20
I spent most of my day in my office, responding to correspondences. By half four, I sent for Maeve, partially because I was growing incredibly bored but we also need to discuss the next mission.
My heart pounds in my chest as Maeve appears at my door, arms crossed with Cole standing behind her. Looking immensely displeased, but I’ve found this to be when she’s the most fun.
“I hope this is worth my time, I was enjoying my day off.”
I smirk at her. “Glad you’re enjoying your time in my home.” I reply, trying to bait her.
She shrugs looking around my office. “It’ll do.”
For now, is what she doesn’t say. But I can see from her expression that it’s what she meant. I pay no attention to the knot that twists in my stomach.
“Are you ready to hear about your next mission?”
Maeve scoffs at me. “I hope you’re paying me well, I’ve had hardly a days rest.”
I laugh. “I’m paying you very well, go ahead and take a walk to the vaults later, ask to see yours.” A challenge and yet the truth.
Surprise flickers across her features and I wonder if maybe this is the first time that she has had access to her own fortune. I can’t imagine the Agency ever giving her enough to roam entirely free.
“I wouldn’t want you to think that I don’t appreciate the work you’re doing for us, love.”
Maeve just nods and walks further into the room to sit by the fire, she’s picked a favourite chair in the time that she’s been here. The armchair to the left is the one she always goes for. It used to be where I chose to sit, until I noticed.
I sit up from my desk and walk over to sit on the couch, closest to her. In doing this I earn a glare from both Maeve and Cole. Not so subtle I see.
I learn forward, placing my forearms on my knees. Getting ready to tell Maeve her next task.
“I need you both to steal something for me.”
Maeve looks across to me for a moment, eyes narrowed.
“And you’re not coming?”
Amusement fills me from the way she asks her question, I smirk at her. “Try not to miss me too much.”
She rolls her eyes and looks at Cole. “Can't wait to see you in action.”
“What does that mean?” He demands.
Maeve holds her finger nails up to her face to examine them. “I haven’t seen you fight, ever.”
Cole glares at her, about to retort.
“There will be no fighting anyway.” I say to interrupt their little argument.
Maeve tears her gaze away from her nails to face me, confusion flickering across her features.
“I want you guys in and out, no disturbances, no one can know you two were there.”
“Why?”
“No one can know what we’re planning yet, we’ll rally allies when the time comes but we cannot risk the information we now know getting back to the King of Hidale or anyone scared enough to partner with him.”
“Are we stealing from him?” Maeve asks, her eyes wide, making me wonder what about the idea of stealing from Hidale scares her.
“Not exactly, we’re stealing from an old friend of mine. One of which, I’d rather not sever ties with before we can forge an alliance.”
“Is that why you’re not coming?”
I smile again, noting her fixation. “Partially, I also have other matters to attend to but yes, it would be worse if I was found stealing this item or seen in his kingdom when it went missing much less.”
“When do we leave?” Cole asks suddenly.
“Two days.” I say and sit back on the couch, with a leg crossed over my knee and arms outstretched.
“You’ll have two days to plan and gather any resources you might need.” I look towards my commander now, “will that be enough?”
He nods and gets up to leave. I know he’ll start to prepare everything now, he knows what he’s stealing and what’s at stake, it’s Maeve that doesn’t know.
She gets up to leave assuming this means she’s dismissed.
“Wait.” I say with quiet authority, “sit back down please.”
She doesn’t, Maeve instead moves to the fireplace and leans against the wall next to it. I let out a loose laugh, ever so stubborn.
“Do you ever follow instructions?”
Maeve just shrugs. “When it suits me.”
I roll my eyes and lean forward.
“I just want to tell you what you’re stealing.”