When we reached the Citadel gates the sun was just cresting the horizon and bathed the Gothic walls of the place I called home in a majestic aura of peace and tranquility. A peace that I now understood more fully to be only surface deep.

Allegra and I said our farewells and she hurried through the gates towards the Library, she had explained while we walked that she was going to speak with one of the Scholars that she knew that had been tasked with reviewing the history of New Paris. Perhaps he had more insights to give with regard to the Angels, like how they had come to be on earth rather than in Heaven where they were supposed to be according to the ancient biblical texts.

I on the other hand headed into the city proper, towards the Red Light District and the first place that Jon and I had crossed paths. My recollection of the events surrounding La Roseraie was still as vivid as if only a few days had passed, and the feelings of anger and betrayal still roared in my chest. It wasn’t as if I had expected Jon to protect me out of the kindness of his heart, but we had struck a deal and he had shattered the arrangement the moment he had tried to have me murdered by La Jardinier.

Passing by the alley where my attackers had come from that night I noticed a familiar face. People are such creatures of habit, I had had a feeling that at least one of the men with Jon that night may return to their familiar haunting ground. 

The man’s face paled to a sickly hue upon seeing my augmented eyes lock on him and he tripped trying to scramble backwards as if he had a chance to escape. I had been looking forward to this confrontation and my Inferno augment glowed its hellish glow as I directed the flames of the barrel fire he had been warming his hands on to whirl around him. Trapping him in a vortex of fire.

I asked him where I could find Jon in my coldest tone, conveying my deadly intent should he not provide me the information I wanted.

The man stammered for a moment, then blurted out that Jon was employed guarding La Roseraie and would be there tonight. I should have known. 

With the information I had been seeking I released the hold I had on the flames swirling around the man. The man laid on the ground alone and helpless, and I almost pitied him. Almost.

Drawing my dagger and stabbing the man through the chest I left him to bleed out on the ground in the alley. I could not have anyone spoiling the surprise reunion for Jon.

Alexander Motus, Guardian #51