CHAPTER 7: They Know

"Misto?"

"Hmmm?"

"Do you think anyone knows…about us?"

Mistoffelees rolled over and looked into Victoria's eyes, though she averted her gaze. "Why?"

Victoria shrugged idly. "Just wondering…"

"Has something happened?" Instantly, Mistoffelees became alarmed.

"I just think…Plato. I think he knows."

"What makes you think that?"

"Well, he's suddenly become all…lovey-dovey, sort of. He's never been like that before."

Mistoffelees frowned. "What do you mean by lovey-dovey?"

"All over me. I mean, he offered to wash me. He's only ever done that twice, not long after…we were mated." Victoria turned over to gaze at her lover. "Do you think he knows?"

"He might," the tom admitted, "but that's not really much to go on. There could be a number of reasons for him suddenly wanting to wash you."

"Maybe, but he sure asked an awful lot of awkward questions before that. About what I did, but when I told him that I'd been talking to Rumpelteazer, he said, uh…oh, what was it? Oh, yeah. 'I thought you said something about visiting Mistoffelees.' Was that awkward or was that awkward? I swear, he seemed to be smirking throughout the whole rotten ordeal."

"Maybe he does. But let's not think of it right now." Mistoffelees dropped a light kiss onto the tip of Victoria's nose, purring quietly. However, the business didn't evade his mind entirely. He had received a note earlier. It had read:

Dearest Mistoffelees,

I know, and you know I know. If you want to keep me silent, you'll meet me on the East side of the junkyard, near the Northern gate, two hours after sundown. I have a little business proposal for you.

Cassandra.

He didn't want Victoria to know, but he had to go. He couldn't ignore something like this; Cassandra could be a serious threat.

"You came."

Mistoffelees peered through the blanket of darkness, barely making out Cassandra's dark figure. "Yeah," he managed to get out of his constricted throat.

"You got my note, then."

"Well, obviously," was Mistoffelees' attempt at sarcasm; however, it came out a bit too squeaky for his liking. He cleared his throat and tried to talk casually. "What's this proposal?"

"Ah, all business. I like that." Cassandra began to circle Mistoffelees as she had with Plato. "You and Victoria don't want anyone to know about your little…rendezvous'…correct?"

Mistoffelees nodded mutely.

"And so far, I'm the only threat to your little secret spilling into public," Cassandra continued. "So I'm going to offer you a choice."

"What is it?" Mistoffelees whispered in dread.

"Well, either you reject it and I spill, or…" Cassandra paused for dramatic effect.

"Or?" Mistoffelees prompted.

"…or you can…keep me company. Of a night."

"Huh?" Mistoffelees stared at her blankly.

Cassandra rolled her eyes and let out a grunt of impatience. "Think about it."

"I don't quite –"

"Sleep with me."

"What?!" Mistoffelees finally exploded. "I will not! That's blackmail!"

"Oh, please, 'blackmail' is an ugly word. I prefer…'extortion'. And I highly suggest you consider my proposal carefully before refusing it. Remember, it's either that or I make an…announcement."

Mistoffelees growled, feeling magic building up in his claws and pulsing through his veins, caused by his anger. Before he knew what was happening, blue bolts of lightening shot out of his claws, barely missing Cassandra. His eyes widened in shock as she jumped aside in fright. I almost killed her!

"You vermin!" she hissed. "What do you think you're doing?! Magic isn't going to get you anywhere, Mister." She turned on her heel and stalked off.

"I – I'm sorry, Cassandra," Mistoffelees called desperately after her. "I couldn't control it…" In a flash, he appeared in front of her, thanks to controlled magic.

"No, Mistoffelees. Magic tricks mean I tell, regardless of whether you agree to sleep with me or not."

"Please don't…" Mistoffelees pleaded, trying not to whimper. "I'm sorry. I said I couldn't control it. I'll…I'll do as you asked," he said quietly, hanging his head in submission and shame.

Cassandra smirked. "Very well, then." She leered down at him threateningly. "But I'm warning you only once. Try any magic again, and I'll spill."

Mistoffelees sighed. I'm so sorry, Vic… How am I ever going to tell her?