Magyk

xiii

abscond

leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection of or arrest for an unlawful action

~~~

A loud boom signaled a disturbance not too far from the Avengers facility. It was late at night, Vision downstairs in his room "sleeping", while Wanda and Faerie sat at the kitchen table, communicating telepathically, strengthening the undeniable link between the two.

The girls bolted up from their seats, heading to the window when they noticed a large fire erupting in the distance. Sounds of explosions and screaming rung through Faerie's ears as they approached the window and she grimaced, shaking her head to clear the memories of Nigeria. Neither moved when Vision came up through the floor to join them.

"What is it?" Wanda asked quietly.

"Stay here, please," Vision replied shortly. Things were uncomfortable, to say the least after the little moment in the kitchen earlier. Wanda and Faerie were a little warier of Vision and his antics now, unsure of his motives for keeping them there. Vision disappeared through the wall, and Faerie immediately noticed that another presence was in the room, a familiar calm rushing over her as she felt Wanda's words breach her consciousness.

'Someone's here,' the younger girl said.

'I know.' Faerie sent Wanda a quick look. The two turned simultaneously, Wanda sending the knife at the perpetrator's forehead while Faerie's aura loosely wrapped itself around their neck, threatening to tighten at any moment.

A man with tan hair and blue eyes stood there, seemingly uninterested by the forces that threatened to end his life, a bow in his hand loosely while his quiver was slung over his back. He cocked his head to the side before tipping the knife out of the way harmlessly.

"Guess I shoulda knocked," he said calmly, not even acknowledging the tendrils wrapped around his throat. The black tendrils of smoke were still wrapped around his throat as Wanda relaxed and Faerie's eyes looked between her and the man.

"Faerie, it's alright," Wanda reassured the goddess gently. The smoke disappeared and the arrow man looked at Faerie, as though analyzing her demeanor. It made her uncomfortable, just had Natasha had on the jet on that one mission, but Faerie stayed calm and merely stared at him condescendingly.

"Who's this?" he asked, eyes not leaving her tense form.

"Faerie, goddess of darkness. It's a long story," Faerie said curtly. "Who are you?"

"Clint Barton, retired agent and Avenger," he responded. Wanda stepped forward towards him and the man moved to meet her halfway. Faerie jogged up behind Wanda, grabbing her hand as her oversized hoodie bounced with her every step.

"What are you doing here?" Wanda asked, feeling wary of Vision not too far away.

"Disappointing my kids." Clint proceeded forward, passing Wanda and Faerie as he shot arrows around the area where Faerie and Wanda once were. "I'm supposed to go waterskiing. Cap needs our help, come on."

He pulled Wanda away from the kitchen, who ended up pulling Faerie along as well. Faerie's eyes widened when she noticed another presence in the room, realizing Vision's arrival.