undergrounds | Bloody Barnet

With a Redbright presence coming into Haringey, there was cause to act swiftly and decisively. The werewolves could be of little help now. Their own political upheaval and the coming Blood Moon meant that they couldn't throw their support behind any one faction of witches, not if they wanted the best chance of protection during their vulnerable hours. Who knew if the considerable truce Midnight had enjoyed with them would even hold after this.

Either way, it meant Enfield might soon have Redbright control to two of their borders within the city. That was an uncomfortable place to be. The situation called for drastic measures.

Which was why Abigail Widdowson had decided that the only safe thing to do -- dangerous as it was -- involved spreading their influence. They had to move, and it couldn't be against the werewolves. There were no direct hostilities with them, and she wasn't going to be the one to fire the first shot. However, Redbright had already made their move in taking Barnet. They could be struck back at.

(An open post for the failed Midnight territory claim of Barnet! I will post a few sub threads that can be used either generally or for threads with Abby. Feel free to post your own headers, too!)

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"Abrasax."

This wouldn't be forgiven or forgotten. Abigail gave a token thrash against the vampire's grip, even though she knew it was hopeless.

Another scribble on the notepad. It wasn't a name she had heard before, but it could be investigated. Sylvia regarded Abigail for a moment, then waved a hand. The vampire stepped back, releasing her.

"Thank you," she said. "I'm glad that we could come to an agreement. I meant what I said, Abigail. Our discussion here today will remain confidential."

Above all, their ceasefire had to remain intact. Even if the peace was undoubtedly shaky.

Abigail rubbed one of her shoulders a bit. The urge to flee was... high, but they weren't done. She had to protect her coven. Her Circle. They mattered more than she did. So, she took a deep breath, forced her back straight.

"I want to be able to be sure. It's easy to say -- that no one else will know. But what if they do? What if someone decides to 'take care of' members of Circle Midnight? What assurance do I have that you and the Night Council won't just look away?"

Besides her own threat to retaliating against Daybreak fivefold.

Sylvia gave her a considering look. The girl was persistent. And the question she asked wasn't easy, because it raised two conflicting issues. The first was Sylvia's mission to get rid of dark magic, and therefore Circle Midnight, altogether. If a Midnight witch died, well, perhaps it was for the best. They had taken down more than one dangerous, murderous witch in recent years. And after Circle Midnight's attack on Barnet, why shouldn't she look away if Abigail's witches were threatened? It was no more than they deserved, and less than many of her covens wanted.

But... She was the Mother of Witches. She had a duty to all her children, even the wayward ones. Even Abigail. That was why despite everything, Sylvia had sought a peaceful agreement with Abigail rather than killing her outright. She had allowed Circle Midnight to have their coven in Enfield, against her better judgement, because she could not destroy a fellow witch except as a last resort.

She folded her arms, voice soft. "If someone else targets a Midnight witch, it won't be because of what you've said here today. You have my word on that. Threatening to retaliate even if we had nothing to do with it isn't smart, Abigail. It's reckless and dangerous, and it will only harm you in the long run."

"I want something more tangible than your word." Abigail herself is surprised how boldly it comes out. Perhaps because she can either push further or else retreat entirely. And if she cowers now and lets herself cry? Everything she's fought for will be reduced to ash. "You protect your covens from the vampires and the werewolves and others. I want the same."

There would always be outliers, yes. Dangerous radicals on the fringes. And she doesn't relish the idea of hurting innocent people to repay those actions. But the threat of it is something to bargain with.

"If there is legal protection for us as there is for Daybreak, we will consider attacks made against us -- provided they are not merely swept under the rug but are investigated and prosecuted -- to be unrelated to the truce."

And, therefore, free from any retaliation.

There was leeway, she knew. A good show of investigating. Finding a scapegoat to pin it on. But there would always be a thousand loopholes. At least this might give some show of something to take to her fellow Midnight members. She owed them that much for having betrayed them already.

Sylvia raised her eyebrows. "You're asking for special treatment? After you attacked us?"

The bare-faced cheek of it. It was almost admirable.

Abigail took a deep breath. Her right hand's fingers tapped against her thigh. It was more than she wanted to show, but it was the least she could get away with doing without losing her cool completely. Still, she stood her ground as still as she could.

"You want to know we won't lash out for things you and yours aren't responsible. All I'm asking for is the security to know that someone won't decide to do you a favor and strike against us."

"No, what you're asking for is to be spared the consequences of your own actions." She sighed, leaning back in her chair. "You know, Circle Daybreak has no special legal protection. Nor do any of the boroughs cared for by my school. What we have are alliances, the ability to protect ourselves, and a desire to keep the peace."

Perhaps, she thought, there was a way to turn Abigail's demand in her favour. Rising, Sylvia moved around to approach the girl.

"If you want that protection to be extended to your coven, you'll have to do more than merely refrain from attacking us." She held out her hand, offering a smile. "Become our ally. Help us keep the peace."

What choice did she have? With a vampire who could physically stop her from leaving and a woman who could call down the full force of the Night Council and easily hide her involvement...

"We'll settle on the precise terms in writing." She just needed to get out. Needed to put as much physical distance between her and this building as she could. Needed to sink into her bedroom in Geap Manor, where nothing could hurt her. "But I agree."

She extended her hand to shake Sylvia's, and she could all but feel her skin crawl.

Sylvia's smile widened, and it was a smile of victory. She wasn't a fae, so the promises she made weren't magically binding, but she had the means to ensure that Abigail kept to her agreement.

"Good," she said. "We'll be in touch."

With that, Sylvia stepped back, clasping her hands in front of her, and it was the vampire guard who moved forward to escort Abigail out of the room. Only when she reached a part of the building where sunlight intruded did the vampire retreat.

As for Sylvia, she had a different task ahead of her. Persuading the rest of the Night Council to sign off on this agreement. It would take time; legal documents always did. But she would get it done.

Bloody Barnet

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