,” you say, your hand moving to your weapon, the coil of rope at your hip.

 

“Sure,” Casey says. “My impending murder and all that. No need to rush though. The night is young. And besides, the windbag’s gone.”

 

Your skin tingles with nervousness. “He could be watching us right now.”

 

“Nah,” Casey said. “Sent a little distraction, so we could talk.”

 

“Distraction?”

 

Casey nods. “Figured fifty pounds of fur and excitement would do the trick.”

 

Miles, you think. Casey’s celestial golden retriever. A loyal and loving canine that’s melted your heart on several occasions. Casey adjusts the sack at her shoulder and drops the rodent inside, zipping it shut.

 

“He’ll enjoy that, don’t you think?” Casey smiles.

 

It breaks your heart. You imagine Miles waiting by the door. Waiting for his master’s return. But she ever comes. You imagine Miles starved of pollen, dropping to the mundane plane, and then dying on Casey’s white-tiled kitchen floor. Never knowing what happened. Loyal until the end.

 

You shake the thoughts from your head. You can’t afford emotion right now. You have a job to do. And if you don’t do it. You’re going to be the one that’s not going home. Casey must notice the change in your bearing, because she crosses her arms.

 

“You’re going to make this difficult, aren’t you?”

 

You shift your weight and pull your lasso loose. How strong was she? And how had she avoided the starkeeper’s detection. The thoughts put a measure of hesitation into your steps, but you continue forward.

 

“You stole from a starkeeper,” you say. “What did you expect?”

 

Casey scoffs. “Things go missing and I’m always the first one blamed.”

 

“Well, did you steal it?”

“Course I did,” Casey said. “I’m a thief, ain’t I? Just wish people would jump to conclusions. That’s all.” A smirk came over the woman tawny features. “Wanna see it?”

 

You step closer, adjusting the rope, preparing for your attack. Casey was slippering, and cunning, but you are skilled, and with the extra pollen Marcus gave you, she won’t be able to out run you. Your approach doesn’t seem to bother her. With a flicker of motion, she pulls the necklace from beneath her shirt. It’s golden face glimmers in the moonlight.

 

“You really should take a look,” she says as she snaps the locket open.

 

The locket flares to life with a halo of light that cuts through the night, tongues of red and black licking up from the jewelry. You’ve never seen black light before, but there’s no other way to describe it. It’s like a shadow that presses against the white of the moonlight.

 

You blink, stopping your approach. Whatever is inside that thing is powerful. The air ripples with tension, and your stomach flips with sudden nervous energy, as if looking down from a great height.

 

Casey tilts her head, grinning. “Just one peek?”

 

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Tag der Veröffentlichung: 06.01.2019

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