Chapter 10: Chasing Tail

"What the hell did I do? What the hell did I do?" Via hissed under her breath as she paced up and down the length of the small empty and very dusty classroom, only to stop short of a large spider's web that had stretched over a desk that sat under an open window.

She stared at the pale silken threads her eyes roving to the widow spider that was crawling along the middle of it quite placidly, its thin spindly legs delicately weaving a new cord into place.

It was oddly beautiful, watching the small arachnid pluck and tug and lace its way around its net like a harpist would pluck and tend to the strings of their instrument.

Absently her hands found the strings of the dream catcher that sat over her chest.

"Why me?" she whispered feeling her eyes burn with wet salt as she glared at the spider.

"Why choose me? I was already such a freak before and now…"

She wiped her eyes as the door to the room creaked behind her.

Quickly she turned and saw a man standing in the doorway carrying what looked like a gigantic silver battle axe.

He was a short and stocky man with brown-blonde hair and moustache that covered a round but kindly face and light brown eyes.

For some reason, they looked very familiar to her even as they widened in absolute shock at the sight of her.

"…Freyja? C-could it be-I-is that-" he stuttered as he stopped dead in his tracks.

"I'm sorry but do I know you?" Via stiffened where she stood, but already the stranger was shaking his head and apologizing.

"Oh, I'm sorry miss, you just…forgive me for being so forward but you look remarkably a lot like someone I once knew…" he paused as he scanned her face in more detail, her tear tracks in particular catching his eye "Is everything alright miss"

"Yeah…yeah I'm okay" Via gulped down hard on the terrible lump still lodged deep in her throat as she made to walk towards the door. "I was just going, so uh…if you need this room…well…feel free…"

"Oh well that's very kind of you Miss but it's quite alright-" the man tried to stop her but she was already passing him over the threshold.

"no-no I mean it…I was…I was just leaving anyway"

It's better this way…

Via shook her head to herself as she ran down the corridor, not hearing the man's call to her from the room.

The less people that can get to me…the less will get hurt…

Then by that same reasoning just being in this building makes you a threat to everyone here.

Another small voice niggled from inside her head.

She sighed as she fell to a stop down a dark deserted corridor, leaning her head against the stone of the walls.

"I need to get out…" she mumbled to herself for once not caring how mad she thought she'd look "I need to get out of here before I hurt anyone else. Breaking into someone's mind then nearly breaking someone's neck-something's clearly wrong with me. It'll be better if I leave before anyone else gets hurt-"

"Well that's a whole load of horse-shit"

Via wheeled around, hands flying up with two glowing mandala shields at the ready only to falter as she saw who it was.

"Stephen? What are you doing here?"

"Delivering Christmas presents" Doctor Stephen Strange rolled his eyes as he stepped into the light "What do you think I'm doing? I'm looking for you of course. Master Fan's tearing the place apart for you so you can face justice for your crimes"

"So, do I have the right to remain silent, or call my attorney?" Via sneered folding her arms. "Or are you just going to drag me kicking and screaming"

"Via I'm not bringing you in…I'm just…" Stephen groaned in irritation as she quirked a brow at him. "Okay so I am bringing you back but not for Fan. But because..."

He sighed heavily and pinched his nose.

"Listen what happened out there…I know it was shit but-"

"But what? Not as bad as it looks?" Via's voice was shaking with the effort of trying to hold back the tears that had just sprung up again in her eyes. "I nearly killed someone Stephen."

"But you didn't-"

"I had my hands around her throat and she almost stopped breathing. Who in their right mind does that-"

"You were upset-"

"Jesus, why are you trying to justify what I did?!"

"Because I know you Olivia!" Stephen barked over the top of her "I know you are not a murderer, nor are you even close to being one no matter what you say about yourself."

"But Mai-"

"Is fine. She barely needed any resuscitation. Believe me I should know I've dealt with worse cases in the O.R." Stephen waved her off dismissively before grabbing her hand. "Now come on, I've gotta get you to Mordo and the Ancient One before Master Fan gets his hands on you."

But even as he tugged Via wouldn't move.

"Via-"

"Oh, so now it's Via?" She snapped tugging her hand hard out of his grip "Now you're heroically coming to my aid when I'm crying and upset?"

"What are you-"

"Don't play stupid Stephen, it doesn't work for you" Via snarled "This is all-all this caring, you-understand-me bullshit is just you trying to build up your ego again. You just love playing the hero when it suits you don't you? The great Doctor Stephen Strange! Mystic prodigy to the rescue. But no when you have a problem and someone tries to help you, you just can't stand it, so you PUSH them away and treat them like shit. Well guess what I've bloody had enough! I've lived without you in my life before and I can do it again. I don't need you like I didn't need-"

"Your parents?" Stephen provided.

Via's face was now red with anger as she shut her mouth and turned her back on him.

"So…that's what this tantrum is really about isn't it?" Stephen took a step forward, his voice strangely calm and composed as he pressed on "You're not mad at me. You're mad at your parents"

"Wow give the Doctor a prize" Via rolled her eyes but Stephen was not swayed as he continued.

"You think that it was your fault they…" Stephen's voice fell away.

He really didn't know how to say it. To say they left her behind sounded far too dismissive, but to also say abandoned felt far too cruel and harsh to say even by his sharp tongue's standards.

"Go ahead say it." Via growled under her breath "It's my fault that they dumped me in that cesspit to rot. But hey, it's not like they could go to a baby factory and ask for a full refund for a faulty product"

"You aren't a faulty product" Stephen rolled his eyes "For starters buying babies is illegal, not to mention just plain wrong. And secondly, yeah, you're irritating, loud, rude and a pain in my ass. But you aren't faulty…at least not completely"

He added with a small smirk and was relieved to hear her snort under her breath despite herself.

"Bullshit"

"It's not" Stephen reached out to put a hand on her shoulder. "and there is no way you were at fault for what they did. You were just a baby, wait you were a baby when they-"

"Yes" Via rolled her eyes and he chuckled slightly.

"Okay, okay just checking."

Via sighed heavily, scrubbing hard at her eyes again.

"You have no idea what it's like." She mumbled hoarsely "waking up every morning and looking at yourself in the mirror and having no idea about why you look the way you do. I mean was my dad blonde or did my mom have my eyes? Do I have my grandparents nose or ears? Or do I look more like my aunt or uncle because of recessive genes? I know people say that there is more to having a family than blood, but it's the blood of my family that makes me…well me. I just don't understand why other people like that stupid brat Mai can have that basic right to know what they are and I don't…it's not fair…"

"No…life's not fair" Stephen agreed, glancing down at the scars of his hands. "But that doesn't mean that we can't be."

Via looked back at him and was surprised to see sympathy and compassion, quickly being chased up by a strong dose of embarrassment that was accompanied by the characteristic reddening of his cheeks and ears.

"Now come on. Let's sort out this mess once and for all and if you're still feeling up for it you can cry, scream and throw as many tantrums as you want afterwards"

"This coming from the guy who sulks like a two-year-old every time his spells blow up in his face?"

"Just shut up and walk"

Via grunted, gulping down her tears as she made to follow him as he steered her back down the corridor, only to stop short as they reached its end.

"What now?" Stephen groaned but stopped quickly as he caught sight of Via looking back over her shoulder.

"Nothing I just thought I saw…never mind…" she mumbled as she turned back quickly to walk again.

But even so she could not shake off the horrible prickling on the back of her neck, nor the image imprinted on her brain of a shadow moving in the corner…a shadow that didn't belong to her or Stephen.

The meeting with the Ancient One and Master Fan wasn't pleasant.

Whilst I explained what had happened on my end, Master Fan was not quite as understanding as I thought he'd be. Turns out the infamous Judge does indeed have a soft spot for his lovely spawn of Satan.

Yeah, I know, I admit what I did to her was wrong, but that still doesn't stop her from being an imbecile to me.

Thankfully the Ancient One seemed to understand more of what I said, though I got the impression that she probably knew more than what she let on and was keeping quiet (as per usual).

She seemed to believe that any remorse I felt was enough punishment for me, and believe me it was.

But it wasn't enough for Master Fan. He swore he would never teach me or instruct me in any form of the mystic arts ever again, a promise he has kept till this very day. (Not that I would ever need him again from that day forth.)

I was glad that Mordo was in the room throughout the entire exchange, even if he didn't say a word.

When the Ancient One asked for Stephen to wait outside the room I had been scared that I would be outnumbered and that something horrible would happen. But even though he looked anxious, there was something about Mordo that made me feel secure, grounded.

I guess it was because whenever he was around I was quickly compelled to fall back on the training he drilled into me and keep my cool…even though I could feel that he himself was not as collected as I thought.

"You knew this would happen" Mordo clipped as he slid the sliding door shut, just catching the last glimpse of the very angry back of Master Fan stalking down the corridor.

"I had my suspicions" The Ancient One opened her fan and flicked it slowly in front of her face as she stood up to walk over to her balcony "her powers are growing faster than I had predicted. I was interested to know how fast"

"By offering Fan's daughter as a sacrifice?" Mordo growled as he stepped out to join her. "Had Strange not called out to her when he did she could've killed that girl"

"No. She wouldn't have." The Ancient One glanced down to one of the courtyards, below. "or at least Olivia Summers wouldn't have killed her"

"You make it sound as if the girl was possessed by demons and we both know she's quite safe from that threat within these walls"

"It is ironic you should say that" The Ancient One smirked "For she was possessed. But not by a demon…but by a dragon"

"What do you mean a dragon?"

"The two relics she wears on her wrists, did you not see one of them activate itself?"

"I thought I did, but I was too busy trying to pull her back to be sure." Mordo frowned and the Ancient One's eyes hardened.

"Neither could I at first. But then I felt the tug as she came back to her senses. One of them was blocking her off from her own body"

"But why-"

"Why else but to protect her. Those two relics were created with one purpose in mind. To protect and defend their bearer, especially during times of great stress and turmoil. We should count ourselves lucky that the situation was contained"

"Just barely" Mordo turned to face the now setting sun, "Had you let me intervene earlier-"

"Had you interfered any earlier you would have made it worse" The Ancient One cut across her pupil curtly her face tense "You of all people should know that there are some battles you must fight for yourself, not just for your life but also for your own pride. Had you interfered Olivia Summers would never have gained the confidence she needed to finally use her powers as she needed to."

"But she's not confident, she's scared and who can blame her. She bears more responsibility on her shoulders than some great masters I know"

"Be careful Mordo. Some might think you are letting your affection cloud your judgement"

Mordo gripped his hands behind his back tighter as he felt the Ancient One's eyes scrutinizing his face with a small smirk as she turned her back to the sunset.

"You can't protect Olivia from her destiny forever" she murmured softly "Time always gets what it wants in the end. If you really care about the child, then you'll let her go when it's her time"

Mordo said nothing but kept his gaze rooted to the darkening skies as the door to the balcony shut behind him.

As he looked out he couldn't help but notice a dark figure skulking through one of the courtyards.

A dark figure that looked more like smoke…than a human.

The first night after the whole debacle with Mai was perhaps one of the worst I'd ever faced.

Whoever says nothing travels faster than the speed of light obviously was never subject to the Kamar-Taj rumor mill.

So many people gave me and Stephen shade on the corridors and in the mess hall for dinner, almost like both of us were diseased. Or rather I was diseased and Stephen was some crazy scientist that was stupid enough to hang around me.

The only other people that even acknowledged us were Mordo, the Ancient One (even if it was only a nod of the head) and Cassian, who promptly ran up to me to tell me that Meeta and Arty were going to be in the infirmary for the night and wanted to see me tomorrow ASAP to hear about what happened.

Whilst I was still very shaken up, I said yes, or rather Stephen said yes on my behalf and I just nodded. Then Cassian squeezed my shoulder and told me everything was going to be okay.

I will admit that when he left my legs almost buckled and I nearly stumbled into Stephen.

DAMN THAT BOY!

Ahem, sorry but seriously damn his good looks.

Anyways it was a relief to get back into the room, if only because when we were alone Stephen and I could quickly slip back into our old routine…with one or two little changes.

"Would you keep it down? If he hears you through the portal-" Stephen hissed but the annoyance in his tone was ruined by the way he struggled to keep his own chuckles from escaping him.

"I'm trying okay" Via giggled behind her hand as she watched him open a small sling ring portal that allowed his hand to shoot through to the bookcase it had opened in front of.

As quick as a flash he reached out to grab his prize, trying to hush Via as she burst into another giggling fit.

Not that he could blame her, especially when she could hear the faint throbbing of a very familiar musical beat on the other side accompanied by the occasional line:

"If you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it! If you like it then you shoulda put a ring on it!"

"I wonder if he dances-ooh-ooh quick make another portal and let's see"

"Ah-no" Stephen snorted as he made to quickly open and shut a portal, through which he had stolen a book from what appeared to be a desk. "I may risk his wrath to get books but I will not commit suicide to see him dance"

"Party Pooper" Via poked her tongue out at him as she finally stepped out from the doorway of the bathroom, scrubbing at her damp curls with a towel.

Stephen rolled his eyes fondly, the light of the portal vanishing from his face as it closed.

"Well that was the last one" he groaned as the pulled the tomes over to his lap.

"And you were on such a roll. Still, probably for the best. Any more and he might just sling ring into the room right now" Via chuckled as she sat down at her bed only to frown as she caught sight of the cover of one of the books.

"The Dreams of the Omningri-what the hell is that?"

"The Dreams of the Oneiri It's all about the Dream Dimension and Dream based magic like Oneiromancy." Stephen smirked amusedly holding it up for her to see the third eye symbol pressed into the leather cover.

"Onero-what?" Via frowned.

"Oneiromancy, Dream Prophecising. It's got other stuff in there too like Dream-walking, Lucid dreaming and different dream relics. The only trouble is that it doesn't have any spells to work with" Stephen scowled as he flicked through it.

"Probably for the best." Via shrugged quirking a brow at Stephen as he looked at her incredulously.

"What do you mean for the best?"

"No offence Stephen we all know you're Oh-so-brilliant" – she sarcastically mimed quotation marks in the air – "but you're still human. Keep going as fast as this you're gonna burn out faster than drag racer tires."

"I'm not going to burn out" Stephen mumbled softly and Via was surprised to see his ears go bright pink as he added "And I didn't borrow it for myself. I…I got it for you."

"huh?" Via blinked.

Stephen sighed heavily.

"Listen…I know what happened last night was not your fault. And yeah maybe I might have overreacted, though honestly how else do you expect someone to act when they suddenly have someone walking in their dreams" he added with a small scowl but then quickly coughed. "Anyways I-I figured since you don't know much about what dream magic is…maybe if you read something it might I don't know… help perhaps…"

He trailed off, his cheeks now turning beet red as he held out the book in his hands, his ears positively burning as he tried to avoid seeing her beam up at him as she took the book from him.

"Shut up" he muttered turning his back on her quickly as she giggled.

"I didn't say anything"

"But you were thinking it"

"The only thing I was thinking was that you are redder than Santa's suit" Via shook her head as she put the book on her bedside table.

"I hate you" Stephen grunted as he turned his back to keep shuffling through his new collection of books.

"Uh-huh, sure you do" Via's snorted as her roommate shuffled to the bathroom, scowling with embarrassment.

"Hey Stephen?"

"Yeah?" Stephen paused and turned to see her glancing back at him from her bed, her own cheeks slightly pink.

"Thanks…"

Despite himself, the corners of his mouth twitched upwards gently.

"You're welcome Olivia"

Via smiled, only to have it wiped off as her roommate suddenly chuckled.

"HA! Who's blushing now?"

"Up yours old man. Up yours"

Mordo's eyes widened as he beheld the sight that greeted him above as he hid around a corner.

There it was, the thing he had seen from the Ancient One's balcony.

It had been three hours ago, and from a distance but the Master of the Mystic Arts was sure that this was his quarry.

It was a dark shadow, or rather a cloud of black smog that slid through a gap in the Kamar-Taj Library door.

I must warn Wong

Mordo thought grimly as he quickly followed the shadow's course into the doorway, only to wince as he walked straight into someone.

"Oof! My word!" a distinctly British voice hissed as both its owner and Mordo both stumbled back the former spilling several books to the floor.

"Here let me" he barely kept himself from groaning in defeat as he helped him pick up the books, hastily checking their surroundings.

But it was too late.

The Shadow was gone.

Mordo turned back to the person he'd bumped into and blinked as he recognized the round blonde moustache face and the shorter stouter build.

"Percival?"

"Oh Mordo m'boy is that you? By the multiverse but what are you doing down here so late at night? Last I checked you aren't usually one to stay up here reading?" the man, Percival's face broke into a wide smile as he looked his younger colleague over.

Despite his frustration Mordo managed to force a "friendly" smile on his face and a chuckle.

"Perhaps in my past I was not. But given the situation nowadays-"

"Ah yes Kaesilius" Percival's face turned grave, an odd expression to grace his kindly features "Yes we've been hearing rumors about his movements. Last I heard he and his followers were leaving a monastery somewhere in France."

"Yes, I heard of that too. On the trail of a relic I presume" Mordo added grimly and Percival nodded quietly.

"Um-hmm, mind you he didn't find anything there. The last relic hidden in that monastery was brought back here to Kamar Taj by me and my men in London nearly twenty years ago but even so…those poor nuns, God rest their souls" Percival shook his head out like a horse shooing flies as he coughed, marking a holy cross over the small gold crucifix resting on his chest.

"Indeed, wars of any kind, magical or mundane, only spell ruin for us all. And worse this one took us by surprise within our own walls" Mordo admitted fists clenching by his sides as he looked around the library at large.

"I know what you mean" Percival agreed as he followed his gaze but then was quick to recover as his face suddenly lit up. "Oh, and speaking of surprises in our own walls you won't believe the one I just had today. You see, I was looking for a quiet place to purify the Axe of Angarruumus and I walked in on this young acolyte. Lovely little thing she was, blonde curls blue eyes"

"Was her name Olivia Summers?" Mordo asked sharply.

"I don't know, she didn't stick around long enough to ask. At first I thought it was the axe, but then she was looking upset before she saw me. But we're getting off topic" Percival shook his head out again "The point is, that girl, looked exactly, and I kid you not, exactly like my old friend Freyja."

"And Freyja is?" Mordo raised his brow.

"Why who else but Master Freyja Sorensen," Percival shrugged "You were only an apprentice at the time but she was-"

"The old keeper of the London Sanctum Sanctorum" Mordo finished eyes widening "No I've heard of her. Didn't she-"

"Disappear? Yes, nearly eighteen years ago, in fact" Percival scratched his chin "She went missing whilst on a mission to retrieve some relic from somewhere in Scandinavia along with Master Fabian Russo. Nobody's ever managed to find hide nor hair of what happened, not even those that have tried to follow in their footsteps. It's like both just vanished into thin air."

"And you believe this missing master looks like one of our new Acolytes"

"Ah she's a new acolyte, that explains it" Percival smiled only to cough quickly as he caught sight of Mordo's questioning look "but yes. Yes, that girl, Olivia or whatever her name is, I swear you not. Is almost like a living breathing replica of that woman. Except for those eyes. No Freyja, she had those rare grey eyes that went all stormy whenever she got-brr" he shivered but then chuckled.

"Oh, look at me, wasting all your time like this, reminiscing about old forgotten masters and new acolytes. You'll want to either get back to bed or read far more informative books than listen to an old man's bumbling"

"On the contrary Percival" Mordo murmured softly as he stroked his chin "Our conversation has been most illuminating indeed"

For both me…and my quarry

He added in his head as he glanced up towards the corner of the library, from which a dark shadow, quickly darted out of sight.

Dun-Dun-DUUUN!

lolz, sorry couldn't resist.

So anyways this chapter's up and i hope you enjoyed it. i might take a short break to catch up on some writing for other fics as well as the usual decking the halls for X-Mas prep, but you can be sure of a new chapter just before the New Year.

Happy Holidays everyone and keep reviewing for more.

FuzzyBeta OUT!