Next-Generation Grimm (A Grimm Fanfiction)

Chapter 7: The Raven and The Lady

I am in fear for my life. May the curses of every Hexenbiest and Zauberbiest fall on their own heads!

Lady Serena turned out nothing like I expected. She resided in a penthouse in the middle of the city, closely guarded by Hundjaeger. She seemed to think that she outranked Lady Aurelia, or at least that I was more of an inanimate, impersonal tracking device, not an elite agent. She demanded a report of me, and only barely listened as I told her of my discoveries.

When I finished, she asked, "This key you are searching for—do you have any idea where it is?"

I did not.

"What about the message? Do you think the Könningschlange could have left it?"

I doubted it.

"But you could not confirm it."

I felt the anger rising inside me; why was she questioning me like this? All I wanted were some contacts and resources.

"Don't be so short with me. I suppose your mistress recommended that you come see me concerning information about a key that I have been tracking for some time now."

Yes, that was it. Perhaps if we pooled everything we knew, we could find the missing key and figure out who would want it badly enough to kill and why.

"Ugh, you sound so sentimental it's abominable. Of course you're not a detective, you're a hunter. You're supposed to be tracking the key...and you've already lost it."

"Your Ladyship," I ground my teeth in frustration, "that is why I am here; I have only limited resources and no contacts in America. I was hoping that you might be able to—"

"No, no! I don't mean you lost it in Seattle! There's a key in Portland, and you completely missed it!"

I was both offended and confused. "You speak of the key held by the detective? The one the Family already knows about?"

"No...there is another. It came north from Eugene, and I have been aware of its movement all the way into Portland. According to my agent who was trailing it, he saw you walk right past its location."

My legs were beginning to ache from standing so long, but I dared not falter in the presence of a Lady.
"Where is it?" I asked.

Lady Serena shook her head, "Oh no, it won't be that easy. Your weapons will be returned to you when you leave here, and I will give you the names of some contacts in Portland—but view this as a chance to prove yourself. Show me that you aren't just a worthless killing robot that needs a target every time. Find your own target—and win." She waved her hand, "That will be all."

The Hundjaegers came forward and grabbed my arms. I tried to shake free, but they held so tight it hurt. "What if the one who holds the key now ends up like the others?" I demanded.

Serena gave a long, slow blink. "Unless you can find the killer," she murmured softly, "we know who to blame, don't we?" She raised a finger toward me. "Do not fail us, Grimm."

She smiled so darkly, that the words of the Genio Innocuo came back to me: "If at any time you cease to be useful, they will not hesitate to discard you...the wolves will devour your bones...double-tongued serpent..."

Something snapped. Suddenly I saw right through her. Lady Serena didn't want to help. She wanted to prove who was boss, prove that she deserved the castle in Lyon instead of a penthouse in Salem. If I found the key, she could take the credit; if not, well, she could kill me for failing and make it look like an accident. I knew all about those accidents, myself. I had never felt more like a pawn, and I hated it.

I stood defiantly before the Hexenbiest.

"I am not yours to command," I declared, "I come to you for assistance, and you presume to test me?"

"Do not forget whose court you stand in, Grimm!" Lady Serena fired back. She woged, but the deformed visage held no terror for me.

I had the power now. I could feel it. "This is not a court," I told her, "this is a house. You are only well-connected, not nobility. It was for some favor done by you that the Royal Family allowed you to use the title of Lady."

It was wild conjecture, but I could see by the grimace on her face that it was likely close to the truth.

She scowled at me. "Very interesting. And tell me—In light of such blatant insubordination and failure, what could induce me to let you live? It sounds like you have outlived your usefulness."

There it was; the open threat. I needed to end this now.

"One of us has," I said, fingering the edge of my cloak, "but it isn't me. I still have a few—" I jerked down and back, tearing my favorite knife from it's secret pocket in the same moment. The blade flashed as I sliced the arms of both Hundjaegers. They howled and tried to grab me with the other hand, but I slit their wrists and bashed their heads with my elbows. I was in Serena's face before they hit the floor. My favorite knife tickled her chin. "Tricks up my sleeve," I finished.

I saw the brief terror in her eyes, which she tried in vain to cover with smugness, as if she had expected me to do that.

"Oh, Bravo, young Grimm! I haven't had anybody take on my guards like that in years. But now what are you going to do?" she mocked. "Surely you're not going to dare lay a finger on me!"

I never wanted so badly to spit in a Hexen's face. Next time, I promised myself, I would volunteer for the service of a true Royal. Hexenbieste were all self-absorbed charlatans. They could keep their wiles and their spells for all I cared!

"It pains me, I know," I snarled at her, "but it appears I have no need for you, after all." I lifted the letter opener from the desk nearby. Bringing it up in my fist like a dagger, I drove it home: through the sleeve of her dress and into the armrest of the chair. She shrieked. I backed off of her.

"I hope you take this as a sign that I never want to meet in person again," I warned her. "I may contact you later and I expect your full cooperation. And please—never insult my mistress again. The King wouldn't like to hear of it when he takes his tea with her next."

I knew I would cherish the terror on her face for many years to come.

In the end there is only power, and sometimes, the Hexenbiest is not the most powerful being there is; it could be anyone—even a Grimm who has learned from a powerful Hexenbiest.

The noise of her screams had attracted many more Hundjaeger. They were coming for me. There was no way out except the fire escape on the outside of the building. I jumped out the window.

It was more like a controlled fall, but at least I reached the ground barely ahead of the guards. I ran straight into the street, dodging between the cars. A biker plowed straight into me, and since I was left holding his vehicle while he went flying, I hopped on and took off, following signs to the interstate freeway. I had left my weapons behind, but there would no doubt be opportunity to acquire more, with my connection to Lady Serena.

I am headed north, toward Portland. There's no telling what awaits me when I arrive.