Tainted Blood

Chapter 7

"What? How?" Spencer asks panicked.

"There was a raid," she begins, "I don't know the full story but all I do know is that when the smoke cleared, he was gone. He was nowhere within the compound or the perimeter."

"Well, what are they going to do?" she asked, now pacing the hallway.

"I'm sending someone in. A tracker, he will find Jonathon and return him to the compound and ensure that whatever happened was not an issue between the authority inside the disciples." Anna answers.

"You're sending someone in? How? Infiltrating the Pit is near impossible, you'll never make it near the gate let alone inside!" Spencer retorts.

"We have a plan, it was Jonathon's plan," she begins, "he was supposed to go before he got caught. He was going in to start a rally, to breach the gate and start a riot."

"By them, you mean me." Spencer stops.

"No, we mean your father, Hennessy."

Spencer looks to her hands, the blood seeping through the bandage and the dried blood underneath her fingernails. Jonathon was in trouble, he could be hurt, or dead. Her heartbeat sped to an unbearable rate as her breathing quickened. Thoughts and possibilities ran through her head, however there was one that stood out. One insane, irresponsible thought that required her to resort to the person she once was. A trained weapon.

"Send me in."

"What?" Anna asks taken back, Spencer remained unchanged, "do you understand what you are asking me to do? You are unprepared and I cannot allow you to jeopardise this operation. We, as a people, have risked and sacrificed too much to lose it all now."

"I am more than capable of infiltrating the Pit and finding him." Spencer retorts.

"How do I know that? All I have seen is some pretty princess that only follows Daddy's orders. How do I know that you won't get yourself killed? What am I to explain to Jonathon that the one woman he has ever loved is dead because I sent her in after him?!"

"Let me show you," Spencer begins, Anna spins, a frustrated huff escaping her, "let me show you."

"My answer is no."

"What do you have to lose? A Mercer?" Spencer hushes, "you would sooner strike me down then risk me informing my family of what happens here."

The air between them falls silent, the single sound of shuffling feet as Anna holts is all that could be heard. Her posture becomes rigid as she peers forward, anger is evident in her demeanour.

"Give me a chance." Spencer pleads, "I owe him."

A breath of silence and Spencer watches her, her posture eases as she sighs and turns to face her.

"Very well, you have 3 days to prepare. If you are not up to the task I will send in my tracker. Be here tomorrow at 7:00am." Anna agrees, "you have one chance Spencer, one."

Ä

The knife slams into the centre of the target, the silver hilt shines against the wooden plate as Spencer stand at the other side of the courtyard. Another knife dances in her fingers as she prepares to throw another. Anna steps in front of her.

"I have heard stories of a Mercer who during the days of the ruin was quite skilled with a sword. That wouldn't happen to be you now would it." Anna says as she smirks. Spencer returns the gesture as Anna throws her the hilt of a sword and crouches into a defensive stance. Spencer twirls the sword in front of her. Although it wasn't hers a smile still creeps to her face as she crouches into a defensive position. The two begin to circle each other.

Anna steps forward as she lunges towards Spencer's throat. Spencer dodges quickly and swings the sword in her hand as she begins to circle her again. Anna lunges at her again, she spins, throwing the blade and catching it backwards she slices Anna's protected leg. Anna stumbles forward. Spencer twirls it again as she lunges towards her. Anna quickly blocks. The sound of metal crashing on metal can be heard throughout the building and people had begun to gather.

Anna strikes hard as she spins and strikes her back, Spencer ducks as she turns and hits her stomach. She flips the hilt of the sword backwards into her palm and she blocks the next blow. Anna huffs, throwing the sword to the ground, she raises her fists and urges Spencer to come at her. Spencer drops the sword and does the same. Anna throws a punch, Spencer ducks, grabbing her forearm she slams her knee into her stomach. Anna doubles over, whilst Spencer prepares for the next assault. With a quick recovery, they circle each other again. Anna kicks her leg out, Spencer blocks but does not anticipate the punch that soon followed. Spencer's is taken aback as she shakes herself off. Anna smirks as she bounces between her feet. Spencer stalks towards her as she quickly throws a punch, Anna blocks. Spencer throws another and another before striking with her leg. Anna falls to the floor.

"Had enough yet?" Spencer chuckles she helps Anna up. Anna kicks out Spencer's legs which sends get crashing to the ground. Spencer chuckles as does Anna. Spencer places her hands on the ground behind her head and pushes herself from the ground.

"Alright, I'll give it to you, you can fight." Anna remarks. Spencer takes a little bow before walking to the table to retrieve water. Anna follows close behind her.

"Spencer, when you get to the gate, there will be no one on the other side to help you. You must get to the city where a leader will be waiting. Keep your guard up and watch your back." Anna tells her. Spencer turns to face her, "and Spencer, do not use your real name. If they know who you are they will take you down and use your head to get into the Metropolis."

"I understand Anna." She answers.

"Good, he would be so proud of you," a smile crawls its way onto both of their faces, "that is before he kills us both." A deep throated chuckle rings out from across the room where Will stands with an unfamiliar figure. Their face was covered with a black hood connected to a long leather trench coat. Yellow eyes peer out behind the darkness as the chuckle becomes louder as they approach. Will's eyes connect with Anna in an unspoken language before the hooded figure speaks.

"You believe she is ready?" the raspy voice asks, the question pointed to Anna.

"Yes, she has been briefed on where to go, what is expected and how if she is found, she is not traced back to the compound or our plans." she answers, Spencer stands quietly, observing the two.

"Very well, the leaders are aware of her arrival and will sound their retriever as she nears the gate," the hood turns to Spencer, "it is suggested you remain conspicuous about this compound and what you do. If you are compromised, we will not save you Mercer."

"Understood." Spencer hisses. A toothy smile shines through the darkness, the smell of rotting teeth and decay is blown into the air surrounding the group. The weight of the dagger in her boot becomes forefront as the figure nears towards her, the cold shiver of death passing through as they do.

"That Mercer spark won't help you in my world, child."  it hisses before slinking back towards Will and Anna. It clicks its tongue as it looks to the blood-soaked bandage.

"Take care of that. You leave at dawn."