Burgundy Man Visits

My shadow mark... it's gone. The grim reaper shifted slightly beneath the blanket and felt a sharp pain in his side. Liddy would need to change his bandages soon. Kole wasn't used to getting injured this badly. He could tolerate the scratches from Mammon's claws, seeing as he had been struck by fast enemies before. Being a reaper and a being of shadow made him harder to hit and tougher than most, so ordinary weapons weren't much of threat. However, there were two distinct types of magical weapon that could critically wound the grim reaper. The first was an uncommon metal known as Shadowrend and the second was the council's legendary sword of light. The injury that was keeping Kole bedridden had been caused by the latter.

"I suppose this is why you never challenged Matao?" Said Keera. She was sitting at her injured master's bedside with a bored look on her face.

"Yes, Keera." Kole rolled his eyes. The reaper winced as he tried suppressing the pain. He finally remembered what he had meant to say. "We've also got a problem."

"Do you need more tea?" The angel said. She smiled slyly. "Too bad Tibias is watching the office. Maybe if you'd chosen him to take care of you instead of me..."

"Will you stop whining about my choice, Keera?" The reaper intervened. "It's not like I can leave you alone. You'd undoubtably run away."

"I came back to save you the other night, didn't I?" His subordinate snapped.

"That's not important right now." Kole growled. "The tracker I placed on Mammon has been deactivated."

"What?" Keera's eyes went wide. "How?"

Before either of them could say another word, Liddy came into the room carrying an armful of bandages and elixirs. Kole looked pleased.

"It's time to change yer bandages, Mr. Tarrant." The old crone said as she dropped all the supplies on top of Kole's bed. Liddy turned her head towards Keera. "You should probably leave, Keera. The sight of Mr. Tarrant's naked body is not for your eyes."

Kole chuckled. "Hypothetically, it could be. But I know better than to trust her with treating my injuries."

"Bite me." Keera spat.

"That's enough outta the both a' ya!" Liddy shouted. "Saucy-mouthed youngins."

As if punctuating the argument, there was a bang on the front door. It was a firm, confident, and methodical knock. Was it Tibias? Couldn't be Royal. He always insisted on knocking in the tune of "shave and a haircut."

"I wonder who that could be?" Asked Liddy.

"I'll get it." Keera said, as she rose from her seat. At the very least, she now had an excuse to leave the bedroom.

Keera opened the door, making sure the image of Liddy disrobing Kole didn't enter her mind. She almost spaced out until she noticed the burgundy-suited figure who was staring back at her. This person at the apartment door was a svelte young adult male. He was bespectacled and clean shaven, but something seemed slightly off about the look in his eye.

"Can I help you?" Keera asked, making sure to maintain eye contact with the man. However, his eyes slipped lower for a split-second. The man re-locked his gaze with Keera's, but he was starting to sweat.

"So, I take it you're not Kole Tarrant?" The man stammered. "Are you his misses... perhaps...?"

"No." Keera said flatly. "Who are you?"

"Me? Oh, I'm the new neighbor..." The man said.

"Uh... New neighbor?"

"Yes... I'm moving into the vacant apartment next door. Is Mr. Tarrant around? I'd like to talk with him now."

Keera looked the man square in the eye. "Sorry. He's out."

"Oh..." The man frowned. "I'll come back later then."

"You should try the office." Keera suggested. As the strange man started to walk away, the angel reached out and grabbed the shoulder of the man's suit. She sneered. "That's funny. I never told you where the office was."

The man's eyes went wide as Keera tightened her iron grip on his shoulder. He made a noise that sounded like a mouse being stepped on. Hastily, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a black dagger. Keera released her hold and drew her own dagger in time to block. The two blades clashed violently and the man jumped back as if startled by the sound they made. The man grabbed a flask out of his pocket with his other free hand and gulped it down. The smell of demon blood filled the air as the man sprinted out down the stairs and out of the apartment. At the speed he was moving it would be pointless for Keera to chase after him, even with her wings. Reluctantly, she sheathed her dagger and stepped back inside the apartment.

It would appear we have another problem.