If she has to do it, she must do it right. Willow closed the journal and put it back in her bag. Her hands accidentally brushed the red file that Guild's head gave to her. She backed her hand as if it had been burned. The red file laid there at the bottom of her bag, taunting her to open.
Without looking at it, she closed the bag and dialed the phone number Reagan.
She refuses to call the Guild's head. If she wants the details, she can ask Reagan. And she would bet her last penny that Reagan would make her sweat before indulging her. Good. That old crone deserved it.
"Reagan, we have a situation," Willow said glumly in the form of a greeting.
Reagan, sensing the seriousness, kept her mouth shut. Willow relayed what she saw in those warehouses to Reagan. Reagan for her part kept quiet and didn't ask questions.
After she filled her in, Reagan said, "this is more serious than we thought. I don't think you should be handling this alone. Shit Willow, they sound dangerous"
"I'm fine. I can handle myself"
"What if they tracked you to your location and surrounded you? What will you do?"
Willow bit her lip as she listened to Reagan. She never thought she might be followed. Stupid of her. She should have covered every angle, covered all bases.
"I don't think they have discovered me," Willow replied more to placate herself than Reagan.
"Yet. But if you stay there longer, they will notice you. With or without the ring"
"I'm being cautious"
"Not good enough," Reagan heaved a sigh as if she was burdened by the weight on her shoulders.
"I will give you the details of safe houses. Use them in case of emergencies"
"Why do you need safe houses in your own kingdom?"
"Willow"
"Fine"
"It would be better if you don't get involved in this. The Guild's head sent you to spy, not engage"
"What do you want me to do Reagan? There are people out there. You didn't see the condition they are in. I saw. There are children among them, Reagan. Five-year-olds"
"God!"
"Exactly"
Reagan, for her part, understood the enormity of the situation. Instead of persuading her to retreat, she asked, "what's the plan?"
"I will let you know soon when I find out something," Willow lied.
"For now, I need supplies. Both magic and weapons"
"I can arrange the weapons part... but magic," Reagan trailed off as she called Brenda.
Brenda, who was standing beside her and hearing the conversation, asked, "what kind of baubles are we talking about?"
"Runes. Binding ones specifically. I think these runes are keeping the captives from escaping"
"That's powerful magic. Whoever has done that knew her magic and how to wield it"
"Thought so. So do you know how to break them without raising the alarm?"
"I... I need some time to research"
Willow pinched her nose. "We don't have time Brenda. They are already half-starved and going crazy. If it goes another week, I'm afraid something might happen to them"
"I will do what I can but I need the sketches of those runes. If I misinterpret anything, then it would end in a much bigger disaster," Brenda stammered sensing the wrath of Willow.
Willow swore under her breath. "I will fax you the evidence by today. I need you to work on it faster"
"Okay"
Reagan snatched the phone from her and said, "for weapons... you can meet my... friend"
"Friend? Why am I surprised?"
"Funny. Tell him Reagan sent you. He will take care of the business"
"Can this guy be trusted?"
"As much as a vampire," Reagan replied vaguely.
"For once, I would like to meet a vampire whom I can trust"
"You met me"
"Can your friend supply blood without raising eyebrows and probing with his fang?"
"I will let him know that"
Willow sighed and said, "Good. keep you-know-who updated. She might have done me wrong, but she needs to know this. Perhaps, she can contain the situation from spreading to other kingdoms"
"Do you think it will?"
"It's better to be safe"
"What a mess!"
"You can say that again. Tell Brenda I'm giving her two days. And then I need some fucking answers"
"Even if she cracks it, how will she send the baubles to you?"
"We will cross the bridge when that happens. For now, keep me posted. It would be better if she can make something that can be easily transported to me"
"You mean like a fax? Or are we talking about telekinesis or teleportation? If it's the latter then we need someone from the outside"
"No. No. It's too dangerous. And we can't trust anyone at the moment. Ask Brenda to try to make it into a parchment that can be faxed"
"Will do. And Willow, stay safe. Please don't do something that I won't do"
"That is a very small window. You will do anything"
"Ok. How about you don't bite more than you can chew?"
"Nice. I'm a dog now"
"You know what I mean"
"Ya ya"
Reagan in all seriousness said, "perhaps, it would be better if you wait for the backup. I'm sure the Guild head would arrange something"
"She will. There is no doubt about it. But do we have time until the team arrives here? And don't you think someone would get a whiff of it? One guild assassin won't be much on their radar but a bunch of guild assassins suddenly appearing in this area would raise their flags. Whoever is behind this is very intelligent."
"They are running an illegal organization in the capital city and no one is questioning them. No one is safe in the city, Reagan. They might capture anyone at any time. As if that is not enough, they are harvesting the blood of the captives"
"What do you think will happen when they see a guild team? And they will identify it easily as the Guild is the only organization where all Supernaturals work together. It will be an open declaration of war. For an organization that can capture and hold hostage a thousand Supernaturals, it won't be a big issue to attack the Guild. And the Guild is already swamped with the increase in rogue cases. Do you think it will be fair? It's better if I handled this alone"
"The team could be stealthy. We could send them randomly, not at once. We could even send the same kind of Supernaturals"
"No. We don't have time for a detailed operation. The clock is ticking. I can't waste time biting my nails while I wait for the team. Every second is important. And the Guild can't take the risk of making an enemy out of the vampire king. If he finds out about this operation, he will think we are challenging his rule. It would become much messier."
"And where the hell is that fucker among this mess?"
"That's the problem. He can't seem to be bothered by the plight of his subjects"
"Do you think he has a hand in this?"
"And what will he accomplish? He is already a king. He could do whatever he wanted. Why bother with kidnapping?"
"Then why is he not interfering? Dammit, doesn't he love his throne? Is he waiting for a mutiny at his hands?"
"I don't know. I don't have all the answers yet"
"Only questions. I don't like the sound of this Willow. You are going blindly into this. I have a bad feeling"
"Tell me about it. One woman about to face an army, it's like the beginning of a bad joke"
"Willow, this is serious. You are taking a much bigger risk. Let the Guild handle it in its own way"
Willow replied in all seriousness, "I have to Reagan. This is just not about spying anymore. If I leave it in the Guild then it might be too late."
"What are you saying, Willow?"
"I don't know. I feel like the clock is ticking... as if something disastrous will happen if I don't follow this path. My gut is saying that I have to be here... I have to be the one who rescues them. I'm not making sense, I know"
"No. You are. Perhaps this is your destiny"
"Perhaps"
"But I will be less stressed if you are well equipped"
"What do you have in mind?"
"You asked for baubles. There is a way"
Willow stood straight and asked, "what way"
"It's illegal"
"Never stopped me"
"Fine. Meet Rox at this address. He will help you," Reagan informed her.
"How did you manage to get stuck in an illegal business? Are you in trouble?"
"Nothing that I can't handle"
"And the payment?"
"No need. I will manage it from here"
"What are you not telling me, Reagan? Will you be in trouble? I don't like the sound of this"
"You don't need to worry. It's just an old settlement. That guy owes me big time"
"Promise me you are not lying"
"We all have our secrets Willow. I don't ask yours, you don't probe mine"
"Fair enough. Is your other 'friend' also an old settlement?"
"No. Dane is an acquaintance. He is pure business"
"Whatever you say"
"Don't forget to mention the arms that are fit for the Fae. Bastard will give you other metal if it's not mentioned"
"Will do. I will check the supplies before paying"
"Good. I will transfer the cash from the Guild account. They have to contribute something"
"That's music to my ears"
After a few seconds of silence where they just held the phone to their ear and heard the other's breathing, Willow changed the subject.
"Any news on Azrian?"
"Nope. She is completely off-grid"
Reagan said after a sigh, "at least let us join you"
"You will have your own mission. Basing on this news, it will be soon"
"I could refuse"
"It's not in your nature"
"If you die on the field, I'm going to resurrect you and kill you very slowly"
"You have to find a necromancer first. And I heard they are rare. Very rare"
"Oh... yes, they are," Reagan stumbled.
Willow narrowed her gaze but didn't press it. She has her own shit to deal with.
With a "will keep you updated," Willow cut the call.