The characters belong to Top cow and TNT as do all their toys, accessories and appliances, including the Witchblade.
************************** denotes change of scenery
Tenebrous
chapter 22
*****************************************************
Even though his orders were to simply monitor the Wielder, Brother Wickel couldn't help but speculate on how easy it would be to just kill the woman. She was in a fairly secluded corner, fast asleep and no one seemed to be paying any attention to her.
He could casually sit next to her and slip his dagger into her throat before she had a chance to scream. It wouldn't even be noticed that she was dead rather than sleeping. The dark locks splayed across her shoulders would mask the blood.
Curious to test his theory, Brother Wickel sidled over to where the Wielder was snoozing.
*
Images swirled behind Sara's closed eyes. Each one cloak and dagger betrayal; priests, priestesses and shaman, each turning to her in alarm. She could feel nets closing in around Nottingham, Gabriel and herself. Faintly, she heard garbled voices gathering volume as a thin scream pierced her consciousness.
*
**************************
Gabriel wished he could sink into the floor. NEVER had he been so embarrassed. He waited for the invariable snide remark from Nottingham and was confused when the man gently squeezed his shoulder instead.
"Your reaction was understandable, Gabriel," Ian tried to soothe. "I should have told you what I was doing," he admitted, trying to suppress another grin. Albeit, he wasn't really sorry he had confused the boy. He had never had such a good laugh in his life. He was amazed at how accurate the phrase 'side splitting laughter' was. His ribs and abdomen actually ached from the force of his mirth.
Gabriel raised a cautious gaze to the assassin's face and was surprised to see a genuine smile. "You aren't going to tell Sara about this, are you?" Gabriel asked timidly. God knows he'd never hear the end of it if Sara found out he thought Nottingham was licking him and completely freaked out. Her seeing him in a dog collar was bad enough.
It took less than a second for the assassin to come up with an honest reply to Gabriel's query. "Never," Ian stated. Judging by her reactions to all the other times she'd misconstrued his actions toward her friend, she'd probably just run him through with the Blade instead of waiting for an explanation. Ian wasn't sure if the Wielder was ridiculously protective or possessive of the boy, but either way, her knowledge of this incident would definitely not earn him favor.
"Thanks," Gabriel offered. The assassin seemed sincere and although the man's actions seemed deranged at times, he didn't strike Gabriel as a liar.
"We must depart," Nottingham stated abruptly, turning his thoughts to more dangerous and imminent matters. "I have rounded up ammunition from some of the bodies, however, I would like to face any further assault with my own weapons and from a location I am familiar with," the assassin stated. "Stay here while I procure a new vehicle," he instructed, motioning for Gabriel to sit on the floor.
Gabriel obeyed, even though it made him feel like he was back in kindergarten. His adrenaline had wore off and he felt as if he would pass out on his feet. He figured he'd gotten less than two hours of sleep in the last fifty-or-so hours and the blood loss wasn't helping.
As Nottingham headed outside, Gabriel crumpled to the floor. Feeling darkness beginning to wash over him, he lazily pondered his various rouses during the evening and wondered where he would wake up next.
**************************
Still annoyed by the scandalous mental image of Nottingham licking the boy and laughing maniacally, Brother Nolan was a bit worried when Brother Rason suddenly motioned excitedly. "The assassin is preparing to leave the barn," Rason whispered. "On foot, without Mr. Bowman. He's going to get a vehicle," he added urgently.
Pleased to finally get some useful information, Brother Nolan swiftly grabbed his rifle and trained the scope on the barn's entrance. Although the angle of the moon cast what little he could see of the doorway into shadow, the moment the assassin left the cover of the building he would be bathed in moonlight. A clear and vulnerable target at last.
He gripped the trigger grimly as the shadows of the entrance shifted and a booted foot appeared. He didn't envy Mr. Bowman's fate, but at least the boy's torment at the hands of the assassin had come to an end.
"Goodbye, Mr. Nottingham," Brother Nolan whispered.
*****************************************************tbc
a/n: 'Hear to See' is up! Roguegal17, the wonderful and witty person who Edits my stories has posted the first chapter to her very own tale. It is her first time posting online and from what I've seen, it is brilliant. I very strongly encourage you to check it out. She is an excellent writer and the story is great.
************************** denotes change of scenery
Tenebrous
chapter 22
*****************************************************
Even though his orders were to simply monitor the Wielder, Brother Wickel couldn't help but speculate on how easy it would be to just kill the woman. She was in a fairly secluded corner, fast asleep and no one seemed to be paying any attention to her.
He could casually sit next to her and slip his dagger into her throat before she had a chance to scream. It wouldn't even be noticed that she was dead rather than sleeping. The dark locks splayed across her shoulders would mask the blood.
Curious to test his theory, Brother Wickel sidled over to where the Wielder was snoozing.
*
Images swirled behind Sara's closed eyes. Each one cloak and dagger betrayal; priests, priestesses and shaman, each turning to her in alarm. She could feel nets closing in around Nottingham, Gabriel and herself. Faintly, she heard garbled voices gathering volume as a thin scream pierced her consciousness.
*
**************************
Gabriel wished he could sink into the floor. NEVER had he been so embarrassed. He waited for the invariable snide remark from Nottingham and was confused when the man gently squeezed his shoulder instead.
"Your reaction was understandable, Gabriel," Ian tried to soothe. "I should have told you what I was doing," he admitted, trying to suppress another grin. Albeit, he wasn't really sorry he had confused the boy. He had never had such a good laugh in his life. He was amazed at how accurate the phrase 'side splitting laughter' was. His ribs and abdomen actually ached from the force of his mirth.
Gabriel raised a cautious gaze to the assassin's face and was surprised to see a genuine smile. "You aren't going to tell Sara about this, are you?" Gabriel asked timidly. God knows he'd never hear the end of it if Sara found out he thought Nottingham was licking him and completely freaked out. Her seeing him in a dog collar was bad enough.
It took less than a second for the assassin to come up with an honest reply to Gabriel's query. "Never," Ian stated. Judging by her reactions to all the other times she'd misconstrued his actions toward her friend, she'd probably just run him through with the Blade instead of waiting for an explanation. Ian wasn't sure if the Wielder was ridiculously protective or possessive of the boy, but either way, her knowledge of this incident would definitely not earn him favor.
"Thanks," Gabriel offered. The assassin seemed sincere and although the man's actions seemed deranged at times, he didn't strike Gabriel as a liar.
"We must depart," Nottingham stated abruptly, turning his thoughts to more dangerous and imminent matters. "I have rounded up ammunition from some of the bodies, however, I would like to face any further assault with my own weapons and from a location I am familiar with," the assassin stated. "Stay here while I procure a new vehicle," he instructed, motioning for Gabriel to sit on the floor.
Gabriel obeyed, even though it made him feel like he was back in kindergarten. His adrenaline had wore off and he felt as if he would pass out on his feet. He figured he'd gotten less than two hours of sleep in the last fifty-or-so hours and the blood loss wasn't helping.
As Nottingham headed outside, Gabriel crumpled to the floor. Feeling darkness beginning to wash over him, he lazily pondered his various rouses during the evening and wondered where he would wake up next.
**************************
Still annoyed by the scandalous mental image of Nottingham licking the boy and laughing maniacally, Brother Nolan was a bit worried when Brother Rason suddenly motioned excitedly. "The assassin is preparing to leave the barn," Rason whispered. "On foot, without Mr. Bowman. He's going to get a vehicle," he added urgently.
Pleased to finally get some useful information, Brother Nolan swiftly grabbed his rifle and trained the scope on the barn's entrance. Although the angle of the moon cast what little he could see of the doorway into shadow, the moment the assassin left the cover of the building he would be bathed in moonlight. A clear and vulnerable target at last.
He gripped the trigger grimly as the shadows of the entrance shifted and a booted foot appeared. He didn't envy Mr. Bowman's fate, but at least the boy's torment at the hands of the assassin had come to an end.
"Goodbye, Mr. Nottingham," Brother Nolan whispered.
*****************************************************tbc
a/n: 'Hear to See' is up! Roguegal17, the wonderful and witty person who Edits my stories has posted the first chapter to her very own tale. It is her first time posting online and from what I've seen, it is brilliant. I very strongly encourage you to check it out. She is an excellent writer and the story is great.