Eternal Night

(II) Chapter 12: Into Hell

There were only a small handful of hours of daylight remaining, yet the darkening clouds above made it seem like the sun would be setting early this afternoon. Dracula could not shake the sense of trepidation settling in his chest as he looked out over the factory district from his present location on a hill, though the devil knew how hard he had tried. He could hear the other alliance members readying themselves over by the van strategically hidden in the trees, their hushed voices doing nothing for his present agitation.

This entire situation had trap written all over it.

Taking on the task before them at this late hour of the day, and with the oncoming storm – it was folly.

"Mr. Leinhart, do you have what you need?" he heard his intended inquire from behind him and he turned just slightly to look back at her. Francesca was donning her usual black this afternoon, every inch of flesh covered save her hands, face, and throat. She had just finished sheathing a knife to her person – one of many as far as he could tell – as she started to approach.

As it often did, her presence proved to soothe the greater part of his anxiety and he managed a quiet exhale, steadying his nerves.

"I don't require much," he admitted, returning his gaze to the buildings beyond.

They were in the company of others and he couldn't risk looking at her too long without raising unwanted suspicion. It was quite the task, however, as her pants and blouse clung to her curves like a second skin and had they been alone, he would have reveled in her appearance a little more openly. But now was not an appropriate time for such distractions; although her seeking him out was certain to raise an eyebrow or two – Lyra Kennedy's in particular. He could sense that belligerent redhead's stare with his back turned and it made the corner of his mouth twitch ever so slightly.

"Here," Frankie said, offering him one of her blades. "On the off chance that changes."

"Thank you," and he accepted the gift, though he already knew the likelihood of having to use it was minuscule at best. She took her place at his side and surveyed the scene with a guarded expression.

"Am I the only one not feeling good about this?" she asked him quietly, looking up in his direction for just a moment.

Gratified that she was trusting him with her concerns and pleased with her wisdom in appreciating the danger before them, unlike her brother with the hero-complex, he responded with candor.

"If only you were," he replied, voice equally low. "With Aldrick as a known associate of the Spider, and both men being puppets of Marcus and the council... I must confess, this entire enterprise feels more like a honey baited trap for your well-intentioned band of heroes back there than anything else."

"That was the same conclusion I came to last night after our meeting adjourned. I can't help but wonder now if the evidence that anonymous tipper sent in was intended to lure us from the start. What are your thoughts?"

"I don't think we were beguiled in that regard, but perhaps our Good Samaritan never took in the greater picture. We know this venture was sanctioned by Marcus – I have no doubt of that. For all of that man's faults, he is still dangerously clever. This rock and a hard place situation is exactly the sort of thing he'd orchestrate."

"So it is very possible that Augustine knew we'd find out about this," she translated. "That we'd be forced into this moral dilemma of the needs of the few vs. that of the many. This really could be a trap."

"I'd be surprised if it wasn't at this point."

"Did you say as much to Rémy? You have more clout with him than I do sometimes. I mean, dealing with the likes of Basilio is one thing, but if Augustine's manages to identify us..."