Hello!
So here is an update. This chapter is shorter but its necessary.
The next two or three chapters will be about Gillian's birthday and thats where all the action is going down!
I'm excited!
Anywho! Thank you so very much to each one of you that reviewed! Reviews mean a lot, they definitely encourage me to write. So I really appreciate your support.
Enjoy!
-o-
Disclaimer: I do not own the Night World Series.
-o-
And before I forget. Happy Canada Day! I am a very proud Canadian; I love my country. I spend the day eating pancakes and poutine, for those of you who know what that is. Then I had some Molson Canadian. After that, I went walking around the city with my Canadian flag. Apparently transit was free today? I didn't know, so I'm slightly pissed right now... but even so. I had a great day.
-o-
"And the silence, causes violence."
-Cranberries
Something was wrong. Thea Harman couldn't help but to think as she glanced at the papers in front of her for the third time. Something was definitely wrong.
The information was incorrect, she noticed. Or, someone had changed some information. There was an amount of money missing… and something else. She couldn't understand why the numbers didn't add up and why the time was incorrectly reported. The number of passengers was wrong as well, not to mention the luggage. And if she counted carefully, she could notice that the number of personnel was incorrect as well.
Of course, it wasn't that big of a difference from what the number should have been. In all honesty there wasn't anything to serious about the report… but Thea couldn't help but feeling uneasy. Maybe if-
"Is something the matter, Thea?" Hearing her name being called caused the young Harman heir to look up from her papers as her eyes landed on a good friend of hers.
Giving a warm smile, Thea shook her head. "Everything is fine M'Lin." Mary-Lynnette gave her a look that told her she was not convinced. Thea sighed knowing she was caught. "Nothing of too much worry."
"Yet you are worried."
"You know me. I like worrying about the smallest things."
"Usually everything you worry about is not small." Thea frowned knowing Mary-Lynnette was not going to let the topic go. She gestured for M'Lin to come forward and sit in front of her before she handed her the papers she had previously been studying. Waiting for Mary-Lynnette to go over them, Thea started explaining what was bothering her.
"This is the report from the latest ship to arrive at England from Germany. As you see in the report, the Germans declare the amount of passengers was a total of 142, yet when we received 144. Not to mention we are missing three personnel. As for the luggage, there are at least five more then counted in Germany.
"We have sent a report but we have yet to receive an answer. The numbers aren't really what is bothering me, though. It's the luggage, not to mention that the report was given to me ten hours late."
"So you suspect…?"
"Either the Germans accidentally miscounted, or the information was changed."
"You don't mean…?"
"We may have to call the authorities. I wouldn't put it pass the Germans to try to allow illegal immigrants to enter the country, or worse, spies." Thea stated boldly. "Specially with what is happening tomorrow. The Royal family will all be in one place, perfect opportunity to get rid of them, don't you think?" Mary-Lynnette was shocked hearing Thea's accusations, yet she found herself agreeing. She nodded slowly still reading over the papers that were handed to her before she caught sight of something suspicious.
"Thea, how are the relations between Germany and France?"
"Since the last war, not well."
"There are a few French Aristocrats that were on board. It's quiet surprising, I recognize a few names."
"Really now?" Thea mused.
"Drache. Do you remember Keller Drache?" M'Lin read a name from the report as her mind tried to picture Keller. Mary-Lynnette could remember her long dark hair and her grey eyes. Not to mention her cunning personality.
Thea blinked, surprised that she hadn't noticed the name on the report before. "Yes. she was on board?
"It appears so. Her sister was too, Rashel Jordan."
"I see," Thea frowned, "I believe the sisters do hate England, do you think they are here for Gillian Descouedres ceremony?"
"Could be."
There was silence.
Then, "I don't trust them."
-o-
"Miss. Neely, Miss. North" The maid bowed as she entered the room. "There are two young gentlemen waiting to see you."
"Let them in, Amelia." without another word, the maid bowed once again before leaving to let the gentlemen in.
Poppy North, with her cooper hair and bright smile smoothly tilted her head back as she gave Maggie a questioning look. "You were expecting someone?"
Maggie couldn't help but to raise her brow at the implication she swore Poppy applied with that tone. She chuckled softly as she gave her distant cousin an amused smile. "Not that I knew off."
Poppy frowned at the lack of information Maggie's answer gave her but decided to let it go. Maggie once again gave her a smile before her eyes narrowed towards the book on her laps. Without much of a thought, she continued reading where she left off as Poppy served herself another cup of tea. Green Mint, her favourite flavour, Poppy realized as she took a zip from the cup. It was then when the door of the study room was opened.
Poppy and Maggie looked up in unison, only to find two familiar gentlemen wearing black suits enter the room. It didn't take Poppy long enough to stand up and sprint towards the youngest of the gentlemen. Her gown being quite simple and light made it easier for her to move, which allowed her to reach the man's opened arms quickly.
"James!" She exclaimed happily as said man held her tightly against his body. "What a surprise! How did you know I would be here?" she asked sheepishly as a small blush formed on her cheeks. James presence always made her feel light-headed, not to mention overly happy.
"You mentioned you would be visiting the Neely's in our last meeting, did you forget?" James asked as his loving smile never left his face. Almost immediately Poppy denied forgetting before once again she found herself asking him a question. The two silently fell into a conversation filled with smiles and gay laughter as the other two in the room where focused on staring at each other.
Maggie had first recognized James and was more then happy to see Poppy react in such a positive way. As she had ran into his arms however, Maggie's eyes had narrowed towards the other gentleman. When her eyes landed on him, she noticed that he was already looking at her with stunning dark eyes.
Dark eyes.
There was only one person she knew that had eyes like that, yet Maggie refused to believe that that person was standing a short distance from her. After all, he was suppose to be in Scotland. Not London. So it was definitely impossible for Quinn Redfern to be standing in the middle of her study room.
"Maggie?" Yet that was his voice. And that was definitely his smile… and oh my Maggie thought, those are definitely his eyes.
"Quinn!" Maggie brightly called out as both her feet started moving towards him. They met half way seeing how he had to started walking before they found themselves in each others arms. Maggie hugged him tightly knowing very well that she had missed him quite a lot as Quinn simply hugged her with the same strength for the same reason.
Quinn wasn't sure how long they hugged, but for him it wasn't long as they both parted away and Maggie immediately proceeded to throw out a few questions- that is before she made a statement. "You grew!"
Quinn laughed at that as he remembered how much she would bother him for being the same height. "I told you I would grow soon enough."
"That, you did." Maggie said with a smile before she heard James finally greet her as he stated it had been a while since they had last seen each other. "It has been a while James. Although, I am a little hurt the only reason you came is because off Poppy." She paused before adding; "Whom I assume will be leaving soon?"
"Jamie is taking me home. It is quite late and he fears for my safety. He does not want me travelling alone, especially this dark."
"I will keep her safe, Miss. Neely." James assured as Maggie huffed in annoyance and once again reminded him to simply call her 'Maggie'. "I will be back in an hour to pick up that annoying git I have as a brother."
Maggie giggled at the way James referred to Quinn before nodding her head in agreement. "Very well, have a safe journey." Maggie called out as Poppy and James said their goodbye's before leaving the room. James closed the door behind him.
"Annoying git my arse" Quinn mumbled with clear annoyance as Maggie once again focused her attention on him. Quinn was quick to notice Maggie's eyes on him which only caused him to smirk slyly as he folded his arms over his chest. "Like anything you see?"
Maggie rolled her eyes instantly, already used to Quinn's confident personality. "You." Maggie simply said before she went to sit back on the sofa as she called Quinn over. She offered him tea, which he politely refused before she realised that Quinn was back early. "Are you not suppose to be in Scotland?"
"Why does everyone ask that? You don't want me here?"
"No! No, no. Not at all, I just assumed your trip ended a week from now. Did you finish all the work early?"
"Not precisely. There is paperwork I haven't even gone through."
"So why…?"
"I was invited to the ceremony tomorrow."
"Gillian's ceremony?" Maggie asked knowing very well that the Redfern family had indeed been invited. She just never assumed Quinn would leave his work undone to simply assist a ceremony she knew he wouldn't find entertaining.
"That's the one."
"I did not know you fancied those events."
"I don't. It's just that…" Quinn trailed off as a soft blush appeared on his cheeks, which unfortunately for him, Maggie noticed.
Maggie smirked. "It's just that… what? What's got you all flustered?"
"Nothing." Quinn stated feeling the blush darken. "Just nothing."
"Mhm"
"It's this… lady" Quinn declared, his voice almost a whisper.
"A lady?" Maggie asked with a cunning smile. "A lady has caught your eye? Oh my! This lady must definitely be some… lady!" Without being able to control herself, Maggie allowed the giggles escape her mouth as Quinn seemed to be completely embarrassed by now.
"You know, if you keep laughing I wont be telling you any more."
"My apologies, please go on." Quinn gave her a sharp look before shaking his head. "Come on Quinn. Do tell me who this lady is."
"You will mock me."
"I could never mock love!"
"You will laugh."
"Only because you are flustered."
"You are not helping your case."
With a sigh, Maggie straightened up and easily fixed her childish smile into a straight line. She focused her eyes on Quinn with the only serious expression she could ever wear, before she tried once again. "I promise I wont laugh and I wont mock you in any way. All right?" She paused as she waited for him to say anything. Once he simply nodded, she continued. "Please carry on with your story. I want to know the name of the lady that has bewitched your old heart. She must be an incredible woman! Not many can capture the heart of a Redfern."
"Your right, only two ladies have been lucky enough- three, if you count my lady."
"Hm." Maggie mused. "Two only? Might I ask who?" The question left her lips before she could stop herself. A blush quickly found Maggie's cheeks as a small smile formed on her lips. Quinn's eyes caught it all, and he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at what he thought was strange behaviour.
Nonetheless, he answered Maggie's question: "Well, we can both agree Poppy is one of the lucky ladies." At that Maggie nodded, the blush still on her cheeks. Quinn blinked before he continued "And the other lady would be my bloody arse of a brother's-"
Quinn was cut off as the door of the study room was pushed open. Maggie and Quinn both turned their heads around accordingly to see Amelia, the maid walk in. "I am sorry Miss, but Mr. Delos is here to see you." And just as she said his name, the oldest Redfern sibling and heir, entered the room.
He was wearing a similar suit like Quinn's, yet his looked quite formal as all the buttons were properly buttoned, unlike Quinn who had the first three buttons undone. Not to mention he wasn't wearing a tie like Delos, nor was his hair smoothly done. If Maggie was to label the two Redferns in front of her, she would definitely label Quinn as the rebel and careless brother, as Delos would be the organized and responsible one.
Quinn growled in annoyance as soon as he saw Delos. He felt slightly guilty for what had happened earlier, but he was still definitely angry. The argument had been Delos' fault, therefore he would have to be the one to apologize. Quinn had no idea when that moment would come, but one thing he did know for certain was that his brother could sure ruin a moment.
"Delos." However Maggie didn't seem to think so. "What a pleasant surprise." Quinn was slightly amused by Maggie's excitement, but he didn't think much of it as he noticed she never moved to greet him. Instead she sat there smiling as he made his way towards her. Once in front of her, he kneeled down and extended his hand, which she gladly took, before he brought her palm up to his lips and placed a soft kiss on her delicate skin.
Maggie instantly blushed even though it was definitely not the first time he had done something like that. However, Maggie couldn't help herself, Delos always made her feel like that. Flustered, happy, and most importantly, special. "It has been a while."
"We saw each other yesterday!" Maggie stated as a giggle escaped her lips.
"Hm." Delos mused. "I believe you are right."
"How touching."
Delos turned to face his brother. "Quinn."
"Delos." Quinn growled.
"I passed James on my way here. I told him to go straight home after escorting Miss. North home, you will be returning with me."
"Brilliant." Quinn wanted to punch him.
"Oh my." Maggie gasped softly. "Did I miss something?" Both brothers didn't say anything. "You both haven't seen each other for three months and you are already fighting." Maggie scoffed. "How pathetic."
"Don't be mad." Delos warned. "It has nothing to do with you."
"You are wrong if you believe that."
"The git is right. Don't worry, Maggie. It's all his fault."
"I'll worry if I want." Maggie stated before sending both gentlemen a glare that dared them to object to her statement. Neither said anything, knowing well how stubborn Maggie was.
The silence dragged on for a while and all the two brothers did was stare at each other. Both showing hatred in their eyes and even hints of their brotherly love. Maggie sat quietly watching and waiting for one of them to say something. She couldn't stand the way they were staring at each other… and she was definitely not liking the tension she felt in the room.
Not taking it any longer, Maggie let our a heavy sigh before she decided to break the silence. "Oh lord! Please!" she crossed her hands on her lap. "I really cant stand this silence. Have I mentioned this being pathetic?"
"Yes," they both answered in unison before they send each other a glare.
At that, Maggie growled. "I can not stand this! Bloody hell, you are both brothers. Brothers who love each other and have great respect for each other. You both mean a lot to me and it honestly pains me to see my beloved and dearest friend glare at each other like that."
Both boys looked away from each other, both stunned and speechless.
Then Quinn said; "Beloved?"
Maggie turned to send Delos a glare. "You didn't tell him?" she asked completely stunned.
Delos sighed knowing there was no way out of this one. "No."
"Tell me wa…" Quinn stumbled over his words. Then realization hit. Maggie's questions. Delos' behaviour towards Maggie. The blush. Delos and his' earlier conversation. The proposal… oh.
Oh.
Well fuck.
And things only got worse when Quinn heard Delos tell Maggie; "You have his condolence."
It felt like someone put a knife through his heart.
He deserved it.
"Fuck…"
It definitely hurt.
-o-
That is it!
Hope you enjoyed and very sorry if any mistakes.
So! Just gonna answer some questions...
Yes, I plan on having each person with their respective soulmate at the end of the story.
Yes, I will probably play around with them before though.
And Yes. There is a characters death in this story.
Review?
Please?
=D?
-Maria
GOD BLESS YOU! God Bless Canada :)