A, B, C, D, E.

vi. In which I run some recon.

I revelled in the free fall for a split second before my feet hit slate. I sank, bending my knees and keeping my balance, just like I had taught myself, however many years ago. My knee clicked as I landed. That isn't going to go away soon. I checked my phone, making sure I was headed the right way, before taking flight once more.

Run, Cassie.

Her father, ever encouraging, had taught her many things. Mum wasn't always around. When she was, she only pretended to like it until she could leave again. She was forced around the country by her work, but I could tell that there was something more. Something was dragging her away from dad and me, but neither of us could ever figure it out.

Climb, Cassie.

Dad had always been right behind me. At all of my clubs' meets, he was there on the side, cheering on his little girl. Swimming, running, climbing, fencing, archery, karate, shooting, you name it. He taught me parkour. "Like a duck to water," he had said.

Jump, Cassie.

I found myself where I had trained with my father. I checked my phone and realised I had taken an absent-minded turn, and memories had thrown me back to the roof. I stopped at the edge, and suddenly, I was a kid again.

It's okay, Cassie; you're safe.

A seven-foot gap stands as the only barrier between me and my destination. My father, standing on the roof of another building.

Jump.

I step back and start running. One, two, three steps. I plant my foot on the very edge of the roof and push with everything I had. I squeeze my eyes shut and feel freefall for the first time.

Open your eyes next time.

My father had caught me that day. Today, there was nothing but the buzz of people in the streets below and the occasional bird above. I existed, alone, on my own layer in space. I stepped back and started running. One, two, three steps. I planted my foot on the very edge of the roof and pushed with everything I had. I span with the momentum, flipping through the air, keeping my eyes open and focused. I landed with both feet at the same time, both legs bending under my weight. I wobbled on my bad knee, but it held with sharp pain and nothing more.

I should really visit my dad again soon. He'd be impressed.

I ran, jumped, and flew over London's roofs until I heard a tinny whistle emerge from my jeans pocket. I had arrived at Percy's address, a tall apartment building, reaching towards the heavens themselves. I walked back up the slant of the roof I had found myself on, perching myself at its apex. I scanned the area before pulling out my phone and dialling 'The Contact'.

I slid my hood down as the phone rang. "Hello? Is this Percy?"

"The very same. How may I assist?" Their voice seemed cheery and upbeat, lilting and almost childlike.

"I'm a friend of Damon's," I scanned the windows for any sign of Percy but saw nothing. "I think he told you I was coming?"

"Oh, of course, Cassandra! Damon has told me many things."

"Only good things, I hope," I smiled and shook my head before returning my search. "Are you east or west facing?"

A pause.

"East-facing. I remember because I watch the sunset from my study!"

Wonderful. What a valuable asset to the team.

"I think the sun sets in the west, darling."

"Oh."

Another pause.

"West-facing, then."

I pulled my phone away to check the time — 5:48 p.m. The sun was before me, low in the sky on the opposite side of the large apartment building. "Open your window. I'll be on your side in a minute." I didn't wait for their reply before I slid my phone back into my pocket, dropped low to the roof, and let gravity take me down its slant. I pushed off at the last second and reached for the edge of the next roof. My fingers clawed the lip, and I hauled myself over onto gravel. An air conditioning unit stuck out of the surface like a great fist emerging from the earth. I took a few steps and kicked off, and gripping the edge of the big metal box; I managed to clamber up on top of it. One step. Another. Jump. Bend. Impact. Roll.

I worked my way around, to the west-facing wall of the apartment. I could see one window that swung all of the way open just as I looked up. It was lousy with window boxes and assorted plant life, and it had a figure standing in it, framed by yellow and green curtains, and waving. I pulled my phone out and texted them. Do you use a keycard? They disappeared back into the room.

Yes! Why?

Drop it out of the window.

Certainly not! I'll just buzz you in!

Oh.

I put my phone back into my pocket and slid down the roof. I dropped onto a large bin, then down to the floor, my knee clicking on every impact. As I exited the alley, I put my hood down and rolled up the sleeves on my jacket. I debated on unzipping it before I remembered what was underneath. Of course, I was supposed to train today.

I silently felt for each of my holsters. Three daggers, two pistols. It would be evident if I reached for my boots, but I was pretty sure both blades were in their own hidden pockets.

When I had finished my inventory, I looked up and realised I was at the door to the apartment complex — the foot of this giant, clawing for the sky. 

I stepped into the slowly revolving door and passed out the other side into a dimly lit lobby. The walls were decorated with a simple wallpaper of light brown and dark green stripes, all of the furniture in both the hall and the open bar followed the same palette; brown, green, with hints of yellow. Inside was a stark contrast to outside, with the exact, pristine checkerboard of glass and concrete giving way to mismatched flower boxes and an earthy atmosphere reminiscent of an old library or a garden centre.

The clerk at the desk perked up at my arrival, and he smiled that kind customer service smile. "Hello dear, what do you require?"

I smiled an equally forced smile and pulled my phone out once more, texting Percy Your room number? "My friend is staying here, and I intend on visiting them for a short while, but for now," I switched to my notes app and looked up, meeting his eyes. "Have you seen any disturbances recently? In the last week or so."

"I, uh," the man tilted his head like a curious puppy, "I can't say I have. Might I ask, miss, what do you mean by 'disturbances'? Have you any examples?"

"A large black dog, smoky, hot coal eyes, not-of-this-earth, some witnesses have said that it--"

"I'm afraid to disappoint miss, but we do not live in a Sherlock Holmes novel."

"Of course." I let out a long, breathy sigh. This world is becoming another. "Thank you for your time, nonetheless." My phone buzzed right on cue. Percy had sent me their room number. "Good day, sir."