Chapter 33 - Orders

"Are you certain you want to carry her sir? There are porters who-"

"It's fine, I've got her."

"We have cells in the basement if you'd rather keep her there for the night."

"No, thank you, my room will be fine."

"Of course sir, but the cleaning staff-"

"Can do their bloody jobs if need be."

With a soft moan, Azee opened her eyes. It was hazy, but she was fairly certain she recognized where she was, the hallway of the Grand Burleigh Hotel. She was moving but didn't seem to be walking on her own, which seemed a little strange. She tried to move her legs, but her limbs didn't seem to want to do what she told them. There also seemed to be a foul taste in her mouth that she couldn't quite identify.

As she looked around, her vision swimming before her eyes, Azee saw Luke's face above her. It was then that she realised she was being carried.

"W'as happenin?"

"Just relax," Luke replied, sweat beading on his brow. "You're hard enough to carry... without you squirming about."

Luke turned as the porter hurriedly opened the door to the suite and allowed them inside.

"Is there anything else I can do for you this evening sir?"

"Just leave, thank you."

As the porter bowed and retreated from the room, Luke carried Azee into the master bedroom and set her on the bed.

"Okay, just lie still for a moment."

Azee sighed, spreading her arms and legs out and stretching as she marvelled at just how soft the bed was. Luke returned a few moments later with a towel and set about wiping the sides of her mouth.

"I swear, it's a miracle the driver didn't challenge me to a duel when he saw the state you left his carriage in..."

"C-carriage? What carriage?"

"The one we rode-" Luke paused and shook his head. "I can't believe you... I told you to stay out of the way, not get yourself too drunk to stand!"

Azee tried to sit up, glaring at Luke. "H-hey, you dun not given me orders. I give you orders now. That's... that's what Loise said."

"Yes, I'm sure she did..."

"I could tell you anything."

"Uh huh."

"Aaaanything."

Luke felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up at Azee's tone. "Azee... just relax, okay. You need to sleep."

"I don't wanna sleep, I... I wanna nother drink..."

"I don't think that's a good-"

"Get me a drink."

Luke stiffened as he felt the pull in his mind. He tried to resist, but with each moment it felt more and more like someone was reaching into his chest and squeezing his heart. Unable to take the pain, Luke got to his feet and made his way to the bar in the main room.

Thinking fast, Luke grabbed a bottle of sasparilla instead of alcohol and poured a little of it into a glass.

"Here," he said, returning to Azee and handing her the glass.

"Dun want it anymore... you drink it."

"Oh for..." Luke sighed and drank the sasparilla, shuddering at the sickly sweet taste.

Azee giggled a little as she sat up. "I can tell you to do anything, an' you have to do it."

"Azee-"

"I could tell you to jump out the window."

Real fear gripped Luke as he stared at Azee, the glint in her eyes sending shivers up his spine.

"Y-yes... yes you could."

"Or take off all your clothes and dance in the lobby."

"Mhmm..."

Azee paused for a moment, swaying back and forth slightly, considering her options.

"I dunno..."

"You want some coffee?"

Azee blinked, still swaying. "Coffee? I thought... I thought you din' wan' me having coffee ever."

Luke sighed heavily. "True, but it should help you feel better. At least it always does me."

A janky grin crossed Azee's face. "Yeah... coffee sounds good. Get me coffee!"

"As you command," Luke grumbled as he got to his feet, hoping desperately that he hadn't just made another terrible error.

***

As he walked amongst the chaos of the cavern, Colmstock managed to maintain, at least outwardly, an air of calm. He strode around the base of the central machine, surveying the damage, his hands clasped behind his back, an unreadable expression on his face. When an agent would approach him to deliver some report or another, he would simply nod and continue walking. To most outside observers, his calm would have been notable, perhaps even impressive.

Of course, Colmstock was a showman, an actor. Though he betrayed no overt signs of rage, anyone watching close enough would note the occasional twitch of his eyes and fingers.

As he strode past the small group of shivering and weeping engineers, and the Order Agents attempting to calm them, another agent approached him.

"Sir, we have a final tally of the losses."

"Of course. Proceed."

"Seven order agents killed, with two more missing, assumed dead. We also lost four redsmiths, including the supervisor from Runeworks, Miss June."

Colmstock's teeth ground as his gaze turned to a collection of tarps lying on the cave floor. Beneath them lay the bodies of those lost during the attack.

"Is there any information yet about who might have launched this attack?" Colmstock asked as he approached one of the tarp-covered bodies.

"It would appear that Miss June was aware of who the attacker was and called her by name."

"What was the name?"

"Eloise. According to the remaining redsmiths, it sounded as if the two had an... extensive history with one another."

"And the crystals found near the transmission rune?"

The Agent nodded. "They were, as you suspected sir, blood runes. However, they are a very different type than the ones created by Project Harrow."

"And the rune that was stolen?"

"The redsmiths report that it was nearly forty percent charged."

"What an utter disaster..." Colmstock's hands clenched and unclenched as he glared down at the body laying before him. "A complete farce."

"A farce would suggest some humour, Mr. Colmstock. I can assure you, our employer will not see any humour in this situation."

Colmstock swung around as five men approached, flanked on both sides by Order Agents. All five wore high-class ivory suits, their faces mostly hidden by wide-brimmed hats of the same colour. Colmstock noted that they carried strange weapons, like rifles but shorter, with large circular drums attached to the butts.

"And just who in damnation are you?" Colmstock demanded.

The leader of the group made a quick hand gesture to one of his companions, before replying. "We were sent to serve as Lady June's escort."

"It's confirmed sir." one of the escorting order agents spoke up as Colmstock glanced at him. "They are with Legacy Runeworks."

"Well..." Colmstock glanced around at the scene. "You are a little late."

"It would seem so. What information do you have?"

"A single attacker, cut through the defenders like a scythe, damaged the engine, then used the emergency transmission rune and vanished." Colmsotck's face turned beet red with a combination of anger and embarrassment. "Oh, but not before taking both the crystal, and one of the redsmiths."

"'Took' one of the redsmiths?"

"Yes, the odd one, Wulfe."

"Troubling."

Two of the newcomers pulled the tarp away, revealing June's body. Her head sat nearby, an arm's length away from her neck. Without a moment's pause, one of the men picked up her head and placed it against her neck.

"What in the Lord's name are you-" Colmstock began, before a loud hiss rang out and bolts of red energy began crawling across June's skin. Within moments, the flesh had knit itself back together, all traces of damage evaporating like water upon a hot skillet.

No sooner had her wound healed, June's eyes flew open, the paleness of death evaporating as she let out a savage cry, trying to lunge to her feet.

"Where the fuck is Eloise?!" June howled, wildly scanning the cavern as many of the Order Agents and redsmiths looked on in horror at her resurrection.

"Calm, Lady June." The lead man said, glancing down at her. "The battle is over I am afraid."

June stared up at the man. "Sloan? Why are you here? Where is she?!"

"Gone," Sloan replied simply. "She used the transmission rune and vanished."

"Vanished?"

"Yes ma'am. She must have modified the rune somehow, she did not appear at the designated point."

"And you have no idea where she went?"

"I am afraid not."

June curled her hand into a fist and slammed it into the ground. "Dammit... Oliver is going to eat me alive for this..."

Colmstock stared in shock at June as she climbed to her feet. "W-wha-what in damnation... H-how?!"

Sloan bowed his head to Colmstock. "All will be explained, sir. For now, we need to ensure that Miss June is otherwise uninjured."

"I'm fine," June snarled. "Just let me-" She paused as she noted a subtle fluttering of Sloan's hand. Her face flushed for a moment before, with a soft growl, June crossed her arms. "Fine."

"Right behind you ma'am." Sloan bowed to Colmstock. "Please, excuse us."

"Stay here and see to the cleanup," June ordered as she strode towards the scaffolding. "I want this whole mess cleaned up quickly."

"My associates will stay here to assist you," Sloan added, bowing his head before following behind June.

Colmstock could do nothing but stand and stare as June and the ivory-suited man made their way toward the exit.

***

"I can't believe I missed my chance to get my hands on her," June cursed as she climbed the stairs leading up from the cavern. "Oliver is going to lose his mind over this."

"Perhaps. However, at least we have confirmed that she is, indeed, in Halcyon." Sloan replied, following close behind.

"She was right there... I was so close."

"I am led to believe she is rather fearsome."

"Fearsome? She was, and is, a bloody monster." June's teeth ground. "Eloise... the 'Darker than Black', I can't believe she's still alive."

"All the more reason to make certain this incident is contained." As he spoke, Sloan raised his wrist and activated a rune embedded on a leather cuff. "We can use the Order to try and run her down."

"I know Eloise, she won't try and run." June's eyes narrowed, "She'll try and attack."

"You think so?"

"I know so." June paused for a moment and looked over her shoulder. "Mark my words, Sloan, she will attack. And it won't just be me she goes after, it'll be all of Project Harrow."

Sloan's cheek twitched a little. "Then she must be found and destroyed."

"You think?"

From the direction of the cavern, the sounds of rapid gunfire rang out, followed by shouting and cries for help. Those cries were swiftly cut off, leaving only a heavy silence.

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June looked back at Sloan, raising an eyebrow. "Was that really necessary?"

"There were too many people there without clearance, and even the Order can leak. Not to mention the fact that they witnessed your regeneration. It was necessary."

"And you don't think the Order will object?"

"They might, but Project Harrow is far too valuable for them to stop over the purging of a few dozen agents."

"I suppose if they didn't stop after Lausetta, then they aren't going to stop over this." June groaned and pinched her nose. "Grah... But now we're going to have to find a whole new staff for this place, and it means training more redsmiths. And say what you will about him, but the Colmstock cretin knew how to put on a show."

"This site is compromised and is no longer necessary. The sanguine engine will be disassembled and destroyed, and all traces of this place eradicated."

June paused. "That seems a little extreme, don't you think?"

"Our employer doesn't think so."

"So Oliver already knows about all this... wonderful..."

"I'm afraid it's worse than you know." Sloan cleared his throat. "Eloise, she has one of the redsmiths."

The colour swiftly drained from June's face. "Which one?"

"Wulfe."

June stood stock still for a few moments, her mind racing.

"You're certain?"

"It was confirmed. Eloise used the transmission rune and took Wulfe with her."

"Well then... we have a serious problem."

***

Luke sighed to himself as Azee sipped at her second cup of strong coffee.

"Feeling a little better?" he asked, taking the cup as she finished.

Azee nodded slowly, her movements still uncoordinated, but slower and more deliberate than they had been before. "I think so..."

"Well that's good at least." Luke set the cup aside and glanced back at Azee. "Can't believe I'm giving you coffee after the last time."

Azee giggled a little at the memory.

"Are you still feeling sick?"

"No, just a little wobbly. Head is a little... spinny." She giggled again to herself. "It feels kinda nice."

"For now at least... can't imagine how you are going to feel in the morning."

Azee tilted her head. "Huh?"

"Nothing, don't worry about it." Luke sighed to himself. "Now, I really think we should both get some sleep."

As Luke turned out the light and started to leave, Azee spoke up again.

"You hate me, don't you?"

Luke blinked in surprise and spun around to see the smile on Azee's face replaced by trembling lips and tears in her eyes. She sniffed, looking down at her hands. "You hate me because of all this..."

Luke quickly stepped back over to the bed, leaned forward, and gripped Azee's shoulders. "I don't hate you. I'm... angry, but I don't hate you."

"You sold Chara... you knew... you knew I'd hate that... why did you do it?"

Again, Luke felt the pull on his chest. He gritted his teeth, forcing his way through the pain. "I did it... because I had to."

"No... you hate me." Azee shook her head, her voice breaking a little. "Why do you hate me?"

"I... I don't..." With a shuddering breath, Luke sat down on the bed and wrapped his arms around Azee, holding her close. "I don't hate you, I could never, ever hate you Azee."

"Why?"

"Azee, please don't..."

"Tell me why!"

"Why what?!"

"Why don't you hate me!"

'No... not like this!' Luke snarled to himself, fighting against the rune, even as it felt like his heart was being pulled from his chest with a pair of hot tongs.

"Please..." Azee whimpered, clutching Luke tight. "Please tell me..."

"Because..." Realising he had no choice, Luke relented. "I could never hate you, because I'm in love with you."

Azee paused, her ears pricking up. She pulled back, staring up at Luke. "W-what?"

Luke sighed heavily and put a hand on her cheek, wiping away a tear with his thumb. "I'm in love with you Azee, I have been for a long time. Since we were kids."

The words made Azee's head spin. She'd always suspected, and for a long time she'd hoped, but to hear him say it, out loud and without any trace of a lie... "B-but you never... you never said..."

"I know. I didn't want to say it because... Because it would be dangerous, for both of us. If anyone heard me say something like that... it could get us both killed."

Through the link, Azee could sense the lie.

"There's more than that. Y-you're lying to me."

"No, Azee, I'm just-"

"Tell me the truth!"

Luke gritted his teeth, one more fighting hard against the rune in his chest. "Please... Azee, no-"

"Tell me."

"Because.... Because I.... "

"Why?!"

"Because if I had to choose between you and my family, I was afraid I wouldn't be able to choose you!" Luke said at last, the words torn out of him by the rune. He gasped raggedly for breath, his whole body shaking from the pain in his chest.

Azee's ears drooped as Luke looked at her, tears running down his cheeks this time.

"I hate so much about my family... but I can't just abandon it! I have obligations, and no matter how much I want to... I can't choose you over them."

Luke shook his head, rage building up within him. "I want to... By the Lord, Azee, I want to... But what kind of life would we have? Where would we go? There is nowhere we could run to where we'd be safe! And even if we could get to the north, which we can't, my family name would get me killed!"

Luke scoffed as he wiped his eyes. "And I can't even tell you this when you're sober."

"I'm sorry..." Azee leaned forward and pressed her head against Luke's chest, her eyes sliding closed. "I'm sorry Luke..."

"You... have nothing to be sorry for."

Even in her drunken state, Azee could feel that there was something else, something that Luke was holding back. But despite her curiosity, she decided against pressing any further.

As she leaned against Luke, an idea flickered across Azee's mind. At first, she resisted the thought, trying to force it away. But as she listened to the beating of Luke's heart, and felt his arms wrapped around her, the idea grew. She knew it was a bad idea... or was it?

"Luke..."

"Mhmmm?"

"I don't want you to go."

"I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere."

"No I mean..." Azee leaned up and gently nipped Luke's ear, much to his surprise. "I mean, I want you to stay here tonight, with me."

Luke felt his heart skip a beat as Azee slowly slid her dress off of her shoulders. There was a lustful glint in her eyes as she leaned forward and began tugging at the buttons of his shirt.

"Azee... this... are you..." Luke swallowed hard, a stirring in his trousers as Azee pulled open his shirt and began nuzzling his bare chest. "Azee, this isn't a good idea."

"You said you love me, then show me." Her voice was low and husky as she began fiddling with Luke's trousers. "I want you, now."

Luke's own breath shuddered as he gripped Azee's shoulders and pushed her away. "This isn't the right time."

"Why not? You want it, I can tell."

"You're drunk!"

"I could order you."

Luke paused momentarily as Azee leaned back, squirming the rest of the way out of her dress. As she kicked the dress over the side of the bed, she lay back against the soft pillows, opening her arms and legs invitingly.

"I... well..."

"Please Luke... make me forget about tonight..."

With a cocky half-smile, Luke ran his fingers through his hair. "Fine, I'll give you what you want."

Luke pulled his shirt over his head and leaned over Azee. Azee let out a lusty growl as Luke pinned her shoulders to the mattress with one hand, and began massaging her left breast with the other. A powerful warmth swelled up from her loins, overriding all sense of caution and restraint as he kissed her, his hand drifting down from her breast, over her belly, and to her already slick heat. She moaned, her back arching as his fingers slid inside of her.

Part of her still screamed in the back of her mind, but it was powerless against the throbbing rush of alcohol and coffee.

'I don't care,' she thought to herself as Luke kicked off his trousers before returning to kissing her neck. She let out a low moan as his fingers gently slid back up her body to caress her neck and ears. His kissing, his stroking, it all created a pleasing haze in her mind, even better than her intoxicated buzz. She growled with need as Luke positioned himself between her legs.

As Luke entered her, she let out a long, deep moan. 'I just wanna feel good for a while.'

***

The bedroom door let out a quiet creak as it opened, a shaft of light sliding across the floor. For a moment, the shadow of a tall figure passed through the light, before the door slowly closed again.

With a low groan, Coryn's eyes slid open. "M-master?"

Slowly stepping out of the darkness, Mel knelt down beside her bed, gently taking one of Coryn's hands in hers. "Hello, old friend. How are you feeling?"

Mel felt a warmth in her chest as she called Coryn a friend. It was certainly dangerous, not something she could say in public, but here, in the safety of her room, it seemed right.

"Master... I was having... a wonderful dream. I was... I was young again... bounding across the fields, chasing pigeons."

"I remember your pigeon stew." Mel smiled sadly, stroking Coryn's head. "I'm sorry to have awakened you."

Coryn purred softly as Mel scratched him. "Think nothing of it, master."

"Are you feeling any better?"

"Much better master." With effort, Coryn forced himself to smile, despite the pain.

"Allec is treating you well?"

"He has been most gentle, master. I'll be back to making your coffee in short order."

"Don't worry about that, you just get yourself feeling better."

As she gently scratched Coryn's head, a powerful sense of grief rose in Mel's chest. "I'm... I'm so glad I didn't lose you..."

"I..." Coryn fell silent, simply enjoying Mel's touch.

Mel shook her head, her breath trembling. "I didn't protect you... I'm so sorry..."

"Master... Please don't think about it. I was the one who was foolish... I should have waited until I got home to indulge myself. It... it's my fault."

"No... No, that is houndshit."

"Master Hathaway, language."

"It's true, that's-" Mel blinked in surprise and paused. "Wait, did... did you just... correct me?"

"I spoke... out of turn... forgive me."

"No no, it's just... you haven't scolded me about my language since I was fourteen."

"Apologies Master, force of habit."

With a soft chuckle, Mel stroked Coryn's cheek. "You've always looked out for me... and I wasn't there for you when you needed me."

"Please master, don't-"

"I have no right to be your master." Tears welled up in Mel's eyes as she spoke. "You are a slave to no one, my friend... never again."

Coryn's eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat at Mel's words.

"We really should let 'im rest," Allec said softly as he stepped into the room. "He ain't gonna get better without sleep."

"I understand." Leaning over as she got to her feet, Mel planted a gentle kiss on Coryn's forehead. "Sleep well. I'll be back soon."

"Thank you, master," Coryn whispered.

Mel gently closed the door behind her as she left the room. Turning to Allec, she took a moment to wipe the tears from her eyes.

"You alright miss?" Allec asked, offering a handkerchief.

"Yes... yes I'm fine."

"I figured you'd wanna know, my friend, the one I told you about, he's here."

"Now?"

"Yeah, he's in the kitchen."

Mel handed the handkerchief back to Allec and nodded. "Good, let's go."

As Mel turned to leave, Allec held up a hand. "I jus' wanna be certain you understand... this ain't the kinda man to just... call things off."

"What you're asking is if I am sure?" Mel's eyes hardened. "What they did to Coryn is unforgivable... and what they are doing to that boy isn't justice."

"Fair enough, just had to ask." Allec extended an arm. "After you."

Both Mel and Allec made their way down the stairs toward the lower level of the house.

As she entered her kitchen, Mel was surprised to note the smell of food cooking. At the stove stood a man, slightly shorter than average, with dusty dark brown hair and skin that had obviously been well worn by wind and sun.

"Hope you don't mind, I didn't know how long you were gonna be, and I ain't eaten since breakfast, so I decided to fix m'self a bite." The man turned, tipping his hat to Mel as he did. "Care for some omelette? Can't say much to its quality of course."

"Miss Hathaway, this is my friend, Emmett Glenn." Allec gestured at the man. "Emmett, this is the woman I told you about, Miss Hathaway."

Setting the pan down, Emmett nodded his head at Mel and extended a hand. "Miss Hathaway, pleasure to make your acquaintance."

When Allec had first mentioned his friend, Mel hadn't really been certain what to expect, though Emmett certainly had not been it. He was rugged, with a severe narrowness to his features. His leather jacket and chaps were worn but well cared for, as were his gun belt and the revolver resting in its holster. Everything about him spoke of a deliberate and meticulous nature, habits drilled into every part of him like a well-worn track in a field.

Mel took Emmett's hand and shook it. "The pleasure is mine sir."

"Allec tells me you used to run with the Order." Emmett remarked, turning back to the stove. "I was a militia man myself."

"Is that going to be an issue?"

"Can't imagine it would be, 'specially considering what yer fixing to do."

With a deft flick of his wrist, Emmett flipped the omelette over. "You wanna snatch a pelt rebel out from under the nose of the Order. That sorta thing should give the Order quite the nasty smack 'round the ego. If that's the plan, then I'm your man."

Mel nodded as she sat down at the table. "Good."

"Emmett really does have a talent for this sorta thing." Allec dropped into the seat beside Mel and set to pouring himself a cup of coffee. "He helped free my cousin after he had a little misunderstanding with the authorities."

"What sort of misunderstanding?" Mel asked, glancing at Allec.

"W-well he... that is..."

"The sort that woulda seen a man paying for a crime he didn't commit," Emmett interjected. "I ain't in the habit of breaking out every lowlife I come across."

"But setting free a pelt rebel is within your purview?"

"I have a soft spot for kids and a hard spot for the Order." He chuckled a little. "Don't mean I won't be asking for payment though of course."

"Of course."

"Ain't you gonna ask me how much?" Emmett asked after a few moments.

Mel shook her head. "If you thought that the amount would make much of a difference, I doubt you would be here now. And if you were greedy and overcharged I doubt Allec would have been able to pay." She glanced at Allec. "No offence intended."

"None taken."

Emmett's face slowly cracked into a smile. "Allec was right, you are a sharp lady."

"So, I take it you have a plan?

"Working on one. Course, before we get there, there is one question that remains."

"And that is?"

"Just how messy are you willing to let this endeavour of yours get?"

"Messy?" Mel stiffened. "You're asking how much blood am I willing to shed."

Emmett nodded once. "Mhmm."

Mel's eyes narrowed. "I don't see that there will be a need for killing."

"I ain't looking to get into a battle with the Order, far from it. But if we're going to sneak this prisoner of yours out, we're gonna need to make a racket fit to wake the Lord herself."

"So, what is the plan?" Allec asked, glancing nervously back and forth between Emmett and Mel.

Reaching into his pocket, Emmett withdrew a piece of catalyst crystal and set it on the table.

"A shield rune?" Mel asked, glancing at the glowing stone.

"Get that to your prisoner, tell him to wait until the right moment."

"And that moment will be?"

Emmett set about putting the omelette onto plates as he spoke. "I'm gonna set fire to those big ol' gallows they've been building."

Both Allec and Mel froze as Emmett placed a plate of omelette in front of each of them.

"The varnish they are using to weatherproof that monstrosity, it's flammable. We wait till they put the final coat on, then a single spark should do the trick." Emmett continued. "Once it's ablaze, fire should spread to the Chapter house 'fore too long."

"And this shield rune... it'll protect Trip-" Mel paused for a moment. "I'm sorry, this rune will protect the prisoner?"

"It should."

"Should?"

"He might get a little singed, but sure as sunset that'll be better than what's going to happen to him if we don't get him out." Emmet dropped down into a chair and began eating. "With all the construction going on, I'm willing to bet that they won't be able to contain the fire. The Chapter house burns down, right about the time someone sets another fire down at the dock."

Mel blinked in surprise. "Another fire?"

"Nothing fancy, lamp knocked over, that sorta thing. Just enough to attract attention."

"Order's got folks wound up so tight, they'll think the North is attacking." Allec stroked his chin. "It wouldn't take much."

Emmett nodded. "The whole damn town will run to the docks, spoiling for a show, giving me and Allec time to dig your prisoner friend out of the rubble. Between the confusion and the smoke, ain't no one gonna notice a damn thing."

"And what do you want me to do?" Mel asked, poking at her omelette.

Emmett glanced up at her. "Get the rune to the pelt, and then stay as far away as possible."

"But-"

"We need a place for this prisoner to hide, and we need you to not be suspicious in the least." Emmett's voice was quiet but firm. Mel immediately got the sense that there would be no arguing.

"Very well... I'll go to the old Hathaway ranch as soon as Coryn can be moved. There will be plenty of places to hide Trip. I'll make up some excuse about getting the old place back up and running."

"Good."

"Of course... if I'm going to get the rune to him... I'm going to have to talk to Duke."

"Any particular reason?"

Mel sighed heavily. "We... had a falling out after they hurt Coryn, and after..."

Emmett's eyes narrowed. "After?"

"After they tortured Trip..."

"So this 'Duke' fellow, the chief justice of the Order's Lillyvale chapter, knows you were against torturing the kid?"

"Yes."

Immediately, Emmett got to his feet. "Deal's off, plan's off."

Mel leaped out of her chair. "Mister Emmett, please listen-"

"You're too close to this, it will draw suspicion."

"I'm his aunt!"

The words made Emmett pause. "What?"

"Edmund Duke, he's my sister's son. I'll go to him as his aunt, and convince him that I overreacted."

"You two are bloody well related?" Emmett glanced at Allec. "You didn't tell me any of this."

"First I'm hearing about it," Allec replied as he stared at Mel.

"It doesn't matter." Mel turned to Emmett as she spoke. "What the Order did to Coryn, and what they are doing to that boy, is wrong. The Order is supposed to protect people, period, that is what we are for, and we are failing."

Mel's eyes narrowed as she threw her shoulders back and straightened. "I'll tell Duke that I am retiring to the Hathaway estate to restore it. I will make him believe it!"

For a long time, Emmett stood in silence, looking Mel up and down. "Why does this pelt matter?" he asked at last. "Why are you so intent on getting him out?"

"Because he asked me to help him," Mel replied, the answer falling out of her before she even thought about it. "Because he was hurt, and scared, and in pain... and I was the one he reached for, just like..." her breath caught in her throat, but Mel forced herself to continue. "Just like Rory, my son, when he died."

"And if I don't help?"

"I'll buy that shield rune from you, or find another one myself, and carry out your plan without you. Either way, you walk out of my house a free man and I forget this conversation ever happened."

The expression on Emmett's face remained stony, but he slowly sat back down in his chair.

"So... we are doing this then?" Allec asked, glancing back and forth between Mel and Emmett.

Emmett nodded. "Seems like it." He glanced back at Mel. "But you not being involved is non-negotiable. You get the shield rune to the boy, then that's it, you need to remove yourself as much as you can. This is dangerous territory."

"I understand."

"You know, it's usually my policy not to ask these sorts of questions... but what exactly is your plan for this pelt once you have him?"

Mel stiffened in her seat as Emmett's gaze burrowed into her. In truth, she hadn't thought about what she was going to do with Trip.

"I'll find a way to smuggle him out of Halcyon," She said at last, looking down at her old mug. "To a place where he can be free."

"You're just going to let him go?" Emmett stroked his chin. "You realise you're risking a lot for no reward."

"It's not a reward I'm after... just..." Mel sighed heavily, running her fingers over the chips in her mug. "Just another chance..."

The moments ticked by slowly as Emmett stared at Mel, his steely grey eyes intensely searching her face. Allec remained silent, his gaze flicking back and forth between the two, waiting.

Emmett's voice broke the silence like a hammer upon a pane of glass. "Alright."

"You'll do it?"

"Yep."

Mel let out a long, relieved breath. "Thank you."

"Don't mention it. Now-" Emmett picked up a fork and began cutting into his omelette. "Let's talk about how this is gonna go down."

END OF CHAPTER 33