Chapter Three

The building that housed the Anderson Agency for Preternatural Investigations was old and stone, a very sturdy building, more akin to a stone warehouse than your average building. It was old but it was a fortress. The entire thing was spelled and shielded by various forms of magic and it has stood the test of time besides a few cosmetic issues. The hardwood floors were warped with age and use and creaked with every step, it smelt like an old library and the stained glass windows with solid iron inlaid bars were a thing of timeless beauty.

The glass itself was spelled and the inlaid iron was coated in salt. No manner of creature could penetrate its protections. Even the doors were iron, and yes harmful to Fae, but this iron had been forged with Anderson blood, at best it only mildly stung the Andersons when they touched it, like a small static shock. The windows on both floors were tall and arched, taking up most of the wall space and there were iron shutters to cover them in the event of a siege, the basement windows were half circles and also had the same protections.

Kinsley looked around the vast shelves and breathed in deeply, a smile on her lips at the smell of books before she wandered down the nearest aisle, running her fingers over the aged spines as she began her research, having most of these books memorized as she had spent most of her life in this building. She grabbed a few books and took them to a corner with her favourite stained glass window. It depicted a dragon the colour of the blazing sun flying over an open field full of flowers. The colours were brilliant golds, yellows oranges and browns. She loved how they spread over the pages of the books in the sunlight, the warmth of the picture and the sun giving comfort as she researched.

Sawyer sighed as he heard loud banging on the back door and heaved himself up from the chair, crossing the hall till he made it to the back door and pushed it open, grunting as the iron burned him a little more than usual. He looked at the person before him and bit his lip to hide his smile taking in Weaver’s appearance. Their makeup was done to perfection, in shades of gold that amplified the hue in their bright green eyes. The tailored 3 piece suit in a magnificent royal purple colour hugged and shaped them well, the heeled black boots giving them an extra few inches bringing their height to 6’ 3” and the top hat on their styled black hair tied in nicely with the cane as they strutted into the room with an air of power and personality that was impossible to ignore.

“Weaver, dazzling as always. Thank you for coming so early.” Sawyer spoke with a soft smile as he pulled the iron door closed.

“Oh, you flatterer you. It will get you far with me darling, as you well know.” They smiled, a charming smirk across their lips as their green eyes sparkled in a playful manner. “Well, shall we do this darling? You have my lab set up right?”

“Yes Weaver, we always do. Kinsley is doing some research in the archives. You head to the lab and I will grab the samples for you to analyze.” Sawyer said as he moved past Weaver and made his way to his sister's desk, picking up the bag of spikes and making his way down to Weaver.

“And where are those pasties your darling sister promised me?” they demanded as soon as Sawyer made it into the room holding out the bag to Weaver who took it with a curious look and the click of their tongue.

“They’re on the way. Do you need me down here or can I finish up some other work? We’re a little understaffed this morning.”

“Go go. I’m fine… my these look interesting. I’ve never seen anything...perhaps they could be...no no that wouldn’t make sense.” Weaver dismissed with a wave of his hand, begging to talk under their breath as they looked at the spikes in the bag. 

Sawyer nodded and headed back up the stairs to his office, sinking into his chair with a sigh as he felt heavy fatigue sit heavy in his bones. He rubbed a hand over his face before  Leaning back in his chair, convincing himself that a quick nap was just what he needed. The office door was opened and the smell of fresh baked goods permeated the open building space as a young man with dark floppy hair and nice brown eyes the colour of fall leaves walked in with two boxes of pastries. He closed the heavy door behind him and then called out to the office.

“I have Weaver’s pastries I believe. Where are you handsome?”

“Oh, you sinful boy. Come down into my lab you minx and bring the beautiful smelling goodness with you.” Wever called back, the two of them flirted shamelessly as per usual. Liam chuckled and headed down into the lap, giving Weaver a once over in their colourful get up and placed the boxes on a free table before walking up to them and leaning on the table beside them as they performed an incantation over one of the spikes, his eyes glowing bright green with his power and a green aura around the spike.

“So any progress on...whatever these are?” Liam asked curiously as he picked up the evidence bag and looked over the spikes.

“Yes and no. I’ve narrowed down what it isn’t but I’m not any closer to figuring out what it is.” Weaver spoke with a frustrated huff and slowly shaved off a few slivers to run them through some tests. “Hopefully your sister has some luck, she’s upstairs doing some research.”

“Ok well, I’m gonna go check on her.” With that, Liam kissed Weaver on the cheek causing them to give Liam a swat and call him a tease. Liam just chuckled, snagged a couple of danishes from one of the boxes and headed up the stairs in search of his sister, knowing full well he’d find her under her favourite window.

“So you finally decided to show up I see.” she spoke crossly as she reached out her hand for a danish, not even bothering to look up from the page she was reading. Liam sighed and rolled his eyes as he placed the danish in her hand. She took a bite and kept looking at the book in front of her before she finally looked up and settled her gaze on Liam. 

“I was out all night doing surveillance for a client, remember. I went home once I was done and got some sleep and had my phone off. I had no idea that West never showed for his and Sawyers recon mission. He deserves to be scolded, not me.” Liam said with a huff. Kinsley watched him for a moment before nodding and finishing the danish.

“Ok, I concede. He’s still not here by the way. I’m still doing research and I’m honestly stumped. Maybe check with Sawyer and see if he remembers anything else from the encounter or if there's any work to be done. Lydia never came into work this morning, had a little too much fun last night.”

“Oh, poor girl. Alright, I have a few things I needed to do for my client but I’ll stop by and check with Sawyer. Mr. Responsible has had some time to go over the encounter, I’m sure he remembers more by now.”

With that, Liam headed away from his baby sister and back down the steps to the main floor. He stopped by his desk and dropped his bag on his chair, making a small note for himself to go over the surveillance videos and send them to the client. He whistled as he made his way farther into the office, stopping at his brother's door and knocking on it once before opening it and stepping in.

He paused as he saw Sawyer asleep in his chair, an unusual sight, seeing as Sawyer was the most professional of the siblings, believing that breaks or naps were not ever necessary. Liam shrugged and was about to leave him when he caught sight of his arm, the bandage was black and there were black veins all over his arm, a faint hint of sweet sickness in the air, the smell of infection and rot. He ran to his brother and yelled his name, shaking him to try and rouse him from sleep, hissing as his skin felt cold and clammy to the touch.

“Weaver! Weaver, I need you!” Liam screamed out into the office, thundering footsteps being heard from above as Kinsley came running and the thump of boots on stone steps as Weaver came up from the basement. Both burst into the room at the same time and Weaver swore as they made their way to Sawyer.

“I need you to move. This is an infection of a magical means. I’m going to need some supplies. And an extra set of hands. Kinsley, you have the strongest magic, I’ll need your assistance.” Weaver spoke calmly and quickly, springing the other two into action with the steady assured tone of his voice. “We’re going to have to act fast so as to make sure he doesn’t lose his arm.”