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Stonehouse’s head popped up out of the sewer exit like a mole emerging from a labyrinth of underground tunnels. The cool evening air felt fresh upon his skin, and the artificial light dripping down from the overhead streetlamps was like illuminating rain. Stonehouse’s shining dark eyes dazzled in the glow as they scanned the horizon looking for his new accomplice. He gracefully jumped out of the sewer, leaving the cold, dark passage behind him, his piercing orbs continually attempting to locate the exact whereabouts of Xylia. Was she still invisible? It certainly looked that way, either that, or she had just been abducted by aliens on a day trip to Harper Rock.

A wry smile crept across Stonehouse’s chiselled face. Not only had Xylia seemingly managed to master the skill of blending into the shadows, but the young woman had become so instantly adept at using the power that she had left her new friend looking like a lost little boy, wandering the streets trying to find his parents.

“It looks like we have a really fast learner on our hands,” muttered Stonehouse under his breath.

A strong hand reached up to the back of his neck as Stonehouse began to scratch his head. His lips curled and his entire face screwed up while he tried to figure out how to find someone who had vanished into thin air. The magical talent of disappearing like a magician in a puff of smoke was great, so long as you were the one performing the trick. Having someone disappear on you was, to say the least, rather frustrating.

“Xylia?” said Stonehouse, trying not to shout too loudly. “Xylia, are you there?”

He continued to survey the scene, calling out like a dog owner whose hound had gone chasing a squirrel in the local park. Next time, he needed to remember to bring a leash, a whistle, and some treats.

Just as the amusement at the irony of the situation was beginning to fade, and mild annoyance was about to take its place, the familiar figure of a slender woman burst into view, as if the bubble of her invisibility had been suddenly pricked by a giant needle. Xylia only stood a few meters away from Stonehouse, gazing at a pair of young lovers making out on a park bench beneath an old tree. Maybe she knew them? Maybe she simply viewed the couple as a source of potential blood to replenish her drained body? She certainly needed a boost of rich, nourishing fluid to help heal her wounds.

Stonehouse was all set to wander across and reacquaint himself with Xylia, and to congratulate her on her new and impressive skill, when several other figures suddenly emerged from the trees ahead. A further shadowy silhouette poked out from behind the corner of a building, followed by yet another from the opposite side of the street. There were five people in total, all converging on Xylia; circling her like vultures in the desert waiting to pick the carcass clean.

Quickly, Stonehouse glanced around, first left then right, ensuring that there were no other unwanted guests sneaking up on him. Other than the lovers on the bench, who seemed far too preoccupied with each other’s lips to be paying attention, the coast seemed clear. It was the five dark figures - almost certainly hunters, here to finish off the job that others had started - against Xylia. It didn’t take a professor in mathematics to realize that the odds were stacked against the young woman, especially with her pre-existing wounds.

Unlike the recent scenario down in the sewer tunnels, there was nowhere to hide now. This fight was going to happen, like it or not. The dilemma facing the normally calculating and calm Stonehouse was whether or not he should steam into the fight. If he remained in the background, he feared that his new colleague could take one hell of a beating, but if he entered the fray he was clearly going to put himself at risk. Was she worth the hassle?

Risk and reward always played a huge part in Stonehouse’s life. In business, the entrepreneur was willing to gambling if the potential rewards were great, but he would never bet on a losing horse; he wouldn’t commit time, effort, and money into a deal that was destined to fail. What kind of deal was this? Was he willing to trade a few potential bullet holes for the woman’s loyalty and friendship, or was the proposition simply too risky?

The most important person in Stonehouse’s life was himself. Self-gratification, personal success, and a place at the top of the leader board were the motivations behind his existence. But that didn’t mean that he was utterly ruthless and devoid of empathy towards other people, far from it. The cunning businessman knew that relating to other people, getting them on your side, and making them feel special were important factors in building a relationship. You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours was a popular phrase for a reason.

Drawing his sword, as using semi-automatic firearms in the streets was undoubtedly a dead certain way to draw attention to oneself, Stonehouse charged towards the gang as they closed in on Xylia. She was going to owe him a huge favour after this intervention.