The Brotherhood of The Black Rats

2.14 The Spider's Parlor

14| The Spider’s Parlor

Kai stared down at the lone Four of Spades in his hand as the X train passed through the hidden underground catacombs of Manhattan lone magical Subway line. With the card held tight between index and fore fingers he flicked his wrist feeling the weight of the item in his hand grow as it morphed into a lethal looking steel stiletto dagger, perfect for throwing. Another flick of the wrist and it returned to the shape and weight of the card, a third and it was a knife once more. 

As the train pulled rocked to sudden stopped on the abandoned tracks it used to make it’s way along the forgotten Underground Kai fumbled the enchanted weapon to the ground where it burst into a clatter of pennies at his feet. Lose change rolling about the train compartment for the many magical Manhattanites to claim for their own. 

Simon laughed from where he sat across Kai as the antique train picked up speed once more. “Keep at it, practice makes perfect you know,” he said with the half-heart air of sarcasm Kai had come to know well over the years they had been friends.  

“Glad you find it funny,” said the Cartomancer pulling another card from the deck to try again “Perhaps we can laugh our way through the Dragon District.”

“By the luck we’ve been having, we could probably do just that,” countered Simon with smile.  

Everything was coming together for the upcoming heist. The only loose ends that remained were their inability to by pass security with anything magical in nature, which Kai was currently puzzling over, and a solid escape plan if things went to shit; which hopefully Spider would be able to provide.

Before Kai could continue his transfiguration The X train came to stop at thirteenth and Broadway. A station lost along countless others and only accessible by way of a hidden alleyway just next to a frozen yogurt joint above ground. There were many stops on the X Train, it was simply a matter of when the train arrived that was hard to pin down.

Doc was already waiting at the corner when Simon and Kai emerged from the hidden terminal. As always his presence was met with a start from the others.    

“Any updates on emails?” asked the voice as the three of them came together on the busy city street. 

“We’re in like Flynn,” answered Simon holding up his smartphone into the air. “So far Mallory’s luck has been spot on.” 

“A pity,” said Doc “I was just imagining how you would look explaining to the others in the event that your masterful had hit another snag.” 

“Come Doc,” said Kai as the light changed allowing them the right-of-way to cross the street. “We snag’s like that for breakfast. Haven’t you heard?”

They came to an old looking tenement building on Thirteenth Street where the numbers 1313 hung above the door. It had been recently remolded and even now as they approached, crews of men were hauling furniture in from an unmarked white van illegally parked on the street in front of a fire hydrant. 

“This the place?” asked Simon to the invisible Witch Doctor as he examined the call buttons just outside the front door. 

“It is,” came the reply. “I’ve told Spider you’re here. He’s awaiting you upstairs.” 

Simon hit the top button anyway. 

“Password,” came a static-racked voice through the tiny speaker.   

“Eh? “Ghost Tits!”” provided Simon with a chuckle.

“You may proceed,” said the intercom voice. A sharp sounding buzz followed, unlocking the door in front of them.