Acteon Syndicate

Chapter 13: Ebony Jones

Inise slipped her arm around Diomedes's as she stepped into the party. She grabbed a glass of champagne and Diomedes took it and drank it.
"What the hell?" She asked with frustration.
"You're eighteen. The last thing you need is to be caught because of a glass of champagne."
She rolled her eyes and smiled as a woman walked by.
"I've got eyes on Ebony." Uli said through the earpiece.
"Copy that." Diomedes whispered. "Moving in."
"Damn!" Aristotle said as Ebony took a seat on the stage. "Sit, act casual. Don't blow cover."
Diomedes led Inise to a table where a,  couple laughed merrily.
"Why, hello!" The man said.
"Oh, hello, sir." Inise smiled and took a seat.
"Your dress is lovely." The woman commented. "I must know where you got it."
Inise smirked. "Well, I'll tell you, if you can answer a question for me. My boyfriend dragged me along to this thing, what is it for?"
Aristotle buzzed in her ear. "Daniel and Allis sitting in a tree..."
"Shut up, Aristotle!" Uli yelled.
The woman laughed. "How I know the feeling. It's a celebration run by Ebony Jones. He's the ravishing man in the purple tux. He found an ancient artifact that can supposedly move people through time, remarkable, isn't it?"
"Very much so. I bought the dress at a store in New York on one of my visits. How could I meet this Mr. Jones? My darling here is a huge fan. I'd love to get an autograph for his birthday."
"Simple, you need but ask one of his bodyguards. They're standing by the stairs to the stage." She gestured to large men carrying guns.
"Darling," Diomedes interrupted. "I'll be right back, I need a drink."
"Inise, those are Phantom Morphs." Aristotle whispered. "Be careful, I'll meet you there."
"This is my chance." Inise said with a smile. "Thank you."
"Good luck!" The woman called as Inise met Uli and Aristotle behind a curtain.
"I've got this." Uli said as she lifted a glass of champagne, and stumbled directly into a bodyguard.
"I'm sorry." He said. "I must have bumped into you."
"It's alright, you can make it up to me." She smiled. "Follow me." He nodded and did as told. Aristotle glared at him as Uli slit his throat as quietly as possible. He sprayed blue water and disappeared into a puddle.
"That's one. Two to go." Diomedes said as he joined them.
"I have an idea." Inise crept around the bodyguard as Aristotle distracted them. "Excuse me, Mr. Jones." Ebony glanced up, and glared at Inise. "I'd hoped to get an autograph for my boyfriend."
"Oh, of course." His voice was smooth as he stood, pen and paper in hand. "Who shall I make it out to?"
"Come with me." Allis jabbed a gun into his ribs. "Quietly, or I'll spray your blood across this stage."
"I assure you, I am innocent." He held his hands up for effect.
"I know who you are, Ebony. I've faced quite a few of your demons."
"Don't move." Uli held her gun to his back.
"Ah, so you're demon hunters. Can't say I'm surprised, but I assure you, this isn't the first of these situations I've been in." Ebony smirked and produced a low whistle. The two remaining Phantom Morphs, shaped like Inise and Uli came and wrapped their arms around the originals' necks.
"Uli!" Aristotle called as he joined them, gun pointed at the pair.
"Aristotle, this is a Morph. I found it aiming at Ebony. They're fake." The Phantom Morph identical to Uli replied. "They're trying to fool you."
Inise scratched at her throat as Diomedes came in.
"Diomedes, help me!" Aristotle yelled. "I don't know who is who."
Diomedes pulled the trigger and shot the Phantom Morph as Ebony disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Aristotle followed suit and Uli fell to her knees.
"How did you know?" Inise ran over and pulled Diomedes into a tight hug. He was surprised, then smiled.
"You kept shifting your legs. I knew you were limping on your leg."
Inise released Diomedes and tucked her gun away in her holster on her ankle.
"We lost him." Inise frowned. "He got away, just as he said he would."
"We still had him. We did good today." Aristotle bent down and ran his finger through a pile of dust. "This isn't normal. I think it might give us a clue as to how Ebony is hiding. Uli, I need a swab from your field kit."
"What would you idiots do without me?" Uli asked, opening her purse and passing him a swab.
"Forget to eat." Inise said. She closed her eyes and sat on the step from the stage. "I need to see him. I need to know the truth."
"She deserves closure." Diomedes whispered to Uli.
"I'll escort Aristotle back to Ground Zero. Diomedes, go with Inise to see her dad." Uli instructed. "Mission success. We found Ebony and we almost had him. We're closer now than we've ever been before."

Ebony tapped a finger on Allis's picture. He smirked and sipped his drink.
"You. You are the one I've been looking for, Allisaria Grant. You have foiled my plans once, Innocent, but it won't happen again."