Facilier walked down the alley, taking care not to walk too near Lester's door. Shadow glanced at Lester's shop and shuddered.
Don't let him get to you, Shadow told Facilier. He's bluffing.
"We both know he ain't," Facilier replied. Facilier glanced down at Shadow, causing the shade to look away. Facilier smiled and pet Shadow. "Thanks for tryin' to cheer me up though." Shadow nuzzled Facilier.
Are we staying with Samantha tonight? He asked. I like her.
"So you've said," Facilier responded wryly. As he and Shadow left the alley, Facilier saw three men standing just down the street. His gaze narrowed and he grit his teeth. "It's them," he growled. Shadow looked over and slithered between Facilier and the trio.
Don't do anything stupid, Shadow said. Facilier ignored him, stepping over the shade and approaching the group.
Break
Ed, Sam and Jonny were standing on the street corner, looking around.
"You don't suppose Shadowman's still mad, do ya Sam?" Ed asked.
"I wouldn't suggest goin' to him for a while, Ed," Sam replied. "But other than that, we're fine. She's just some broad. He ain't comin' after us over her."
"That so?" A deep voice cut in. They turned and saw Facilier standing about fifteen feet away from them, his violet eyes taking on an unnatural glow. He started to walk towards them, his cane clicking against the ground as he moved. "Mind tellin' me whose idea that was. Hate to punish the wrong guy." The trio looked at each other nervously.
"It was Sam's idea," Ed said.
"You lyin' slime," Jonny hissed. "You're the one who wanted her."
"You did too!" Ed snapped. Before Sam could cut in, Facilier chuckled darkly.
"Glad to see y'all stick together," he said, "'stead of throwin' each other to the sharks." Sam glared at him.
"What do you want?" He asked. Facilier looked at him, causing Sam to back away.
"That woman back there's a friend of mine," he said. "Anythin' you do to her, I take as a personal insult. Understand?" Ed laughed.
"There's three of us," he said, "and just one of you. What do you intend on doin' to us?" Before anyone could react, a large gash appeared on Ed's leg. He looked up and saw Shadow upon the wall.
Two of us, he snarled. At that moment, Facilier lunged at Sam, wrapping his hands around the other man's neck and strangling him. Sam tried to knock Facilier off but the bokor's grip was too tight. Jonny rushed to his friend's aid as Ed backed away from the enraged Shadow. Suddenly Shadow stopped. Someone's coming, he said. Perhapse we should go. Facilier nodded and let go of Sam's neck. He got to his feet and glared at the trio.
"I suggest we not meet again anytime soon," he hissed before vanishing into the shadows.