A glance down the alleyway didn't reveal much but a way behind the buildings, dotted with dumpsters, and recessed doorways. Not many places to hide or to make a stand. Dune turned in a small circle, her heartrate spiking when she heard footsteps at the far end of the sidewalk. That was the end of her retreat then. As she turned, she unholstered her sidearm, unwilling to rely on the curse when her hearing was only just ringing back.
As she did, she caught the blur of movement, something dark and huge swooping in from the sky. Without knowing what she was looking at, she clicked the safety on her gun, staying back a distance while the unfortunate man screamed and crumpled.
As he struggled, Dune caught the sight of blood, black and shiny, and although she didn't immediately recognize the attacker or understand its intent, she left it to its grisly work. She had no sympathy and she and other agents had been given license to use deadly force against the cult--clandestine justice for sure, but it was a mess they would have to clean up after everything was all said and done.
The Exchange agent started to step around the corner of the alleyway, out of sight but as she watched the scene unfold, the black blur resolved itself in her vision, the shapes of black feathers, claws, and a cruel beak outlined with streetlights against the shadows. Surprised, she paused for a few heartbeats, before taking a chance, stepping closer and calling out. “Merula?” If so, she couldn't believe her luck, even if black birds were usually a bad omen.
As she did, she caught the blur of movement, something dark and huge swooping in from the sky. Without knowing what she was looking at, she clicked the safety on her gun, staying back a distance while the unfortunate man screamed and crumpled.
As he struggled, Dune caught the sight of blood, black and shiny, and although she didn't immediately recognize the attacker or understand its intent, she left it to its grisly work. She had no sympathy and she and other agents had been given license to use deadly force against the cult--clandestine justice for sure, but it was a mess they would have to clean up after everything was all said and done.
The Exchange agent started to step around the corner of the alleyway, out of sight but as she watched the scene unfold, the black blur resolved itself in her vision, the shapes of black feathers, claws, and a cruel beak outlined with streetlights against the shadows. Surprised, she paused for a few heartbeats, before taking a chance, stepping closer and calling out. “Merula?” If so, she couldn't believe her luck, even if black birds were usually a bad omen.