Sharky had had arrived outside of Sanctuary with the youth in tow. It was a couple of streets away from the casino, and so had only taken them a few minutes at a brisque pace. The boy still wore his soiled clothes; however, hoping to live, he made no complaints.
There was no service today, but the door was kept open to the public throughout the day, so they could come and pray, or more likely visit the Madonnas for their healing services. Such private consultations usually paid a higher rate.
As the two walked through the large wooden doors, they found themselves walking down the nave, their footsteps echoing throughout the large building.
There were two rooms at the back, one smaller and tattier looking to one side, and the other painted a virginal blue with prayer beads on the door. In response to the footsteps, the latter door opened, and Mother Hope stepped out with a smile on her face. She was not alarmed by the look of the man who now approached, as all kinds were treated by the Madonnas, whether criminal or saint.
"Hello," said Mother Hope.
"I'm looking for some kids," said the large man with a fin tattooed on his neck. "Three of them actually."
"Adoption?" asked Mother Hope.
"Do I look like I wanna adopt someone? No, I want the three kids that were involved with the stabbing to come out now. My boss wants a word."
"The stabbing?" said Mother Hope.
"Don't play dumb, I mean the earth user, the healer girl and kid with the spirit weapon. I even brought someone here to identify 'em."
"Mercy…" said Mother Hope, looking back into the room.
A few moments later, the older woman appeared out of the door holding her staff. Instead of stopping there, like the other woman had, she proceeded to walk up to the large man and stand straight in front of him. She looked him up and down as if making a medical examination.
Sharky found the reaction unexpected, not knowing what to say. He had heard the leader of the Madonnas was eccentric, perhaps a little mad even, and those stories had come to his mind in that moment.
"The kids are looked after by our order. You can't simply take them. If your boss wants to speak to them, he should come here himself." Her words sounded final, as if that was her verdict and the matter was closed.
"I'm from the House of Cards," said the man. "In case you didn't know. Normally people do everything they can to stop my boss payin' 'em a visit."
"Do not try to threaten me in the house of God," she replied, her voice calm.
"You don't understand. I'm not asking, I'm—huh…"
At that, the wind was knocked out of him as a staff smashed into his stomach. It was followed up by one to the face, and a swift kick, knocking him to the floor. She had the time and opportunity to follow it up, but instead, she waited for the man to stand up and simply said: "Go. You are not welcome here."
Sharky looked at the youth who had accompanied him. "Come on then."
"No," said Mother Mercy. "The boy stays."
He grunted, gave the woman a scowl, and said quietly: "You'll regret this."
"Never very original, are they?" she said to the boy. "What's your name?"
*
When Sharky had left the building, he had taken out his phone ready to make a call. The walk was only short, but he knew he could waste no time filling Jack in on the details. It was one of the rare times the faction leaders had become involved too. As he brought up the number, he began to wonder if he should head back in and put up more of a fight. His face was sore and not for the first time recently, he'd lost a tooth. He'd not even had time to activate his transformation ability. She's spry for an older woman, he thought. He pressed the call button, but at that moment, a large flame covered fist struck him in the face.