Out of the Darkness
Chapter 3

The next morning I caught up to Raven, pulled her aside and explained to her everything that Jimmy had found out so far from the analysis of her blood. I wanted to be honest with her in hope that she would one day learn to trust me, and it was her DNA, she had a right to know.

“It certainly explains how fast you healed when Jimmy took your blood. Were both of your parents witches?” I asked her.

“I-I don’t know.” She answered after a moment of hesitation. I nodded.

“It’s ok, I understand if you don’t want to tell me, I just-“ I started before she cut me off.

“You misunderstood me Adam, I’m not lying to you. There’s not a lot I remember about my family, or where I grew up. All I know is that they are dead.” She told me, looking down at her feet.

I didn’t know how to react to what she had told me, I thought she might be upset, I mean she is talking about the death of her family after all, I was about to reach out, to comfort her in some way when she spoke.

“I’m not even sure how to feel when I know they’re dead, how do you grieve for people who you can’t even remember?” She asked. I had no idea how to respond but at that moment there was a knock at the door and Jonathan entered, not waiting for a response. He inclined his head to the conference room and we followed him down the hall in silence. I looked at Raven out of the corner of my eye but there was no evidence in her expression that our conversation had even taken place.

We entered the conference room and already seated were Alice, Clara, Jenkins and Jake. Alexander was stood at the back of the room, likely wanting to replace evidence that Raven was up to no good. Jonathan introduced the agents that Raven hadn’t met in person by name and with a brief explanation of what they specialised in as Raven and I joined the others at the table. Every agent has an important role in the agency but we try to divide everyone in to teams so we have every skill set necessary when on missions. On this team, Alice is a low level witch but can get us through any electronic code locks, Clara comes from a long line of extremely powerful witches, having spell casters on every team is vital, Jenkins is our computer expert and his twin brother Jake is a safe cracker. The twins are also shape shifters so we also have strength and speed within the team. We would usually have an expert strategist in the mix as well but a few months ago the other agent from this team died in an attack on the agency, on the day we interviewed Raven we were looking for their replacement.

“The reason I called you in here is that I am sending you on a mission, and Adam you will be leading the operation. An ancient super natural artefact has been stolen and I need you to retrieve it. Here are the blue prints, they have high level security and guards at every entry and exit point. As well as CCTV that is monitored 24/7.” Jonathan said as he placed the blue prints on the table. All of us except Alexander analysed them, knowing that as I was going on the mission, he would be staying here at the agency in case there was another attack. “We need as few amount of casualties as possible so not to alert the guards. I need you to get in and get out without being seen by anyone.

“One question Jono.” Jenkins said.

“Yes Jenkins?” Jonathan asked, supressing the need to roll his eyes at the nickname.

“So why is Adam coming with us? It can’t seriously take all six of us to do this mission?” Jenkins asked.

“I know what you mean brother, very strange.” Jake added.

“He thinks you’ll try and kill me out of mistrust if he doesn’t send Adam with us.” Raven said and everyone looked at her. “What? I’m right, am I not?” All eyes turned to Jonathan.

“Fine, that might have had some influence on my decision.” He said.

“Really feeling the trust Jono.” The twins said in unison.

“No offence, but it would take more than the four of them to kill me.” Raven added.

”Big headed much?” Clara interjected.

“Try it.” Raven challenged with a smile on her face.

“So much for not harming our work force.” Alexander said from the back of the room.

“No it’s fine Alex, I can take her.” Clara said, Raven just laughed. Clara was about to add something when Jonathan interrupted.

“Enough, Adam you are going with them whether you all like it or not. Just to make sure everything runs smoothly.” He said with a note of finality in his voice.

“So, what’s the plan of action?” Alice asked, speaking for the first time.

“I say we just go through the front doors.” Jenkins said with a mischievous look in his eyes.

“Are you insane? We want a subtle approach.” Clara asked him disbelievingly.

“You didn’t let him finish dear. We go through the front doors, after hacking their computer system and causing some kind of problem. They ring a technician whose call we intercept. Then one of us goes in, replaces the artefact and then gets the hell out of there.” Jake said.

“Actually brother, I had finished. My plan was to just literally burst through the front doors.” Jenkins said grinning.

“Are you insane?” Jake asked, repeating Clara’s earlier question.

“Only slightly. But brother, it runs in the family.” Jenkins said with a smirk on his face.

“You cheeky git!” Jake mock punched his twin brother on the arm.

“Ok, enough you two. Jake’s plan isn’t that bad, the details just need to be finalised.” Jonathan said.

“But who would we send in? If they are hiding a super natural artefact, they will surely know all of our identities and connections to the agency.” Alice said.

“But they don’t know that Raven works here.” Jonathan said.

“No offence boss man, but everyone knows Raven’s face, if they saw her I’m pretty sure that they would all mega freak out.” Jenkins added.

“But they don’t know all of her faces.” I said catching on to Jonathan’s plan. Jenkins just looked confused.

“How do you think I’ve managed to go undetected all these years?” Raven asked him and gradually used her magic to change her features, confirming what Jonathan and I were only guessing at when we suggested the idea.

“No way! You can change your appearance?” Jenkins asked her and she nodded. “That is so cool! Can you teach me how to do that?” He asked her.

“Jenkins, you are getting off track. Again.” Jonathan said with a sigh.

“Sorry boss.” Jenkins smiled.

“So what disguise are we thinking?” Raven asked.

“A blonde?” Jake suggested and his brother winked at him in agreement.

“Typical men.” Raven joked as she changed her hair from long straight black to wavy blonde locks. And her dark brown eyes to sparkling blue ones. If I hadn’t just seen it happen, I would not guess that she was Raven.

“This explains how we’ve never been able to replace you.” I said and she smiled.

“Jenkins, you hack their system and start creating problems and Jake, you get ready to intercept the call.” Jonathan instructed. “Raven, we will have a camera and an ear piece on you at all times so we know what is happening. Clara, can you get that equipment please?” He asked her and she went to do as she was instructed. “Raven, the antique that you need to retrieve is wooden and is in a star shape with 16 points. It will be in a safe on the same floor as the one with the main computer system. The company whose call we are intercepting are one that they trust and have used often so they may well leave you in the room by yourself. Jenkins will give you a device that will fix the computer problem whilst you look for the antique. We will also be monitoring their CCTV so we can remove any trace of you being there.”

Jenkins was typing away at a computer, already having hacked the necessary system.

“I now give you the gift of a virus.” He said, clearly delighted with himself, he probably beat his personal time or something. “Better call soon otherwise it will infect your entire system.” He spoke to the computer as if the people on the other end could actually hear him. Less than 10 minutes later Jake’s phone rang, and after a few minutes of speaking he hung up the phone and turned to Jonathan.

“Boss, I just intercepted their call, they are expecting us in 40 minutes.” Jake said. Jonathan looked around at everyone.

“Are we all ready?” He asked and we nodded. “Then let’s do this.”