Chapter 52
CALISTA
All hell breaks loose.
It always does at these parties, but it is far more amusing when you’re the reason behind it.
“Do you want to make a wish? It’s my birthday!”
Singing and chortling, the Mad Hatter skips around the ballroom, knocking tables over and throwing every champagne flute that crosses his path. His eyes are unnaturally wide from the dose of amphetamine Marlin registered half an hour prior.
The explosions Christopher planted has the ballroom in a state of disarray. Smoke clouds the air as clumps of rubble are kicked around, sharp stilettos and polished dress shoes scrambling to make it to safety.
“Guards! Seize him!”
An order that sends a dozen guards racing towards the old man grinning atop the open bar. Bottles smash and alcohol splatters along every surface as Maddox Shoreshire kicks and sings, wishing everyone a happy birthday.
“There’s two of them!”
Evie dashes through the room, his lopsided skip near identical to the real one. Dressed in pink from head-to-toe, he chortles and sings along with the madman, confusing the guards long enough for chaos to ensue.
I watch villains and their offspring flail around the ballroom, a panicked-filled dance that sets the stage for our evening activities.
“Calista! Stop him-
Words that get cut off when a swarm of people hustle past the Dragon. I watch her stumble back, the slight flush in her cheeks paling when Evie offers her a bow.
“Would you like a cup of tea?”
Another scream has a bottle of champagne shattering against the wall behind her, forcing Maleficent to duck and cover.
Sliding into the closest shadow, I crouch low and wait for the guards to go charging past. One by one, they stomp past me, their Achilles tendons almost as satisfying as their heels.
Shouts ring out as the guards fall beneath the slash of my blade, the sharp twist of my knife ensuring none of my mother’s men make a reappearance tonight.
Glass tumbles from my dress as I stand up and step over the men writhing on the ground. Clucking my tongue in sympathy, I offer the guards a consolidating smile.
“Better luck next time.”
They curse and reach for my legs, a futile attempt that gets knocked aside with the heel of my stiletto.
“Guests must have a cup of tea, I say. They must-
Maddox stutters to a stop before me. His mouth opens and closes, two blunt teeth needling the shrivelled skin of his lip until a drop of blood dribbles down his chin.
A withered hand reaches out and touches my hair. Pulls at a curl and watches it spring up, his eyes widening with every bounce.
“Lost and found. The treasure-
“Come on, darling. We’ve got to go.”
Christopher grabs my arm and forces me forward, his barrelling presence breaking the connection between us.
I stumble forward, hearing my mother’s roar and the mad scramble of her remaining guards. Bullets start to fly as weapons are pulled from their holsters and guests start to scream louder.
“Which one is it?”
Christopher shouts at me from over his shoulder as we go sprinting through Drache Manor, passing corridor after corridor until we reach the access point.
“Next one on the left.”
Rounding the corner, I go crashing into his back as the Brit comes to an unexpected stop.
“That’s not good.”
The trapdoor Vector helped me install hangs awkwardly from the ceiling, it’s wooden frame angled and unable to open all the way. Marlin stands grimly beside it, his suit jacket carefully folded on the floor as he attempts to pry off the hinges.
“Give Vin a call. Tell him we need him to bring a saw.” Grimacing at the debris clinging to his dress shirt, Marlin sighs, “And tell him to make it quick.”
“Vector is not working this weekend.”
“You decided to give him a vacation on the one day we need him?”
“He was costing me too much overtime.” I snap back at him, tension and agitation crackling between us, “Can’t you just unscrew it?”
Melody steps forward, foolishly putting herself between me and her boyfriend.
“Let’s calm down. I’m sure there’s another way.”
“You are not a part of this plan.”
Christopher clears his throat, peering up at the warped mechanism.
“If you push on it from the inside, you might be able to break it apart.”
Marlin eyes him wearily, unused to anyone but himself having good ideas.
“That would help to distribute some of the pressure.”
Dropping to one knee, Christopher bends his head and beckons for me to hop on. I climb onto his shoulders, gripping the sides of his head with my thighs as he stands up and walks us over to the access point.
Bang!
“I do hope the screaming has not paused just yet.”
Bang! Bang!
A loud groan follows but the stubborn board stays in place.
“It’s stuck but I think I can climb inside from this angle.” Tilting my head, I study the narrow entrance to the ventilation system, “Once we make it through this bit it should open up.”
“By we, you mean the people small enough to make it inside.”
Marlin says it quietly, his eyes roaming over the space that couldn’t possibly fit a man of his size.
“I’ll do it.” Melody speaks up, her blue eyes trained on the tight entrance, “I’m small enough to make it through.”
“No.”
“Marlin, I’m the shortest person here. I can fit-
“My little saint will not be joining you.”
It’s a final statement, one that leaves no room for argument.
“If you are caught...” His throat bobs as he swallows, “I'm afraid I’ve found something that I am not willing to lose.”
Twelve years is a long time to know someone. A long time to learn their weaknesses and strengths, to study and acknowledge the gaps that will always be missing.
I expect to find defeat when I look at my old acquaintance. Wolf Hollow’s most ambitious villain, he takes like the rest of us and will stop at nothing to succeed.
I expect to find some form of disappointment.
Instead, all I find is love.
“Here are the lists I made with the possible combinations.” Ripping a page out of his notebook, Marlin passes it to me, “Top three are listed at the top. After that, it’s a game of statistics.”
Violet eyes meet mine, the same eyes I found on the playground all those years ago.
“I trust you will remain loyal to me as I have to you all these years.”
It’s an unspoken question, a silent ask for reassurance. A deal that was struck between two children during recess, a favour in exchange for a favour.
“Have I ever let you down before?”
Marlin smiles faintly, “Not yet.”
Christopher watches our interaction solemnly, his dark eyes tracking every movement between us.
“You don’t have to come with me.” I say it softly, wishing I couldn’t feel the pinch in my chest, “Pass the supplies and I can finish this myself.”
“And miss out on a score of a lifetime?”
He gives me a cocky, reckless grin that almost takes away the fear glittering in his eyes.
“Don’t think so, darling. We’re going to see this through.”
Relief and something much stronger flows through my body as I look at the man who surpassed all my expectations.
A man who started as just a man.
Until he became my partner.
“If you’re both going, I suggest getting a move on.” Lifting his brows, Marlin gives us a pointed look, “Our distraction is dwindling as we speak.”
“Make sure Evie-
“Doesn’t succeed in killing himself.” He cuts him off, looking at his watch again, “The Witch of Wolf Hollow has been on suicide watch for the last three years. There may not be much I can do.”
Christopher sets his jaw, “He’s got something to live for.”
“So you say.” Catching his glare, Marlin sighs, “But I shall see what I can do. Now, do you need a hand or not?”
I hold back a smile as grumbles flow out of the thief’s mouth.
Linking his hands together, Marlin makes a basket for me to step into. He lifts me up with ease, waiting patiently as I shimmy through the boards, prying a couple nails out of the ceiling to make room for Christopher.
“Watch the suit.”
“Fuck your suit.”
More swears and fumbling occurs until finally shaggy hair appears at the entrance. Christopher's eyes are pinched shut as he edges himself forward, bumping his head on the surface of the air duct and swearing again.
I can see the sweat beading along his skin, the panicked pulse breaking through the soft jut of his neck.
“Focus on me, Devil.”
His breathing is ragged as we inch forward, crawling along our bellies as the ventilation shaft leads us deeper into the manor.
Just a little farther.