Chapter 34
Ines
I have to hand it to Remus. His plan is a solid one.
As long as everyone plays their part, we might be able to pull this off.
However, there are so many outside variables that could muck up this meticulously outlined heist. Hopefully the Saints are real and give us speed, accuracy, and a little bit of luck.
As per Remus' instructions, Carmen and Shaw will stay in the Night District and keep Rogelio and his group occupied.
When I inquired as to how they knew Rogelio would visit The Jaded Fox, Carmen informed me Rogelio is very picky about what establishments he frequents on the rare occasion he goes out, and their bar is one of them.
If for some reason Rogelio doesn't show up or leaves the bar early, Carmen will make her way to the Garden District to warn Cassius who in turn will warn those of us inside the house.
With Rogelio covered for the evening, Cassius is assigned to be our lookout outside the Murrieta estate.
Since he has a Black Guard uniform handy – if we had the time to dive into how he procured one, I would have asked – he'll position himself outside the fence and keep an eye out in case one of the Murrietas comes home earlier than expected or other Black Guards are patrolling the Garden District.
Olli will join Remus and me when we infiltrate the house. We can't steal Severo's documents – that will tip him off immediately to our being there – so Olli will have to quickly copy all the information down in a notebook while Remus and I deal with the dogs.
My heart pounds in anticipation as the four of us crouch behind the hedges in the neighbor's yard.
Thankfully their grounds are heavily wooded.
Even if they were sitting outside on their patio enjoying the night breeze, they wouldn't be able to spot us in the darkness.
The Murrieta estate is a corner lot, so the two main streets in the Garden District border the front and right sides of the grounds.
The back portion of the yard has water access, though it's not as vast or as impressive as Otero's peninsula estate, it boasts a lovely view of the Royal District.
A constant reminder of who they betrayed and who they currently worship.
Adrenaline courses through my veins as Remus hands me a mask that matches his own and I tie it around my face. I'm ready to show these boys why the elite feared being my next target at the height of my burglary career.
With a silent nod from Remus, he gives Cassius the signal to give each of us a boost over the hedge lining Murrieta's iron rod fence.
Once we drop into the garden, we will find a spot to hide behind one of the many nerium oleander and taxus baccata trees until all three of us are ready to move in on the house.
I'm the first one to put my boot in Cassius' palm and be hoisted over the barricade.
When I clear the railing, I quickly scan the dark grounds, the moon the only source of lighting in the vast garden and quietly drop into enemy territory.
I slither behind one of the pines and keep my eyes open for signs of servants or worse, dogs.
The guards at the front gate have their attention fixed on the street view, not aware of danger behind their secure borders.
Determining the grounds are as silent as a graveyard, I whistle lowly so Remus and Olli can follow my lead.
Olli is the next one up and over and he drops to the ground with a loud grunt.
I whip back to flash him a look of warning and press my index finger to my lips to remind him to be quiet.
He sheepishly nods in understanding, readjusting the mask Remus issued him to wear.
I dare a glance at the gatehouse but neither of the security guards have moved a muscle, enjoying a shared cigarette handed back and forth.
Clearly with their masters out of the house, they've let their defensives falter.
I exhale a sigh of relief as Olli presses his back against the tree a few paces from mine.
I remind myself Olli might be a part of the Vulpes and used to skirting beneath the radar of noticeability, but he's not stealthy or as acrobatic as Remus and me.
I'll have to extend him some grace as he literally finds his footing in this mission, but that doesn't mean I can't admonish him – albeit harshly at times – to remain silent.
I barely notice Remus heave over onto our side of the fence. He's light on his feet and as I have learned several times, far sneakier than I am. He crouches beside me, whispering, "Guards?"
"Occupied."
"Dogs?"
"From what I can tell, inside."
He nods before turning his sights from me to the mansion. "Which window leads to Severo's office?"
My focus slices across the distance of the gravel pathways, water fountains, and topiaries shaved into the images of soldiers and war dogs in the Murrieta Garden, until I find the two-story mansion.
I remember the study being the third door on the left from the staircase and it overlooked the courtyard and backyard.
I count the windows, sparing the front of the estate where the half-circle driveway and alabaster fountain welcome guests a quick glance, before pointing out the right one.
Remus dips his head, eyes narrowed, the wheels in his mind spinning. "On my signal, we will sprint for the courtyard. Ines, are you sure you want to go in first. I can deal with the dogs – "
"I've got it." I pat the breast pocket of my vest where the three Tranquillis treats are wrapped.
There's a hint of trepidation in his eyes, as if he's feeling guilty for agreeing to let me have first crack at breaking into the house and dealing with the three mutts.
But I volunteered for a reason. I know I'm not as important as Remus and Olli – which doesn't detract from the part I'm playing – but they're the ones who need to make it back to the others unscathed.
If all goes to shit, I know Remus will make the right decision, which includes choosing if he needs to leave me behind to keep the others safe.
I pat his arm, hoping to ease his burdened conscious. "We don't have much time."
His jaw clenches, as if he wants to argue but thinks better of it. He might be stubborn, but so am I.
With a low whistle, the three of us take off in a full sprint, doing our best to avoid the crackling gravel pathways that would certainly alert the lackadaisical guards of our being there, up to the house. Once we make it, we catch our breath, our backs pinned to the stucco facade.
Slowly, I peek over the lip of the library window on the first floor and can see through to the foyer and the dining room on the other side of the house.
There are a few candles lit, but no signs of movement.
I unsheathe one of my knives and slide the blade between the windowsill and sash and gently pry it wide enough for me to slip inside.
Grabbing ahold of the three Tranquillis, I tip toe across the library, the crackling of the fireplace the only noise to be heard.
With my back against the bookshelves, I poke my head around the corner and give a quick glance up the staircase to find it cloaked in darkness.
So far so good, but I can't help the ominous feeling that Narcissa, Beto, and Soccoro will make an unexpected entrance giving me little time to sedate them.
I flash Remus a look through the window as he watches me intently.
I'm about to motion him inside but stop when I hear clicking of dog nails against the black and white tile floors approaching at lightning speed.
There's no shot in hell they heard me. Either they sensed my presence or could smell me.
Remus' eyes widen and I know they're about to dart into the library, so I step out of my hiding place to keep them from attacking the window and draw unwanted attention from the guards outside.
The three dogs screech to a halt when they see me, growling and flashing their fangs.
I rip the black mask from my face and stuff it in my pocket.
Giving them a chance to recognize me, all I can do is pray to the Saints they don't immediately maul me to death.
"Calmate, perros, calmate!" I say sweetly, confusing the three guard dogs.
"You remember me. I'm Elena." I extend my palm like I had done days earlier and despite Narcissa's snarl and pearly white fangs, she allows me to press my hand to her head.
With my other hand I slowly flash the treats.
"See, you remember me. I have treats. Do you want one? "
The viciousness of the dogs melts the second they see the Tranquillis: ears perked, tongues hanging out the sides of their mouths, and tails twitching. The fact they're fighting the urge to show joy when they should be protecting their master's house, causes me to smile.
"That's right," I continue to speak softly, keeping my hands at the level of my eyes.
"Here. I have one for each of you." I offer the three treats and one by one, each mutt snatches one and retreats to a corner in the library to eat in peace.
It doesn't take more than a minute before they've eaten everything, leaving no trace of our crime, their hooded eyes drooping.
I walk toward each one and pet their heads, stroking down their shiny, soft coats.
Not really sure what propels me to sing them a lullaby, but if it works for babies, surely it might work for dogs fighting the effects of the Tranquillis.
A few moments pass and all three dogs are knocked out, snoring loudly.