[img]http://i.imgur.com/UlzA0f1.png[/img]

Atticus sat up, trying to blink away the stars that swam before his eyes. He couldn’t tell what he had landed against, but it must have been a structure of the sturdiest construction, for the hardy demon felt like he had been bludgeoned with Mjölnir itself. His gaze drifted above him, and Atticus found himself gazing into the carved stone maw of a dragon. Puzzled by this, he squinted until the whole of the ornate granite hearth that he rested against came into view. He recognized the fireplace, just as Siya spoke, confirming that they had indeed arrived at Bain and Hoyle’s personal estate, and the headquarters of the entire company. 

He looked over to the petite vampire who lay not far away. She seemed to glow with a dark energy, a kind of ethereal coloring that reminded Atticus of the last veins of twilight as the sun set. He wondered idly if that glow was the remnants of her recent and harrowing past with the Pieces of 8. Siya had borne the brunt of much during that time that led to Decima’s final destruction. Perhaps the vestiges of her bloodline were not as thin or diluted as Bain and Hoyle had led him to believe. It was evident she had questions of her own, her statement to Hoyle before their departure spoke to as much, and Atticus vowed to himself that he would help her find those answers. She certainly deserved that much.

Atticus shifted over to his hands and knees, and crawled over to where Siya lay. As he did he noticed Henry, as vibrant and handsome as ever, seemingly no worse the wear from the journey between. Atticus gave him a friendly scowl.

“You damn Sirens. You could be sent through the fucking Sun and come out the other side ready to shake the pants off some unsuspecting lass.”

He reached Siya, and plopped down beside her, his head resting against one of her tiny shoulders. Through eyes half-lidded with some unexplained exhaustion, he smiled to her.

“Thanks for the lift,” he said. “I may need some of that blood back though, I’m feeling a little vampiric jet lag.” 

Atticus lifted his head slightly towards her. “Is my beard ok?”

He dropped his head once more to her shoulder, just as another voice called out. It was a voice rich with London gentrification, and a noise that brought another tired smile to Atticus’ face.

“Master Atticus? Miss Siya? Mr. Henry and more? My goodness, what a surprise, I was not expecting to receive any guests, especially not Sir Hoyle and his poor sister. Is everyone alright?”

Atticus didn’t move from his spot, though he lifted a brow towards the rubber-ducky man servant known as Cornelius. 

“I think we’re all generally fine, Cornelius. What of Hoyle and his sister?”

Cornelius floated his rubber duck body over so he could see Atticus clearly. “They are in with Sir Bain in his private quarters as we speak. I believe they are discussing a matter of some urgency, as well as tending to Sir Hoyle’s sister.”

Atticus nodded slightly, still too content to get up. “Cornelius, I need you to do me a favor. It’s most important. Get on the Caduceus Phone, and call Veti. Tell her to meet us as soon as possible here. Tell her the shit is hitting the proverbial fan.”

Cornelius blinked his solid black eyes in bemusement, but he did not question Atticus. 

“I shall do so at once.”

With that, Cornelius turned in midair before floating away. His destination was located in study on the other side of the great room, where the Caduceus Phone was located. The phone itself appeared to be nothing more than an old rotary phone. In truth however, it was a device fused with the power granted from the god Mercury’s fabled staff. It allowed the user to ‘call’ anyone almost anywhere, regardless of what world or dimension they just happened to be residing in at the time. It was a most useful device, and the only one of its kind. Naturally, it was owned by Archibald Bain. 

As Cornelius floated away to complete his mission, Atticus once more looked at Siya. He smiled again, this time however pointing to his jaw. 

“Seriously, the beard? Did it survive?”

---

The headquarters of the Bain & Hoyle Company is actually a large castle, located on a hidden island just inland where the Thames River meets the English Channel. It is connected to the mainland via a long stone causeway that is similarly magically disguised. 

The interior is modernly outfitted for the daily operations of the company, and it holds the largest number of employees of any of the company’s many branches. In the tower of the main keep is the personal residence of Archibald Bain and Reginald Hoyle. It is a lavish and ornate space in the style of the Old World, outfitted with large guest rooms, an expansive kitchen, enough books to get a polite nod from the Library of Alexandria, and a massive half-circle window that offers a magnificent view of London beyond. 

Each guest room contains magical wardrobes that offer any kind of clothing or garment imaginable, and the kitchen and bar are similarly magically stocked, allowing a boundless choice of food and drink. Bain and Hoyle’s rooms are located in a separate wing from the guest rooms.