"I don't know if you're brave or stupid," the voice hissed, "but to steal from an assassin, you must not like living that much,"
"Kalandra," Ace gulped, "Is there a way you and I can have a conversation where you're not holding a blade to my throat?"
"Nope," Kalandra smiled mercilessly, "because you can't be trusted. I said so from the start. You're a slippery little snake just like your master. I see he's playing house at Clover's expense as well,"
"Does Clover know you're here?" Ace blinked haplessly under the strain.
"There's nothing that happens in the palace of swords that Clover doesn't know," Kalandra returned smugly.
"Then, does Clover know you're here threatening me with a blade to my throat?" Ace retorted.
"Don't you have an inflated sense of self-importance? You may be able to pull this with the other humans but you forget I'm Clover's oldest friend. I'm pretty sure you haven't even done more than kiss. Who do you think they'll choose?" Kalandra laughed," So stop wasting my time. Where is it?"
"Where is what?" Ace said in a subdued voice.
"Play dumb again and I'll slit your throat," Kalandra snarled.
Ace winced as the blade cut the flesh.
"Fine! Fine," he exhaled. "It's here! If you let me up, I'll show you,"
Kalandra surveyed Ace suspiciously. Ace half believed she would still slit his throat just to teach him a lesson. However, she relented. She pulled back and crossed her hands in front of her. She shucked her hood back with a shrug revealing her pointed ears tucked behind her golden hair.
She wore a look of impatience and severity to which Ace had unfortunately become accustomed. He staggered towards the wardrobe but stopped. He turned back to Kalandra.
"If I give it to you, what are you going to do?" he asked.
"I'm going to do what we agreed," Kalandra smirked, "I'm going to wrap it around Clover's throat then we'll set off the to the human world,"
"You can't be serious?" Ace scoffed, "What do you think Clover will do if you give it to them now?"
"I don't care," Kalandra tilted her head to one side, "I never should have helped you in the first place, you lying piece of shit,"
"I didn't lie to you!" Ace exclaimed, "If I thought Clover would accept it, I would hand it over right now! It's too soon. I need more time, Kalandra,"
"More time for what?" Kalandra let out a disparaging laugh.
"Nothing has changed yet. Yes, I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was taking it first but we needed to make sure it was safe for now," Ace sighed.
"Make sure it was safe?" Kalandra's voice raised uncontrollably, "I just spent the last week making sure it was safe! I risked my life to find it and you just fucking snatch it from me like a kid having a tantrum!"
"It's not like that," Ace protested, "I didn't know if you were still going through with the plan. We didn't even know if you had found it or not. It was safer to bring it here."
"Well then," Kalandra gestured, "Now it's safe. Give me the necklace,"
"You said a minute ago you were going to hand it over to Clover!"
"Because it's Clover's choice," Kalandra cut in, "That was always the deal and it sounds like Clover didn't choose you so hand it over. We're real friends. If anyone is going to convince them, it's me,"
"This isn't about friendship. This is life or death," Ace returned flatly, "If you bring it up now, Clover won't trust either of us. Just see for yourself Kalandra!"
"JUST GIVE ME THE FUCKING NECKLACE!" Kalandra raged. She lunged at Ace with her blade drawn.
Just at that moment, a voice came from the hallway.
"Kali? Where are you?"
Kalandra froze with her arm still wide open. With a flick of her wrist, the blade ducked under her sleeve. She brought her hands around Ace just as Clover entered the room.
"What are you doing up here?" Clover questioned.
Kalandra gave Ace another squeeze and patted him on the back.
"Just saying hi," She smiled.
"Okay," Clover said slowly, "but you shouldn't have woken Ace up just to say hi,"
"It's alright," Ace forced a strained smile.
"Okay then," Clover sniffed, "Come on Kalandra. What were you going to tell me about?"
"I'm coming," Kalandra nodded.
As she pulled away, she whispered into Ace's ear:
" You're dead."
----------------------------------------------
The next morning Ace rose from his bed with his eyes wide open. His expression stiffened as he glanced back to the wardrobe. She hadn't seen where it was hidden...right?
Ace swept a hand over his face and exhaled deeply. He dragged himself to the door with a sigh. He opened the door and jumped. Michael was on the other side staring pointedly.
"What? Not happy to see me?"Michael said flatly.
"You're the least of my worries," Ace exited the room briskly.
Michael followed a pace behind, "I take it you've heard the news,"
"Heard the news. You could say that. The news whispered in my ear that they would kill me last night if I didn't hand over the necklace,"
"What are you talking about?" Michael paused.
"Kalandra," Ace turned back."What are you talking about?"
"Kalandra is here?" Michael frowned. "I was talking about this spontaneous breakfast invitation we received. Since when does Clover care if we eat or not?"
"Gods!" Ace shook his head, "This is bad. It must be Kalandra. She showed up yesterday saying I stole the necklace and she wanted it back,"
"You didn't give it to her, did you?" Michael interrogated.
"Yes, we're being invited to breakfast because I gave it to her!"Ace huffed. "Of course I didn't but she was really angry. She might have told Clover,"
"Where is the necklace now?" Michael demanded.
"I've hidden it," Ace said quietly.
To his surprise, Michael rejoinder was somewhat subdued.
"Okay," he said at length, "Well then this breakfast is going to be interesting. Why don't you leave the talking to me?"
Ace raised an eyebrow, "Are you sure that's a good idea?"
"I can be nice if I want to," Michael declared.
"Really?" Ace asked in disbelief.
"Of course," Michael said with growing irritation, "Besides we can forget about Clover and go home for now. We just need to sweet talk Kalandra long enough to get out of here,"
"I'm not sure that's possible..." Ace started but Michael took off ahead in anticipation.
Ace entered the hall a moment behind. For a second he was stunned to find the room transformed. He hadn't seen it in use before. It was a plain room with metal furnishings, but today it looked surreal and cheerful for the demon world.
At the top of the aisle of swords, a table had been set in front of the throne. It was a long table. Almost too long for the number of people but colourfully adorned. Clover was sitting at the head of the table and Michael was taking a seat at the other side.
Kalandra and Bird were also seated in between. Kalandra with a look of supreme satisfaction and Bird looking as though he was about to be sick. Ace came hesitantly to the table. There were plates laid for everyone present and then some. Were they expecting someone?
"Sit here, Ace," Clover gestured to an empty seat beside. They were smiling but Ace sensed something off in their manner. He sat down and tried to meet their gaze but Clover wouldn't even look at him. Across from him, even Kalandra greeted him with a provoking smile. It made Ace miss her usual scowl.
"What's the occasion?" Ace asked timidly.
The formal setting made him strangely uncomfortable. Clover lifted their glass with a smile and took a sip.
"Hmm, what could it be?"
Ace watched curiously as Clover maintained their puzzlingly chipper exterior.
"Don't you think this reunion merits a celebration?" Kalandra chimed.
"We didn't think we'd be seeing you so soon Kalandra," Michael tilted his head back arrogantly.
"Did I take the wrong turn somewhere? Or did I go back in time?" Kalandra asked condescendingly, "It's almost as if I ended up back in the tower and I need to still ask your permission to see my friend,"
"No need to get nasty," Michael grinned, "We're happy to see you,"
"I'm sure you are," Kalandra smiled coldly, "I wonder if the Empire will be as happy to see you when you return. I heard you've been trying to get another free trip off Clover?"
Michael's jaw clenched but he continued to smile, "I was hoping to go somewhere a little warmer than the Empire. Maybe someplace with a beach?"
"I wonder where you can go?" Kalandra challenged, "I mean the Empire's wizard attacks his own tower? You're famous now, you know? If you can find a place where they don't recognise you, that would be impressive."
"I'll take that information as you looking out for me," Michael responded indifferently, "now I can plan appropriately,"
"Well aren't you a glass half full," Kalandra smirked. "I never would have guessed,"
"Maybe it's your sparkling eyes. They give me hope for the future," Michael leant back with a smile.
Kalandra observed Michael with a curious expression but it was quickly smothered under dark eyes, "Maybe you can give Ace some lessons. He always looks like he's got the weight of the world on his shoulders. As if he's that important. It's a bit narcissistic if you ask me,"
"Kali," Clover reproached. "Play nice,"
Kalandra took her glass to her lips.
"I am," she swallowed, "I'm only saying it because I'm worried about him. Care to share Ace?"
"Go ahead Ace," Clover said flatly, "Is there something you want to tell me?"
Ace glanced up with hesitation, "I'm just tired. I think it's because I didn't sleep so well last night,"
"You shouldn't have woken him up like that, Kali," Clover sighed.
"What can I say?" Kalandra beamed, "I was just so excited to see him. I've missed this miserable little guy!"
Clover laughed and patted Ace on the shoulder, "She's just joking around Ace,"
"Yeah," Ace said stiffly, "It's hilarious,"
Clover gave a shrug as Kalandra continued to dig into her food. Bird was staring down at his bowl apprehensively. While Michael seemed to be in the midst of plotting something nefarious. Ace took a sip of his soup. Why were they here?
A few moments into his meal, a guard ran up to Clover and whispered something into their ear. Clover smiled and rose from the table.
"Looks like our guest has arrived," they declared.
Everyone looked up to the door as Clover met the visitor. A horde of unruly demons burst into the room.