Basilisks (1)

After staying at the Basilisk Kafe with Florian for a while, she had felt the dark energy run under them without disruption. It meant the basilisks weren't afraid of her. Just like the kikimora, they didn't care about her presence as long as she didn't interfere.

But, for some reason, they had run away when they had felt Ogi's energy. That man was something special, wasn't he?

And that other man, too. A shiver crossed her back at the thought of Neven. She had done so well, avoiding thinking about him for days.

But at the first chance, her mind had returned to him.

She had focused on her mission a hundred per cent, working her butt off for that easy case. She had done everything in her power to forget him, and it kind of worked. She didn't think of him for a while.

«What in the world are you?» she inquired, looking up at the dark sky. She couldn't see any stars because of the city lighting, but she tried all the same.

Before going back to the hotel, she wanted to check whether the street was well-protected from the basilisks. She had located the entries to the sewers under them and taken track of the movements. The creatures never moved too far from the Basiliskenhaus, which made her believe that they weren't free to go. There was something that kept them there.

However, she had also sensed something was wrong. They were oddly focusing on a certain spot - except when Ogi was around. She had noticed that they would return to the corner with Postgasse, walk in circles, and then again retreat. All to return later.

Was there a weak spot in the defence set to contain them?

Basilisks weren't too difficult to kill, all things considered. One just needed a mirror. However, before doing so, their lethal power would have killed dozens if not hundreds of people.

And, worse to it, the venom wasn't curable. Even Vera would sweat at saving someone who had looked at a Basilisk directly. Their soul would get corrupted to such a level that their death would be at most a few hours away.

Why the agency tolerated a bunch of those creatures in the centre of one of their most precious capitals was a mystery. For sure, they thought they could get some use of it. But, how? How were they thinking of bringing such a creature to another place?

Vera shook her head, realising they were more greedy than anyone could imagine. They thought they stood a chance to control a basilisk, those fools.

Whatever the case, she couldn't allow one to escape and kill people in Vienna. She had started to like that city - for some reason. She wasn't sure why because she hadn't been there for too long.

She opened one of the manholes in Schönlaterngasse, hidden between a tree and a bakery. The street lights couldn't reach that dark spot, so she could work on it in peace.

She used all her strength to move the heavy metal away and slip down. She made light with the torch on her phone, covering her nose with her free hand.

The smell was unbearable. Not just the sewers, but the basilisks as well. Their scent carried traces of garbage and rotting meat.

She almost vomited while reaching the door to the compartment where they were sealed. She analysed the locks, and she found them intact. However, she couldn't be sure everything was all right inside.

She put the phone down in a strategic position and picked the main lock. She turned the camera on and pushed her phone inside, opening the door just a few centimetres. Then, when the camera had supposedly seen enough, she retrieved her device and closed the door again.

She analysed the video and found out the problem: the basilisks weren't even supposed to reach that door! It was covered by mirrors, but they were all dark with dust and other materials she didn't want to investigate any further.

On the corner of the screen, she saw a red light. By enlarging the picture, she saw the red was due to rubins in a circle. A basilisk's head? Likely.

However, she didn't need to see the rest.

She opened her bag and took out the small mirrors she had bought in the afternoon, during her precious hour of free time. Free from everything, including spying eyes.

Sara had chatted with the Kaplans, ensuring they would do their job properly. Florian had been busy with his tasks, writing something on his phone with utter focus.

She had sneaked away from them and reached a supermarket. There, she had bought a face mask and a few mirrors.

She used the biggest one as a shield while opening the door again. She had to solve the issue before any of those creatures approached.

She put the face mask on trying to reduce the smell, but it didn't help. She closed her eyes until she could step in and turn towards the door. The mirror was still protecting her, but she knew it wouldn't be enough if she wasn't fast.

She tied the mirrors to the door, careful not to see anything. She focused on the cord and knots. Only at the end, when the smell was unbearable and the creature right behind her, did she take a deep breath and clench her fists. The mirrors were fixed and clean.

It was time to get out of there.

Before closing her eyes, however, she caught a glimpse of the creature. In one of the mirrors, she saw it.

It was as ugly as they described it. The crown of rubies on its head didn't make it less abhorrent. That kind of view was enough to kill a person in more ways than one.

She bit her lower lip and clenched her fists tighter until her nails dug into her skin. Everything just not to panic.

It was time to get out.