Dragon Frost (33 page)

“
I was.”
I admit.

“
That’s
good to hear.” he says and I look at him and now his smile
stretches more across his face as it becomes a crimson colour. I
place my hand on his forehead lightly and trace it across to his
temple and down to his cheekbone and finally along his jaw line.
He’s still under my touch and I smile before removing my
hand.

“
Why do
you do that?” I mutter I know he’s heard my words but he seems to
have lost his and I quirk a brow. He turns form me and clears his
throat staring at the high gray walls where birds just touch the
towers along it.

“
Was it
true?” he asks. I turn to him.

“
What was
what true?”

“
You and
Dante being attacked by the Grattican,”

“
Yeah . .
. it’s true.” Even reflecting on it makes my heart sink; it’s
strange this feeling isn’t foreign to me. When will I stop feeling
guilty? When will I be able to pick up the pieces?

“
Are you
okay?” he asks, his eyes are sincere and full of concern. I smile
and nod.

“
I’m
fine, you needn’t worry.”

“
Aw
, isn’t that
sweet.” sings a familiar voice through the clearing in a tranquil
manner. I glance at it and see Lifet smiling at us from behind a
tree. Why didn’t I notice him? Is it because I was too focused on
Varden?

“
What are
you doing here? How did you get here?” I ask and stand on my feet,
suddenly feeling worried, what will happen if someone saw him? What
will happen if they saw us talking and not fighting? Then again, I
know what will happen. I will be prosecuted and Lifet will be shot
on sight. I really didn’t want that so I try and force him
back.

“
I’m an
Assassin,” he says before I force him to turn around and push him
away from where Varden and I are. “Whoa, are you trying to get rid
of me?” The sarcasm in his voice is evident that in turn tells me
he’s aware of the consequences of his
actions. 
Doesn’t he care he’ll be killed?

“
Yes!”

“
So
eager, hey?” He turns around and faces me, once he’s forced his
foot down. I’m taken back by how easily he managed to slip out of
my hands but then again I shouldn’t he surprised he is an Assassin
after all, they are trained not to be caught. “Don’t you care why
I’m here, so far all I’ve heard is 
what
 and 
how
?”

“
Hey,
Lifet,” I hear Varden say as he stops beside me, his tone is
sincere. He’s honestly happy to see the man who tried to kill him,
I quirk a brow and cross my arms. He notices my actions, “What?” I
roll my eyes and click my tongue in annoyance. I begin to tap my
feet on the ground.

“
Hey,
Varden, settling well?” asks Lifet and I give him a side look.
Noticing the expression, purposely pulled on my face,
“What?” 
These boys, honestly!

“
You
could be killed at any time and you’re catching up!” I growl and he
holds up his hands. I see the expression on his face and feel the
tension in the air—Varden’s heart races beside
me. 
Are
they honestly scared of me? You have got to be kidding me; I’m not
going to hurt you guys!
 I think with annoyance but don’t say
anything.

Ever
since I’ve met these two I have been showing more expression than
normal, I have been acting like a normal person or should I say a
person with expression. The only people I’ve done that with is
Dante, he knows me well, and he’s known me ever since I can
remember. I just have to say that I feel comfortable around these
two, I don’t know what it is but I feel like I can trust them.
Maybe it was because I didn’t have to pretend to be something I’m
not. On Earth, I had to do that a lot. That only added to my
frustration, guilt and sorrow. 
I was fairly pathetic
than.
 I think. “You
guys should know I’m not going to hurt you!” I growl in a low tone
and Lifet smiles.

“
Are you
sure? Because I can run now if you want me to.” I give the familiar
side look and he shrugs.

“
Let me
know and I’ll run too.” comments Varden and I glare at him. “Or
not.” he quickly adds. I place on hand on my hip, my fingers
brushing against the thick utility belt wrapped around my waist
which only makes my muscles have to exert more along with the
armour, now I know why the human Military don’t wear armour, it’s
heavy. My head falls into my free hand and I sigh, letting out all
my frustration right now and begin to laugh, I can’t help it but
the situation right now could call for it.

“
Is she
okay?” asks Lifet in a whisper and I feel Varden shrug beside
me.

“
You two
. . . honestly,” I say once I’ve calmed down, that is the first
time in a hundred and ninety years I’ve really laughed that I can
remember anyway. “Fine, tell us why you here.” I state and place
both my hands on my hips. Lifet’s face is grim and I know I’m not
going to like the sound of this.

“
Are you
aware the Grattican are here?”

“
They’ve
always been here.” I say, repeating the very words I said to Dante
and Altair.

“
Do you
know their plans?”

“
No.” A
smile pulls across Lifet’s face. “Are they after the
Prince?”

“
Yes, and
there’s more. Apparently the blood of the Prince has the power of
the world to open the gate to the Underworld.” I freeze.

“
How much
blood?” asks Varden, there was a part of me that feared he will ask
the question but there was a part of me that wanted to know, either
way they aren’t getting their hands on him and next week is the
last week of the month. Since I’m determined to keep him, I’ll have
to improvise.

“
Every
drop,” Varden gasps.

“
That
will kill him!” I growl.

“
True but
they want to take him alive.”

“
I won’t
let it happen.”

“
Neither
will I but the Grattican are hunting the city for him. The question
is: ‘how did they know he was in the city?’.” How did they know he
was in the city? We didn’t go anywhere else and Varden wore my
cloak covering his features as we passed through the market
place—we avoided the other areas like the plague, using the market
place since it had a hidden access to the Order, it was either that
or be caught by the Grattican and the guards of Midra. The only
thing I can think of is . . .

“
The
Duke,” I say.

“
You mean
he’s responsible for all this?” growls Varden as he gestures to
Lifet.

“
Hey!” he
growls, “I’m on your side, remember?” he taunts and I glance at
him. “What? He said it.”

“
I didn’t
mean you.” states Varden. My mind twirls around with images of when
we entered the Order and when we first entered the Sector.
Something didn’t seem right then and I was right, I wasn’t being
paranoid.

I can’t
help it when people insist on trying to betray us, than at this
point in time who am I to talk. Though, I still haven’t handed over
Varden. I glance at him as he continues to argue with Lifet about
how the Grattican managed to find out and Lifet states that it’s
our fault. Varden reluctantly defends me but I have a feeling that
it is my fault and because of it. He’ll be killed. He’s either
going to be killed by the Grattican or by Golgotha. I have yet to
find out what she wants with him probably the same thing Midra
wants. Why would they need access to the Underworld? Normal beings
without any supernatural protection will be soul-bound to the place
and unable to return to the world of the living? In other words,
they’ll be dead and will have no choice but to spend the rest of
their life in the Underworld not even with a chance to try and go
to heaven. There’s too much and so little time.

“
It’s not
her fault!” I hear Varden yell.

“
I know
that but if it weren’t for her you wouldn’t have everyone after you
like some common criminal!” he snaps.

“
We
should get going.” I say staring at thesnow, still deep in thought
but I have enough of my sense to be able to pullmyself from my
thoughts a bit more. There’s silence for a moment, I take this
opportunityto voice my thoughts. “People, are after you Varden.
That’s the main concern here. Not how it happened andeven before we
entered Midra. People were still trying to get a hold of you.” Isay
as I reflect on the previous events. “Now, we know why they are
after you,we might need to find out what their plans are and if it
threatens the rightfulcrown we will stop it.” I say with
a 
very
 determined expression on my face.  
 

There
’s silence
once more. “But Kal?” I hold up my hand.

“
No
exceptions Varden, you must be protected at all costs.” I say and
turn to Lifet, “time for the first phase of the plan.” I need you
to track the Duke’s whereabouts from now until next week; I want to
know what he’s doing, who he’s meeting and above all his agenda
both formally and informally. I need to know if this is his doing.”
Lifet nods. He turns and leaves.

I turn to
Varden.

“
I need
you to stay by me at all times. Even though we may be safe here,
I 
don’t
 trust
anyone. We don’t know if we have a spy on the premises. Also, at
night, I’ll have Dante stand guard outside your room. Understood?”
He nods. “Good.” I glance at Lifet’s retreating form. “I pray the
Lord is on our side.”

Later I
stumbled upon Altair in the library, “Altair!” I call and he looks
up at me. Varden and I stop before him where he works studiously
upon an oak desk in one of the many libraries in the Sector. “I
need you to transform.” I say. He blinks before closing the book
slowly.

“
Why do
you need that?” he asks, his eyes sceptical as he scans my
form.

“
Information,” I say, “Varden here is being searched for
that much we know, the Grattican are at our gates and the people of
our Order fear they’ll infiltrate our defences in order to take
him. I know we won’t hand him over without a fight but I need
someone in Midra. I need someone to pose as a member of a
parliamentarian.” He stares at me.

“
I’m a
front-line Knight, not a recon one.” he says, flatly. His voice
bounces off the silent walls of the round study room and I couldn’t
help but notice how deep his voice sounded.

“
I know
but you are all I have at the moment,” I confess and he crosses his
masculine arms, his cloak parting slightly away from his fierce
statue.

“
I’m all
you have?” he teases and I hear Varden growl. I place a hand on his
forearm to calm him. Altair notices and his gaze becomes dark,
directly upon Varden. I step in front of Varden to block Altair’s
glaring assault.

“
Now is
not the time. I don’t trust anyone other than our group.” I say at
both Altair’s taunt and his hostile gaze. I’m aware both men are
interested in me sexually but I couldn’t risk the chances of the
consequences that would follow if I weren’t
careful. 

“
And who
is a part of our group?”

“
You,
Dante, Varden, Lifet and Me.” I say.

“
Than
what about Dante?” I shake my head.

“
I need
him to help me stand guard.”

“
What are
you going to do in the meantime?” he asks. Slightly taking interest
in what I have to say.

“
I’m
going to keep Varden around me, during the day. At night, I’ll
spend my time going through the Vault.” Altair gapes at me and
stands, forcing the chair back.

“
That’s
suicidal.”

“
You have
another plan, we need information. We can’t go accusing the Duke of
something that may be false. Our lives aren’t the only thing on the
line right now.” I reason, and his jaw clenches, I see the muscles
flexing slightly out of irritation. I would ask him to back down
but at the same time I’m his superior and what I say
goes.

“
And if I
refuse?”

“
It’s an
order.” He stiffens and glances down at the book.

“
Fine.”

“
Meet me
tonight, after sundown and I’ll give you the name and information.”
Altair leaves the room and I let out a sigh, the air was so tense
previously and I have to say I’m happy he finally accepted. Altair
will deal with finding the perfect person to pose as and I know who
exactly. I’ll give him the information on the person I have in
mind.

And that
was how Varden and I spent the day, wondering around, mainly
following me as I had to map out the whole Sector for possible
escape routes, guard shifts and guard stations. “Will I be doing
anything?” he asks.

“
You
will.” I glance at the walls and see silhouettes of men with bow
and arrows. Archers. “I need you to also, help gather information,
we have little time but I’m sure if were thorough will be able to
execute it perfectly.” Varden and I wondered the Contuse Sector,
from the frozen gardens to the frozen lake, from the lake and to
the eastern wall. That seemed to be enough for me; a route for both
Altair and Lifet to give us information. With guards changing at
every six hours at mapped out sectors if careful the boys will be
able to leave and enter undetected, well as long as they stick to
the time limit. This, I know they can do.