The Magic of Hecate

Three days later,

It took us three days, two buses, four taxis and a horse to get to Venice meaning we had plenty of opportunities to formulate a plan.

"One more button,” Max said looking at my shirt as we approached the building we had both seen in the vision.

"I have a mate you know, Max," I argued.

"Do you want to get the Amulet or what?" Max said with a sarcastic smile. "You need to look less like a nun and more like a promiscuous wanton strumpet.”

I sighed and undid yet another button on my shirt.

“I'l be on the roof waiting. Shout if you need anything,” he said and I nodded.

We had decided that the both of us going in there would be far too suspicious so I, the 'harmless’ woman, volunteered.

"Buongiorno,” I greeted after taking a deep breath and entering the building. In the lobby, there was a suited man stood guard.

"Brothel is down the road,” he informed me.

Rude.

"I am looking for the Descendant of Hecate's amulet actually. Am I in the right place?” I continued in my best Italian.

"Who wants to know?"

I paused for a moment before sending them my best “sexy’ smile.

"I'm not convinced that I should be telling you this but..." I began. "I suppose just between us."

"Spit it out, woman," the guard grumbled impatiently.

"Come a little closer, I don't want to shout it," I said beckoning him with my finger.

He narrowed his eyes and looked at me suspiciously. I gave him a flagellant smile and he eventually released himself from his spot and moved closer to me. I then stood on my tiptoes and brought my mouth to his ear before stabbing him in the back- literally.

His body froze and he collapsed to the floor with the Praesidium Deae Astra still in his back. I removed it before heading through the big double doors I had seen in the vision.

"Ay!" I heard a voice cry before spotting a man race towards me. In seconds, he too was lying paralysed on the floor and I was halfway up the large staircase at the other end of the room.

I followed the route I had committed to memory and was soon in the heavily guarded hallway that leads to the amulet room.

"Hey boys, I'm just gonna have to nip into that room up there. Don't mind me," I said calmly as ten sets of eyes set on me.

"I'm afraid we are under strict orders to not allow anyone inside of this room," One of the guards said stepping in front of me.

"Well, that really is a shame,” I said before swiping his arms with the magical knife.

He collapsed leaving the other nine men shocked.

"Seize her," one ordered and they all began surrounding me.

One by one I picked them off with the use of my fists, kicks and the sword. I was then able to edge my way to the door.

When the obstacle of the guards was eliminated, I dusted my self off and I kicked open the door to reveal the glass cabinet containing the amulet.

I smiled to myself before hastily removing the lid and going to grab the amulet. The moment the glass casing was off, an ear piercing alarm sounded throughout the building.

"Are you fucking kidding me?” I hissed before stuffing the amulet into my pocket and running back into the corridor. As I turned the corner back to the stairs, I was faced with four scary looking men running straight in my direction.

I quickly did a U-turn in the hallway and ran the other way with them in close pursuit. Due to my size, I was able to weave through the maze- like corridors much faster than the bulky men and as a result, I reached what looked like escape plan B much faster- a small hatch in the ceiling. After dragging the first piece of furniture I saw from the edge of the hallway so that it was directly underneath the roof hatch, I climbed onto it and forced open the roof hatch.

I pulled myself up and Max, who had been waiting patiently, helped me through the last bit.

"Did you get it?" he questioned.

"Yes, but we don't have time to hang around,” I replied looking nervously through the hatch to check for the guards. "Go."