Forged from Flame: How to be a Hellbringer

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    "So much for the day off," Kalyn muttered, lengthy red hair in a mess as she reached from the warmth of her comforter for her phone. She could tell without checking that she was being fed information in code, preparing she and her partner both for what was to come. Scrolling through the message, she picked out a time, a place, a target, and a mission type without a hitch. Groaning at the realization that it was the fourth retrieval in two weeks, Kalyn threw a glance at the clock on her phone and groaned once more. There were a grand total of two hours between then and the time they had to be on location.


    Rolling out of her warm, glorious king-size bed, Kalyn threw on the first outfit she could find that didn't smell like she'd already worn it and padded to the kitchen. Without a doubt, it was the only clean room in the entire two-bedroom apartment. She preferred it this way. So long as her kitchen was clean, her life was perfectly in order, surprise missions be damned. She cracked a few eggs into a pan and set them to frying alongside another pan of bacon. Throwing in some of her favorite spices, she reached for the cupful of darts resting by the entrance of the living room with an amused smirk.


    Kalyn and her partner had known they wouldn't be getting the security deposit back for several months, but that didn't stop them from having their fun. Sure, they had a dartboard they could use, but they also had a whole wall covered in mission notes they could have a stab at, too. It was already covered in thumbtack holes anyway, what could a few darts do that they hadn't already done?


    Kalyn snorted as she picked a few random spots for her barrage, hitting each on its mark as the food sizzled behind her. She checked back every now and then to watch how it cooked and chopped a few herbs to sprinkle on top with a lazy smile, content. For a few blissful moments, it was almost like her day off hadn't been swiped out from under her. Not that she could complain, she wouldn't give up her job and all its perks for the world. And, oh, did it have a great many perks.


    Tucking a dart behind her ear as she tossed the rest in the general direction of the counter, Kalyn started down the hallway to the bedroom of the greatest perk of all. Knocking lightly on Skylar's door, she called, "Hope you didn't plan on taking the day off on your day off. We've got a retrieval in two hours and food is done."

    Skylar


    "Ugh," Skylar moaned from her bed. Some divine power had to hate her. She screamed soundlessly into her pillow as she clutched it to her face and writhed across her mattress. Unfortunately, all the fit successfully accomplished was wake her up even further. "Food," she resolved, "I'm only getting up for food."


    Reaching for her head, she winced as tangles of blond latched around her fingers in a vice like grip. Hopping out of bed, she tripped over the mountain of laundry strewn across her floor and slammed her hand, and therefore wrenching her head toward, the wall to catch her fall. Groaning in self-pity, the five foot three blond yanked her hand free and stepped over to her closet.


    It was a true testament to the sheer size of her wardrobe that despite the floor being piled at least half a foot high in all directions with clothing, she still had a number of hangers clotting up her visage. Grabbing the first thing she found, she quickly stripped and leaped for the adjoining bathroom.


    A whirlwind of hair, toothpaste and buttons later, a fully awake, fully enraged, and fully dressed to impress young woman marched out of the bathroom. Catching a glance of herself in the mirror, she adjusted her tank top over her shorts and turned to check her back. Nodding, she swatted a strand of hair out of her face and collected a set of throwing knives by her bedroom door. Despite her limited coverage, all twelve knives vanished into her ensemble.


    "You said food was done?" was the first thing Skylar asked as she left the relative danger zone that was her room to engage the rest of the disaster zone that was their apartment. Nose in the air, she sniffed once, twice, then hummed, "Omelettes and bacon? You know the way into a girl's heart, red."


    There's a thin line 'tween the wild time, and a flat-line, baby tonight

    "Indeed I do," Kalyn grinned, a light in her eyes as she dished out the food, first for her blonde and then for herself. She offered up the plates and grabbed two forks, tossing one at Skylar in hope that she'd miss it but knowing all too well that she wouldn't. Digging in, she added, "I'd say mind the heat, but you're already packing."


    The warning wasn't just intended for the spice Kalyn employed in every meal. She gave her partner a once-over, searching for any sign of her many knives. She didn't find a single one, but that wasn't a surprise. Even so, she knew perfectly well that Skylar had no shortage of them on her person.


    But Kalyn's witty comment didn't only serve a double purpose, it served triple. She smirked through her once-over, her brown eyes catching her partner's brilliant blue. She was unabashedly checking her out. Their casual flirting easily made her day.


    "Lemme grab a brush and then we'll talk business," Kalyn threw over her shoulder as she headed for her mess of a bathroom. Plucking up her hairbrush and two ponytail bands, she made her way back, already yanking it through her tangles. Speaking around the bands between her teeth, she went on, "'S on the corner of Walnut and Everlin. We're after another flashdrive, damn these offline data transfers."


    "Technically all we need is the drive, but I'm really goddamn tired of searching for flash drives," Kalyn added as she started a braid along the left side of her head before pulling it and the rest of her hair into a high ponytail, "Root out where they're coming from and let's deal with it."

    Skylar



    Skylar chuckled, the grin curling about her mouth almost cracking her face in two. There was nothing she liked more than dealing with her handler's nuisances. Though tempted to just swallow her breakfast whole in anticipation, she took the time to chew each bite carefully. She liked her food hot, even if Kalyn's definition of spicy was more accurately described as "Set Fire to Your Soul", and the trickle of pain in her mouth only turned her lips red and set her blood afire.


    The blond dropped her dishes in the sink, the kitchen was indisputably Kalyn's territory, and turned to the wall of holes. She had been a hellbringer for many years, there was no need for her to take note of any of the papers strung up against the wall, but it was a comfort to look at it. Sparkling blue eyes caressed every corner with a patience uncharacteristic of her. If it mattered to mission success, there was nothing that could beat her dedication.


    "Then you have an idea?" she asked, both curious and amused. Getting a new handler, for the umpteenth time, was not something she had been excited about. So what if her handlers had the bad habit of dying? She didn't need one anyway. But, there was something pleasing about her new spitfire of a partner.


    If Kalyn said deal with the source of the problem, then deal with it she would. But she needed more than that. "What'll ya need? I'm not going back in once I'm out." Though, that need not to be said. Crooked smile still illuminating her face, she looked to the vibrant redhead, "You should let me have at your hair, Red. You never do it justice, and you beat it up enough with that dye of yours."


    There's a thin line 'tween the wild time, and a flat-line, baby tonight

    "I guess you could say I've done some poking around," Kalyn said, nonchalantly as she finished off her breakfast and made her way to the living room. Her eyes flitted over the darts she'd thrown earlier, her bright brown dulling slightly at the results of her definitely-illegal methods. She could tell something was off from the start when they were after flash drives and not anything more interesting. The more she looked, the more gaps she found, until she realized she was hacking into her own Organization.


    Someone had written a backdoor into the code, and was using it to exploit sensitive data regarding trade agreements. They were planning on selling the data, but they needed to be secretive about it. They needed a foolproof way to get it from point A to B without it being intercepted and erased digitally. Thus, the flash drives and the people they paid to deliver them.


    Little did they know, Kalyn already had them under watch from the day she'd first noticed something was amiss and they had been able to retrieve every drive since. However, their opponents were getting increasingly difficult to catch, and she and Skylar needed to end the game. Kalyn managed to source the signal back to a single building, but an issue arose when she looked into the location. The company that owned it leased out office spaces to businesses, and there were dozens of possibilities for who was behind it all. Narrowing it down was nearly impossible, they needed answers only someone on the inside could give.


    "The person behind the whole thing is in that big office building across town on Parkway," Kalyn started, slipping the dart from behind her ear and aiming precisely where the building was on a map she pinned to her wall. She let it fly, frowning as it hit just short of where she intended, then went on, "The one with that stupid billboard. 'Need a Space? We got the Place!' Those people. Chances are, our guy dropped a fake name on the landlord and is gonna skip town when he gets his money from wherever he's selling the data."


    "But that's beside the point. What I need, my most talented and terrifying berserker," Kalyn sang, turning gleaming eyes back onto her Princess, "Is for you to get me the flash drive and a hostage. Tell me who's behind this mess, and then do what you need to take them out. We'll have maintenance deal with the rest, because I'm tired, and I really wanted my day off. Just like I'm sure you wanted, too."


    "Afterwards, we'll do something really special to work off your leftover adrenaline," Kalyn said in a way that implied both that she had an extraordinary evening planned and simultaneously that she had no idea what they'd be doing. So long as no questions were asked, proof of either were negligible at best. Handing over her hairbrush, she beamed at her partner and added, "Sound like a plan?"

    Skylar



    "Fancy," Skylar chuckled. She could do all that with her hands tied behind her back and her eyes blindfolded. Though, perhaps being that overconfident would only land her in a pit of hellfire. She took the hairbrush and pulled Kalyn down to stoop in front of her. She undid the braid and tie the redhead had done and set to work brushing it herself.


    Long hair was a waste when it was a roughed up as Kalyn's.


    "Do you even condition this mess?" The blond demanded in outrage, "Your hair feels like fuckin' sandpaper, red. I haven't seen hair in such bad shape since my grandmother's attempts at raising poodles went very south."


    Working the knots out of her hair with a furious vengeance, Skylar managed to give the beaten up locks a certain shine. Starting at the top, she worked a french braid over the top and down the left, eventually wrapping it around a ponytail that she held in place with one of the ties. Nodding, she shoved at Kalyn's shoulders, "Let's move. I have plans for tonight and they, unfortunately, don't include bathing in the blood of my annoyances."


    There's a thin line 'tween the wild time, and a flat-line, baby tonight

    "Your frustrations only fuel my desire for the reddest red on the shelf," Kalyn grinned, forcing herself to keep from flinching at some of the harsher strokes of the brush. She did condition it. Though, she supposed it was probably time to swap out her brand, from all the good it did her. Though, perhaps it was time to choose a less intense shade of red? That, however, was a question for a later date. She had more important things to worry about. "Anyway, you ready to head out? We've got some time to kill but we can keep a lookout on location for a bit, unless you needed something first?"

    Skylar



    Skylar watched her with raised eyebrows, then snorted, "Let me take you to my guy. Zach can get your hair any color you want and still feel like silk." She patted herself down to double check her weapon count and nodded decisively, walking toward the door. "I'm good. I do want to check out the new game releases though. I have something pre-ordered that's been delayed a couple times."


    There's a thin line 'tween the wild time, and a flat-line, baby tonight

    "I'll have to take you up on that sometime," Kalyn chirped back, snatching up her keys and tucking her wallet into the pocket of her hoodie before following the blonde out. She'd be down for a trip to the game store, anything to keep her boredom at bay without setting the place ablaze. With any luck, a new game would lead to them playing against each other, and all the competitive flirting that came with it. A spark in the back of her deep brown eyes, Kalyn mused, "What game?"

    Skylar


    "Hmmm, I forget?" Skylar tossed in reply, her head sloping to the side. She only remembered it was something she really wanted a few months ago. With a shrug of her shoulders, the blond sauntered out of the apartment and down to the parking lot. "Do you want to split up or. . . ?" She glanced at her forever favorite Kawasaki then Kalyn's car, "Walnut and Everlin, ya said?"


    There's a thin line 'tween the wild time, and a flat-line, baby tonight

    "Well, I suppose we'll find out when we get there." Kalyn grinned, twirling her keys around a finger as they made their way to their vehicles. She had a bike, too, but she was more fond of her silver mustang. Something about not going deaf, having her music, and air conditioning had its charms, after all. She watched the way her partner glanced between the bike and car, a mischievous smirk curling along her lip. "Why don't we have a little race?"

    Skylar


    "Works for me," Skylar grinned and plucked her keys from her belt loop, spinning them around her finger. Walking to her most prized possession, a beautiful kawasaki ninja in electric blue, Skylar smiled warmly. She wanted to ask if Kalyn was sure she wouldn't run into someone onsite, but that was implying she was worried.


    Skylar Bloodwauld never worried. Climbing onto her bike, she revved the engine up to a purr and waved at Kalyn as she drifted out of the parking lot.


    There's a thin line 'tween the wild time, and a flat-line, baby tonight

    "Wow, not even giving me a head start because I'm in a car. I see how it is," Kalyn muttered, rolling her eyes as the blonde started off. She popped her keys into the ignition and twisted, revving the engine before heading out seconds in her partner's wake. Sure, Skylar had the advantage of slipping between traffic, but Kalyn had a few tricks up her own sleeve. Her teenage years had been spent out on the streets, learning every in and out the city had to offer. With it, she could confidently say she knew a fair bit about shortcuts. Swerving off the main road and down a hidden alleyway, Kalyn made her way to their location.


    Their target would be passing off the flash drive in a park in the wealthier part of town. If memory served, it was landscaped to the nines with plenty of places to hide, including a hedge maze. Families would be milling around, but it was also a space with its own shady deals. Kalyn knew for reasons she wouldn't admit that their target wouldn't be easy to pick out, even if he was dressed the part. Nothing a quick text couldn't sort out, though.


    Slowing her car to a halt behind a bakery across the street from the park, Kalyn sent out a request for a physical description before popping in her Bluetooth. She grabbed a guitar case from the back seat and slung it over her shoulder as she slid out from her seat and locked the car behind her. Truth be told, she had no idea how to play, but spectators were a lot less suspecious of a guitar case then a gun case, not that anyone was watching. Ascending the fire escape, Kalyn made her way to the roof, keeping low as she slid her baby free and claimed a spot to keep watch. Scrolling through the messages on her phone, she picked up the description she'd wanted and finally dialed up her partner.


    "Hey babygirl, did you make it to work alright? I'm catching a bite right now. By the way, I spent some time browsing new vehicles earlier and I found a classy white SUV, with a dark leather interior and all the latest tech. Keep an eye out for it, would you? There were three more I liked, but I liked this one best." Having a thing for cars effortlessly doubled as a code, and Kalyn grinned as she peered through her scope. She wouldn't be caught dead driving an SUV, and Skylar knew it.


    Are you on location? I'm set on the bakery and I've already messaged back about the target. White guy, leather jacket, pretty muscular, but not out of place in a crowd. He's loaded, so watch yourself. He's got some buddies, too, but he's the one we want.

    Skylar



    Skylar swiped her tongue over a Popsicle she may or may not have stolen from an ice cream truck on her way to location. Terrible habit, yes, but she couldn't help herself. She'd even left a five dollar bill in the tip jar as payment!


    Mentally translating the code into the information she needed, the blond hummed into the phone and casually swept the park for her target. Macho, leather, and loaded. Right, just about every white guy in the place at this time of day.


    Rolling her eyes, she mewled into the phone, "Aaaah, I would have thought you'd want the black sedan. Go classic, babe. I'll take a look, but there ain't nothing but cheap rides floating this place."


    By the black gang runner? I think I got him, but there's too many shady deals going down at once.


    Skylar huffed and wrapped her tongue around her frozen pop, sweeping the park again with luxurious mood eyes. Swapping her phone to her other ear, she leaned back on the bench and lifted her foot to toe the seat under her. "Think you'll test ride before you buy?"


    Want me to take the flash drive first or grab him?


    There's a thin line 'tween the wild time, and a flat-line, baby tonight

    "You know, I have been thinking about that black sudan," Kalyn murmured, eying first their target and then the gang runner through his scope. Her finger hovered over the trigger, even if she'd never had to fire it since their partnership began. She preferred to be ready, for the moment capability turned into cockiness. "Maybe I have my eye on it after all."


    You've got our guy, I'm ready when you are.


    "I want the car's history before I take it for a spin. I know if I drive it, I'll love it, but I don't want the wool pulled over my eyes by a flashy salesman." Kalyn brushed her bangs away with a lazy smirk, eager to see what her blonde had in store. With any luck, she'd get quite a show for allowing that much free reign. Anticipation knotted in her stomach, but her breathing stayed level. "I won't be swindled."


    Make sure he's got the drive, then take your pick. Don't get caught.

    Skylar



    "Now, see? That's more your style, sweet love." Skylar purred softly, sucking the last of her Popsicle off its stick. Grinning devilishly, she tossed the stick in the air and watched it rotate as it fell. She flicked it on one particular rotation and it soared into the trashcan a few steps away.


    Affirmative. I don't get caught.


    Ending the call with a hum, Skylar stood to tuck her phone into the back pocket of her shorts. She turned to look at their target and blushed as their eyes met, raising a finger to curl in a lock of her hair. She stumbled on air and walked towards him with a beguiling smile on her face, crooking her fingers in a little wave.


    "Hi," she said while leaning over the bench across from where he was sitting and his buddies conspicuously trying to ignore. "You caught me looking?"


    There's a thin line 'tween the wild time, and a flat-line, baby tonight

    "Apparently I did," Kev said, arching an eyebrow at the blonde before him. He'd built a bit of a name for himself in his crowd, no one usually approached him when he was out on business, least of all some hot chick. He arched an eyebrow, but decided she looked harmless enough. It wasn't like he had anything better to do until the trade off, anyway. Maybe he could get lucky, since she seemed so interested. Turning away from his bored cronies, he shrugged an arm to offer the empty seat beside him. "Don't think I've seen a girl as cute as you around before. You gotta name, sweet stuff, or are you gonna make me guess?"

    Skylar



    Skylar chuckled and slunk around the bench to walk over to him. She brushed against his thigh as she took the seat next to him, sliding right into the gap under his arm at his side. "You can call me Val," she said, mentally asking her sister for forgiveness. "Aren't you hot in all that leather?"


    It was easy to fake the sultry ton and the becoming look on her face. But, it was not easy forcing herself to be this close to him. Eek, she had to turn the disgust into lust. She wondered how her partner was fairing.


    There's a thin line 'tween the wild time, and a flat-line, baby tonight

    "Only half as hot as you are, babygirl," Kev snorted, the frowned at how she turned away from him. Either she was interested, or she wasn't. He wasn't a man for playing games, and for a brief moment, he wondered if it were an act. Ah, but a girl like her, all innocent and sweet, he doubted she was anything but upfront. She was a little shy bird, was all. Maybe she just needed some convincing?


    "Gotta keep up the reputation," Kev hummed, pressing a finger under her chin and turning her head back to face him. Sure, he looked gruff, with his scar and unshaven face, but clearly she had a thing for it. He could show her a real man, because clearly all she'd had were scrawny boys. Flashing her the knife he kept in the pocket inside the zipper, he added, "Can't let anyone think they've got a pair when they don't."


    ~


    Across the street, Kalyn's eyebrow arched at her partner's method. She trusted her enough to let her handle it how she saw fit, but seeing Skylar take a seat under his arm set her on-edge, anyway. Her trust for the creep was minimal at best, and she was more than thankful she was watching it unfold from behind a scope.


    Then he put his hands on her, turning Skylar to face him when she looked away. Admittedly, Kalyn had a difficult time defining exactly what their relationship was, but her blood boiled all the same. It was all she could do to keep from pressing down on the trigger. Their mission wasn't over yet, though. Skylar still had work to do, and playing coy as she so obviously was, meant she was scheming under the mask. Kalyn couldn't blow her cover yet.


    All she could do was watch.


    "Fuck this creep, I hope you cut him down to size. He could stand to lose the two inches he has."

    Skylar


    Skylar flushed with embarrassment. For him, not herself, but it was rather fetching anyway, so she didn't try to suppress it. She curled her finger around the edge of his jacket and pressed her ear against his chest. "Mou, really?" Her tongue wet her lips, catching the last hint of sugar from her freezer pop, and she allowed her ears to heat up. "Well, I like it." The jacket, just the jacket. She wanted one.


    She smiled.


    There's a thin line 'tween the wild time, and a flat-line, baby tonight