I walked around the corner, intent on getting back to the house before it turned darker still. The moon was out yes, but clouds were quickly closing in and making it harder to see everything since technically people should be sleeping.
Constance and I may have stayed up longer than we thought.
Just when I thought about taking out my strikers and lighting a nearby lantern, something shot out in front of my face and a hand was suddenly clasped over my mouth, and the owner was pulling me towards him, into an alleyway.
I didn't hesitate to bite the person, tasting leather of gloves, and felt a surge of dark glee when the person shouted in pain.
I elbowed him in the ribs harshly, hearing a muffled groan in my ear and his hand jerked away from my mouth and he backed up quickly.
Then his big friend who I had not seen until that moment, stepped in front of me. I saw a huge sword at his side, but he made no move to draw it.
A loud Spanish curse filled the alleyway, and the voice was familiar. I replaced my throwing knives, relaxing my stance as the giant bellowed out a laugh, throwing his entire body into it.
Someone stepped up behind me, but I just threw a wicked smirk over my shoulder.
"Two months, and you idiots are still as moronic as ever." I teased them.
Another Spanish curse filled the alleyway, and this time it was directed at me.
I huffed out a snicker, "That was rude." I noted.
"So is biting someone's hand!" The Spaniard shouted back irritably.
I smirked, and a sudden light flooded my vision.
I blinked, taking in the sight of my companions.
Standing in the alleyway was the whole set of Horsemen.
Eric was beside me, clad in a gold and white cloak, holding a lantern. Josh was standing beside Diego, grin on his face and hat in his hands. Diego was still shaking his hand ruefully, giving me a glare with no heat behind it.
"Well, don't put it so near my mouth next time you find the urge to drag me into an alleyway." I quipped, shooting him a wicked smirk, "What is it with you guys and dragging me into alleyways anyway? It's become a bit of a pattern." I remarked dryly.
Eric shrugged, "Less chance of being seen."
I rolled my eyes, "He ruined that when he screamed." I pointed out, looking at Diego.
"I wouldn't have screamed at you not decided to bite me." He muttered crossly.
"And I wouldn't have bitten you if you hadn't drug me into an alleyway." I fired back, rolling my eyes again in annoyance.
"Children." Eric started wryly, "We came here for a reason."
Diego huffed and Joshua smirked at me.
I turned to Eric lazily, "Why do I get the feeling that you aren't here to wish me a happy belated Christmas or early New Year?"
Eric gave me a flat look, "Because you aren't an idiot. If that was our intention, we'd find you during the day."
"You mean drag me into an alleyway." I couldn't help but quip.
Diego scowled, opening his mouth to fire back a reply, but Eric responded first, "Yes, we get it. Now knock it off, both of you." He ordered, tone leaving no room for argument.
I scoffed, rolling my eyes, and saw Diego mirror me.
"Anyway," Eric drawled, "We came here because we need your help."
"I'm guessing someone got into Paris that shouldn't have, and you need someone with a knowledge of the city." I guessed, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Yes." Eric replied, "His name is Peter McGreggor. Came from Ireland. He's been going on a murder spree from town to town, making his way to Paris. We've just managed to track him down, and it doesn't look like he's chosen any victims yet. We need you to help us track him down."
I tilted my head, "Sure. I've been dying for a hunt anyway. Kind of gotten boring with all the holiday cheer going around." I chirped. "Am I allowed to include my Musketeer friends?"
Eric gave me a flat look, "I doubt anything I could say will dissuade you from including them anyway. Especially because of that." He pulled away my cloak, giving everyone a clear view of my pauldron, and giving me a pointed look.
I gave him a cheeky smirk in return, "What? Was I supposed to somehow magically send you a letter when I knew nothing of your whereabouts that I had finally managed to become a Musketeer?"
"When did this happen?" Joshua asked, pride evident in his tone.
"A month ago. Right before I very nearly killed myself with another explosion!" I chirped cheerfully.
Eric sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose while Joshua laughed and Diego just gave me an unimpressed look.
I sighed, rolling my eyes for the umpteenth time that night, "Again, not like I could just magically get a letter to you when I had absolutely no clue where you were."
Eric sighed, looking heavenward, "Alright. Fine. But I expect a full explanation in the morning."
"Deal. Breakfast?"
"Sounds good to me!" Joshua boomed, throwing me a toothy grin.
I huffed with laughter, my breath coming out in white frost.
"Anyway, Aramis is probably getting worried by now. You have a place to stay?" I asked.
Eric nodded, "Yes, an inn on the edge of town. The 'Highwayman's'."
I nodded, "I've heard of it. Know the owner quite well too. Good man, good family. Always willing to help out in a pinch."
"And this is why we came to you." Diego told me fondly, "Because you can charm anyone with a brain."
I shot him a charming smile to prove his words, "Oh, the stories I have for you mi amigo." Then I readjusted my cloak, "Well, goodnight. I suggest you return to the inn." I told them as I walked away.
"What, worried about thieves taking our purses?" Diego asked teasingly.
I shot a smirk over my shoulder, speaking suddenly in French in contrast with the English we had spoken throughout most of the conversation, "Not particularly. But I am worried about you leaving behind several icy statues of unfortunate pickpockets. Though I'm sure the city could use some ice sculptures, I doubt they'd want the ones you'd leave behind with lots of red coloring." Out of the corner of my eye, I saw two people scurry away immediately after my words.
I smirked, laying a casual hand on my sword, swaying my way through the ice and snow with a confident step in my stride.
