Moon's Rite

Tony's Soldier

Biren had made the call from a city block in London. Tony took the first flight she could book out of Ireland and found Sonya waiting with a car to take her the rest of the way. She thanked her cousin for the assistance as she slid into the passenger seat and they pulled into traffic.

"Not a problem," Sonya assured. "Are you going to need me for another fight?"

Tony relaxed into her seat, weary. "What I need is some sleep and a meal. I'll probably only have time for the latter." She frowned at the glitter of traffic lights and street lamps flashing by. "If you don't mind sticking around as a getaway driver?"

Sonya nodded. "I can do that."

Tony had Sonya park a block down from the general area Cliodhna had narrowed the trace to. Then she cased the block on foot. There was a large office building taking up most of the space, with some shops and small businesses cozied up along one side. She decided Biren had too much ego to go for the smaller places, so she broke into the larger building and started to clear bottom to top.

She absently tugged her phone out as she found the stairwell and started down. It had a dangerously low charge, but then, so did she. She put in a call to the number Biren had called her from and listened to it ring four times before he picked up.

"Princess."

"Biren," she chirped in response to his guarded tone. "So I've been thinking about your offer."

"That didn't take long."

Tony chuckled. "Hold your horses there, I just said I'd been thinking about it. I didn't say anything about changing my stripes." She reached the bottom most level and shoved through the door, out into a cluttered basement. Units for AC, circuit breakers and other electricity accoutrements, storage and the various trappings that kept large buildings in working order. It was noisy enough down here stealth was quite viable. Even if she was on the phone.

"If you don't plan to join me, then what is the purpose of this call?"

"I was curious. Why breed cross species if you're all about purebreds? I mean, you were determined enough to get results out of Ciara Duncan you would threaten her with her own son. Why bother with all that if you want purebreds?"

Biren scoffed. "The half-breeds will have their place. Just above the human chattel."

Tony hummed. "Gotcha. Servants and the like. I see." She listened carefully to a snarl of rage. Biren's sharp order to 'keep him under control' was easier to hear. She tilted her head when she caught the subtle echo. Redirected her path accordingly. "Alistair giving you trouble Biren? I half expected you to dispose of him by now." She muted her end.

"I was going to. But it seemed to me he might still be of use. At the very least, it seemed a waste to turn him and get nothing out of him." Another angry hiss cut off in a sharp yelp. "Even if he is obstinate as all hell. I think I understand why you liked him. You found a kindred spirit. A fellow stubborn idealist with a penchant for fucking up my plans."

The snort of amusement that escaped carried enough that everyone was looking her way as Tony stepped around the corner, out of shadow and into the dim lighting. She ended the call and slipped her phone away. Her eyes drifted across the little gathering as she tucked her hands into her pockets. Alistair, alive but beaten and bruised. Bound, gagged, and spitting mad. Held under the watchful guard of three cronies. Three other henchmen were waiting for Biren's orders. And of course, Biren himself. Who was no slouch in a fight, she had learned.

"Yeah," she drawled. "I do tend to pick companions based on how much havoc they can cause in a twenty-four hour period. Would you believe Katty is the most level-headed of us? Generally why I let her do the leading and I just, what was your phrasing? Do her bidding?"