Immortal Stonekeeper (2022) Chapter 8: Chapter 8: The Night’s Spoils

Read chapter 8 of Immortal Stonekeeper (2022) by Mercynarie on NovelPedia.

“Don’t you have some sort of invisibility spell or something? It’s really uncomfortable here.” “Bear with it, son. I can’t employ magic now; even a beginner witch would be able to detect it, and I won’t risk giving away our location to that dark mage.” Jonathan rolled his eyes as he observed the auction in the cramped crevice. The ‘dark mage’ seemed harmless enough, watching on peacefully as the most bizarre items got sold off to yet another Phantom of the Opera. The participants’ disguises were sloppy even for a mere front, but at least that mage had the decency to cosplay a 1940s plague doctor with his noir-like long coat and pointed mask. Jonathan’s eyes drifted off until they caught sight of a familiar person. Anya? What’s she doing here? Detective Anya was the only one who was wearing a face mask, but Jonathan recognised her all the same. He resisted the urge to call out to her. Jeopardising the mission was bad enough, but having to answer to her why he was there was worse. “The last item of the night. The fabled Lily Noir!” the auctioneer shouted without a hint of fatigue in his voice. “Opening price, fifty thousand credits!” The crowd shifted listlessly as some began to turn for the exit, clearly wanting to head back and enjoy what was left of the night. Jonathan could see why; the gem was dull black and had an ordinary shape. And yet, something about that jewel felt familiar to him. The auctioneer looked around unfazed and raised the item again. “Sixty thousand credits!” the dark mage called out, and Jonathan felt Duncan shift behind him. “Don’t hesitate, participate!” the auctioneer yelled. “Going once, going twice… Sold to the gentleman in that corner!” “Seems we overreacted,” Duncan mumbled with a hint of disappointment in his voice. “Mission success, I guess. Let’s meet back up with Lucy.” ~ ~ ~ “I thought you’d know better than to hide in the darkness from me.” The assassin stopped in his tracks as Lucy rose from the shadows on the floor, her eyes glowing in the darkness. She pounced towards him, but he ducked and rolled away from her. The woman grinned sinisterly as fangs began to extend from her gums. The man pulled out a silver dagger in response. “Now, now. Is this how boys these days treat fair maidens?” Lucy pranced up the walls, keeping her scarlet eyes on him. “You’re no maiden,” the assassin growled. “You’re a Nephilim, an abomination. All your kind does is kill and terrorise innocent people.” “You seem to know much about my kind,” the vampire responded, now standing directly above him on the ceiling. “Who sent you?” “Move, vampire. I won’t ask again.” Lucy cackled uncontrollably and transformed into a snake, leaping towards him. The assassin ducked again as she flew above his head. The vampire turned back into her human form, raising her pistols towards him. Muffled gunshots rang out as the man dodged her shots smoothly. He slashed at her aggressively with his dagger in response, causing her to back away from him. Lucy vanished into the shadows once more and reappeared behind him, but the assassin was prepared this time. The vampire screamed, leaping back from a silver cross shoved in her face. The man took advantage of the distance created and attempted to make a run for it again, but was suddenly pushed back by a strong force. He tumbled to the ground and quickly got back up, but froze as a yellow beam of light hit him squarely in the chest. “I can’t believe you didn’t invite us.” “I had that well handled; you didn’t need to butt in.” Lucy pouted at the two figures walking out of the hall’s hidden entrance. “You’re welcome. Now, what do we have here?” Duncan knelt beside the man on the floor and ripped his mask off. He looked like he was in his early forties, and an expression of shock was plastered on his frozen face. The witch doctor reached into his pocket and threw a powder onto the assassin’s face. He snapped his glowing fingertips and the man coughed uncontrollably, inhaling the powder. “Who sent