I elbowed my way through the crowd, their necks craned as the mass of eyes fixed themselves on the spectacle atop the high rise. Renă followed closely behind me. She didn’t seem especially phased by any of this, nor in a rush to catch up with her target. I guess that’s what they call a professional, huh?

Of course, I’d suggested using her flashy teleport ability to go straight to Scarlett, but Renă shook her head.

“Your body would be destroyed. I can’t take you with me.”

I’d considered sending her ahead of me but thinking over what she’d said about Scarlett’s safety being none of her concern, I decided against it. We’d have to proceed on foot.

The people around us partied quickly when they saw a haggard, bloodied man and a weirdo in a mask and hood. We made quite the pair. As I got closer to the front of the crowd I squinted. Scarlett! I could barely make her out. It looked like she was tied to the flagpole the jutted out from the roof level of the building, just above the massive, flashing, neon sign that read “BABEL TOWERS HOTEL”.

I couldn’t see her armour; she was definitely in her casual clothes. It must have dematerialised when – well I still didn’t know what the hell had happened, but I guess the sandman, Stefan or whatever Renă had called him, had overpowered her and brought her here. Maybe she had to be conscious to maintain her protective gear.

“No further,” an armed guardsman said. He was dressed in the same silver uniform the soldiers who’d led an angry Scarlett away from the central city gate had been in. Looks like the Babel law enforcement had already taken control of this scene. It seemed the order of people becoming involved in this incident was bystanders, the media – judging by all the photographers snapping away with their little cameras scattered around the thronging masses – and finally the proper authorities. Jeez they only came to help now and then they get in our way?

“That’s my friend up there,” I said.

The man gave me a disinterested look. “Sure. Go home sir, we have this under control.”

The soldier eyed Renă suspiciously. I supposed that was understandable. I turned back to her.

“Hey what do you think we should do?”

She stepped past me without a word.

“Hey er, sir, or ma’am, you can’t come through here.”

Without a moment’s hesitation she landed a first in his stomach with a sharp thud. He collapsed onto her shoulder and she laid him on the ground. Around us the crowd hurriedly backed away and I could hear the commotion spreading. She took my hand and pulled me towards the hotel entrance.

She shoved aside the confused guards who stood outside the glass doors and ran inside. I followed, not looking back as the shouts of the soldiers echoed behind me.

***

“It appears your friend has arrived,” the sandman said, watching over the street below with a smile. A frowned appeared on the pale face that was smiling just moments before.

“Renă,” Scarlett heard, in a mutter. She could see someone with Sander on the street below. She couldn’t tell for certain but at a glance they matched the description he’d given her of the mysterious figure he’d encountered in the alley with Avi.

The Lunar Knight didn’t like any of this. She hoped Sander could trust whoever it was he’d brought along with him. The sandman seemed to recognise them. She winced at the chaffing on her wrists under the tight rope. She’d be out soon. She’d already cut some way through with the tiny knife she’d materialised in her hand. She smiled. When Sander got there, she’d break free and they could finish this guy together.

Just then, she felt a cold hand on her shoulder. Her head turned in a panic. This monster had been some metres away only moments before yet now, here right beside her it stooped, its shadow cutting off the faint light of the moon that shone through the rainclouds.

“Don’t think you can escape so easily, ma chérie.”

From under its dark cloud, the white hand drew forth a glowing gem, red as blood. The Lunar Knight’s eyes widened. The sandman chanted something indiscernible, bringing the crystal closer and closer to her as it did.

“They will be here soon, and when they arrive, I’ll have a little surprise in store for them.”

Scarlett felt lightheaded. Her vision blurred and her limbs numbed. Through the haze a double glowing ring appeared, the space between its curved edges lined with strange characters. She became entranced. The sandman smiled.

“Tu m’appartiens.”

***

I panted as we stopped outside the door to the roof. Renă turned back to me. Of course, the elevator had been out of order. On our way up what had seemed like an endless flight of stairs, she’d created a barrier for our pursuers.

She’d stopped for a moment, facing the wall. I’d watched, intrigued, as her fist shot out, a blur, striking the pillar beside the stairwell. She stepped back and, seconds later, a portion of the ceiling had collapsed, leaving a heap of rubble at the bottom of the steps. My mouth hung agape. What was this girl anyhow?

After that we hadn’t heard the soldiers behind us anymore. I guess her barricade was wo. They’d be clearing the rubble out of their way for some time. Hopefully by then we’d have finished what we needed to do.

She cocked her head at me. “You ready?”

I nodded, having caught my breath. She opened the door and stepped out onto the rooftop. I followed just behind her. My eyes narrowed when they settled on our opponent. He sat, his face leaning into his hand, and his legs crossed and dangling over the edge of the rooftop substation. I looked to the flagpole but there was no sign of Scarlett.

“What have you done with her?” I shouted.

The sandman grinned. Beside me, Renă readied herself.

“Sander,” she said, indicating to one side.

I turned and found myself facing the Lunar Knight. The stunning white of her battle gear donned; her ethereal, green blade in hand; her blonde hair, billowing in the night breeze; and her eyes aglow a fearsome red.

“Now, mon amour,” the sandman said. “Destroy them.”