"Things he likes?" Bird repeated trying to hold in a laugh, "Hmm, let's see. I know of a lot of things he doesn't like but as for things he likes...he likes books I guess,"
"Books," Kalandra repeated as if making a mental note, "Okay, thanks Bird. It was fun talking to you," she stood up.
"No problem?" Bird gave a weak smile.
He watched her go and then let out a laugh. Kalandra went back to her room. She stared up at the ceiling from her bed restlessly. Where would she get books from? She could go back to the human world but would Clover let her come back? Probably not. No, she would have to get something from here. Clover had books. Maybe she could take some. They would be pretty annoyed if she gave them to Michael though. What should she do?
By afternoon, Kalandra had made up her mind. She wouldn't take the books, she would just borrow them. She waited till Clover was out and slowly traversed the stairwell up to their room. She reached the room. It was open. They always left it open. Who would dare steal from them after all?
Kalandra stepped inside and glanced around. Clover's room was filled with so many strange things. They had been a source of wonder to her as a child. Kalandra began to scan the shelves. What book should she take?
"What are you doing in here?"
Kalandra glanced back and grimaced. Not him again.
"I could say the same thing to you," Kalandra returned coldly.
"I was looking for Clover," Ace replied hostilely. "Does Clover know you're here?"
"They know," Kalandra lied. How was it his business anyway?
Ace looked at her suspiciously but then something unusual happened.
"What are you looking for?" he sighed, "maybe I can help you,"
Kalandra frowned but decided to accept his offer. Ace was also Michael's apprentice. He must know the type of thing Michael liked.
"I need a book about magic or something," Kalandra said reluctantly.
"That's pretty vague," Ace commented but stepped towards the shelf.
"What kind of magic?" Ace turned to her.
Kalandra shrugged, "I don't know. Something unique and interesting,"
Ace glanced up at her, "And what do you need this for?"
Kalandra crossed her arms over her chest, "I want something to read,"
"Right," Ace said flatly, "Well maybe the best person to ask is Clover?"
"No. They're busy. I don't want to bother them," Kalandra snapped, "I can find it on my own. If you don't want to help then get lost,"
Ace drew a hand to his face exasperated, "Okay, whatever. I was just trying to help,"
"Who asked for your help?" Kalandra remarked apathetically.
"What is your problem?" Ace frowned.
"You're my problem," Kalandra replied sternly, "Why do you have to get involved in everything? Why can't you mind your own business?"
Ace let out an incredulous laugh, "You're impossible, you know that?"
"Michael is right about you. You really are so annoying," Kalandra looked back to the shelves and pulled out a book.
"Don't you and Michael have anything better to talk about than me?" Ace replied coldly, "well I suppose that's really the only thing you have in common,"
Kalandra turned back to Ace sharply, "We have other things in common. You don't know anything about our relationship,"
"What relationship would that be?" Ace scoffed, "I can't believe I'm saying this to an assassin but you should be careful. Michael is dangerous,"
"I don't need relationship advice from you," Kalandra returned icily.
"Then forget I said anything," Ace held up his hands, "it's your funeral. I tried to warn you,"
With that, he walked away from the room. Kalandra let out an irritated grunt. She tucked the book into her bag and left the room a few moments later. What did he know? Something about him always rubbed her the wrong way. Just because he had a pretty face, that was the only reason he had caught Clover's attention.
Kalandra waited till evening. Once more she made her way to Michael's room. He was sitting at the desk looking at the tiny window with a pensive expression.
"Oh, you're here?" he said without looking over.
Kalandra swallowed, "I have something for you,"
"You do?" Michael turned back.
Kalandra held out the book. He took it from her hand and inspected it apathetically.
"What is this?" he said at length.
"A book," Kalandra answered excitedly.
"I can see that," Michael said impatiently, "But why are you giving it to me?"
"Don't you like books?" Kalandra frowned.
"I don't dislike them," Michael said with a smile, "But I can't read this,"
"Why not?" Kalandra demanded.
"I don't have my glasses," Michael handed it back to her.
"I can read it to you," Kalandra insisted.
Michael didn't say anything but sat on the bed. He leaned back with a sigh. Kalandra watched with a mixture of disappointment and annoyance. She sat beside him quietly, throwing the book to the floor.
"If you want to get me something," Michael said without looking over, "Why don't you get me that necklace?"
Kalandra stared ahead with a blank expression, "What are you going to do if I give it to you?"
Michael turned to her. He gently tucked a stray hair behind her ear.
"What do you care?" he said frostily.
"If you're going to use it to hurt Clover, I can't give it to you," Kalandra said flatly.
"Who said I was going to do that?" Michael remarked coolly, "Isn't it in Clover's benefit that you give me the necklace? Clover's just going to use it to off themselves and it's probably safer with me than Ace. Do you really think that boy can handle Clover? He's going to hand it over eventually. I wouldn't,"
"And what would you give me if I did?" Kalandra answered drily.
"Whatever you want, Kali," Michael replied with a smile.
Kalandra glanced over at him. "Would you love me for real?"
Michael raised an eyebrow, "That's what you want?"
"Yeah, I think so," Kalandra said quietly.
Michael pulled away and stared at the wall ahead. "I don't know if I can do that,"
"Can't or won't?" Kalandra said with a sad smile.
"I..." Michael paused, "I guess I can try if that's really what you want,"
"That doesn't sound promising," Kalandra let out a mirthless laugh.
Michael seemed lost in thought for a moment. He turned to Kalandra solemnly. He slid a hand behind her neck and pulled her lips to his. His kiss was surprisingly gentle. Kalandra's eyes widened in surprise. Michael gazed up at her, his light hazel eyes were unusually subdued.
"There," he said, "What do you think?"
"What do I think?" Kalandra repeated confused.
Michael averted his eyes, "That's the first time I ever kissed a woman first. I don't know if it was any good..."
"It was," Kalandra answered immediately.
"Well," Michael said thoughtfully, "That's me trying. So what do you think?"
"I liked it," Kalandra said slowly.
"Well then, it's up to you, Kali," Michael inhaled, "I won't make you any promises that I can love you, but I will try."
Kalandra sat back completely spaced out. His kiss wasn't as she expected at all. In part, she expected it would be just as cold as his words. Now, having found the reverse she felt even more confused.
Should she just steal the necklace? She didn't know why she was hesitating. She was usually able to make snap decisions easily, but since this involved Clover, it suddenly didn't seem so easy. She wanted to believe Michael but everything she knew about him told her otherwise. Still that kiss...No. She couldn't betray Clover.
In truth, her relationship with Michael was just a way for her to vent her frustration. She never intended to actually do anything. She knew what Michael wanted. He had whispered in her ear that day asking her if she knew where the necklace was. That much made it obvious.
Then, even when she had toyed with him a little, pretending she couldn't get it, he had been relatively patient with her. Kalandra had guessed some time ago that Ace had the necklace in the wardrobe in his room. However, she knew if she took it that Ace was right. Clover would have given it to the Empire. She had been hoping he would have just taken it and gone, but that didn't happen.
Now, she wasn't sure what to do. Was Michael right? Was it only a matter of time before Ace gave it to Clover? It didn't seem that way. That was the one positive thing she had to say about Ace. He did seem to care about Clover. Not as much as her, of course. Still surely enough not to give it to Clover just like that.
Later that week in the morning, Kalandra made her way to the great hall. The others weren't there yet. It was the day to be healed, but the guards wouldn't let her go inside.
"Why can't I?" Kalandra frowned.
"You know how it is, Kali," the guard smiled, "I can't let you in unless the lord allows it,"
"Okay, Noni," Kalandra sighed. She knew most of the demons by name at this point. They were all pretty nice to her.
"See you later, Kali," Noni waved.
Kalandra looked back at the door once more and started to leave. She didn't want Noni to get in trouble but she felt worried. She turned the corner and stepped into the shadows. She had very little magic remaining in truth but she needed to be sure.
She used her magic to take her back inside the great hall. To her relief, Clover was just lying back on the throne. However, then her eyes spanned up. Ace was standing in front of them. Suddenly Clover sat up.
Kalandra couldn't get any closer without Clover noticing but she watched carefully. Ace pulled out a small box from his pocket. He held out the box to Clover. They looked up with a surprised expression.
Just then the box popped open. Kalandra's mouth dropped. There was the necklace.
He was handing it over to Clover?