Danger Zone
By Divamercury
Sorry about the delay, but I got stuck for a while. But the ideas are flowing again so I should be updating a little more often. Anyway, enjoy Chapter 6 and please review!
Chapter 6
I went back to my room and rummaged through the bag of clothes I had thrown together in my rush to leave my home. I pulled out some dark sweats, my jacket, and sunglasses and got dressed. I threw my hair up into a ponytail, put a dark cap over my head, and put on my sneakers. There. I was fully prepared to blend. I poked my head into Ian's room and told him I was going. He was ready to go and he dropped me off near my building so I could get my bike. We separated and I rode around town, doing some small errands that I'd have to complete before I dropped out of sight. By the time I was finished it was 10:45 and I had just enough time to cross town and make it to Mandrill's to meet Mac.
"Hey, Pez!" she said as I entered. Luckily she didn't say it too loudly or else my all-too-fragile cover would have been broken. I made my way through the lunch crowd and sat with her at her small table.
"So, what's going on? What was so important that you had to drag me down here?" I teased.
"We need to talk about some things. I'm going to drop a bombshell, so I just wanted to warn you in advance. This is some important info."
"Well, what is it?" I asked, dying to know.
"I know about who you are, and I know that that is the Witchblade."
"What?!" I jumped back in my seat in shock. She certainly wasn't the type to beat around the bush.
"You heard what I said. You are the Wielder, Pez, and have always been. Ian Nottingham is your Guardian, and I am the High Priestess of the Blade. I wear the companion necklace, as I'm sure you have noticed; there are two other pieces, male rings. One is worn by Lazar, whom I think you know about—"
"We've met," I interrupted.
"—And the other is supposed to be for the Guardian, but I have reason to believe that Irons might have that somewhere in his collection."
"So, what's your place in the Witchblade universe? Your part in this melodrama?" I asked, still trying to digest all of this.
"Well, I do a lot of things, Pez. The High Priestess is usually a close friend of the Wielder, and I have some pretty strong psychic powers and a tendency to get accurate premonitions and visions. It's part of being around the Witchblade, as you well know. The necklace provides a substantial link between me and you, and it aids what was already natural clairvoyance for me."
I nodded. "So, anyway, while we're dropping bombshells, it's my turn. I'm in big trouble. Irons has sent the Speakers after me todispatch me, to put it kindly, and bring the Witchblade back to him."
Mac gasped. "Oh, no!" It was clear she knew the name, just like everyone who lived in NYC.
"I'm fine for the time being, though. Ian's taking care of me. I just wanted to let you know about that just in case I don't show up anywhere for a while; this might be my last public appearance."
"I understand. The Speakers have been referred to as bloodthirsty, ruthless mercenaries that will stop at nothing to eliminate their targetsand to get their promised cash. If you need help with anything or a place to stay, don't hesitate to ask me."
"Mac, I can't do that. I can't put you in that much danger."
"Listen to me, Pez. I've moved here for good so that I can be around if you need help. I understand that the Witchblade is a magnet for trouble and danger, but I'm part of it in a way and I'll always be involved. You and Ian and I are all connected to each other by this thing, and I'll be damned if I'll leave you out in the cold when I can help you."
Mac's vehemence startled me. "No, that's not what I was talking about. I just don't want Irons to come after you, too. I've got enough problems and I don't want to have to worry about you."
"I'll be fine, Pez. Just remember that my door's always open for you."
"Sure. I'll keep that in mind."
* * *
I arrived back at Vorschlag full of conflicting emotions and thoughts. I knew Irons was responsible for everything that was making Sara's—and my—life a living hell. But I had to keep a semblance of ignorance and indifference if I was to be able to proceed with my plan. I pushed my way into Vorschlag and right as I was about to enter Irons's office, his voice stopped me. He was speaking indignantly to someone on the other end of the telephone.
"Bruno, I understand that you haven't been allowed to get rid of Detective Pezzini previously but my orders have now been changed. The leader of the Speakers will contact you sometime in the very near future. Yes, the Speakers. They are currently under my employ and both of you, Speakers and White Bulls, are going to collaborate on this project. My time of beating around the bush is over. There are two options that are open for you to choose from: you must either eliminate Sara Pezzini personally or she must be captured, subdued, and brought to me. I will either have her head or yours, Bruno, although I'd much prefer hers. Yes, I'm sure you would, too. This has been a very pleasant chat. Good afternoon."
Obviously Irons had been conversing with Bruno Dante. Not a good thing for Sara by any means. I lingered outside of Irons's office, wondering why he hadn't sensed my presence as of yet. I thought back to the events of the evening. Sara had accepted me as her Guardian, and apparently the Witchblade had been pleasedthat was it! Irons was getting anxious because his link with the Witchblade was broken! No wonder he had suddenly decided to try and reclaim it. He no longer had a connection with the Blade because Sara had now completed The Trio: Wielder, Witchblade, and Guardian. And Irons wasn't part of the loop any longer.
Tentatively I stepped into the office and resumed my parade rest position, head bowed, feet apart, hands behind my back.
"Ah, there you are, Ian. Finally. I was wondering what was taking you so long." He got up from his chair and approached me. Grabbing a handful of my hair he forced me to make contact with those soulless, ice blue eyes. "I was also beginning to wonder why your loyalty seems to have shifted. You know not your Master."
"I have no Master, but a Mistress. You own me no longer. I belong to Sara," I said defiantly.
"She has chosen you?" he asked incredulously.
So he didn't know the extent of the events that had transpired over the last day.
"Can you really believe that she will keep you? That she won't tire of you? How could the Wielder be satisfied with a mere servant?" he inquired, trying to wound me and failing. He only succeeded in convincing me that what had just occurred to me, although not for the first time in my life, was most assuredly the correct thing to do.
"I know Sara, and I know the Witchblade. They have both made their decisions," I snarled, my gaze boring into his. He released his hold on my hair and desperately tried to strike me with the cane that had quite often been designated for this purpose. I caught it effortlessly in a steely fist. "If you're seriously trying to hurt me then you had best try a slightly more substantial attack," I taunted, yet still astonished at my daring. I had never felt this free, and I knew my new demeanor both infuriated and frightened Irons. I advanced on him, relishing the expression on his face as he retreated. Today was going to be an excellent day, and I was going to gain my independence.
