Aelin watched as each of them towered her. Again. This time there was mere curiosity that showed on their faces. Even with the calmness their faces wore she could tell, they needed answers. What they did not know was that she was looking for them herself.
This reminded her of Rick.
There was no doubt the man was absolutely stunning, in his mid-thirties by now she had guessed. He'd never been one to tell how old he was. His delusional mind thought it could be used as a weapon against him. But he had a devilish appearance indeed. For most men his age, he had a great build. His muscles would show from his tunics, the only things he ever really wore. But they weren't like ordinary ones. Rick's tunics were the best of the best, made from the finest of cloth, made for him by the most exquisite of tailors. The colors would always stand out, a shine to them unlike any other.
His wavy hair was about shoulder length, a dirty blonde color. Like Aelin he was mortal as well. In fact he hated Fae creatures. Absolutely loathed them. He used to say, "Those bastards think they hold powers over us, I'll see about that once I meet one."
Rick had always been about power. It was never about the money to him. Even as he was the richest of merchants, and the king of Thieves, he still would do anything for power.
There was a time Aelin had admired him. His amber eyes seemed to be everywhere, his lifted eyebrows and winged eyelashes, only giving him a more guanting appearance. While his brain would plan ten steps ahead, the most amazing of schemes. Brilliant she had called him. His face was just as clear as it had been two years ago, the clean shave, sculptured cheekbones and cunning brain. It was engraved in the back of her head, like a curse, and no matter how much she tried to erase that man from her mind, it didn't work.
She had known from the day he took her in, she would never be the same again. She knew from the very first day, he'd turn her into a monster relishing in human skin. And she knew there was no way she could escape the life and title that awaited her, escape the wrath and torture that was to be bestowed upon her, so instead, she learned to love it. The fear, the title, the blood. Everything that made her a monster she had loved.
Maybe she still did.
"Are you planning on telling us why you gathered us here?" a voice called from behind her. She pushed the thought aside, as she sorted through her head, picking the words she was to say. She curled her toes, sweaty from the heat in her boots. "I have an offer, for you lot," she claimed calmly trying to stay as still as she could, not letting the slightest worry leak through. All of them looked at each other, exchanging glances. Even as they did, it was impossible to know what was going on. Their faces were so blank. "What is it that you have to offer," a man with long hair called out. His high jaw clenched as he did, his voice as plain as his face.
Aelin grinned against her will. She wasn't scared of them. Of course not. But she needed this to work. She needed it desperately.
Making a clicking sound with her tongue she began, "Let's be real, I have information that you all seem to need and it seems you have information that I need."
All of them took their turns exchanging glances, and glaring at her. She looked at each of them, their now pale faces, worry and panic written all over them. She had no idea if this was going to work. Her plan was to extract whatever information they beheld. About the war. About her amulet.
Everyone was quiet for a minute as if deciding what was the best thing to do.
"I think we should consider it." One with moonlight hair answered. Everyone including Aelin now gazed at that woman. She was looking down at her shoes, a pair of black army boots, polished and shining, their thick soles covered with dirt. The woman looked up to find confused and angered faces glaring at her. "What!" she exclaimed.
"Let's talk outside," another one suggested. Even with no names, each of their faces had been engraved in the back of Aelin's mind, each feature memorized. As all of them started walking out, Conan, the moron's, gaze lingered a little longer than the rest. His deathly stare hardly having an effect on Aelin. He followed the last of them out, their soft footsteps gentle on the creaking floorboard.
~
"No!" Astra exclaimed for the third time. The bickering was getting louder by the second, everyone tensed to the max. Each of them was annoyed by her repeated answer. Zavia stepped forward, licking her canine, "Look Astra, we haven't even started this so-called mission and we are already making enemies. If she has even little information that could be useful to us, over what the heck is happening, we could use it. Besides the information we are giving her isn't going to do anyone any harm. We'll be long gone before anyone suspects or comes here."
Astra thought about it. The absurd offer Zavia was making.
She looked around. At everyone looking at her for an answer. Some faces looked satisfied, others with worry planted over them.
"I think this is shit," Jude said. Everyone now turned to him for what he had to say. "The girl's been here for less than two days and she's already causing trouble."
Another wave of noise came upon them as they started arguing again. Astra backed out a little trying to think what she should do exactly. Thoughts ran through her mind, blood rushing through her veins. It was moments like this, of tension and worry and anger, when her fire would beg to be let out.
It was a ticking bomb, ready to explode when the trigger be pulled.
Her eyes caught Conan who was whirling his around again and again, listening to all the points everyone had. His lips were pressed in a straight line, his eyes a little narrowed. A confused yet satisfied look lingered on his face as he crossed his arms, lifting his upper lip slightly. Then cocking his head back loosening his expression.
She took a decision and took her place back in the circle they had formed. The arguing had finally closed, everyone waiting on Astra now.
"Here's what we're gonna do," Astra began as she sorted through the words, "We are gonna take up on that offer. Let's see what she has to say." She didn't hear any of them calling back to her, nor the footsteps of them following behind. She had no choice but to take up on that idiotic offer. One that might help them out.
She flung the door open, the door making a loud banging noise as it did. The woman was sitting on her chair, arms crossed, eyebrow furrowed. It was like she was thinking about something else in her head, not even present here fully.
Everyone slowly walked in behind her, taking their former positions, waiting on Astra's lead. She let out a heavy sigh, the only sound in the now quiet room. "Let's start with your name." The woman looked up at her, her eyes now stilled over Astra, taking her in. "I'm Aelin Morgenstern, a former assassin of Tropilus."
Astra wasn't sure if she was taken aback or shocked at the woman's answer. An assassin. Of course she was. No wonder she was so good with daggers.
She knew most of her friends weren't happy with her decision, something that was eating her now. That was for sure but she knew she was right. This would help.
"Uh, I'm waiting for yours," Aelin said. "Our names shouldn't be important, let's get to the information you have to offer," Astra said, trying to keep her voice steady.
Aelin let out a sigh, her hands now moving to the side. Astra hadn't noticed until yet, but her eyes finally caught the chains that laid broken on the ground. The rusted part duller than the rest of them. She'd already expected this. The chains were pathetic anyways and the only ones they could find so they had no choice but to use them.
"Well I told you who I am, so why don't you start with your information. I want to know about this war everyone keeps talking about. What's happening?"
Astra turned around to look at the rest of the group. Everyone was looking at her. A little less anxious now. But her eyes caught Conan's who was glaring at her. His eyes were filled with rage and sadness. A look on his face, she hadn't seen before. His beautiful grey eyes were glassy.
"Yes but we're the ones keeping you here, so why don't start?" Astra replied.
These moments felt so long. Miserable even. She would give anything to leave this old, cranky warehouse and head to bed, with Conan by her side, holding her to him.
"I'm here because I want to be here, not because any of you succeeded in keeping me," Aelin replied, gesturing to her wrists. "I suggest you start talking, princess." Astra cringed at the word. Irritated and annoyed. "Fine," she replied. She was beyond sure arguing with this woman was no good. She'd keep denying. A bitch indeed. She felt Conan tense up behind her, his eyes on her back , burning through.
She didn't want anyone else speaking. Not to this ridiculous female. "Well we think, the King of Belarus is building a non-mythical army for someone who is more powerful than him." Aelin looked at her as if looking for more than the answer she'd given. "That's all we know."
A half true answer.
Aelin leaned back into her chair, her glare now moving around the room. Looking at each of their faces. "Well what about the people? Do they not know what's happening?" Aelin asked. This time she looked more genuine. Her smirk had disappeared, her eyes on the wall to her front. Thinking. Processing.
"No we have a theory but no one is sure."
"Well go ahead say it."
This woman had started getting on Astra's nerves. She was acting like a smartass, talking back. Maybe Jude was right, this wasn't worth it. She was too much of a moron.
"We think he's using some kind of Amulet, a necklace to control all mortals in Belarus. Just so they don't react. Fae creatures are being executed because they can't be controlled and maybe because they might be the only ones that stand a chance against him. As for what he's doing in there. No one knows. It seems his son, Prince Adrian is standing with him in all his decisions. As for who the army is for we don't know but it's not from this world that's for sure."
She noticed Aelin was now pale. Her color drained than how much it already was, eyes wary. She let out a low scoff. She really had no idea. Astra could hear her unsteady breaths as if she was considering something.
"Our turn," Conan growled from behind. She turned to look at him, his eyes fixed on Aelin. It made something in her chest tighten. Even though his stare was filled with rage and hate she still didn't like it. Him looking at anyone but her.
"I went to the Queen of Earth, Helena, for something she had, that belonged to me. I-"
Aelin was cut off midway.
"Wait hold up, you went to the Immortal Fae Bitch Queen for some mere thing that belongs to you? Shit that's bold." Atlas cried out. Everyone turned towards her, eyebrows furrowed, eyes narrowed. Aelin however let out a low laugh shaking her head.
"Yes, yes I did and she told me if I wanted it I had to bring Astra to her. I asked why and she said because war was coming and she wanted to ensure her victory." Aelin's voice was sarcastic, a lightened tone to it. Astra looked at Conan, his face bone white, nothing but worry spread on it. They exchanged a quick glance and looked back it each other before looking back at Aelin.
~
Aelin looked back and forth between Astra and Conan. Something was going on. Or maybe they were just worried, she couldn't care less.
"Well that's unfortunate," another woman called out. The same that had spoken before. Aelin liked her. Her sense of humor, bad timing. She would've said the woman was beautiful as well. Her brown, creamy skin glowing gracefully. But now, she had bigger things to think about. Like what she was going to do. The queen had seemed to be lying to her. What a misfortune. She rolled her eyes and looked at all the people in the room now in the corner talking to each other.
Gods she was digging a hole for herself. One which's fall would be long and agonizing. She stood up slowly, rubbing the dirt off of her back of the shirt.
"Well then it's settled," Aelin started, aware of how much she was going to get under their skin for what she was to say. Her grin grew wider as she did, her voice silvery.
"I'm coming with you lot, and we are going to take down that moron king."