Chapter 45

We were preparing to leave the city. After days of not hearing anything from Denis, we assumed he had no intentions of aiding us. Diana had been a mess ever since she had found out her brother was still alive and had not answered her note.

“Do you think he read the message you gave him?” She asked me for what seemed like the hundredth time.

We had had this discussion on more than one occasion, and I answered each time in the same manner.

“I don’t know. I only know he took it and placed it in his front pocket. Will you tell me what was on that piece of paper I gave him?”

Diana bit her lip while she continued folding down some of our clothes. She had kept the message secret, not wanting us to know what she had written on it. It had caused quite a commotion with Xander, who was afraid that Diana would betray us and sell us out to her brother. I understood his annoyance, but I also understood the secretiveness Diana was keeping. The Chickadees had knowledge that no one else possessed concerning the contents in the Arcane Library, and they must have been bound to keep it a secret no matter what. I didn’t know if what she wrote was regarding information found in the library, but as the time passed, I too had wondered what Diana’s motives were.

“If I tell you, will you promise not to be angry?” She asked as she sat down on the bed.

I furrowed my brows as I made eye contact with her. Now, this peeked my intrigue and frightened me at the same time.

“I promise I will be sensible and try to understand your point of view.” I simply replied. I couldn’t promise I wouldn’t be angry, but before I could have any emotion, I would need to know what she wrote on that piece of folded paper.

Diana huffed and slouched her back, making her smaller as she squirmed on the bed.

“I told him who you were and why we came here.” She said as she shut her eyes, waiting for my wrath to come.

It was dangerous what she did, and I was mad about it. I was as good as dead if this information went in the wrong ears. She must have had good reasons to place this kind of trust in her sibling.

“Do you think he will tell on us?”

Diana was cautious in her reply, weighing her words before saying them.

“I have no idea.” She exhaled. “Denis was always in admiration with King Cardinal. His rule had been the most peaceful we had had in a long time. All the Cardinals that had ascended the throne made the country prosper, but it was not without quarrel. Your father could do it with no disputes or animosity from the neighbouring countries. He was very talented and fair. When I wrote him that letter, I hoped his beliefs were still those that he had ten years ago.”

Well, it had been days, and we were still here, in Xander’s house, which had to mean something. If Denis were to tattle on us, he would have done it by now. There was no point in delaying it. He would probably even get a ransom or something for delivering the long-lost Cardinal descendant and three shifters. I shook my head. No, if he were set in letting the king know of our whereabouts, he would have done it, and we would not be here questioning his intentions.

“Well, I don’t think he plans on saying anything, or else we would be locked in cages or dead. He must not want to take part in anything for fear of getting caught. I mean, who could blame him? He’s working for the most dangerous man in all the kingdom. I would probably pretend our encounter had never happened if I were in his shoes.” I tried to say in a lighter voice.

I meant to say it soothingly, but it came out wrong, and Diana flinched at my words.

“You think he will keep saying that his only sister is dead?” She sounded wounded.

“That’s not what I mean. Think about it for a minute. What would you do if the roles were reversed? We don't know what he has been through in the last years. I wouldn’t criticize him if he tried to save his skin. We both know firsthand what happens to traitors.”

We sat in silence. The day turned into night, and the room had grown darker by the minute. Soon, the oil lamps would be lit, and the fires in each fireplace would blaze brightly, recolouring the walls in a warm orange tone.

“Come on, let’s finish packing this in the morning. We’re almost done. We should go downstairs and enjoy our last night indoors. Who knows when the next night we will sleep in a bed will be?”

I offered her my hand, and she took it gratefully. It pained me to see her so vulnerable. Diana had always been the voice of reason between the two of us. She was constantly sure of herself. Seeing her so confused made me bite my nails. I hoped that making dinner and maybe having a glass of wine would help calm her nerves, as well as mine.

“I should look for something stronger,” I said to myself as we made our way downstairs and to the kitchen. Any courage in a bottle would do at this point.

We entered the kitchen and set on making a food plate that we nibbled away slowly, and Diana found a half-filled bottle of whiskey that we poured into small glasses. We sipped on it and cradled it against our chest, enjoying the slight burn it did when it slid down our throat. This was something that we both had needed—a distraction.

Once we had had our fill, Diana returned to her room, and I left, searching for Xander. He was sitting in the main parlour with the day’s paper in hand when I found him. No doubts he was looking for a sign from Denis in there. Most of the time, the rebels would use the city’s newspapers to pass along information. He must have thought that the curator would try to contact us through it. But it did not amount to anything; there were no secret words or signs, just plain news.

I joined him and sat on the seat, pressing my body close to his. He stiffened and smelled the surrounding air, then peered down and sniffed my skin some more.
“Stop it. If you keep doing that, I’ll start to think I need a bath!” I said as I tried to push him off me.

“Are you feeling alright? You smell… different.”

“I’ve had a drink with Diana, but other than that, I’m fine! Not sick.”

“It’s not the drink. You’ve smelled funny for weeks now, but it had always been light. I thought it was your soap, but today, the smell is more accentuated.”

“Well, I don’t know what to say to that.” I felt in great shape, stressed, but overall, good. “I’m in perfect health.” I smiled at him.

“I’ll still ask Diana to have a look at you. I don’t want you coming down with something.” He frowned and placed the paper on the table.

“I–” I cut the words when I felt a vibration pass through me. I shot straight up and half-ran through the kitchen near the back door. Ever since our encounter with Denis, I had practiced my barrier spells and had placed a protective shield around the house that would inform us if someone were to sneak upon us. The barrier was almost imperceptible. Diana and I had worked hard to ensure it was so if Osprey had other hunters roaming the city searching for magic wielders. Diana had confirmed that she could not detect the sound or feel of my magic. But now, someone had just passed through the barrier and was standing outside in the backyard.

Xander followed me curiously and stayed silent, watching me.

“Someone’s out there.” I pointed at the back door. “I felt them walk over my barrier.”

I heard someone’s feet shuffle against the dirt road in the back, and I noticed something flat being stuffed under the door. Xander’s ears perked up, and he listened intently, strolling in front of me in case the person tried to break in. I felt the vibration again, letting me know that whoever came had passed over the barrier once more to leave.

“They left.” I sighed in relief.

Xander walked over to the door and opened it, peering outside in the darkness. The person who came was now long gone. I moved toward Xander and picked up the envelope that had been left on the ground.

“I smell nothing,” Xander said in surprise. “Whoever it was, knew how to mask their scent from shifters.” I could feel him worrying through our bond and reassuringly placed a hand on his shoulder.

I looked at the manila envelope in my hand and tore the top with my finger. It was a thick paper that many wealthy families had at hand. It wasn’t brittle or thin, and as I opened the letter and looked at the ink, it was blotchy, like someone had written it in a hurry and didn’t give it the proper time to dry.

I called Diana down and showed her what we had received. Her expression perked up, but I could see some uneasiness as well. I read the letter out loud for all to hear.

“I have acquired what you have asked. I will send someone to meet with you where we have spent most of our childhood playing. Come alone at noon and bring the Princess with you. She needs to see this as well.”

AUTHOR'S NOTE: There are only a few chapters left to this story. I hope you are enjoying it so far!