The Old Mill stands still like a forgotten statue of Medusa. A forgotten sentinel that was lost to time with its crumbling walls and broken windows eerily letting out light from within.

The place looks haunted and abandoned as if ghosts loiter about. A perfect setting for the shady deals that are about to unfold in front of my very eyes.

I make sure to be comfortable as I crouch behind a thicket of bushes. The small branches poke at me but I try my best to blend in with the shadows that are all around me. My breath comes out in shallow puffs but my heart hammers away in my chest.

This is all so exciting.

This was it. I'll be able to catch them, red-handed. Then I'll get a link to my mother and this'll be all done and dusted.

The thought makes me break out into a grin but I have to quickly mask it. It's best that I don't get too cocky.

You can never be too sure about the King's guard. They were highly trained and incredibly slimy.

I'd been here for quite a while now, simply waiting in the silence and blending in with the shadows. My ears have been straining trying to get even the slightest of sounds that indicate someone's arrival.

Kier said he'd be here but I hadn't expected him to follow me. Which is good, because he didn't. I'm sure the man has his own tasks to deal with. He doesn't have to follow me around and keep an eye on me.

I didn't need a babysitter. I'm perfectly capable of looking out for my help. Although a little company wouldn't hurt.

Even Sora, my kitsune, had left me high and dry. The little shit didn't show up at the tavern like he promised and he was too busy snoring away when I snuck out of the castle now.

It sickens me to think-

My heart goes into my mouth as a hand clamps down onto my shoulder, banishing any thought I had.

"Aah-!" My voice is high-pitched as I turn around swinging.

My hands are balled into fists as I close my eyes and swing blindly. My fingers connect with solid muscle. I like to think my fists are those of steel but the muscle that they hit didn't even budge in the slightest.

"For the love of-. It's me. Althea. Stop this movement!" Kier's voice is low and not out of breath at all. It was steady and caught my attention immediately. Even if I was scared out of my wits end.

"Kier! What in the seven hells are you doing? Why are you creeping up on me? I can hex you sex ways to Sunday if you cross me."

Kier's grip on my shoulder loosens up but he doesn't let go.

"Maybe if you were more focused on your surroundings and not lost in those... thoughts of yours, you'd have noticed me."

"Don't you start blaming me. I don't have eyes on the back of my head," I grumble while ignoring the butterflies coursing through me from his stupid hand being on my stupid shoulder.

"Also, I was not lost in my thoughts. I have finely honed skills of observation. You wouldn't know subtlety if it came up and slapped you in the face."

All I get in return is stone-cold silence. I'm not in the mood to decipher his thoughts and meanings today.

"Get down," He mumbles as he tugs me down so that we're both covered by the bushes, "They'll be here soon."

"Mm. I knew that."

I adjust my position and watch as Kier blends into the shadows. It's weird to see how good he is at it. The man practically vanishes in front of your eyes. It's creepy, to say the least.

The both of us settle into an uneasy silence. We sit side by side with our eyes focused on the mill. The air is rife with anticipation and the weight of it presses down on us, suffocating. Every rustle of the leaves, the slightest creak from the mill settling... it all set my nerves alight. The stark night was full of noises and each of them was a threat.

It felt like eons had gone by before there was a soft crunch of footsteps reaching my ears. Kier tenses next to me and I watch as his hand goes beneath his cloak, probably clutching onto a weapon that would do irreparable damage.

I don't have time to be impressed with his sharp reflexes, too busy staring through the gaps in the branches to catch sight of the intruders.

Two figures are hidden under cloaks emerge from the far side of the mill. Each approaches from the opposite direction but they saunter their way through the grounds as if they knew the place by heart.

A twisting realisation courses through me. This isn't just a suspicious meeting, this is something dangerous. One part of me had thought this would just be two disgruntled employees meeting up to talk smack about their boss.

Clearly, this is much more than that.

I lean forward to get the gist of their conversation but Kier shoots me a look. Brushing his attitude off, I focus on the two men. This is my chance to settle all of this once and for all. I'm not going to let this slip away.

"Where the wheel turns, yet the waters still."

"In the shadows. Away from prying eyes."

I share a look with Kier as the two men whisper their secret codes. Both of them are deliberate with their movements. My curiosity is at an all-time high with the way they whisper their cryptic codes. The old mill with its long-abandoned building and broken waterwheel was a great place to meet.

No one even bothers to come here anymore. It's clear they're hiding something.

Leaning further, I listen to more of their conversation. The moss is wet against my dress and the mulch seeps through. I grunt silently and shift my position only for my foot to slip as I tumble forward. I topple forward and land in a heap on the ground.

This time a louder grunt escapes me which rings clear in the night. I freeze in place as my heart pounds from the prospect of a discovery. Instead, the two men whisper away as a frustrated Kier yanks me back into the bushes.

"What do you think you're doing?" He whispers against my ear in a harsh tone.

"Um. Investigating," The sting of my ego stops me from being rash as I settle down once more.

I'm not about to argue when I could have blown this whole investigation by a bit.

Kier doesn't say anything but I notice that his hand clamped on my arm stays there. He keeps a firm grip on me almost as if he expects me to fall again. I can practically feel the irritation coming off of him in waves.

Oblivious to my near disaster, the two men continue their conversation. It was moot to listen in. Similar to their conversation in the tavern- if they even were the same two people- their words were hushed. I didn't hear much other than something about a delivery and some new contact.

It wasn't anything concrete but enough to know something was afoot.

It didn't take long for the two men to finally part ways. The two disappear into the shadows without even looking back at each other.

Kier and I wait a few moments longer, in absolute silence. Just to make sure we're all clear.

"We need to follow one of them," Kier states as he gets up from our hiding spot.

"I don't think that's a good idea. They might notice. They were suspicious yesterday too. They mentioned something about deliveries. We need to find out what that was."

I grab onto his arm to stop him, tingles erupting through my fingertips.

"How do you suggest we do that?"

I grin as I walk towards the old mill. A plan is already clear in my mind.

"The mill. This isn't just a location to meet up. I can't tell you how I know but they're hiding something here. Even if there isn't anything, we'll find a clue at the very least."

"I'm not sure about this. You're not the best undercover."

"Aye, but I sure am brilliant."

Kier doesn't comment on the accent that slips through from the tavern but that was answer enough for me.

The two of us walk into the old mill with its broken windows keenly watching our movements. I can feel Kier's eyes on me as shivers erupt on my spine. They certainly weren't out of fear.

I'm sure of that.

The mill was practically falling to bits. Cobwebs covered every surface and the smell of damp was thick in the air.

I move carefully, ensuring to not make any sound as we explore the space.

"There's something over here," Kier states as he ventures into a corner.

A wooden crate lays under a few planks of wood. Someone's poor job of trying to conceal a very large object.

We near the crate as tension builds within me. My hand lingers over the lid but I glance over at Kier.

"You ready?"

I know it's highly unlikely that something will jump out at me but it gives me comfort to know that Kier's armed and ready.

I come to a standstill as I lift the lid only to see straw under which a simple box lays. It was simple and highly innocuous.

"Any idea as to what is inside it?" I question.

"Your guess is as good as mine."

I shrug and reach to yank open the box but Kier's hand darts out and stills mine.

"Wait."

"W-what?" I ask with large eyes, already scared shitless.

Something in his eyes causes my heart to stutter.

"This could be a trap. We have to be careful."

"Do you think it'll explode?!" I ask with concern.

"Highly unlikely. Even if we don't know what we're dealing with. It's best to be careful, Althea."

The use of my name has my breath hitching. The tone of his voice throws me off balance and sends my stomach doing somersaults.

"Mm. You're right. But we need to know what's inside it. It'll give us an idea of what they plan to do."

The man nods but levels me with his stare.

"Okay. But if anything goes wrong, you leave as fast as you can. Understand?"

My mouth dries and my stomach nearly goes into cardiac arrest. Impossible I know but my heart is already too far gone to even exist.

The logical part of me knows it's probably because I can't defend myself. At least not in the way that Kier can defend himself. No matter what happens, he'll be answerable to the King for my demise.

I'm the best lead they have of finding my mother.

"I understand."

Kier has no idea that I'd never leave him behind. Even if it meant a worse fate for me.

This time it's Kier who reaches out and pries the lid off of the box. I frown as I catch sight of a plethora of different papers. They range from maps to documents.

"There's something else," I whisper as I lean down.

My fingers pause as a soft clinking noise sounds out. I grasp different-sized vials in my hand. Pulling the vials out, my mouth drops open.

"This is it."

"What is it?" Kier questions, not sure what we're looking at.

Inside the vial is a single flower. The colour of the petals is a purple so deep, they appear black in the shadows while the insides are a bright yellow that shines like liquid gold. Even holding the flower through the vial has my skin itching.

"Shadow root... I'm not sure how they got their hands on this. This is inexplicably rare. I mean-"

My eyes look down at the number of vials nestled amongst the paper.

"I've never seen this amount of shadow root. I don't think anyone has."

Kier peeks over my shoulder and as shocked as I am at the discovery, my face heats at the sheer proximity.

"We need to show this to the King as soon as possible."

I nod and quickly place the vial back. Kier places the lid of the box back and hoists it up like it weighs nothing more than a feather.

My mind races with possibilities as we head back to the castle.

I didn't realise how big this whole operation was. As much as I hate to admit this, I'm in over my head.

Unfortunately, I don't have a say in the matter. Not when my own mother practically dragged me into all of this.

As the both of us walk through the now empty streets, my eyes linger on Kier as he places the box on his shoulder as if it didn't weigh a tonne. His stance is alert but also surprisingly casual.

"Thank you," I find myself saying.

Kier turns his head a fraction of an inch towards me.

"For what?"

I smile as I pull the sleeves of my dress lower to cover my hands. A nervous habit.

"For not letting me land flat on my face back there. Also for looking out for me."

I've never heard my voice so meek before.

I hate it.

Wolf doesn't respond for a long while, his attention on the long winding road up the mountain that leads us to the castle. I focus on the road ahead, already knowing he won't answer me.

"Someone has to."

His voice is so soft I nearly miss it in the breeze as it whistles by us.

My eyes stay focused on the path ahead.

It wasn't much but it was enough for me.

----------

AN: Back to back chapters for you all! I hope it's enough to make up for my absence. Although there's more to come so don't get too comfy :)

Question: Would you rather look like a fish or smell like a fish?

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