It was the dead of night when the Earl's carriage pulled up in front of a magnificent yet reportedly empty mansion in the outskirts of London. According to Crehador's information, it was a current hotspot of activity for DELILAH, and its peculiar location on a map fit the pentagram design of their other properties, which helped confirm that they were in the right place. Now it was just a matter of getting inside . . .

"There isn't enough payment in the world for this kind of scheme," Crehador mumbled to himself as he took down a large black box from the top of the carriage.

He then proceeded to carry it all the way to the front door, trying to make it seem lighter than it was. Riff, disguised as an ordinary driver, took off down the lane, only to stop the carriage a few blocks away. Back at the mansion, Crehador was about to knock on the door when it opened from the inside, and a member of the minor arcane stood obediently at attention.

"Welcome back, sir. We weren't expecting to see you until the week's end," stated the cheery faced blonde young man.

"The Card Master has requested my presence. Now take this upstairs, and be careful with it. There's fragile equipment in there that's worth more than your life."

"Will do, sir."

The underling signaled to another low ranking member inside and both men took the black box up the left side of the grand staircase that flanked the walls of the giant parlor. Crehador walked in slowly and watched them carry out his order. Then he went across to the right wing of the mansion and past the two card members standing guard there. The Card Master really had summoned him, and it was best not to keep him waiting.

~*~

Upstairs, the two men opened the door of a guest room, placed the box on the floor, and quickly left. After a few long, tense moments, the locks clicked open from the inside, and the Earl lifted up the top half of the box. He looked around to make sure there was no one else in the room before he got out completely. Then he stood up, dusted himself off, and put on a disguise composed of a newsie's hat, dark glasses, and fingerless gloves. With his ear to the door, he listened carefully for footsteps outside; hearing none, Cain opened the door and headed down the hall to the left. Crehador had made him memorize the entire layout of the mansion, the best path to reach the spot where Lily was most likely to be found, and the fastest escape routes should someone try to stop him. The Earl was glad he came prepared in case such an encounter should happen.

~*~

Outside, under the glowing stars and crescent moon, Riff was making his way back to the mansion on foot. He knew he was supposed to stay by the carriage and be ready at any moment to leave, but his master always found a way to get himself in trouble, and tonight was no exception. The tall servant slipped past a row of trees and was about to inspect the side of the mansion when a shadow appeared behind him and a small blade was suddenly pressed against his neck. Riff didn't even dare to breathe.

"You are truly as foolish as your master. I could kill you right now if it pleased me to do so."

"If you had wanted me dead, I would be already."

The blade was removed, and Riff turned to face the Ace of Swords.

"How do you know I'm not merely toying with you until I take your life?"

"What do you want?"

"I see that you're a man who gets straight to the point," he commented, touching the brim of his hat. "What I want is your position, my dear fellow, and I will take it from you, along with your life."

The villain then tossed him a sword, and Riff became extremely confused. "My position? Do you mean to do harm to my lord?"

The Ace of Swords engaged first and forced him onto the defensive before answering. "I have no desire to be tied down by noble dogs, you idiot. I mean to take your place in this organization, especially since it appears I am more suited for the job than you are."

Riff continued to block, but his opponent's attacks were becoming faster and more agile.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I have no affiliation with the likes of you."

He slashed close to the masked man's shoulder as their weapons continued clashing. It's a wonder no one else heard their battle and came over to investigate.

"Such a fool! But I suppose that means the words of Justice were true. I wonder how it feels to not know exactly who you are."

"I have no time to decipher your riddles, you snake. My master needs me."

With an upward thrust, Riff managed to knock off the mask, and took the opportunity to run as the Ace of Swords moaned and instantly covered his face with its new cut. Now he was furious.

"DON'T YOU TURN YOUR BACK ON ME!"

Before the servant could turn the corner behind the mansion, his foe pulled a large, round object out of his cloak, and threw it as hard as he could. It collided with the back of Riff's head with a sickening crack, and he immediately fell to the ground in an unconscious heap. The Ace of Swords calmly replaced his mask, sheathed his rapier, and walked over to where Riff lay, his chest heaving rapidly. He looked down on the other man with disdain before he spoke again.

"The Card Master's power may keep you alive, and I curse him for it, but things won't be that way for much longer. Pray that your end comes swiftly."

Then he bent down to throw the limp body over his shoulder, and despite his scrawny appearance, the auburn-haired man easily carried his prey off into the night.