As it turned out, the identity of the three new arrivals became clear when they got a bit nearer and Prue asked Buster worriedly �Where�s Rylan? Did everything go to plan?�
Buster gave a great rumbling laugh and pointed to where I was hiding.� By this time, I�d slid my dagger surreptitiously back into my belt.� I stepped out of concealment.
Effren commented dryly �Skulking again.� Why am I not surprised?�
�You would have been surprised,� I shot back �If you�d been a bad guy.�� I paused, mock considering �Well, you�re no angel, but you know what I mean.�
�Alright, boys� Prue cut in �Time�s a wasting.� Weapons in the cart and let�s go.� She fixed me with a direct stare �All weapons, Rylan.�
We dropped our weapons into the cart.� I seriously considered keeping a boot knife, just in case, but I figured that if it came to a brawl then the job was already a bust.
Prue watched me intently as I produced a variety of hidden weaponry and deposited them in the cart.� �All done.�� I spread my arms �Want to check?�� She didn�t, she currently had other concerns.
Buster didn�t wear armour � he was tough enough anyway.� My leather would pass for normal wear, particularly in DownTown.� Nana and Effren claimed that armour got in the way, so it was only Prue that needed to hide her chainmail.
I had never had any romantic interest in Prue, or indeed any of the team, figuring that sort of thing would interfere with a functional and very lucrative dynamic.� Still, there was something very alluring about Prue wriggling out of her armour.� The way the rain made her undershift cling to her � I gave myself a mental kick.� That sort of distraction would get me killed.� None of the others would think of the possible dangers, so it was down to me to keep us safe.
As best I could, given the rain, I scanned our surroundings, including the rooftops, carefully keeping my gaze away from Prue.� She deserved a little privacy after all.
Satisfied that there we were in no immediate danger, I brought my attention back to the group.� Effren was gawping at Prue, looking as though he�d been hit by one of his own stunning spells.� The fool might as well have had his tongue hanging out.
I gave him a thump on his arm, perhaps a little harder than was strictly necessary and he jumped as his focus returned to his surroundings.� At least he looked embarrassed.� I was tempted to make a comment, but I didn�t want to make things uncomfortable for Prue.� Either she hadn�t noticed or she wasn�t bothered so there was no point in making anything further of it.
I contented myself with raising an eyebrow and, for once, Effren had no response.