Heir of Fury

Chapter Four

Chapter FourI moved through the passages behind the living quarters, still on the second level. I had no desire to see anyone, much less be intercepted and delayed from my last task before going home.

Home. The thought alone gave me a little thrill, a cold rush in my belly that made me want to jump and clap and sit to regain my breath at the same time.

It was dark here, the air stale, these passages never used–or used to trap the rare intruder, keep them running in circles until they tripped a ward, or someone knew to look for them. None of Remo's agents frequented those passageways. Tonight, however, there was something different, a heavy quality to the air that put me on guard.

My footsteps were silent, my feet nimble, sure where to step, where to turn next. I'd been dubbed the “Silent Phantom” by some agents, though not as an endearment. I didn't lurk in the forgotten parts of the lair, I had a reason to be here. And, contrary to popular belief, I didn't have eyes on my back, I had Frizz. But only a handful knew about my shadow, and for some reason they kept the knowledge to themselves.

Although Remo encouraged fights between his agents, most were afraid to cross me and risk invoking his wrath, considering I was his most prized possession. And no one had seen me fight before. They always came in the dark, and so far, none survived to tell. My steps were steady, my breathing even. I traced my fingers at the dry surface of the wall, found the bump and counted. Six, seven, eight.

I turned to the right, ducked and sidestepped. The presence behind me hesitated, no doubt sensing the sudden change in airwaves, then followed me into the bend.

I stood motionless, waited for whoever it was to pass. Instead, something hard and cold glanced off my left cheek, and even if it wasn't square on, stars still exploded in my vision.

Pain is temporary, injuries can be healed. But life can't be brought back.

Pain is temporary, injuries can be healed. But life can't be brought back.

I chanted the mantra in my head, did a round kick, aiming at the heavy presence. My head spun, and I braced my hand against the stone wall. My foot snagged on cloth, but my assailant jumped away, avoiding a square-on, proving he or she fought on instinct as well. I backed a few steps deeper into the passageway and listened, barely breathing, back to the wall, eyes scanning left and right in the pitch black. My eyes saw nothing, but my senses were attuned, honed to perfection. I could light the dark, but I hated to use the energy Remo gave me yesterday–energy I'd need to travel through the leeway to go home. I could have Frizz do it, but I had an advantage in the dark, here in the passageways I'd memorized to heart. I sensed the presence, the malicious intent. The attack came fast and low. I sidestepped and kicked, connected with a soft part, probably the belly, smiled at the satisfying grunt of pain. I went on the offensive, target on focus, and I wasn't a fair fighter. My time as Remo's familiar taught me being fair meant a sure loss. It was a rule most of Remo's agents learned early on. Or never at all. A famous motto that circulated among the agents was: “If you weren't strong enough to hold your own, you got better or you got dead.”

I ran, jumped at the wall and flipped behind my opponent, going straight for the neck with my talons. Instead of flesh, all I got was a fistful of hair and the subtle smell of gardenias before my attacker ran off. I took a step toward the faint sound of running footsteps, then decided against following. I already knew who it was, knew this wasn't going to be the last sneak attack. True, I had the advantage here in my territory, but I was this close to going home. I dusted the hair off my talons and moved away, sending Frizz to guard the entrance in his higher dimension. He wouldn't stop anyone from coming, but he'd let me know the moment someone did.

Maybe most agents didn't dare cross me, but there was always an exception for the rule. And I had to admit, this one was getting persistent. I should deal with her soon.