Yal took a deep breath, preparing herself for what she was about to do. Everyone had wanted her not to go to the Alchemist, not to risk her own life for the life of someone past.
But they didn't know Kas like she did.
He was more to her than just a partner in the law. He was... She blushed at the thought. He was hers. And she was his.
Life wasn't worth living without him, so that's why she ended up here, on the doorstep of 1872 Starburn St. The home of the most dangerous man alive, if he even was a man.
She put up a gloved hand to knock on the rotted wood, when the door swung open on silent hinges. Unease washed over Yal, but she couldn't back out now. Slowly, she stepped inside.
The door swung steadily closed behind her, that wasn't surprising. But when she heard the lock engage; she jumped and terror began to flood her system. She was trapped.
"Yal Drowsky. I was wondering when you would end up here" a musical, almost playful voice seemed to echo from everywhere in the old house.
"You know why I'm here Alchemist. So what is your price?" Yal demanded, her hands shaking slightly. She tried to hide it by sticking her hands in her pockets, but it don't seem to help all that much.
"The usual payment methods will be fine. Dollars, Euros, Sterling Silver...." the Alchemist trailed off. "You know what? Just for the heck of it, I'll include a couple of Broken Hearts, or a few Secrets as payment for this one. It's been awhile since I've raised someone from the dead, and I like your spirit Yal Drowsky."
"Euros will be fine, thank you." Yal said, pulling out her life's savings. A grand total of almost 500,000£. Enough for her to move to America if she wanted to. Her and one other person.
The Alchemist laughed. "Oh darling, that isn't nearly enough."
Yal looked bewildered, and a little terrified. "But this is everything I hav-"
"Not everything darling." The voice seemed to grin evilly as Yal realized what he was implying.
"No. No I'll never tell you-"
"If you want your 'partner' back, you'll have to dearie" The Alchemist's voice seemed to smirk triumphantly, knowing that he had painted the head detective into a corner.
Yal thought about it for less than a minute before she nodded. "Fine! fine. I'll tell you the codes. Just-just promise me you won't hurt any of the detectives."
"You have my word" The Alchemist spoke, his voice coming clearly from the top of the stairs. Yal looked up, and saw a man walking slowly down the stairs, a cane in one hand, and a pocket watch in the other.
He was in a beautiful deep green suit with a top hat to match, and a devious smile that filled Yal with even more unease if it was even possible.
"I don't want just your word. I want a contract. A contract that you will not hurt a singe one of the detectives if I give you these codes." Yal found a shred of courage as she stared the Alchemist in the face.
The Alchemist's face dropped into a more sinister expression. "You are in no place to negotiate miss Yal."
"Am I?" Yal shot back with little confidence, taking a step back toward the door. "You know what, I need some time to think about this-"
"Miss Yal, are you forgetting something?" The Alchemist's face distorted into an evil grin as Yal's hand found the front door handle and vainly tried to turn it. "You haven't been invited to leave yet, and we still have so much to discuss."
