Arc One: Awakening

Chapter 34: Assassin - Part 2

After almost three hours of persistent questions and ceaseless bodies piling in and out of the crowded bedroom, Esther was more than eager to see the medics to the door, if only to unburden the space a little.

"Should either of you require further assistance or medical care, we are a call away," the chief responding medic said as his assistants straggled out, one after the other in an orderly row, equipment trunks rattling and shoulders hunching to get by without nudging into anybody. Several officers followed, bundling evidence for the next step in their investigation. "What both of you need right now is rest."

"I'm doing okay, but I will make sure Miss Penelope takes it easy," Esther confirmed. Although she had endured situations far more chaotic compared to this, she wasn't comfortable sharing with a total stranger that her teenage years mostly consisted of war and tumult. It would take more than a botched assassination attempt to unnerve her. Her system still pumped with adrenaline and the rush of the fight, the last thing on her list was sleep.

Hesitation drifted in the medic's eyes as he searched her brazen poise. Regardless of his doubts, he decided not to probe any further and with a dip of his head, he trailed after the rest of his team.

Esther steadily shut the door to ensure the room remained as quiet as possible for the spooked woman attempting to converse with the officers pestering her for more details. While the medics had attended to her, Esther exercised her self-control to refrain from intervening during certain stages of the interrogation. She acknowledged that every shred of information was vital, but the law enforcement's never-ending questions only served to harm her already frazzled nerves.

"Doctor Heaton has advised me to ensure Miss Penelope gets some rest," she said in a definitive tone, impeding their inquiry. "Perhaps I may help you with your ongoing concerns?"

"No, we have everything we need for now," the more seasoned of the two remaining officers assured her, scratching at his beard with the back of his pen. "For protocol reasons, I must run you through the safety procedures, and then we can leave you in peace."

"Would it be possible for you to write up these measures for Miss Kingsrose to read once she has recovered?" Esther suggested, spotting the pale pallor in Penelope's cheeks and preferring to clear the room of prying eyes before the first tears broke free. If there was one topic that every industry leader agreed upon, it was the necessity to protect their integrity regardless of the situation.

A grumble rested on the officer's lips, but Esther reinforced her confidence before he could voice his gripes. "I am ready and able to offer further protection, if required."

While he would rather obey protocol, he was not beyond leniencies in certain circumstances. Having heard the accounts of the adept mage's quick-reasoning during the intrusion, he conceded to her request. "I'll deliver the copies to you within the hour, miss. Some of the special forces officers will remain for added protection. They are at your command."

"Your assistance is appreciated, officer," Esther said as she led him and his deputy to the door. "I shall familiarise myself with the correct procedures as soon as the papers arrive. You have my word."

The second the latch clicked into the gap in the frame, she triggered the locks and tested the durability of the spells on the windows. Bolstered in the corners and strengthening at the midpoint, they held rigid and invisible to all but her. Inspecting the last concealed spell, she loosened the edge and remade the structure to ensure it would not unravel until she commanded it to do so.

"Are you okay?" she voiced, jabbing at the remedied charm. "Is there anything I can get for you?"

Picking at the skin under her nails, Penelope's stare dove into the carpet, mouth lightly agape as though a response persisted on her lips. No sound left her.