Part 11- In These Shadows

Clark decided to go to Gotham in his casual clothes. He would be as unnoticeable as possible. He didn't need anyone screaming "Superman!" The last thing he wanted was for Bruce to find out he was there.

Clark began his search through the Morgan district. It was the epicenter of most illegal-meta related activities. No person would be walking through this area of Gotham unless they had some unsavory business to attend to. Clark could tell from some of the looks that he was getting that he was on the verge of getting mugged at any moment. It was the glasses that did it. People always underestimated his ability to fight because of his glasses and his boyish looks. He continued to walk searching for anything or anyone that stood out. He saw a red lit sign of a night club glaring at him from across the street. The club was called Coda. He had heard of it before. It was one of the toughest Meta clubs in the area. Some of worst criminal minds could be found there. Clark decided he would make an appearance.

Clark could tell from the types of people standing at the entrance and the look of the body guards, that he wouldn't have a chance through the front door. Instead, he went through a back alley and found his way in. Once he was inside, he tried to stay in the dark shadows of the club. He realized that he would've definitely stuck out like a sore thumb if he hadn't worn his black trench coat. Everyone there was wearing trench coats, black leather, and many outfits that looked like they were hard to breathe in. For now, he was slipping through the crowd undetected.

A waitress wearing a red corset and tight leather pants was talking to a man who seemed to be of some importance. Although Clark couldn't see his face, he did see a throng of men standing on guard around his private booth. A black-haired woman with strange gray eyes sat by his side. Clark x-rayed the woman to see if he could find a trace of any kryptonite in her system. He found none. He actually found nothing at all. There was no sign of a heartbeat or steady inhalation or exhalation of breath. Whatever she was she wasn't human. By the look of her eyes and the strange symbols she wore around her neck Clark could tell she was some type of sorceress. Just as Clark was about to see the face of the man next to her, a voice nudged him from his thoughts.
"Would you like to join me for a drink?"
Clark turned to see a woman clad in a black leather dress smiling at him. Her hair was a dark red color. Her eyes were a dark blue. Even though she looked the part, something about her smile seemed too innocent for such a place.
"I really don't drink."
"You came all the way to a club, not to drink? Now where's the sense in that?"
"Well, one could just dance."
The woman walked closer to Clark. She traced the collar of his coat with her finger.
"You could use something to loosen you up. Come on and join me. You won't regret it," she said as she placed her hand on his chest.
Clark felt uncomfortable with the offer, but he knew this could be his one shot to get the dirt on the comings and goings of the club.
"Okay. Let's get a drink."
The two made their way to a booth in the corner. The same waitress he saw earlier made her way over.
"What'll you have?"
"I'll have a whiskey sour and he'll have a bloody Mary."
"You know I could've ordered for myself," Clark said as he placed a Coda matchbook in his pocket.
"Yeah, you could've. But you don't look like you want to be in control tonight. And I like to be in control," she said as she placed a hand on his leg.
Clark was startled by her action. He pushed her hand away.
"We barely know each other. I don't even know your name."
"This isn't exactly a place you go to remember someone's name," she said as she sat closer to him.
Clark was about to say something when he saw the gray eyed woman walk past them. Something about her eyes was wrong, unnatural, and evil. He wondered just how many dark acts had been committed while those eyes watched in approval.
"Are you still there?"
Clark came back to reality once he heard the redhead's voice.
"Oh, sorry I was just thinking."
"You were just staring at Naya. She's beautiful isn't she," the woman said with a bit of distaste.
"Who's the man she's with?"
"His name is Odan. He's connected with all the major players. It's rumored that he used to be a mortal man until Ares made him immortal. Some kind of thank you for saving Ares from a warlock. Why do you ask?"
"I'm looking for someone. An old friend...Do you recognize this woman?" Clark said as he pulled out an old picture of Lois.
The girl looked at the photo. Her face seemed to become completely devoid of emotion at the sight of Lois.
"Never seen her. Why would Odan know?", the woman said with a coldness he hadn't noticed earlier.
"He probably doesn't. It was just a hunch."
Clark could sense something off about this woman. Her line of questioning didn't just seem like simple curiosity. Her smile seemed less innocent. Maybe she was more a part of this world than he initially thought.
"Look, here's some money for the drinks. Thanks, but I better get going."
The woman said nothing. She just stared at Clark. To be more accurate she stared into him. Clark could sense that she knew more about this Lois situation that she wasn't willing to divulge. If this woman was mixed up in magic he wouldn't have much of a fight against her. Clark decided to head out of the club. Although he hadn't gotten much information he had a feeling that this Naya might be involved along with her immortal consort.

As Clark walked down the darkened street he could hear someone creeping slowly behind him. Clark continued to walk normally not trying to show any sudden change. A scent was in the air. It was familiar like burning wood and leaves. Clark watched the shadows of the buildings to see the outline of the person behind him but there was nothing there.
"You know I'm here. Let's stop the charade," a hollow, low voice said. Clark turned to find no one.
"Where are you?"
"That doesn't matter. You came here for answers, and I have them."
Clark x-rayed the space before him and around him, but found no trace of life.
"Are you good or evil?"
"I am whatever the situation calls for."
Clark took in a breath. He didn't know how to battle something he couldn't even see.
"What answers do you have for me?"
"The woman you seek, the one who you call Lois, I know where she is. Do you want to know?"
"I do, but how do I know you are telling me the truth?"
"You don't."
There was a long silence.
"Do you want to know?"
"Tell me."
"Go to the man who makes the swords. He lives deep near where the water runs. He knows all the turns, the valleys, and the planes. He will take you to the place where the world begins. There, is where you will see her again," the voice echoed around him.
"I don't understand...What does it mean?"
"That is for you to figure out."
Clark was suddenly very cold. His heart was pounding against his chest. He looked at his watch and saw that he had only thirty minutes to get to Diana. Clark started to take off for the sky when he felt that horrible feeling again. The same feeling he had when he saw Naya's eyes. A sinister force was watching from a distance. Clark wasn't accustomed to fear, but he felt it in that moment.