Chapter Text
“So, he’s the one?” A hushed voice whispered as the image ripples, showing a distorted image of a pale young man and a redheaded girl making their way through a crowded crosswalk. “You wouldn’t think it’s this guy – they’re acting so ordinary.” He sighed dismissively. "I hope he's much more interesting in a fight."
“He’s pretty enough,” Another voice, feminine and disdainful added. “Good taste in girls, I may add. But no ambition whatsoever.”
“That girl is his weakness,” A third voice, deep and rich pointed out as a thin, gnarled finger hovers over the scrying pool, a sharp claw glinting in the dim light. “She is the way to awaken the Dark Lord.”
“So, do we kill her?” the first voice asked, as the second gave a scoff.
“No. It would bring him to the darkness, but anyone who harms her will be the first blood that he spills.” The deep voice chided. "And you hadn't lived this long just to be a sacrifice."
“And she is far too cute to waste like that,” the woman added airily.
“I have a much better idea.” The claw dips in, distorting it as the image melts into a pool of blood. “A much, much better idea…”
Laughter fills the darkness as scarlet eyes glowed with malicious delight.
-
“Good grief, you’d though they’d sewn diamonds into the shirts the way that crowd was going,” Soma muttered as he tries to smooth down his hair, shooting a sulky look at his giggling companion.
“Sorry – just, given everything you’ve been through, and it’s bargain hunters and the revolving door that nearly got you.” Mina hid a smirk behind her hand before reaching over to brush a hand print from his shirt. “At least I managed to find the earrings despite the madness.”
“You think your mom’s going to like them?” He asked as he hefted his own bag containing the boots he picked out for himself. Soma didn’t mind shopping, but good grief he hated crowds, especially now – there could be creepy cultists mixed in.
“Uh-huh. Thanks for coming with me. Should we eat somewhere before we head back?” She wondered as she looked up at the darkening sky. “Goodness, we've been out a lot longer than I'd planned.”
“I’m hungry, and the subway’s going to be crowded, let’s take our time.” The young man agreed, as they discussed their options, before deciding to stop in at a coffee shop. As they ordered, he noticed the confused, then alarmed look on the redhead’s face.
“Oh no…” Mina gasped as she frantically patted her purse, then her pockets of her lavender pea coat.
“What’s wrong?”
“The earrings! I can’t find them – they must have fallen out somewhere.” Her eyes darted around, looking around on the floor.
“Well, let me go help look -”
“Thanks, but you should wait for our drinks, I should be back soon.” She waved him off before rushing out the door. The young man watched her wandered outside before she headed back the way they came with a concerned frown, doubtful something that small could be found in the streets.
It was only seconds before Soma felt an uneasy lurch in his stomach. Soma knew better than to ignore - bolting outside even as he heard the barista call his name. As he scoped the streets, he couldn’t see her, that lurching sensation grewi into a heavy weight of dread as he pushes through the crowds, ignoring the glares and indignant shouts. “Mina? Mina…!” Please be okay, please be okay… he thought to himself as he stopped to peer into store windows, side streets and alleyways until…
“Mina!” He exclaimed as she appeared, staggering out of a narrow crevice between two stores, one hand clutched tightly around something, her expression pained. As she stumbles, he rushes to her, managing to catch her. “Mina – what…”
Blood. That sickening, far too familiar metallic smell hit his nose before his eyes saw the dark, glistening spot on her neck.
“Soma…?” She murmurs weakly, her free hand clung to his coat, giving a pained whimper as he hesitantly rubbed his thumb over the spot.
“Ssh… I’m here, I’m here. Let’s get you…” The words died in his throat as his worst suspicions were realized.
Underneath the blood were two punctured wounds.