Indeed, there were shapes on the walls. After a few moments, it was obvious what they were, as well. Marked in a faded black material that could have been ink or something else entirely was multiple sets of intricate sigils. They covered the walls, lining every surface. But without any magical interference, it would have been incredibly difficult to see them at all. What was immediately notable was the simple fact that manually drawing these sigils onto the walls of the alley would have been impossible. Not simply due to the fact that anyone doing such a thing would have to have been spotted at some point, but also because of the height of the walls and how far up they were. There was no way anyone could have painted them that high without equipment.

But, if the killer was skilled with displacement sorcery...

Suddenly, a faint glow travelled across the symbols. Immediately the alleyway seemed to stretch rapidly in both directions, flooding with darkness. Of course, any proper mage could discern just what had occurred. This was unquestionably a closed space, and the sigils were powering it. 

How it had been activated and why would have to wait, for out of the shadows their leaped a set of five attackers. They were strange automatons, white and gold with a vaguely female shape. They attempted to encircle the group, spinning their razor-coated arms, their blank, feminine faces showing not the slightest hint of life.

[@Anza][@Bartimaeus][@KoL]