Clearly, no one wanted to pay attention to William's incessant chatter. The only answer he received was the ringing of a blade being drawn. Its edge swept through the snowy night, reflecting a white gleam as it carved an arc into the room. For an instant, it was like brilliant thunder, dispelling the darkness throughout the room.
William raised his Hidden Blade to block. The seemingly unstoppable weapon that had pried open the Batmobile's hood actually had a triangular notch cleaved into it.
But at least it had stopped the blow.
William thrust his Hidden Blade at the indistinct figure in the darkness, but his opponent was in no hurry to press the attack. As he withdrew his sword, he vanished without a sound, like a drop of ink dissolving into the night.
The Talon's counterattack struck empty air, but that was not the deadliest part. There was still a Jason behind him, watching for his chance.
Seeing William actually dare to turn the back of his head toward him, Jason raised his baton without hesitation and brought it down hard.
If his pistol had not been knocked away, he could have blown the man's head apart with that attack.
Even so, William suffered badly. Half his skull shattered under the baton, his head caving in like an egg with its shell crushed. Blood streamed from the opening like egg white.
For the first time since the great battle between the Owls and the League of Assassins twenty years ago, William Cobb suffered at the hands of fellow professionals again.
Knowing full well he could not remain in this house, he drove Jason back with a thrust. He did not dare head toward the hall, instead covering the back of his head, which was leaking cerebrospinal fluid, and running upstairs.