"Who is it?" Ani could sense the tension building up between Irial and their visitor who had probably noticed that he was watched. There weren't many fey who would come to Irial's house if they weren't invited or belonged to the Dark Court. So he had to be cautious and strong.
Irial turned around, facing Ani. "What do you think?" He said with an edge of annoyance. And then he added "Your hero is here to ask for my permission to take you away again." It was obvious that Irial didn't appreciate Devlin coming to his house, at least, not for private reasons. A moment later there was a knock on the front door and it opened with a squeak. Ani could hear it as if she was standing next to it. This house was infused with magic only Irial could wield; it obeyed him. Steps became louder on the tiles, approaching the parlour. Their guest hesitated in front of the big white door. Maybe he expected it to open automatically as well.
"Come in." Irial now sounded all business like. His voice was a little bit lofty and he had come to stand near the settee where Ani was sitting. With a swing the door opened and Devlin entered with graceful but slow, human-like steps. "I am grateful for welcoming me in your house, Irial."
"What is your interest in the mortal world, Bloodied Hands?" Knowing people's intentions didn't mean you wouldn't ask them again. Ani felt nondescript for not being greeted but then she also wanted to have the answers and stayed silent.
"Could I talk to you alone again?"
Irial and Ani exchanged a brief glance then she got up. She passed Devlin without sparing him a look and closed the door behind her. Despite going upstairs or roaming through the house she left it, heading down the street. Whatever they had to talk about Irial would let her know and if not it was none of her business. Yet, she felt hunted again. On her way a few Ly Ergs passed but they didn't seem to bother with her. Ani kept her pace quick nonetheless. As she reached the industrial area where Seth lived in his train, hardly any fey were around anymore. The train came in sight but there was no light coming through the windows. Dusk had come and the clouds supported darkness down here on earth.
Ani came to a halt when a strange odour hit her. Bananach. "Shit."
War was standing a few meters from her, blood dripping from her hands. The last vicitm obviously was not dead for long. Her black, feathery wings spread widely, blocking Ani's view to the rest of the place. A smirk on Bananach's told Ani that she must look horrified. "Little pup. Why are you out on your own tonight? Seth is with my sister again and your beloved Hounds are not around. You shouldn't be too careless in these times of, well, War."
"What do you want?" Suddenly they were surrounded by more red-palmed Ly Ergs as if Bananch needed a back up in case Ani fought back. She hardly would be strong enough, let alone as much out of her mind. Bananach went on.
"I would like to you to inform me about your progress of your task. As long as Seth is away you surely cannot hurt him but Niall is still in town. Just as your beloved family, I guess." War was smiling light-heartedly. Ani couldn't hold back. Threatening her family always made her furious.
"Don't dare touching them!"
"I won't if you do what is asked of you, little Ani. Please don't let me wait much longer. I am a really impatient person when it comes to bloodshed, you know." And with that, War launched forward pushing Ani back against the brick wall of the train station building, stabbing her with her talon-tipped fingers. Pressing her mouth to Ani's ear, she mouthed with hot breath "Don't let me wait!" Then she let go and she and her retinue vanished into the forthcoming night. Ani sank to the ground, blood pouring from her side and the bare skin that had split open due to the thrust against the wall . It didn't hurt as much as the thought of losing her family though. She started to wail and forgot about the world around her.