Phoenix Witch
Prologue - Preparing For Battle
Thursday, March 11, 2027
It was early afternoon on a foggy day in downtown Oakland, California. Lawrence Holbrooke had planned to take his wife and young daughter to see the newest blockbuster for kids, a movie about butterflies of all things. Those plans had been unceremoniously canceled when his wife had walked into the living room five minutes before announcing she had a job. For most people that didn't mean dropping everything, but with Bianca, her jobs were usually a matter of life and death. And so Lawrence found himself on the back porch watching as his wife dug through a chest of weapons and other dangerous "toys".
"Does this have to be tonight, Bianca?"
Bianca stopped and looked up. The look on her face was a mixture of affection and amusement as she replied, "You know as well as I that they are very good at what they do, Lawrence. I can't afford to risk it. Do you want to join me?"
Lawrence smiled down at his wife. "Exactly where are we going, Bianca?"
"A little restaurant in San Francisco called The Manor. A little fancy for Ashlyn, but I don't anticipate any immediate problems, so if you want we can make it a family dinner." She gave him a flirty grin. "I hear the food is delicious."
Lawrence shook his head, smiling. "If you don't anticipate any immediate problems, then why can't it wait until tomorrow?"
"I expect the attack will be tonight, when they are asleep. Vera is good. I've lost innocents to her before. I don't particularly wish to chance that without giving them at least a warning and help if they want it."
Lawrence nodded. "All right then. I'll go get Ashlyn ready while you finish with your . . ." he waved his hand at the chest, " . . . whatever that is."
Bianca laughed. "You'd think that after all these years you would understand what this stuff was."
He shrugged. "Perhaps I think it is better if I don't. Will ten minutes be enough?"
"You can get Ashlyn ready in ten minutes? I'm impressed."
He just smiled. "Ten minutes."
She nodded. "Ten minutes." She blew him a kiss as he headed toward the back door. When he was out of site she went back to digging through her chest.
Not sure what anyone here will think of this story, but yes, this is the Bianca from "Chris-Crossed". She's somewhere around twenty-eight-years-old and married for several years to Lawrence Holbrooke. They have a three-year-old daughter named Ashlyn.
The next chapter of this story takes place in Wyatt's hospital room, because he is still in the hospital. As for what his condition is, well you will just have to wait and read it. Chris is there with him, needing to leave soon for work, but wanting to stay, very much worried about his brother . . . and annoyed at certain mambers of his family.