• It always rains in Mercury City. Of the three hundred and sixty five days of the year, three hundred and sixty two are wet. Sure sometimes it's just drizzling or an afternoon sun shower, sometimes it rains in the wee hours of the morning, while on others it buckets down relentlessly – only conveniently stopping the moment you get on the bus after a thirty minute wait.

    It was after midnight when Claine got the distress signal. It was raining particularly hard that night, the thunder and the ripping sound of raindrops made it in places near unintelligible but it was urgent, Claine understood that much.

    The Council had been hovering over their backs for a while now hoping for the group to slip up, just biding its time and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. It took her only ten minutes to gather everyone together and ready the car and supplies. With her bodyguard driving – a huge man by the name of Russell, the four sped down the highway in her sedan. It was an old car, parts of the dashboard were held together with grey electrical tape and it creaked and crackled relentlessly as soon as the car picked up even a little speed, but boy did Claine love it.

    For a few tense minutes, nobody spoke. Claine's bodyguard flicked on the radio and the sweet melody of a love song filled the car dimming the haunting cracks and the pelt of the rain on the windshield.

    "Turn that crap off," a rough voice came from the back seat. It was ignored. The redhead stretched forward between the two front seats, fumbled for the radio controls and turned the music off. The haunting sounds of the car returned. "You still haven't told us exactly what's going down," he said, "where are we going?"

    "Got an emergency signal from Aaron," Claine replied, "Looks like The Council of Magic has hauled him in…"

    "So we're just going to barge in there and bust him out? I've told you how well that place is defended! And what the hell would they want with Aaron?"

    "Relax Miles, if everything works out well get the kid back, and there'll be no fighting," the bodyguard said calmly. "We're meeting them at Leonard Summit. They've offered him back in exchange for something."

    "In exchange for what?" Miles yelled – perhaps a little louder than he intended. "I can't believe we're doing this! They've been after us from the moment we set foot in this town, and now we're walking right into their hand … and for Aaron. He's not worth it Claine. There's a million other boys just like him out there willing to do the same work."

    "And if you're so sure there'll be no fighting, then why do you even need all of us," the fourth member of the group said mellowly, taking a long sigh before continuing, "If there'll be no fighting, couldn't you've gone and picked him up all by yourself?" Tall enough to kiss God's arse and so thin he was almost two dimensional; this was the fourth member of Claine's crew – Baron.

    "That's exactly it," Claine replied, "chances are this won't be an easy exchange, but I'd prefer to know what they want than have to keep on guessing. Who knows, we might get lucky and get him back. But you're right, he is replicable and if worst comes to worst they can keep him." However Aaron had been with the group for almost a year now and perhaps they'd been a little careless around him. Claine didn't even want to think about how much information he'd cough up if given the right incentives, and although she'd never admit it she'd grown quite attached to him. Sure he was just a worker – doing whatever he was told for a dollar under the table, but it was never that simple. There were always the workers who'd show up late, or had to do every single job twice just to get it right. Others would get curious what this work was all about or where the money was coming from and begin to ask too many questions. Aaron was reliable and quiet.

    In less than an hour, the car arrived at the summit. The rainfall had slowed to a slow drizzle. The lights from the entire city could be seen far below like an ocean of stars but the summit itself was solid black.

    The four exited the car, keeping the doors unlocked as they stepped out. In a business such as this you quickly learn the importance of quick getaway. The councillors had not yet arrived. In the few precious minutes they had alone, weaponry was concealed under clothing, and the environment examined. There was only one road to and from the peak. Except for a car park, the only other man made structure was an observatory. It was a small hike away, but sound travelled quickly on nights like this. If the transaction was to go unnoticed, they would have to be quiet.

    A set of headlights announced the councillors' arrival.

    "Claine! How lovely to see you again," a female's thick accented voice called as the car stopped. The sound of a door opening – it was too dark to see who stepped out, but Claine recognised the voice instantly.

    "Giana? What are you doing here?" Claine stood beside Russell. Her body guard held an umbrella sheltering them both.

    "Impatient aren't we?" Two more car doors slammed closed. "But I did not expect you to bring so many friends. If I knew this was going to be a party I would have brought a gift," she continued, her accent dragging out the vowels. She stepped closer to Claine, her heals clacking rhythmically on the asphalt. There was a click, and a bust of light splashed across the councillor's face. She took a long breath through her cigarette, and held it to the side – the orange tip lighting the darkness like a dying sun. "Let's just get down to business shall we?" she finally continued.

    The car park bust into light for a second by a bolt of lightning in the distance quickly followed the rumble of thunder. The rain would return soon. Claine used the one moment of light to determine what they were up against. Other than Gianna, two men remained at the car – sheathed guns hanging from their chest – not even hidden away under their coats. All three of them wore the distinguishable Magic Council uniform, deep blue suit, silver tie and emblem pinned to the pocket. However, Aaron was nowhere to be seen.

    "Where's Aaron?"

    "Here's here. Don't worry; we've taken good care of him."

    "What do you want?"

    "It's quite a simple request really." She stepped closer; the other councillors obediently stayed by the car. "We have received information claiming that one of the younger sons of the Kavul family has taken up residence in Mercury City recently. I'm sure you understand the importance of keeping all track of all the other families. For the safety of the town we want to know which brother has moved to our fair city, and where we can find him."

    To save one of her own, Claine had to betray another family.

    "I understand it must be trying to have another group such as yours in the area, stepping on your turf and such" Gianna continued, "consider this a favour. You'll no longer have to worry about them, and you can have your little friend back. Can we call it a deal?"

    A blinding bolt of lightning struck this one was nearer and lasted much longer. The entire car park was engulfed in the blue light for a fraction of a second, before the roar of thunder hit. It came with a bang, shaking the ground and ending in a long drawn out growl. Then the rain came. Miles and Baron stepped back into the car, it sounded like the two male counsellors did the same. The orange tip of Gianna's cigarette disappeared.

    A small light appeared – this one wasn't like the cigarette. It was whiter, larger and rounder – like the bulb of a lamp. The light spread out, creating a barrier around Gianna. The rain deflected off it as if it were an umbrella. Gianna waved her gloved hand, and her wet suit dried instantly. The light of the spell also made the whole scene easier to see. The car was no longer a patch of darker black, Claine could see the two men sitting in the front seats, but there was still no sign of Aaron.

    The magic… Claine grit her teeth. Using magic like that right in front of her face… it was an insult. Any thought she had of betraying the Kavuls disappeared in an instant. "No," she growled flatly.

    "Claine, surely you can't be serious. It's win win for you. You get your little worker back, and you get another family out of your hair."

    "I would be betraying one of us to the likes of you, and I can't do that" Claine glanced up at Russell for a hint – a nod, a smile – anything to let her know she'd made the right move, but his face remained empty.

    Gianna turned back to her car, and beckoned her men inside. A short stocky one stepped out, cast the same shield spell and went to the boot of the car. Through the roar of the rain, screaming could be heard from the boot. The counsellor pulled a flailing young boy from the boot. Gripping him by his ponytail, he dragged the boy out of the car, and to his feet. Before the boy could make a quick escape, the councillor pulled his gun from its sheath and held it to his back. More obediently now, he went where the councillor told him but even though the rain you could hear him whimper under his breath.

    "Claine?" he snivelled. His face was clear now – bruised and battered. His blond hair was specked with blood and a sleave torn off his jacket.

    Aaron…

    It'd be a pity to see him go.

    "My answer remains the same."

    "That's too bad," Gianna said, looking Aaron up and down. A wry smile spread across her lips.

    "It sure is," the exact same smile spread across his. The moment his hand slid underneath his jacket, Russell leapt into action, pulling Claine aside. Several shots were fired into the darkness.

    Barron was the second to react, flying out of the car, pulling out his gun and firing back. Gianna fled back into the car, screeching tires, and they vanished into the darkness leaving two of their group behind.

    The councillor followed behind on foot, chanting a spell, but one of Barron's bullets struck him in the back. He tripped forwards a couple of paces before collapsing. Aaron backed away, firing wildly. Two or three bullets hit Claine's car. He pulled the trigger one last time. Click. Click, click click. Nothing.

    He staggered backwards and toppled to his knees.

    "Please please," he begged, staring up at his rescuers. "Oh God, it was all an accident, I swear. I'll tell you anything, just don’t…"

    One more shot. Blood sprayed everywhere, and Aaron collapsed face first onto the wet asphalt. Claine sheathed her smoking pistol, and looked up at Russell. He gave a single solemn nod.

    "Humans are so unreliable. I guess we have to find another one."

    The lights at the observatory had all turned on; they had to get out of here.