08-16-2018, 08:33 PM
Sören knew even as he watched that what he saw was beyond his capacity to learn, though it fascinated him all the same. Ephraim made to follow the healed girl and her companion before Sören's hand braced his shoulder with a shake of the head. The man laughed, but relaxed his enthusiastic charge. "Just think of the scope for profit!"
Polite applause followed Ascendancy's introduction of Jacques Danjou.
And then the world fractured.
Sören shoved Ephraim back with a warning glare. He had already lost one associate, and though he liked Ephraim far less than he had Declan, he was not inclined to lose another. The man did not protest, though he could hear him murmuring intensely about pain and control and even Ascendancy.
The Dominions made a hash of it, but the creature eventually crumbled -- not by men apparently trained to the task, but by a boy. One he recognised, and remembered almost solely for the snake on his arm. He knew how to kill the creature because he'd spent his life doing it, only to find himself hunted by his own people; interesting that he now found himself in the Kremlin's very heart. Sören's attention waned beyond recognition, and he paid scant attention to the drama that followed; including the congresswoman who flung herself upon Brandon's body.
Instead he thought about the words the creature had spoken.
By the time the darkness plunged moment's later, few but the brave and stupid lingered to witness what happened next. It was clear to Sören by now that the creatures' chosen prey were filled to the brim with power, so though it warred with every instinct, he did not close his fist. His hands pressed into his pockets, muscles tense, lest he be forced to defend himself.
The woman was bloody even before her demeanour changed, her voice amplified. Sören watched, and listened. His brows furrowed low, though he had no inclination to join the base fray. As if he would give it to you, even if he had it. He turned to where his companion stared wide-eyed. "It speaks, but does it reason? Who would call such demons down on themselves? On Ascendancy, more to the point. The key isn't here. This is your last chance to flee, Ephraim. I cannot protect you."
Polite applause followed Ascendancy's introduction of Jacques Danjou.
And then the world fractured.
Sören shoved Ephraim back with a warning glare. He had already lost one associate, and though he liked Ephraim far less than he had Declan, he was not inclined to lose another. The man did not protest, though he could hear him murmuring intensely about pain and control and even Ascendancy.
The Dominions made a hash of it, but the creature eventually crumbled -- not by men apparently trained to the task, but by a boy. One he recognised, and remembered almost solely for the snake on his arm. He knew how to kill the creature because he'd spent his life doing it, only to find himself hunted by his own people; interesting that he now found himself in the Kremlin's very heart. Sören's attention waned beyond recognition, and he paid scant attention to the drama that followed; including the congresswoman who flung herself upon Brandon's body.
Instead he thought about the words the creature had spoken.
By the time the darkness plunged moment's later, few but the brave and stupid lingered to witness what happened next. It was clear to Sören by now that the creatures' chosen prey were filled to the brim with power, so though it warred with every instinct, he did not close his fist. His hands pressed into his pockets, muscles tense, lest he be forced to defend himself.
The woman was bloody even before her demeanour changed, her voice amplified. Sören watched, and listened. His brows furrowed low, though he had no inclination to join the base fray. As if he would give it to you, even if he had it. He turned to where his companion stared wide-eyed. "It speaks, but does it reason? Who would call such demons down on themselves? On Ascendancy, more to the point. The key isn't here. This is your last chance to flee, Ephraim. I cannot protect you."