Chapter 124: New mission
Arachne stood beside Meg, occasionally offering quiet corrections or pointing out structural weak points in the Spire’s lower defenses that Meg might have missed. Scarlet lounged in a chair, sharpening one of her daggers with a whetstone, occasionally interjecting with cynical comments about the Spire’s likely kill zones.
"They’ll have psionic dampeners around the divination sanctums," Scarlet said, not looking up from her blade. "And probably some nasty energy leeches in the conduit corridors. Standard high-security playbook. Try not to get your brain scrambled or your fancy powers sucked dry, Boss."
"We won’t be there long enough for it to matter," Fin stated, though he filed away Scarlet’s warning. Psionic interference was a concern.
A faint chime echoed from the main hall. A soft, almost melodic sound, utterly out of place in the castle’s ancient stone silence.
All four of them froze.
Fin’s head snapped up, his eyes instantly alert. Arachne was already moving towards the war room door, silent as a wraith. Scarlet’s dagger stilled, her head tilted, listening. Meg looked from Fin to the doorway, her hand instinctively tightening on the wooden staff that now leaned beside her chair.
"What was that?" Meg whispered.
"Company," Scarlet breathed, a dangerous grin spreading across her face. "And they didn’t even knock."
Fin was already on his feet, the holographic schematics winking out. "Arachne, with me. Scarlet, Meg, secure this room. Bar the door. Let no one enter."
"But Fin—" Meg started, pushing her chair back.
"Stay," he commanded, his voice flat, leaving no room for argument. He didn’t wait for a reply, already moving towards the door, Arachne a shadow at his side.