Lies, Textbooks, and Leprechauns

Chapter 9: Confrontation

Zack retraced his steps through the old mill, now abandoned by Greed, his eyes landing on something unexpected on the floor. It glinted ominously under the harsh fluorescent lights of the old coffee shop. He reached for the necklace with narrowed eyes, recognizing the craftsmanship immediately—it was Wiccan.

An uneasy knot formed in his stomach as he pocketed the jewellery deciding to talk to Deb, the only other person outside of the silo that night. He was worried Greed may have a Wiccan helping him, which would mean their chances of defeating him were slim. He drove to her apartment.

"Deb," Zack began, when she opened the door to her apartment, "I found this at the mill, do you know anything about it?" He pulled the necklace from his pocket and held it up to her.

Her eyes flicked to the necklace and back to his face, a perfect poker expression in place. "Looks Wiccan to me. Wonder what it was doing there."

"Right," he scoffed, flipping the necklace so the symbols faced her. "It's just you said you were hiding in the walk-in where you found Olivia, this necklace was right across from it. If you looked out the window you would have seen who it was."

Deb's jaw tightened, but she remained silent. Zack stepped closer, his voice low and edged with a warning. "Why are you keeping things from us? Greed is dangerous and if a Wiccan is helping him then we need to know."

A smirk played on her lips and she rolled her eyes. "Like how you told everyone about your plan to stop Wrath? What you think I can't handle a situation without your help?"

"I think we need to do this one together, Greed is far more powerful them the others," Zack explained, trying to sound commanding.

"I can take care of myself, I've fought a sin before." She stood her ground, the tension between them growing until Deb grabbed Zack's arm and twisted it behind his back. "I'm not just some weak girl you need to protect," She muttered into his ear.

Zack's eyes flashed pink and he twisted his way out of her grasp before putting her in the same hold. "I never said you were weak, but you are human," Deb slammed her heel down on his toe, causing him to howl in pain and release her. She turned to face him, their faces centimetres apart; breaths mingled, as they both started to lean toward each other.

"Kenneth and Brian," Zack whispered against her lips, "they could have killed John and me the other night but Greed stopped them."

Deb pulled back, looking into Zack's eyes. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying be afraid," he said, stepping away from her, the moment broken. "I know I am."

The silence hung heavy as he left, but not before catching the uncertainty in her eyes. In the elevator, he found Danny waiting for him, claws extended in a casual display of power.

"Zack," Danny greeted with an all too charming grin. "What a surprise running into you here."

"What are you doing here?" Zack demanded, leaning against the wall, attempting nonchalance.

"Oh come now, are you still mad about the whole Brian and Kenneth spat? Believe me, they've learned their lesson." Danny seemed all too thrilled at the memory of what he did to the pair.

"You didn't answer the question," Zack said firmly, meeting Danny's gaze head-on.

"Well a may be a sin but I still need a roof over my head" Danny chuckled, the sound echoing off the elevator walls. "I was told this was a particularly charming neighbourhood. I must say the neighbours here are quite unique,"

"Stay away from Deb," Zack countered.

"I have no intentions of harming her," Danny retorted, then added, "I don't lay a finger on other's covenants, not really my thing."