Detained [2] 《SHADOWHUNTERS》

Chapter Thirty-Two

Alec caught Andy on her way out of her room late in the morning, calling out to get her to stop. She perked up, eyeing him carefully. She was still in comfort-mode from yesterday, eyes narrowing into a glare that held a bit too much warmth to be threatening. She looked him up and down to make sure he was okay.

He wasn't, but that wasn't why he had stopped her. He checked to make sure that the hallway was clear, and it was. The rest of their family was already up and working, anxious to fix the mess left from the day before. "What?" Andy prompted a bit impatiently, eager to get going for the day. She had a lot of blades to sharpen.

Alec straightened and became serious. "If things go sideways," he stated bluntly, earning the same reaction from her as she realized how grave things were getting. "If we can't find Valentine and Sebastian in time..." His voice was low and hushed, prompting her to lean in more just to make sure this stayed between them. "I need you to go to Lake Lyn. Is that okay?"

She understood why he was asking instead of ordering. If she had to go, she'd be facing off with her father and the monster sidekick he had enlisted. But she wasn't anywhere near as hesitant as he was about it. "Yeah, I'll be good. But we're not gonna get to that," she tried to calm him, "because we've got the whole city searching." And it was true. Downworlders didn't need much convincing to try and help them sniff out the very people trying to destroy them. 

Alec made a face and slipped his hands into his pockets, clearly disagreeing. "How many times have we had all the wards up and they've managed to slip something in here? That was when people who were good at this were in charge. I –"

"Hey," she cut him off, not able to stop herself. "You're good at this." She got his point, though. If the Inquisitor couldn't keep Valentine from escaping, how the hell were they supposed to? "I'll be able to get there and do what I have to do," she declared, hoping it might reassure him somewhat.

It didn't. He turned and pulled her to the side gently, despite the empty space around them. "Andy, if this goes wrong... you have to kill him."

Her nose scrunched up in confusion. He was saying it like it was a bad thing. "But you said –"

"I know what I said. And I was wrong." He admitted. As much as it should've warmed her heart to hear that, it didn't. She wished he hadn't been wrong. She wished the transfer had gone well, and that Valentine was locked up in Idris awaiting trial rather than roaming around New York. "If it's between letting the whole Downworld go and him – take him down."

She nodded, determination flaring up in her blue eyes. "Just tell me when and I'll go."

°◊°◊°◊°

Andy always felt like a true warrior with two short blades at her sides. Something clicked when she was geared up and had her favorite weapons at the ready. She loved them dearly; they offered her the chance to dive into dangerous attacks she wouldn't otherwise attempt. If she saw someone coming for her a moment too late, she could use the second blade to cover herself quickly or attack where her enemy wasn't expecting. And if she lost a weapon, she always had a backup.

Fighting was instinct, it was easy. It was just life. 

She runed another dagger, making sure the lines she engraved into the metal were pointed perfectly. She wanted whatever she killed Valentine with to be quick. And hurt. 

She tested the blade on her gloved hand, twirling it against her palm. She was already wearing light gear and had her weapons secured in thick holsters. The tough leather was stronger and kept her weapons in place better than her usual gear, which displayed them more like an accessory. She was prepped for battle.