Harth
Something's not right.
That was too easy.
And considering the way things have gone the past few weeks, that's saying something.
Melaka and I -- with the most uncooperative cooperation ever from Harmony -- managed to track Harth down into the Warrens, then down into the sewers.
Harmony complained the entire time, especially when it came to going into the sewers, until I explained to her that Harth had our ticket home and that she'd be stuck here if we didn't find him. After that, she "sacrificed" her shoes to the muck. How noble.
Melaka asked if we needed her sister Erin as backup. Even knowing what had happened not too long ago, that the police of this era were just becoming aware of the supernatural, I said we could handle this ourselves. One, we didn't know what Harth had as backup. Two, this was mine and Harmony's problem, and no one needed to die for us.
But I appreciated the offer.
After about an hour of wading through future sludge, we found an open area. It reminded me of an arena -- round, large, high ceilings, several ways in and out.
Standing in its center was Harth. If I didn't know better, I'd've thought he was completely harmless. Just some kid who wandered down into the sewers and got lost. But I knew better. We all did.
He was holding a small chain, and dangling from the end was an amulet. Even in the dim light of this chamber, light glinted off of it. And he was smiling.
He'd let us have the amulet, he said. We just had to fight him for it. No tricks, no backup lurking in the shadows ready to spring a trap. He said he just wanted to play with his sister a little.
Three against one...well, two and a half, anyway. Seemed like good odds.
Twenty minutes later, I was hoping he'd have backup, just so I could land a punch on something.
Harth didn't look formidable. Like I said before, he's like Harry Potter of the vampire set. But he's stronger than he looks. And wiry. He keps slipping away from Melaka and I, landing lightning-quick jabs, and generally embarrassing all of us. He was toying with us, that much was obvious.
And then, as we're all lying on the ground, covered in grime and trying to figure out how to cage this little bastard...he just stops. Drops the amulet on the ground. Thanks us for the "exercise." And disappears down one of the tunnels.
Melaka wanted to go after him to end things. Harmony wanted to go after him because she ruined her blouse. I stopped them both. We had what we came for.
Now we have to take it to the Senior Partners and Christian Ryan. Then we go home. In theory.
But something stinks about the whole setup.
It was too easy.
That was too easy.
And considering the way things have gone the past few weeks, that's saying something.
Melaka and I -- with the most uncooperative cooperation ever from Harmony -- managed to track Harth down into the Warrens, then down into the sewers.
Harmony complained the entire time, especially when it came to going into the sewers, until I explained to her that Harth had our ticket home and that she'd be stuck here if we didn't find him. After that, she "sacrificed" her shoes to the muck. How noble.
Melaka asked if we needed her sister Erin as backup. Even knowing what had happened not too long ago, that the police of this era were just becoming aware of the supernatural, I said we could handle this ourselves. One, we didn't know what Harth had as backup. Two, this was mine and Harmony's problem, and no one needed to die for us.
But I appreciated the offer.
After about an hour of wading through future sludge, we found an open area. It reminded me of an arena -- round, large, high ceilings, several ways in and out.
Standing in its center was Harth. If I didn't know better, I'd've thought he was completely harmless. Just some kid who wandered down into the sewers and got lost. But I knew better. We all did.
He was holding a small chain, and dangling from the end was an amulet. Even in the dim light of this chamber, light glinted off of it. And he was smiling.
He'd let us have the amulet, he said. We just had to fight him for it. No tricks, no backup lurking in the shadows ready to spring a trap. He said he just wanted to play with his sister a little.
Three against one...well, two and a half, anyway. Seemed like good odds.
Twenty minutes later, I was hoping he'd have backup, just so I could land a punch on something.
Harth didn't look formidable. Like I said before, he's like Harry Potter of the vampire set. But he's stronger than he looks. And wiry. He keps slipping away from Melaka and I, landing lightning-quick jabs, and generally embarrassing all of us. He was toying with us, that much was obvious.
And then, as we're all lying on the ground, covered in grime and trying to figure out how to cage this little bastard...he just stops. Drops the amulet on the ground. Thanks us for the "exercise." And disappears down one of the tunnels.
Melaka wanted to go after him to end things. Harmony wanted to go after him because she ruined her blouse. I stopped them both. We had what we came for.
Now we have to take it to the Senior Partners and Christian Ryan. Then we go home. In theory.
But something stinks about the whole setup.
It was too easy.