Part 3: Warehouse Nine

Lorna was never one for subtle manipulation. In fact, she detested it. Veiled comments, the art of controlling people without sounding like that's what it was. None of it sat well on her tongue. That had been her mother's realm, amongst other things. Thankfully, tonight required no such political maneuvering.

"Forgive me for where I am about to go," Lorna whispered to the sky. As her shoes drummed a heavy beat down the plank sidewalk of the dingy alley, she shook her head in guilt. If the True could forgive her other transgressions, surely He would forgive this.

The Singing Lily.

Aside from the connotations, the name was fitting. Patrons sat around tables laughing and swinging food and drink alike, all while a wave of upbeat tunes drifted from a band inside. Part restaurant, part bathhouse, and like most establishments in this part of Arthan—all dirty.

Lorna kept her eyes on the jovial proprietor as she weaved through the display of debauchery. He finished laughing with a guest, then slowly turned.

"Good evening, miss. Our tables are full, but if you're looking for a man..." He trailed off when he saw her face. "Oh shit."

"Where is Serik?"

"Lorna, I can't. We have a strict anonymity policy."

"So do I." Lorna's face could've cleaved stone.

It only took a few sweeps of his eyes, but eventually he sighed and merely shot a glance toward the back corridors.

"Thank you, Marcus."

"I liked you better when you were a shopkeeper," he mumbled as she pushed past him. "Just don't kill anyone this time."

She shot him a hard glare.

"Please," he said to his feet.

Last time wasn't her fault. Besides, she had no intent on anything but a conversation...mostly.

It only took a few turns of lazily decorated corridors and Lorna saw the bathhouse door ahead. A large man stood in front of it trying his best to not look like a bodyguard. He put up a hand to stop her and she halted, meeting his gaze.

"About time, he's getting bored in there. You better be good."

"I'll keep him entertained," Lorna said with a sultry smile.

The man relaxed and a crooked grin crossed his face. "You know, when you're done, I'm a little bored too."

"I'll be right back." She pulled her hairpins free and shook her head, letting her dark hair cascade over her shoulders. "Can you hold these while I'm gone? From what I hear, I won't be long."

The man snorted and grabbed the hairpins.

The instant Lorna let go, the man's eyes shot open and a surge of blue light flashed through his arms, making his veins glow like a luminescent web. After a few seconds of shaking and grunting, the man toppled like a felled tree. Not dead. Marcus would be pleased.