Rebeccah stood there in shock. Not only was she still alive but the barrier began to work as it had before. I had fired my gun, not at her but at the magic circle she was attempting to alter. I didn’t know a lot about them but I did know that if you alter a magic circle it could destroy all others connected to it. However, if you destroy a magic circle then the others it was connected to will separate from it.

“Now, I suggest you stop fighting and come with me.” I said as Scott and Ida both came up behind me.

Instead of trying to attack us or even let us take her in she started bawling. I didn’t see it as anything unexpected. She was only six so it seemed like a normal reaction. Then I heard a crack. Everyone else heard it too. The barrier completely fell. I looked back over at Rebeccah who was now being cradled by her naked mother.

“What the hell! Iscarat had you cornered so how did you escape him?” Scott yelled.

“Blood can easily slip through the smallest of cracks in the earth. He couldn’t cover the street in flames before I could escape. I just had to keep you all busy until either My daughter or the small bit I cut from myself could alter the barrier to destroy itself.” Medea said as if everyone else was just pawns in her game. Then as quickly as possible she ran off. We attempted to run after her but she was just too fast to catch.

“What now?” Ida asked.

“I don’t know. For now though, we need to make sure she doesn’t get to Elysif.” Scott replied.

“Shit, I forgot she said her real body was going for Elysif. We were all trying to stop her so I couldn’t do anything about it.” I said in a worried tone.

“Fuck! Can’t you get there with your whole time travel thing?” Scott asked with an equally worried tone.

“I can try.” I said before sitting down in an attempt to meditate. I imagined the brothel with Mama Louise and Elysif inside. The time was just shy of noon so I Imagined it being just after noon. Then I saw it, the world of stars above me, now below me. Opening my eyes I saw the brothel.

* * *

A few hours earlier…

Elysif sat on the couch with Mama Louise while they waited for the others to return. The tension in the room that bothered both of them was caused by their awkward silence. Neither of them had said a word to each other since the others left. Even when Elysif was crying beside her, Mama Louise did nothing to console her.

"Would you like some tea?" Mama Louise asked to break the silence.

"Please." Elysif replied.

Mama Louise began pouring some of her black tea from the kettle into a teacup. Spilling a little, she wiped it up using one of the napkins lying on the table. Elysif took the cup and took a slow sip before saying thank you.

"Are you worried?" Mama Louise asked.

"A little, but it's them so it should be fine." Elysif responded.

"You say that but your hand is shaking. They'll be fine, I assure you." Mama Louise said as she put her hand on Elysif's in order to console her for once. A crash came from beyond the door. Followed by a scream that was quickly silenced.

"What was that?" Elysif said frantically as she stood up.

"Go to the back room. If you can escape, do so." Mama Louise said, taking the teacup from Elysif. Elysif ran to the back room as quickly as she could. Shutting the door behind her she went to the window and attempted to open it. It was bolted in place. Then she heard the door to Mama Louise's office open up.

"Louise! How long has it been." Medea said as she entered the room. She was wearing an exact replica of the white and purple sundress with the red shawl that her double was wearing.

"Not long enough, Medea." Mama Louise replied.

"Don't be like that. I am simply here to pick up my daughter. Give her to me and I'll be on my way." Medea said with a cheerful smile.

"Elysif left a while ago so I hope you didn't kill my receptionist for such a stupid reason." Mama Louise said with a scowl. Medea moved at an inhuman level, grabbing Mama Louise by the throat and slamming her into the wall behind her. Her teacup fell in the process and broke upon the floor.

"Don't lie to me, child. I know my daughter is here. Her magic permeates throughout this building even with all the incense you have burning. Hand her over or die." Medea said through her gritted teeth.

"I think you'll be the one to die if you don't let go of me." Mama Louise said threateningly. As she did, several slimy tentacle-like appendages shot up from under her dress. They wrapped around Medea and threw her away from Mama Louise. As soon as Medea was a few meters away Mama Louise's entire body morphed into a mass of tentacles and slime.