With a frustrated sound, Owl snatched her mask back up off the floor. He was a fake! She had wasted her time fighting a Kia-be-damned fake!
Working quickly, she fastened her mask back on her face. The sound of gunfire would have carried--especially in a place like Arca, where guns were rare enough to be unheard of--so the guard would no doubt be on the way. They could deal with protecting the library, but she had to leave before they came. The guard could either help or hinder her, but she didn't want to risk getting caught up and questioned.
And on this matter, she couldn't risk getting the guard involved. Herrick knew her identity. As easy as it would be to set the guard on him, since she knew his location, it would be a fool move now when he could spill her identity to the guard. Goddammit...
All the more reason to deal with him, and deal with him fast. Though...
Even if she turned him in, couldn't he out her anyway?
Owl's stomach twisted with realization.
Shit.
Shit shit shit!
The librarian poked his head into the room then, and Owl tossed him a look. "I'm sure the book's stolen by now, but if it's not, guard it," she said, and with a wave of her hand, she dispelled the illusion she'd cast. Of course, it would only work if the book was still there, which it may very well not be. "And if he's got it, I'll get it back. The guard should be here, soon. I'm sorry I couldn't do more, but I promise I'll fix it!"
And with that said, she rushed out the door, the remaining two Soot Wolves trailing her from the shadows.
It was a short trip to the safe house, and Owl couldn't believe she didn't recognize it earlier. Probably because it looked different when it wasn't a roaring mass of flame.
She took a deep breath as she approached it, a wave of apprehension rolling over her as she drew closer. This was where her nightmare begun, and she found herself hesitating, not wanting to go in there, fearing things would be lurking in the shadows. It was a silly fear; no goblins would live there, and besides, if they tried anything, she felt confident that it would go better this time. She'd learned some hard lessons last time that she hoped never to repeat, and was far better equipped this time--physically and mentally.
Still, she wasn't at all pleased at the idea of going down into the shop's freakin' attic.
"Give me ten minutes," she told the Wolves that had followed her as she stepped inside the building. "If I don't come out in ten minutes, or otherwise give some signal that I'm okay, then assume I'm in trouble and act appropriately."
And then, with a deep breath, she descended into the attic, one hand on her sword.