Secrets and Shadows

Fellow shadows meet

"You are late." I stated coldly, keeping my gaze focussed on the street ahead.
"They were more persistent than usual." Replied a cool, emotionless voice from the shadows followed by a lean, tall silhouette clocked in a fabric of charcoal gray. They drew along side me as I sailed through the air, and although their face was hidden from sight I would know her lanky frame even after a thousand years apart. Milane Yin. A skilled assassin.
A loyal friend.

Others joined. Like ravens to the fresh seeds littering a farmers field. they descended to my sides, their black wings of cloth stretching out behind them. We travelled as one, dominating the skies. Silent, yet terrifying, our presence sending a message to all: do not stand in our way.

After many rotations of the clock we swung around one last corner before detaching our grapples and landing upon the ground of a seemingly abandoned ally, the ground long lost under the layers of filth.
Disgusting.
I wanted nothing more than to escape to the orderly, clean streets of the upper class district. But I could never return. Not if I wanted to keep my head firmly attached to my shoulders, that is. So I walked through the alley at as fast a pace as I could without arousing suspicion, All the while trying desperately not to let my thoughts wander to the sea of dirt swallowing my feet with a sickening squelch.

To my well hidden relief we finally arrived at a quaint wooden door, swallowed by darkness. A gloved hand reached out from the folds of my cloak and rapped against the door.
"When does the beast that resides inside us come forth?" A series of voices echoed in unison from behind the door. " When that which is corrupt opposes us, it comes forth. When injustice is committed, it comes forth. when one of our own is threatened, it comes forth. And when we call upon it, it comes forth." I answered calmly and was rewarded with the sound of bolts loosening and the door in front of me opening, silently. "Welcome, sister."

It crossed my mind that perhaps we should invest in a shorter passcode.

Oh how I wished that I could clean that alley, however I knew not to leave such a blatant marker as to where our headquarters resided. Our inner complex  was, thankfully, much better maintained. a maze of aged, creaking floors and cold stone hallways spanned out in front of us. If not for my fatal flaw, paranoia, our base may be a tad more organised.   After sending my cloaked entourage off on their various tasks, I retreated with Yin to my office. It was of an adequate size, much warmer with a simple hearth adjourning the right wall and northern-style wooden paneling covering most of the stone. A dark wood desk sat in the rooms centre with seating for both host and guests. As we entered Yin shed her outer layer, revealing her pale skin and sharp eyes. She had once told me that she was the product of a northman and a woman from an isle to the east, leaving her with her unique features and name.  I lounged in the velvet lined chair behind my desk while Yin recounted her part of the mission. We had raided the house of a nobleman known to deceive and take from many honest citizens. Of course, the city guards had to stop this act of 'injustice' and gave chase. We had to split, me sending Yin and the other raiders to the East while I caught most of their attention and headed West. "So, did any of the new recruits show promise?" I drawled.
"We were late for a reason." she pointedly said, absentmindedly flicking her auburn braid over her shoulder.
Noted.
I simply nodded in response. "You can come in. There is no use in waiting out there for us to finish." I stated, absentmindedly brushing imaginary dirt from the desk's smooth surface. Slowly, almost timidly, the door opened to reveal a young boy, his hair an unruly mess of chestnut brown and eyes as wide as saucers. "Um, s-sorry to interrupt, but someone is here to see you Miss Diana."
At the use of my name, I shot him a glare, cold and merciless. His eyes widened in unbridled fear. I was reminded of a skittish doe I had startled once as a child in the Dolomites.
"S-s-s-sorry ma'am!"