Chapter 7

Back in the other realm, Odalia Blight moved around her warehouse, making sure everything was in working order. After her daughter and the others had defeated Belos and convinced the Collector to restore things, Odalia had been essentially kicked out of social circles and went into hiding.

Despite that, she was still a powerful woman and had hunters going out and looking for magic she could use. "Still not enough, but I'll be patient," she said to herself, seeing the magic she had gathered wasn't enough for her plan to work.

Suddenly, one of her spies appeared before her. "Lady Odalia," he said.

"Yes?" She asked, curious as to why he barged in.

"Your daughter and Luz adopted two children."

Odalia blinked and looked at her spy. "Adopted two children? Human children?" She asked.

"Yes, Milady," the spy said.

The green-haired woman blinked. "Well, well, seems like good fortune is finally coming my way," she said. "Thank you for telling me this. Now, go find me more magic. I must attend to something."

The spy left and Odalia picked up her telephone, calling a number she had. She heard someone pick up. "State your business. Don't waste my time," said a female voice firmly.

"Are you Bootstilla, the bounty hunter?" Odalia asked.

It was quiet on the other end. "Who gave you this number?" The voice asked.

"I have my ways," Odalia said firmly. "Now, answer the question. Are you Bootstilla?"

An angry sigh sounded over the other end. "Watch your tone," the girl on the other end said firmly. "Or else I hang up the phone."

The green-haired woman took a deep breath and smiled. "If you truly are Bootstilla, then I have a job for you," she said sweetly. "I'm willing to pay whatever price."

There was quiet on the other end before a breath was heard again. "Where do you want to meet?"

A few hours later, Odalia was at a luxury hotel at the top floor. She went to the balcony, looking around before something landed on the roof above her head, making her jump. The person then gracefully stepped down onto the black railing, standing on the thin rail with no trouble.

Bootstilla was a tall woman with black hair with blue highlights that seemed to blend with her natural black hair. She wore a cloth mask over her mouth and nose while her outfit was a black long-sleeved shirt and black jeans. Her boots were black with black beltbuckles and looked like they were heavy to wear, yet she wore them with ease.

"Speak," she said as a bat palisman flew up and landed on her shoulder.

"I need you to go to the Human Realm," Odalia said. "And bring my granddaughters to me. My daughter isn't letting me see them and as a grandmother, I have rights to see my grandchildren."

Bootstilla cocked an eyebrow. "You're wasting my time," she said after a minute, getting ready to leave. "Go to the courts for your family troubles."

Odalia thought fast. "Wait!" She said, making the bounty hunter turned to her. "I meant it when I said I can pay whatever you ask for. Name your price and I will give it to you. I'll even pay half up front."

The bounty hunter paused and looked at the bat palisman, who squeaked before gesturing towards the green-haired woman with his wing. Bootstilla nodded and turned to Odalia. "Pay me seventy-five percent up front and I'll take the job," she said.

Odalia nodded. "Name your price," she said.

"One thousand dollars."

The green-haired woman quickly paid the seven hundred and fifty dollars, handing Bootstilla the money. The bounty hunter took the money and nodded. "Don't call me again. I'll call you," she said before stepping back and falling from the railing, her palisman quickly becoming a staff that she sat on and flew away.

Odalia smiled before looking curious. "I wonder why everyone said she's so expensive to hire. A thousand is a drop in the bucket," she said to herself before deciding to enjoy the luxuries of the hotel room for the night.

Meanwhile, Bootstilla stopped by a restaurant and went in. The place became quiet as she stepped in, her reputation making everyone nervous. The bartender looked up and saw her. "The usual today, Miss Bootstilla?" He asked.

"Yes, on the double, please."

She handed him three hundred dollars and he nodded, taking the money and getting her drink. The other patrons went back to minding their business as the bartender leaned closer to the bounty hunter. "Word has it that Odalia has completely lost it," he whispered to her.

"Does she still have the bounty on her?" Bootstilla asked.

"Yup and it goes up practically every day."

The bounty hunter was curious. "No takers?"

"None," he said before looking around quickly and then at her. "I think most of these people know you're going to take this bounty."

"How much is it now?"

"Five hundred million. And an extra two hundred million if you bring her to the courthouse for trial."

Bootstilla smiled at that and her palisman hopped down in front of her, squeaking. She gently pet him. "I'm a bit surprised an influential lady like Odalia Blight is unaware of the bounty on her," she said.

"Or thinks she is well hidden where she won't be found," the bartender said. "But what she doesn't know is you know every place of these Isles like the back of your hand."

"Indeed," the bounty hunter said as her meal was placed in front of her. "Upstairs rooms available?"

"All ready for you."

Nodding, she and her palisman ate the food and she finished her drink. Standing up after she was done, she waited for her palisman to fly to her shoulder. Nodding again, she moved towards the back of the bar, going through a door meant for employees before going up some stairs to a simple bedroom. She was the only one besides her palisman that used it and she sat down on it.

"What do you think, Batty?" She asked. "Should we lure Odalia Blight into thinking she is in control? Or do we pull the rug out from under her right now?"

The palisman looked thoughtful before shaking his head, giving a few squeaks. "You feel she was lying about her granddaughters?" Bootstilla asked.

Batty nodded and flicked his ears, squeaking again. "Ah, so she's got spies looking for magic, does she?" The hunter asked. "Well, well. The council must be itching to have her face trial for her actions if the bounty keeps going up."

She smirked before laying back on the bed. "Alright. We find her granddaughters," she said. "But that doesn't mean I'll bring them to her."

A smile grew on her face before she gave an evil chuckle. "Oh, Odalia, you're going to regret hiring me," she said.

She got a text on her phone and saw it was from the bartender, who confirmed what she already knew.

Odalia's money was fake.

Nodding, Bootstilla put the phone away and she and Batty went to sleep, ready to tackle the job.

Hmm, looks like Odalia will come to regret her hasty decision to hire Bootstilla.

Bootstilla's name is pronounced like this: Boot-still-a (short a like in apple).

Batty, her palisman, is a bat whose name comes from the Disney/20th Century Fox film Ferngully.

Please leave a review, but no flames!

GoldGuardian2418