(IBook 16 Arrow/SPN Crossovers )When Hunter Becomes Hunted

Onward

We met up with Bres after Mac prepared a rather lovely lunch for he and I, during which I texted Samuel about what we were up to and told him to let Cas know that I would not be in need of his wings for the next few hours at least.  Mac and I took his car  to meet Bres in front of Nordic Investments.  It wasn't all that imposing of an edifice from the outside, but we all noticed the warding runes worked into the wood around the doors and windows. They'd been artfully worked into some rather elegant, complicated, and to most eyes, entirely decorative carvings.   "Subtle," I commented.

Bres shrugged, "Who'd think it's actually run by real Norse folk? Apparently they really want some of our funds with as fast as they got us an appointment with Njord himself."

"Or they want something else," Mac said, "Either way, let's not keep them waiting." 

Mac's idea of becoming more presentable had been to dress entirely in black. True, he was still in deep mourning, so it was appropriate on that level, but he'd chosen to add a few touches that would not go unnoticed by our soon to be hosts. He'd attached a hand worked silver broach which had our, shall we say, clan crest; although we're not technically a clan; to the fitted black coat that swept his knees, touching the top of his boots. He had several signet rings on his fingers, gifts from various past Irish rulers who'd earned enough of our trust to be told who we were and be promised our aid in times long past. If he chose to remove his coat once we were inside, the black tailored shirt with silver buttons had short enough sleeves that they could see his bindings were not, currently, in effect.  When Mac had come out of his room after dressing I'd made sure to send a quick text to Bres letting him know that perhaps he should dress to match.  Mac had graciously agreed to stop at my house on the way so I wouldn't look like a common ruffian compared to the other two.  I'd chosen more subdued browns instead of my usual greens.  I had several business suits that I used for various occasions that I felt delivered the right tone for this meeting. Bres had gone for a rather upscale navy blue suit which worked well with his brown hair and blue eyes.  

"After you," Bres said as he waved Mac and I ahead of him. 

Mac looped his arm through mine, which is perhaps an archaic gesture, but I still appreciated it, and he and I walked towards the door, Bres two steps directly behind us. 

The door opened at precisely half a step before we reached it, and it wasn't an automatic door. A rather imposing blonde woman opened it for us. She was dressed in a grey suit that bordered on silver, the sleeves barely covering the impressive amount of muscle in her arms. Her hair was down, mid shoulder length and straight as an arrow, her movements precise, well balanced and her eyes stared right into ours. Not a challenge, per se, but a recognition of who it was that was about to enter her domain.  It was apparent rather quickly that she wasn't there simply to open doors. 

"Subtle indeed," Bres murmured. 

She may or may not have been a Valkryie, but she was certainly trained in multiple forms of combat and not just physical ones either if the slender wooden rod that was attached to her waist was any sign. "I somehow doubt she greets all the people that come here," I replied. 

Mac, somewhat surprisingly, seemed to enjoy the situation, "Nice to know our reputation hasn't diminished all that much over the centuries." 

I glanced over my shoulder at Bres, who managed to give me a small smirk before regaining the more stony faced, business look he'd had a moment before. 

Mac looking forward to some kind of challenge was a good sign. 

We all felt the wards slither over and through us as we pulled even with the threshold of the doorway, although they didn't seem to weaken or bind us in any way. "Welcome, distinguished guests," she said, "Founding Manager Njord is looking forward to meeting you. I'll show you the way."