19

The initiates welcomed Evie and were overjoyed to see her again. Then Henry was there standing in the doorway, their eyes locked onto each other and Henry ran over pulling her into a strong, loving embrace but she suddenly pulled away feeling ashamed.

"I'm so sorry what I did to you. I tried so hard to resist her….I just couldn't…please forgive me" she said looking away

Henry turned Evie back to face him.

"If there ever was anything to forgive then of course I would. But there isn't my love. It wasn't your actions…. it wasn't your fault"

Evie stared deeply into Henry's eyes and with that they shared a kiss.

"Children! Avert your eyes from this nightmarish scene before us" Jacob shouted dramatically turning to the young initiates who started giggling.

Evie just groaned against Henry's lips "honestly Jacob!" she smiled trying to look cross which also caused Henry to start laughing.

"Please Henry, don't encourage him" she said trying to sound stern.

They all then turned to the house to retire, thankful for Evie's safe return.

Hunter returned to Greenhill grove manor hours later where Annie was still expressing her rage. Smashing plates, mirrors, Templars... anything she could get her hands on. Hunter found it amusing and couldn't wait to upset her further.

She turned on him furiously when she saw him enter

"Where have you been?" she screamed "that bastard got away with MY ring. You wasn't here to stop him! You are useless and the legend of your so called "hunters" is utterly disappointing!"

Hunter just stood before her smirking, infuriating Annie even more. She brought her hand up to strike him but he caught her wrist.

"If you'll calm yourself and stop acting like a spoilt brat I'll tell you exactly what excellent information I have" he said

This seemed to calm Annie's rage somewhat and she lowered her arm "then tell me" she hissed

"I know where they are hiding" he said calmly, seeing her face suddenly lighten up.

"Marvellous" she growled "I will bring the whole power of the Templars upon them and take back what was stolen from me. Then I will have my pet pull her brother's eyes from his sockets. I will teach the bastard to steal from me so brazenly"

Hunter was going to relish this next part. "Therein lies the problem miss. I'm afraid I witnessed Jacob Frye destroying your artefact."

She just looked at him, face going pure red and started screaming orders at him.

"Get out there and bring me his head! Kill his sister in front of him slowly!…. I don't care what it takes. Everything we have is at your disposal.. Just do it, KILL THEM ALL!"

Hunter bowed with a predatory grin getting exactly what he wanted. Full reign to do as he pleased.

"Of course Miss Annie, it shall be done"

Evie had made a remarkable recovery overnight. They all sat around the table to debate what action to take next.

"We go straight for the head of the snake" Evie announced "kill Annie Starrick and the whole organization will crumble"

The others looked quite surprised with Evie being so direct and Jacob could detect the hatred in his sister's eyes. Jacob then smiled, he liked the sound of this plan already. George looked at Evie

"How can you be so sure, it very rarely ever seems to be that easy" he said

Evie looked across the table at George "I have seen much George. Annie has an awful hold. She believes her hold is stronger than that of Crawford but it pales in comparison. She is far too obsessed in throwing lavish parties. Craving the life of her brother that an illegitimate daughter was never afforded and cares not that most of the borough's Templar leaders were assassinated. I dare say it may please her in a way being cast out originally by her family.

The gang members are in disarray and with no one to lead them there is no order. Many of the leading Templars left alive have no confidence in her and her ridiculous temper tantrums push them farther away every day. If we take her out then I believe their reign on London will fall and the remaining Templars will flee having no grandmaster to guide them. Leaving us to once again to claim London back".

The others sat and considered Evie's words. She would have certainly seen and heard much being in Annie's shadow. As awful as it was it had afforded them great information.

"Well, that's settled I reckon" said Jacob.

George nodded and Henry also agreed

"So our plan then Evie? " Henry asked.

"It must be tonight. I'm aware this is short notice and I apologize but Annie was planning a trip away to retrieve another precursor object. Thankfully she was never interested in the shroud, claiming it to be useless because of Crawford's death but she described that this newly discovered object would give her the power to become unstoppable. A staff of some sorts. We can't allow her to leave the city to claim it at any cost. I say we all waylay her at the station and kill her by any means possible. She will have much protection and Hunter will be lurking no doubt. That is why we must all go to ensure the success of this mission".

"And what of the youngest initiates" George asked.

Evie looked to Lilly "would you mind watching them for the night? Agnes will also be here to help?"

"Of course" Lilly said "the sooner this is over the sooner I can have my life back and maybe return to Martha" Lilly then noticed Jacob glancing over at her looking suddenly sullen.

"Alright" Evie announced "a few of the teenage initiates will stay behind to watch the perimeter but this place is well hidden and I'm confident everything will be fine here. The last thing I remember was the Templars could not locate this place even with Hunter's skills, so that should give you all something to breathe easier about"

Jacob wasn't so sure. Hunter was pretty formidable and was surprised at Evie for disregarding him so casually. Her desire for revenge possibly causing her to become fixated on removing Annie as quickly as possible. Understandable, Jacob thought. He would certainly feel the same if their roles had been reversed...Or was it the fear of Annie getting her hands on this "staff?"

The last thing any of them would want is another crazed Starrick wielding anything that was remotely similar to the shroud….

George stood "so it's settled then, we leave this evening to end this. May the creed guide us"