Chapter Twenty-Eight: Calm Before the Storm
"Turning and turning in the widening gyre…"
Draco sat at the bar, swirling his tumbler of whiskey and listening to the chilled stones inside rattle against the crystal. It was barely five in the afternoon, and he and Jaime Quinn—who was behind the bar—were currently the only two people in The Em.
"I thought I might find you here."
Draco looked up as Blaise strode in and carefully shrugged out of his trench coat, indicating for a vodka. Jaime doused Draco's whiskey stones with a second drink and he nodded gratefully.
"Where else would I be after that picture ran this morning?" Draco said, looking down into his drink again.
Blaise nodded in agreement before sinking down next to his friend.
"So, what do you think?" Blaise said after a minute or two of charged silence.
"About what?" Draco snapped.
"Do you think it's her?"
Draco considered.
"It certainly looks like her," he replied simply.
"Ginny thinks so, too," Blaise admitted.
Draco nodded but said nothing.
"I'm going over to the Burrow later," Blaise elaborated for no particular reason. Perhaps he couldn't bear the silence. "But I figured I would come see you first. Ginny's worried."
"She shouldn't be," Draco said, taking a sullen gulp. "I'm fine."
"What are you going to do?" Blaise said finally. "If it is her?"
"What do you mean?" Draco snapped again. " Obviously I'm not going to do anything."
"You're not even considering—"
Draco cut him off.
"I didn't go after Leolin when she turned up in Geneva four and a half years ago, and I'm not chasing her to Dublin now. Even if that picture in the Prophet is her, I don't care. She's my past."
Blaise considered.
"So you've really made up your mind?"
Draco drove a hand into his pocket and produced a ring so large the diamond didn't even sparkle, just glinted dimly in the low light.
"Gen and I are going to Paris at the end of April, and when we do I'm going to propose."
"And what about Leolin?"
"Stop asking that!" Draco snapped. "She has no bearing on me or my future. I love Gen and I'm marrying her. Everything else is completely irrelevant."
"It's not just that," Blaise pointed out. "What if Leolin comes back?"
"She wouldn't dare show her face here," Draco sneered. "She has to know I would destroy her."
"And what do you think Ariadne and Adrien would say to that?" Blaise prompted. "You know Ariadne is desperate to have Leolin home. So is Ginny, to be perfectly honest with you. Not going after her is one thing; actively keeping her away is another."
Draco took a large sigh to indicate he knew Blaise was right.
"You need to start asking yourself what this could mean for you," Blaise cautioned. "If she comes back, I mean."
"It won't mean anything either way. I washed my hands of that vipress a long time ago."
"Drake—" Blaise sighed, but realising he had nothing to say he simply shrugged instead. "You're right," he finished. "You have to handle this the way you see fit, and I trust you know what's best. Let me know if you need anything from me or Ginny. We're here for you."
Draco nodded stiffly as Blaise shrugged back into his coat and took the last sip of his drink. He gave Jaime a stiff, imperious head nod before clapping Draco on the back.
"Take care of yourself, mate. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
Draco nodded again as Blaise strode out. When he was gone, Draco considered the whiskey stones in his glass before standing. He'd promised Adrien an hour ago he would come over, and much as part of him didn't want to, he knew he owed this to Ariadne.
He shouldered his coat, throwing galleons on the bar and leaving without a second glance at Jaime. He arrived at the manor a minute or so later, and it seemed so if the door was swinging open even before he could knock.
"Mr. Malfoy," Benton said, voice stiff. Still, it seemed as if tone somehow said that he was relieved to see Draco.
"Benton," Draco said, handing him his coat. "Where is everyone?"
"Monsieur and Madame Lefevre and in the lounge with Monsieur Burgis. Madame Madoc is…in the library, I believe."
Draco nodded.
"Will you bring me a whiskey?" I'll be in the lounge."
"Certainly, sir."
Draco swept off, softly pulling open the French doors that led to the lounge. Adrien and Amelie stood near the fire speaking in low tones, the sixth month old Henri tucked protectively between them. He was snoozing softly against Amelie's chest, and Adrien had a soft hand on his back.
Adrien broke away as soon as he saw Draco, going over to shake his hand and pat him on the back.
"I'm sorry I'm late," Draco said, trailing from Adrien to Amelie and kissing her cheek. He looked down at Henri, pained. "I…"
Adrien nodded his silent acceptance.
"I know."
"Where is Ariadne?"
"She and James are in the library," Amelie offered. "She'll be happy that you're here."
Draco nodded this time.
Benton had arrived with this drink, and Draco took a grateful sip before handing it back.
He touched Henri's soft head affectionately before heading to the adjoining library. He opened the second set of double doors and admitted himself. The library had a higher ceiling with hundreds of rich-smelling leather books, and the fire cracked softly in the corner. The large windows looked out onto the garden, which was covered in snow.
Ariadne was on the couch, head bent, and James was at her side, rubbing her back. When he heard the door open he stood.
"Draco," he said in greeting. "Thank you for coming. I'll give you two some space."
Draco nodded before coming to kneel at Ariadne's feet. Despite what he'd told Blaise at the Em, seeing Ariadne's tear-stained cheeks reminded him that he was ever her loyal servant; if she asked something of him, it was as good as done.
"Do you want me to go to Dublin?" he said at once. "I can have this sorted by the morning."
Ariande shook her head, her hand covering her mouth to stifle a sob.
"It doesn't matter."
"What do you mean?"
"It wasn't her."
"How can you be sure?"
"I didn't want—I was afraid to get too excited before I knew for certain; you know that Skeeter woman would do anything for a quick sickle. I had James put pressure on her and she finally send this over."
She pulled out a photo that was creased from being folded and folded a thousand times and handed it to him.
It was essentially the same photo that had run in the prophet, where Leolin was emerging from a shop on Conley Street, shopping bags in each hand. She was dressed impeccably in a dark shirt and tight jeans with a long camel coat on top and spindly heels on her feet. There was enormous diamonds stuffed in her ears and an expensive watch on her right wrist. Her dark hair was fashioned in stylish curls.
The only problem the woman wasn't Leolin. She was pretty, to be sure, but she was nowhere near as beautiful as Leolin. Her lips weren't as full and her eyes weren't as blue. Draco felt an odd ache in his throat. Was that disappointment or a welling relief? He couldn't be sure.
"I'm sorry," he offered. "I know how badly you wanted it to be true."
"I think I knew deep down she wasn't my Leolin," Ariadne admitted. "I need to accept that I've lost her."
"Don't give up," Draco urged her, even though every part of him wished she would.
"I have to," she whispered. "For the sake of my sanity."
He touched her knee softly.
"Would you like me to stay?"
She shook her head.
"I'm going to have James take me home. It's be a long day."
He nodded.
"Floo me tomorrow, then."
"When are you going back to America?"
"When you don't need me anymore," he offered. "Goodnight."
She touched his cheek affectionately.
"Goodnight, darling."
She swept from the room. When she was gone he sank onto the couch. She'd left the picture, and he'd gazed at it again. Latently he wished he had the doctored copy to look at instead.
He stood. He ought to say goodbye to Adrien and Amelie. However, he glanced at the glittering pot of floo powder on the mantle and bit his lip. In truth it had been a long day. He just wanted to go home. He made to leave the photo, but eventually he tucked it into his pocket instead. He arrived back at his own flat in a single crackle of the fire later, and he immediately shrugged out of his coat and went to the bar to fix himself a drink.
He plunked a large hemispherical ice cube unceremoniously into the crystal, watching it gyrate around the highball before finally resting in the centre. Dousing the sphere with whiskey, he glanced up at a picture of him and Gen. It had been taken at Pansy's wedding eight months ago, and they were flushed with drink. Draco watched himself as he wrapped an arm around her neck and kissed her passionately. Somehow the photo was making him feel guilty, and he turned it face down.
He dropped onto his own couch and unfolded the picture of Leolin again. He started at the imposter for another minute before tearing the photo to bits and throwing it into the fire. After a minute he considered.
He kept a cache of vanished things he wanted kept hidden on his person at all times, and suddenly his mind was drawn to one in particular.
"Revelio," he said lazily, a worn photo materializing in his hand. In it, Leolin had her left hand pressed to Draco's chest, her diamond sparkling magnificently.
She was impossibly beautiful as she smiled into the camera, and Draco hardly recognized himself; he rarely looked so unguardedly happy. Draco watched as they silently exchanged words, and even though they were mute Draco knew what they were saying.
"I love you."
He considered this photo another moment, running a distressed hand through his thick hair before making a decision. He gave Leolin's image one last sneer before tearing up this photo as well and sending it to meet its companion among the flames.
Draco knew the minute he returned home from Ariadne's what he needed to do. He needed to find Max Brankovitch then he needed to find Leolin; needed to fall at her feet and beg for her forgiveness and her hand in marriage. Brankovitch was the only person Genevieve seemed to respect and trust, and he was the only one who had a prayer of talking sense into her. When he did, Draco would finally set things right. Even if he failed, Draco and Leolin would find a way to bring Gen and the baby back. It was a far from perfect plan, but he could no longer bear the road they were currently on. He was miserable, and he knew in some way Gen was too. He simply couldn't live this way anymore.
More important than either his or Gen's happiness was Leolin's. She had paid the steepest price for all of this, and he couldn't bear continuing to inflict such agony on her. She was his everything, his alpha and his omega, and it was ailing him to see her so anguished. He was ashamed he had even let it get this far. No one, including Gen, was happy, and it was so senselessly destructive to carry on the way they were.
He'd arrived home in the early evening, finding a note from Gen on the marble counter saying she'd gone out and would be back before the party. He bit his lip; he suspected that she simply couldn't bear staying in the flat and had gone out to clear her head. He looked at his watch. They didn't have more than an hour or so before they were due at the Potter's safe house to review the plan before heading to the embassy.
He knew he should probably get in the shower and start getting dressed. He admitted to himself that he mostly wanted to get into the shower so he wouldn't have to talk to Gen when she came home. He wasn't sure if he would tell her the news before the gala or after. Ultimately decided he ought to wait until he had Brankovitch's support; if he couldn't have it, he would have to resort to more desperate lengths to keep her from bolting.
He heard her step through the floo just as he reached the top of the stairs. He leaned over the balcony, unable to ignore her outright. She looked up when she saw him, and it was clear she'd been crying. That wasn't totally surprising given their current situation, but she also looked scared and extremely distressed. Her usually perfect hair was a bit mussed and her fluffy skirt was somewhat askew.
"Are you alright?" he asked softly, padding down the stairs and approaching her.
He didn't want to give her the wrong impression, but her expression was worrisome. She didn't answer, just bit her trembling lip and bowed her head.
"Hey," he said softly, grabbing her shoulders and forcing her to look at him. "Talk to me."
She gave into her tears, pressing her cheek to his chest. His arms tentatively encircled her.
"What's going on with you?" he said in a quiet voice.
Finally she pulled back, wiping her eyes and even laughing a little.
"I'm sorry," she said. "The baby's just knocked my hormones out of whack. I'm just being silly. I just—" she touched his cheek affectionately and he tensed. "I'm worried about tonight. What if something goes wrong?"
"It won't," he assured her, pulling her hand away and stepping back.
Now that he knew she was all right he couldn't maintain the charade, as much for her sake as for his.
"I have to get in the shower," he offered, and she nodded and eyed glinting Spanish medallion hanging atop his tight t-shirt.
"Of course," she said. "I should, too."
He was worried she was latently trying to suggest they do so together. He nodded before she could say more, advancing purposefully and pressing a kiss on her forehead.
"I'll go in the guest room, then," he said. "We don't have that much time."
She bowed her head and put a palm to his chest.
"See you in a bit."
He nodded, peeling her hand softly off. The diamond of her engagement winked up at him. He'd secretly hoped she'd stop wearing it; it was selfish, he knew, but it made him feel horribly guilty. Finally he turned and headed up the stairs, nipping into their bedroom and grabbing his suit before padding to the guest room. It was just as large as their own bedroom, and the shower just as sumptuous.
As always he stood until the stream for a long time, thinking. Gen was right; what if something did go wrong? He remembered watching Adrien run his hands over Leolin at the mansion and he shuttered. It would have made him sick to watch any woman be treated so poorly, and watching Leolin endure it was unbearable. He tried to imagine how Leolin's meeting with Gareth had gone, but the thought was admittedly so stressful that he simply couldn't ponder over it for more a moment or two. He'd had an owl from Blaise saying that Rhydderich was officially in, but he hadn't pressed for more details. He imagined the look on Gareth's face as he snapped his wand, and it inspired a feeling of grim satisfaction in Draco's chest.
His thoughts trailed away for Gareth and towards Leolin, and he imagined what she might wear. Something red, most likely, or perhaps black to blend in. She had always been his beauty in black. None of that really mattered, though. This mission was serious and fraught with danger, and there was very little time to indulge in a game of "Who Wore it Best". Besides, Leolin could wear a burlap sag and she would be exquisite.
He continued to ponder as he ran some sort of rich-smelling shampoo through his hair as the water pummeled his tense shoulders and back. Finally he felt like he was getting pruny, and he stepped out and dried off. He performed his usual ablutions as his mind tumbled over the same four issues. What if Rhydderich betrayed them? What if his plan failed? What if Adrien got his hands on Leolin? What if the embassy's defensives didn't hold?
He considered this as he got dressed and adjusted his bow tie. In the end, it was too much to try and ingest. They would just need to take each hurdle at a time; looking too far ahead would only lead to disaster.
When he was done he sprayed cologne and affixed diamond cufflinks before smoothing his hair into place. He glanced in the mirror. He looked outwardly perfect; there was no sign of his inner turmoil. That was just as well. He didn't want to tip Gen off.
He headed down the stairs and made himself a drink. He knew he couldn't get too drunk tonight, but he needed something to take the edge off, at least until he could speak to Leolin in private. He was standing at the bar with his back to the stairs as he heard Gen beginning to descend. He turned, and his bottom lip fell momentarily away from his top. A loose braid had been woven across her head like crown, and soft curls lay nestled around it. Loose tendrils framed her face and the back had been tucked up. Her dress looked as if it had been adorned with glimmering silver tinsel, but it the most stylish way. As she moved, her hand trailing gracefully down the banister, the dress winked at him. Seeing his expression, she gave a smile that glittered as bright as her gown.
"What do you think?" she asked as her silvery heel touched the gleaming hardwoods of the bottom floor.
"You look lovely. As always."
Her smile widened, her white teeth a stark contrast to her blood red lips. He felt a little queasy.
"Do you feel any better?" Draco said, turning away.
It was unfair to gawk at her considering he was getting ready to leave her.
"Much," she said, her hand on his back. "I had an odd day, is all. But you're here now, and being close to you makes me feel safe."
She wrapped her arms around his waist, and hesitantly he turned, wracked with guilt as she beamed up at him.
"I want you to be careful tonight," he warned, gazing down at her.
She had to crane her neck to look up at him.
"Me? Reckless? Well I never!"
"I'm serious," he admonished, peeling her arms from his waist and turning to take a sip. His shoulders were pinched tightly together. "It's going to be dangerous, and I don't want you to get tangled up with Adrian."
Gen's smile dampened as he looked at her, expressionless.
"I'm not the prize he's after," she said softly.
"I'm going to tell Leolin the same thing."
At this, she dropped her gaze.
"Why don't you let Felix or Blaise worry about her? She's not your responsibility."
"Gen—"
"I'm your fiancée," she defended, her deal with Lucius making her bolder. "Doesn't that mean anything to you?"
"Genevieve," he repeated, stepping back. "I'm not going to do this with you right now."
"Why can't you just give her up? For the baby's sake, if not for mine."
"Enough."
"Is this you're going to treat our child when they come? With aloofness and contempt?"
"I said enough," he growled, his frown deep and dark. "We're done having this conversation."
In truth her words were plaguing him, and suddenly he was wavering on his decision. Some part of him knew she was right, and it killed him. He looked back at her with all her ungodly beauty. Perhaps he could learn to…
No, this was madness. He couldn't keep on like this, even for the baby. He would love the child unconditionally, and that would be enough.
"When did you stop loving me?" she demanded. "At least tell me that much."
"I don't want to fight with you," he said tiredly. "Don't make me say something regrettable."
"Like what? That you don't love me? That you love her now?"
She snarled the word her as if it tasted foul.
"Genevieve," he growled in a chilling voice. "You are the mother of my child, and you know what that means to me. We are not having this conversation."
"You aren't even going deny it?" she asked, tears welling in her eyes.
He looked at her, pained. He supposed some tiny part of him still did love her and probably always would. She'd saved him from a life devoid of meaning, and that did mean something to him.
"What do you want me to say?" he snapped, agitated.
"That you love me and not her!" there were tears in her large brown eyes.
"I—" he began, not sure why he felt so compelled to give into her. After all, any love he did have for her were table scraps compared the banquet of his love for Leolin. Still, the baby weighed heavy on his mind. "I—" he repeated, and her eyes glittered hopefully. "I can't," he finished softly. "You know I can't."
She bowed her head and put a hand up to shield her eyes as she began to cry in earnest. He watched her for a second, unsure what do to or say. He clenched his jaw.
"We have to go," he said.
She nodded, wiping the excess makeup from beneath her eyes. She must have been wearing false lashes, because the damage was minimal.
She gave him a last doleful look and another nod before they each stepped into the floo and spirited away.
Leolin stood in the large dining room at the Potter's, pacing. She was too agitated to join the others in the foyer, and no one had objected to her breaking away. Her long velvet gown kept getting tangled around her feet as she moved, and she kicked it away angrily with every step. Her floo was clutched tightly in her hand, and she clicked it open and shut, open and shut. Just before she'd arrived she'd gotten a frantic message from Swish saying that he was inches away from finding the key to destroying the coins. He'd refused to say where he was or who he was with, but Leolin thought she could hear Turkish in the background. He told her to wait for his call and be ready to move.
She bit her lip. It was just their luck that this was all coming to a head at the same time. Perhaps she ought to stay back and—no, she couldn't do that. There were no many cogs in motion to interrupt the war machine now, and she didn't want to let her comrades down. Or rather, she didn't want to disappoint Draco.
She stopped pacing for a moment, smoothing her hands nervously down the bodice of the gown. Her dress was painfully simple, cut from plain black velvet with no adornments, just simple straps and—unsurprisingly—a plunging neckline. She knew whatever Gen wore would surely outshine her, but it didn't matter. The competition was over between them, and Leolin didn't want to encourage Gen by continuing to pick fights. Leolin's throat ached as she fought the straining anguish locked deep inside her mind. Even thinking of Gen, who turned Leolin's stomach, made it harder to breathe. Unpleasant as the fighting had been, it still represented a time in which Leolin had still been permitted to hope. Sadly, Leolin's fighting spirit had dried up with the hope, and if Gen were to attack now, she would tear Leolin to pathetic bits.
Before she could stop herself, Leolin thought of the baby, and she went back to fiddling with her floo again. Gen would begin to start showing soon, and when she did Leolin wasn't sure she could bear it, even with her cerebral prison. She would have to keep her distance. She would have to keep her distance and try to focus on something else; Merlin knows there was enough going on to serve as a suitable distraction. Still, when war broke out they wouldn't be able to avoid one another.
Besides, this was forever now. It wasn't just a difficult stretch; it was a new reality. Gen would only be pregnant for nine months, that was true, but they would have the baby for the rest of their lives. Draco would never stop being a father, and being a father would always keep Leolin at arm's distance. She knew Gen well enough to know that Gen would insist on a binding marriage contract, and when they wed Draco would be hers forever. It would be her price for giving Draco a child, and he would pay it all the days of his life.
Leolin bit her lip. She couldn't think about that now. She had to focus on the task at hand. They had a long and dangerous light ahead of them, and being even a little distracted could cost her dearly. She flicked her floo open and closed again. As everyone kept reminding her, Adrian was more desperate than ever to possess her, and she would rather die than let him. She needed to stay off his radar tonight or she would likely find herself in dangerous waters. Besides, she had to stay vigilant. She flicked the floo again. She didn't know when Swish would call again. Flick, snap. Flick, snap.
At least they had Gareth now. Though no one seemed to like or particularly trust him, he'd spent the afternoon pointing out flaws in their defensive strategy, and from what Leolin had heard from Blair, Gareth had, under Felix's withering supervision, spent the afternoon weaving spells. His plan of defense was rather brilliant, if not totally foolproof. He was arming each of them with perimetre protection spells, which kept any unwanted attacker at a ten-foot minimum distance. These protection spells also came with a mild cloaking spell. That's not to say they would be invisible, but it would keep unwanted eyes off them. If Adrian's crew did decide to show, they'd have them running in circles. Leolin doubted it would hold them at bay forever—Adrian was far to clever for that—but it would at least buy them time. Leolin wondered if Crofton Teller would be there. She was sure he would be. She bit her lip. That was a battle all its own, and one she wasn't particularly keen to fight given the current climate. She only had to hope that Crofton felt the same.
More than Crofton, however, she prayed she wouldn't run into Adrian. If he managed to catch up to her, it would be game over. The legimency she was using to keep her pain at bay had made her somewhat weak, and she was not even sure she was a match for Adrien on her best day. She was a skilled dueler, but he was exceptional, and she'd seen him perform magnifiscent magic on more than one occasion. Before she could stop herself, she imagined herself lying naked on her back as Adrien drove into her. She put a hand to her mouth, afraid for a second that she might actually be sick. Flick, snap. Flick, snap.
She wondered what Draco would do if she was captured. Would he come after her? She knew he'd want to, but she doubted he'd be allowed. He was an invaluable Order member. Besides, he had the baby to worry about now. He couldn't chance making the child an orphan, even for her. Leolin was so used to being the center of Draco's universe, and it was excruciating to accept that she wasn't anymore.
She pushed the pain down farther, creating more steel bars and locked vaults to keep the feelings from escaping. Draco wasn't hers anymore, she reminded herself for the billionth time. She couldn't expect him to risk everything for her; his life was no longer his own to risk.
"Leolin."
Her heart leapt to her throat, and she clutched her gleaming floo tighter. After Felix destroyed the one Leolin had given her, she'd designed a new one in a cold and unforgiving silver. She finally turned and gave a soft frown.
"Please," she replied, turning her back to Felix. "I'm not in the mood."
He ignored her directive as he shut the door and approached.
"I come in peace," Felix said, sliding forward and tucking his hands in his trouser pockets. She could feel the pleading in his gaze even with her back turned, and it made her throat ache. "I'm not here to pick a fight."
"Good," she said in a tight voice. "Because you'd only lose."
"Listen—"
"Please," she said, cutting off as she spun around. "I can't keep doing this with you. You betrayed me, and I can't bear any more apologies for it. I get that you're sorry, I really do, but I just—I can't go back to the way things were, even if part of me wants to."
"I know that," he said in a pleading tone. "And I understand. But I—tu me manque, bitchette."
"Felix," she pleading. "Please don't do this."
"Est-ce que je te manqué?"
"Of course I miss you," she said softly, squeezing the floo again. "You're one of my best friends."
"I just want to protect you," Felix continued. "I love you and I can't bear to see you in any more pain."
"Some of this pain is your doing," she pointed out.
"I know that, too," he admitted. "And I know I failed you when you needed me. I should have been there to protect you from Max, and I was a coward for running away. But let me at least try to make it up to you. Let me protect you from Adrian."
"You can't," she croaked. "No one can."
"Then I'll lay down my life trying."
She bit her lip at his impossibly sincere gaze.
"Ren—"
"I love you," he repeated. "Please, don't drive me from your side. Not now."
Her throat ached.
She loved him, too. In fact, he felt like the last person she had left. Perhaps they were meant to be together after all. Not as lovers, but as platonic soulmates.
"I never meant to hurt you," Felix said, her voice pained. "I'm sorry."
"I know," she repeated. "So am I."
"No," he said. "Don't be. You did nothing wrong."
She bowed her head. He was right; she had no idea what she was sorry for. She was sorry it had happened, she supposed.
"I'm not asking you to forgive me," he said, taking a tentative step forward. "Just don't ask me to leave your side. I can't bear the exile anymore."
"You don't understand how badly you've hurt me," she whispered.
"You're right," he admitted. "But I would do anything to make amends. Anything. I would die for you if you asked me to."
"I know that," she said. "Felix—"
Part of the pain Leolin was pinning down was missing Felix, and she could feel it churning in her stomach like the waves of a tempestuous storm. It made her feel ill. It pushed against her anguish over Draco, and suddenly it all felt like too much. Tears were burning in her throat.
"I'm not sure I can ever fully forgive you," she admitted in a soft voice.
He nodded
"I wouldn't forgive me either."
"It doesn't mean I don't still miss you," she said. "That I don't still need you."
He surged forward and folded her into his arms, and she melted into his embrace, burying her face in his shoulder and clinging tightly to his smart dinner jacket.
"I've missed you," he admitted, still holding her tightly. "You have no idea how much."
"Yes I do," she said softly. "About half as much as I've missed you. But I don't think you realise how much I need you."
"Yes I do," he repeated. "About half as much as I need you."
"I just couldn't do this with you anymore," he explained. "I have a feeling we're going to need each other tonight more than ever."
She nodded, flicking her floo again. It was becoming a tick. He watched her keenly and with comment.
"I think you're probably right," she replied softly.
They were silent a moment, and it wasn't as easy as it once had been.
"Is everyone here?" she asked.
"Not yet," he replied carefully, obviously afraid to probe too far into her obvious unhappiness. "Malfoy still isn't."
She needed to change the subject, so she picked the first thing that came to mind.
"No Reagan Sharpe?"
He gave a faint smile.
"I wish. But she can't risk blowing her cover by being seen with us."
"You have worst taste in women," she commented. "She couldn't be any less emotionally unavailable."
"That's not true," he said candidly. "She could be you when I met you."
Leolin smiled softly again and the warmth in his tone.
"I suppose you'll let that fact be your guiding light in the chase for her attention," she surmised.
He shrugged.
"It certainly blazes bright enough."
Leolin gave an uncomfortable laugh.
"It's going to be an uphill battle at this point," she reasoned. "Elle te déteste."
"C'est vrai," Felix admitted. "But I have to try. I'm not one to give up a worthy cause."
He was smiling warmly at her, obsidean eyes glittering.
"I know," she said. "And I'm glad."
"I would never give up on you," he assured her. "I will be by your side until you force me away."
"Then you should plan on being there a long time," she said softly.
"It will be my honour," he said, touching his heart in a genteel gesture.
She nodded and went back to flicking the floo.
"Why do you keep fiddling with that thing? What's going on?"
"Swish flooed earlier," she said carefully. "He was a little frantic, but he said he was close to finding out where the coins are. I have to be ready to move when he does."
"Don't you mean we?" he said more coarsely than he'd probably meant to.
"Not this time, Ren," she said. "It's too dangerous."
"Which is precisely why I'm going," he insisted. "To protect you."
"This is a thieves' errand," she said, touching his cheek. "It's better if it's just Swish and Eff. I know you want to protect me, but I promise I will be fine. When I get back you and I can celebrate."
He nodded, kissing her forehead.
"Of course, lapin. Tu sais que tu peut toujours me faire confiance," he reminded her.
She leaned into his warmth again, pressing her face to his chest so hard the diamond in her ear dug painfully her skin. He embraced her without comment, smoothing her hair and likely reveling in the opportunity to once again fight at her side.
"Alright," he said, tugging her forward finally. "Let's go."
Finally he dropped his hand, and they swept from the banquet hall to the foyer where everyone else was waiting.
As Felix had said, almost everyone had assembled by now, and Leolin's eyes swept over her bevy of allies.
Gracie, who'd had the baby—a boy named Graham—two weeks before, stood in her robe and pajamas near the large staircase leading up to the second story. She had finally agreed not to accompany them to the embassy, though Harry had to all but beg on hands and knees to convince her. She'd sent the girls to stay with her mother in their country house in Kent as a precaution, but the baby she kept with her. She was not yet at a place where she felt comfortable being away from him.
Pansy stood next to her with a sleeping Graham in her arms. She was rocking him gently back and forth, her embrace protective and nurturing. Grace watched her with approval, as did Tieran, who over behind Pansy's shoulder and peered down at Graham, his gaze unusually soft. Pansy hadn't said a word to Leolin, but Leolin was sure that they, too, were trying to conceive. That caused a now-familiar ache in Leolin's throat, but she ignored it.
Cara stood a ways off from them, though she too was watching the baby. She wore a white dress with black overlay, and her curls had been tamed into an updo of sorts, though several disobedient ones around her face and nape had sprung free. Despite her beautiful gown she looked fretful as ever. She'd tried to hide it, there were dark circles under her eyes, and her cheeks were somewhat hollow. She stood with arms crossed, as if she were physically trying to hold herself together. Kelly had left three days before to report back to Adrien, and she had begged him not to go. Obviously, he'd refused her.
Luke and Ieuan were somewhat separate, and though they didn't speak to one another, they held hands.
Harry and Blair were nearby them as well, and where Harry looked tense, Blair looked downright dour. All the business with Leolin and Gareth had riled him up, and he looked somewhere between fretful and livid. Every few minutes he checked his floo. His wife Charley had also given birth not too long ago, and Leolin was sure it was difficult to leave them at home given the current political climate. The idea made her throat ache again. Would that she could share that same worry with him.
Severina was closer to the fire, but she was ignoring the others. She wore a magnificent purple gown, and her breasts were barely covered by the appliqué flowers on top. There was a slit up the thigh that revealed miles of toned leg, and as always she was the most dazzling woman in the room. She was standing wrapped in Xavier's protective embrace, and she was leaning against his chest with her head tipped back and resting on his shoulder. They were speaking in hushed tones to one another, but in Spanish, as if to prevent any eavesdroppers. Leolin could hear and understand only the errant word, but she knew they were discussing their girls. Severina had not been back to Rome in several weeks, and she was growing distracted by being so far from her children. No matter what happened at the Embassy, Severina planned to go back to Italy indefinitely after the party. It was, perhaps, an unpopular decision but she couldn't be convinced to do otherwise, and not for lack of trying.
The last person Leolin laid eyes on was Reagan, who looked even more sullen than usual. She was dressed casually—they'd all quickly agreed it would be too dangerous to have her come, lest Jaime or Adrian should find out—and she crossed her arms and sneered as she glanced around at all the couples scattered about. When she saw Felix her scowl deepened, and she turned slightly away to indicidate he ought not approach her. Leolin exchanged a glance with Felix at seeing this, and he shrugged in an attempt to convince her and himself it didn't phase him. He instead offered Leolin his hand, and she gratefully took it.
"Where's Gareth?" she asked, looking around. Not seeing him was both a disappointment and a swelling relief. It was admittedly exhausting to be in his presence for all the anxiety it caused her.
"He's with his keeper," Blaise said casually. "They are meant to be along soon."
"Keeper?" Leolin repeated.
"We had to assign someone to keep an eye on him. Preferably someone who wouldn't kill him if given the chance," Harry replied.
"You're out then, I suppose," Reagan said snidely to Felix, who frowned.
"So was Draco," Ieuan said.
"Where is Malfoy?" Leolin asked carefully. "And where's Brank?"
"Max flooed me an hour ago. He said he'll meet us there. He's trying to line things up for tonight," Felix supplied.
"Malfoy should be here by now," Tieran said in irritation. "We don't have time to mess about."
"You know him," Harry sneered. "Always eager to make a bloody grand entrance."
"Never mind that," Xavier snapped. "Where's Rhydderich? Time is running out. If we're not through the doors by seven we will have missed our chance with the Americans."
No sooner had Xavier asked the question then Gareth came tumbling out of the hall floo, stumbling and nearly collapsing onto the floor as he fought to keep his balance. He was dressed in much the same way he had been when Leolin had seen him earlier that day, making it abundantly clear he wasn't accompanying them to the party.
He'd somehow lost his balance during the trip, and he struggled to remain on his feet. Just as he was about to right himself, another figure emerged from the floo, giving Gareth an almost casual tap on the arse with his foot and sending him sprawling to the floor.
"Evening all," Beau drawled self-importantly as Ieuan moved to help Gareth to his feet. Beau noticed and frowned.
"Leave him," Beau demanded, smiling smugly at Gareth and holding out an arm to impede Ieuan. "No need to help the General. He is more than capable of minding his own. Isn't that right, sir?"
Beau tapped Gareth with his toe as he tried a second time to rise to his feet. It once again unsettled Gareth's balance. Years in prison had made Gareth slow and somewhat ungainly.
Leolin watched him with bright eyes. It was hard to admit even to herself, but seeing Gareth so powerless felt good. Even now that they were on the same team, his very presence made Leolin sick to her stomach. It wasn't true what her father had said about forgiveness; there was no wiping the slate clean with Gareth. Even after all these years, she still hated him bitterly.
Gareth finally managed to get up, though it had taken him at least ninety seconds before he'd been able to do so. He clenched his jaw and glared at Beau before letting his eyes fall to the floor. Beau gave an imperious smile in response to Gareth's submission.
"Stop it," Leolin demanded in a quiet voice, feeling like a hypocrite. "That's not helping."
"I thought you of all people who approve," Beau said lazily. "It's just a bit of Southern justice."
"This isn't the South," Ginny pointed out sharply. "Learn to behave or get out."
Beau rolled his eyes.
Gareth's eyes bled from the floor upwards, taking in Leolin's gown as they went.
"Thank you," he said softly, eyes dancing across her face.
He still scared her. There was a light shimmering in the deepest blue sections of his eyes she couldn't bring herself to trust. Part of her expected him to pounce, and she stiffened automatically.
Felix came to her side, scowling at Gareth. Gareth's gaze fell to the floor again, though not so much out of fear as distaste.
"Where are the charms you promised us, Rhydderich?" Harry said, stepping forward. "Show us."
Gareth clenched his jaw, looking annoyed. Leolin could see traces of the arrogant boy she'd known as he rolled his eyes.
"Taylor has my wand," he said, and Beau beamed and raised his eyebrows.
"You're not helping," Ginny seethed at Beau.
"Oh don't tell me you're on his side, gingersnap," Beau cooed at Ginny.
Blaise scowled.
"Enough!" Tieran said. "We don't have time for this shite. Give him his fucking wand back, Taylor. Rhydderich, do what needs doing and let's get on with it."
Tieran had only been a few years older than Gareth in school, and there had been no love lost between them even then.
"Espera," Severina demanded, narrowing her eyes as she held up a hand. She had long, almond-shaped fingernails that looked somewhat dangerous. "Review the charms again. I want to be clear on what your shield is meant to do."
"If Pucey and his crew show up, they will be compelled to look away ever time they see any one of you, and there is a ten second delay," Gareth explained. "That means you have ten seconds before Pucey or whoever remembers they've seen you. There's also a blanket polyjuice for added protection."
"You couldn't have done better than ten seconds?" Blaise demanded mildly. "That's bloody nothing."
"Better ten than five," Gareth pointed out, sounding the slightly bit defensive. "Besides, the spell should keep them running in circles for awhile if they show."
"But not forever," Harry pointed out. "Adrian's clever. It won't take him all night to figure this out if he's there."
"Then you lot had better work quickly," Gareth reasoned.
Beau slapped him upside the head.
"Get off me," Gareth demanded sullenly, turning and finally pushing Beau.
Beau, who was taller, stronger, and more muscular, shoved Gareth back so hard he fell down again.
"Don't mess with me, boy," Beau spit nastily.
For all his glib remarks, Beau was somewhat terrifying when riled up. Leolin thought she'd seen him mad when he and Blaise had tussled in Charleston, but it as nothing compared to the menacing scowl he was giving Gareth now.
As before, Gareth was slow to his feet, and he huffed to indicate he had no intention or furthering the fight, though it was clear some part of him wanted to. Beau sneered.
"I didn't think so, General."
""Merlin, Taylor, stop it," Cara snapped in nervous agitation, folding her arms across her chest. "Save it for the real enemy."
"Apologies," Beau said smoothly, his snarling temper back in check. "Proceed."
"Right," Ieuan said seriously. "What else, Gareth?"
"A ten foot shield," Gareth explained. "It can't repel curses, but it will keep any attacker at a ten foot minimum distance."
"What good is that supposed to do?" Blaise said coolly.
Gareth was clearly growing frustrated by his maltreatment, and it was making him impetuous.
"From what I hear, It might keep Pucey from raping Lefevre," Gareth spit venomously
Beau, possibly spurred by his innate sense of Southern chivalry, grabbed Gareth by the scuff of the neck and slammed him to his knees. It must have hurt a great deal, and between the nasty sound the bone had made when it connected with the floor and his nasty jibe, she felt ready to vomit.
"How dare you of all people say that to me," she said in deadly voice.
For all her venom, she couldn't keep her voice from quaking a little. Her head throbbed, but she willed herself to stay calm. She couldn't let one snide comment bring down her house of cards. Finally, she got better control and the throbbing stopped. She slapped him again for good measure.
"Watch your worthless mouth, Rhydderich," Blaise warned dangerously. "Or someone's going to wring you neck one day."
"Not time like the present," Severina sneered, drawing her wand.
Her eyes were flashing dangerously, and the arrogant boy in Gareth retreated to hide behind the beleaguered, prison-ravaged man. As always, it was only Xavier who seemed equipped to calm Severina down, and he grabbed her by the wrist and murmured something in Italian, and she ceased lowering her wand. Her gaze, however, remained deadly.
"I'm sorry," Gareth said, looking latently scared. He seemed to realise what a mistake he'd made, though it was hard to tell if the remorse in his eyes was genuine or inspired by his fear. "That was a poor choice of words."
"I think the barrier will be more useful than we think," Luke said evenly, giving Leolin a soft nod before addressing the group more broadly. "Thivierge's weapon of choice is the stiletto blade, and Pucey is still out for blood. He's not looking to crucio; he's looking to flay. If we do run into him, we'll need as much protection as we can get."
Cara shuddered, probably thinking about poor Kelly.
"Oh gods," she murmured.
"Is that all, then?" Blair demanded, scowling.
Gareth seemed a bit wounded by the harshness of his old friend's gaze, though he took the cold look without complaint.
"Yes," Gareth replied.
"How do we know these charms work?" Pansy demanded, still rocking Graham softly. She was eying Gareth critically. "How do we know that he's not leading us on only to betray us later?"
"I've looked over these charms," Felix supplied, his eyes no less hateful as he too looked at Gareth. "They're well-crafted and tightly woven; there are no loopholes."
"And Gareth made the unbreakable vow to Leolin," Ieuan said solemnly. "He can't willingly betray her."
"And unwillingly?" Reagan demanded.
"I was there when they made the vow," Felix said more authoritatively. "There is no way for him to betray her or us. Not if he wants to keep his miserable life."
Felix and Leolin exchanged a familiar glance in which each seemed to be reassuring the other.
"Besides," Leolin said with finality, making eye contact with Gareth for a moment before feeling a swelling panic and looking away. "He is the only person who hates Adrian more than we do."
"Fine," Tieran said, satisfied. "If Chaisson agrees, there's no reason to delay."
Felix and Leolin exchanged another meaningful look and he nodded at her. She nodded back.
"I do," Felix said. "Go on, Rhydderich."
"What about Draco?" Blaise said. "We have to wait for him."
"Oh bullocks," Harry growled. "I forgot about him."
"Where the bloody hell is he?" Pansy demanded.
"It doesn't matter at this point," Blair snapped. "We don't have ti—"
The floo crackled and flamed green, and Draco emerged looking suave but harried. Leolin's her skull throbbed as she observed him for the first time since he'd left for good. His eyes snapped immediately to her, drinking in her face and gown even as he extended a chivalrous hand to help Gen through. Like Draco, Gen's eyes immediately found Leolin. It was clear that Gen had recently been crying, and though she took Draco's hand at once, the tension between the couple was sharp and acrid, like the smell of rotting fruit.
"I'm sorry we're late," Draco said with finality, glancing down at Gen and daring someone to challenge him on this score.
No one did.
There arrival had submerged the group into a chilly pool of mistrust and unease. No one was immune to the effect, least of all Leolin. She felt the straining ache in her skull again. She wanted so badly to give into the pain, but she knew she couldn't. Still, watching Draco and Gen, even in their current state, was killing some small part of her. It was a part that she'd currently locked away but that she'd someday be forced to mourn.
"Where have you been?" Reagan demanded finally, breaking the cold silence. "We don't run on your personal timetable, Malfoy."
It seemed she'd kept Draco from noticing Gareth, because his eyes dragged from Gen to Leolin to Harry as he sneered.
"What are you doing here?"
"Helping, obviously," Reagan snapped.
"Quinn won't be missing you?" Draco shot back.
"Fuck off."
"This isn't helping," Pansy pointed out sternly.
"Y'all are like children," Beau drawled. "We don't have time for this dilly-dallying."
It was then that Draco's eyes finally found Gareth, but they only lingered there a moment before flicking back to Leolin.
"Whatever thuggish thing you're getting ready to say," Tieran warned Draco as his diamond gaze fell heavily on Gareth again. "Don't. We need to get these charms in place and get out of here."
Draco looked at Leolin, who was avoiding his gaze for fear she might fall apart, again before glancing at Gen, who looked desperate and pained.
"Fine," he sneered. "Go on then, Rhydderich."
Gareth drew his hand, twirling it easily through his fingers as he considered how best to cast the charm. It was clear that while prison had slowed his general physical power, he was still sharp and equipped with quick reflexes. Leolin caught Draco's eye for a split second, and she was sure he was thinking the same thing she was.
Finally Gareth began churning the air in front of his wrist until he'd created a glimmered white tower of air that resembled a small cyclone. It swept in and out of the assembled group, touching each of them. It wasn't a wholly pleasant sensation, and it sent an uncomfortable shiver down Leolin's spine. Finally, the cyclone stopped.
"How do we know it worked?" Beau said lazily after several seconds.
"Look at yourself," Blaise pointed out.
Beau turned towards the mirror in the hall and scowled.
"Ginger?" he snapped at Gareth. "You made me a ginger?"
Gareth gave a smug shrug.
"What's wrong with that?" Ginny snapped, smoothing her new ash blonde hair.
Beau shut his mouth but continued to scowl at his reflection, looking like a disgruntled Narcissus. Leolin tentatively touched her hair, which she could see was a mousy brown, before looking down at herself.
"Where did my curves go?" she demanded, vainly dismayed. "I look like a ten year old boy."
Gen rolled her eyes.
"Don't be so superficial," she warned.
She'd seemingly drawn the long straw, and she was still quite pretty. Compared to Draco, who'd become a slavic-looking bloke with hunched shoulders, she was a goddess.
"I think you're still beautiful," Felix assured her.
"I'm not," Severina huffed, tossing her blonde hair imperiously. "I'm hideous."
"Is everyone done?" Tieran snapped. "This isn't a sodding beauty pageant."
"Or a wet robe contest," Gen sneered at Leolin.
"Why doesn't Rhydderich give you something more homely, then?" Leolin snapped. "See how you fancy it."
"Look, we're going for unassuming here," Harry pointed out. "We don't need extra attention, especially if Pucey shows up."
"He's not going to come after you so long as you look like that," Gareth pointed out, almost as if he was trying to win brownie points by making Leolin particularly plain.
"Shut up," Ginny sneered.
"I have to say that I'm loving this," Reagan said mirthfully. "Any way you can make this permanent, Rhydderich?"
"Can it, Sharpe," Leolin snapped.
"We know you miss those obscene knockers, Lefevre, but there is not need to be so dour," Reagan said, smirking.
Leolin put her hands on her skinny hips but said nothing, making Reagan laugh.
"At least we know it works," Blair reasoned.
The charm hadn't touched him, either. They'd decided he'd keep an eye out on the outside instead. Keep them abreast of any events going on in greater London to avoid a trap after leaving the Embassy.
"For now," Draco said, frowning at Gareth.
Just then Reagan's floo began to smoke and she flicked it open.
"Who is it?" Pansy asked.
Reagan rolled her eyes as she read the message.
"I'll give you three guesses, and the first two don't count," she said, clearly irritated.
"What does he want?" Felix asked.
"What do you think?" Reagan snapped. "I have to go. I don't want him to be suspicious. See you miserable lot later."
With that, she apparated away. Her disappearance was followed by a half second of unease while everyone processed. Draco was the first to speak.
"You don't have a ward, Potter?" Draco demanded. "Why don't you just bloody invite Pucey over here?"
Harry shook his head, all the blood draining from his face.
"She shouldn't have been able to do that. Someone's been tampering with our wards."
"Did you know?"
"No until just now," Harry admitted, drawing his wand.
He swished it and shimmering strands of light fell like snow from an invisible origin point.
"It's still there," Harry said. "It's just—it's not fully functional. It's still holding from the outside, but barely."
"That's not really the point," Severina said, exchanging and uneasy glance with Xavy. "How did Sharpe know she could just apparate out of here?"
"She probably didn't even think about it," Grace said. "Apparation is sort of a natural reflex."
"Or maybe she just knew the wards had been weakened," Ginny pointed out.
"How can we be sure we can trust her?" Beau asked.
Silence reigned.
"We can't," Luke finally admitted, and everyone exchanged tense glances.
Leolin and Draco caught eyes again, and he looked fiercely protective. She looked away, snapping her floo twice. She was practically fretful by now.
"Joder," Xavier breathed. "We could be walking into a trap."
"She signed a contract when she joined the Order," Grace reminded them. "She couldn't betray us even if she wanted."
"No contract is ironclad," Felix admitted stonily. "Could be she's found a loophole. If she tells Quinn or Pucey what we have planned tonight, we're screwed."
"Change of plans," Leolin said, turning on Gareth. "Get dressed. You're coming with us. I don't want to take any chances. Taylor, go with him."
Beau nodded, grabbing Gareth roughly by the arm.
"My pleasure," he said in her direction. "C'mon, General. Let's keep Goldie Locks from spilling the porridge on us."
Before anyone could stop them, they too apparated out.
"Shit!" Harry said. "Stop doing that! You're weakening the barrier!"
"Who are you talking to?" Draco sneered. "They're long gone."
"We don't have time to sit and debate this," Xavier said in agitation. "We're almost late."
"You and Graham go to your mother's," Harry instructed Grace, who looked visibly shaken. "I'm sure it's fine, but we don't want to take any chances."
Grace nodded, accepting the baby from Pansy. He began to fuss, but Grace rocked him gently.
"I'll take the floo," Grace said, pecking Harry. "Come home safely, please. Your children need you and so do I."
Harry nodded.
"I love you," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "See you soon."
She nodded, stepping into the floo a disappearing.
"We need to go," Luke urged. "We can't be sure this place is safe anymore."
They filed quickly through the floo, and Leolin felt Draco's eyes on her when it was her turn. Her skull throbbed. Shit, she had a bad feeling about this. She squeezed her floo tightly in her palm.
Finally they arrived in front of the stately mansion, where all manner of well-dressed witches and wizards were pouring in from fancy cards and the outside floo ports.
Draco looked around, seeming to realize something.
"Where's Brank?"
Gen stiffened, but he didn't seem to notice.
"He's on his way," Felix said. "He just flooed me."
"Right," Tieran said, taking Pansy's hand and squeezing. "It's time."
They all headed across the gravel and towards the door, and Draco caught Leolin by the crook of the elbow just as they reached the stately front porch.
"Come find me after we meet with the Americans. We need to talk."
She gave him a bewildered look, but it was too late; he was already offering Gen his arm and escorting her stiffly across the threshold. Felix appeared from somewhere behind Leolin and offered her the same. She could see the pain she was feeling over Draco doubled in Felix's eyes, but they remained impassive and composed.
When Leolin crossed the threshold, she felt something chilly cascade over her, like a waterfall, and she felt a kindling panic beginning to grow in her chest. When she looked down, it was to find she was in her own body again.
"What was that?" Ginny hissed. "And the charm is gone."
"We shouldn't be here," Blaise said. "We need to go."
Leolin made to leave the way she'd come, but something stopped her. The panic was a full-fledged blaze now.
"We can't leave."
"What do you mean?" Cara demanded fretfully. She looked ready to break down.
"We're stuck."
Leolin could see someone tall cutting through the sea of people and her heart hammered in her chest. However, she realized after a moment it was Beau, and he had Gareth in toe.
"What's going on with the barrier?" Blaise snapped.
"Shit, you lot look like you again."
"The barrier, Rhydderich!" Ginny reminded him, sounding a bit panicked. "Why the hell can't we leave?"
"It's some sort of protection seal," he explained. "American-made."
"What does that mean?" Blaise hissed, looking around and making sure they weren't attracting too much attention.
"It means you're very safe here," Gareth said carefully. "No one can throw hexes so long as it remains intact, so look on the bright side."
"Don't be cute," Xavier warned in a low voice. "I'll slit your throat."
"Why can't we get out?" Pansy demanded.
"It's a side effect of the charm. In order to give blanket protection, the charm's sphere of influence has to be impenetrable. We won't be able to get out until it expires."
"Well, what time does it expire?" Ron demanded. "And how did you not bloody know about this?"
"I can't know everything," Gareth snapped, glancing at his watch. "This is old-school magic; no one does charms like these any more."
"Why's that?" Luke asked softly.
Gareth clenched his jaw.
"People started to realise that being stuck in one place is not very advantageous."
Then was a beat of tense silence.
"What time does the fucking charm expire?" Tieran hissed.
"I would guess at the stroke of midnight," Gareth replied.
Felix showed Leolin the face of his watch. It was 8:01.
"You guess?" Draco repeated snidely.
"Do you think you could do better?" Gareth snapped. "This isn't an exact fucking science, Malfoy."
"I do think I could, yeah," Draco sneered. "You're made a proper cock-up of this whole thing."
"Enough," Harry inserted
"What's happens at midnight?" Hermione pressed.
Gareth glanced at her.
"There's a reason the American's put this thing in place; they're expecting serious trouble tonight."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Beau demanded, shaking Gareth by the collar. "What happens when this stupid charm expires at midnight?"
Gareth looked a bit green, but Leolin had already connected the dots. She'd broken into a cold sweat. Shit, she hoped Swish didn't call in the next four hours. Finally she answered for him
"More likely than not, all Hell breaks loose."
"Cara?"
They all turned to look at her. The voice was coming from the earpiece. It was Kelly, who'd returned back to Adrian several days before.
"Kelly!" she croaked. "What's going on?Are you alright?"
"We have a problem. We're here. At the Embassy. Pucey was keeping it hush hush. I didn't know we were coming until we were already here. Please tell me you haven't left yet. Once you come in, there is no going out."
"We—" Cara croaked. "We just walked in."
"Fuck," Kelly breathed.
"Is Sharpe with you?" Draco demanded.
"She showed up with Quinn a few minutes after we did. Why?"
"Fuck," Blaise repeated. "Fuck. She's flipped on us."
"It's a trap," Leolin said fretfully. "We've walked into a trap."
"What made Pucey decide to show up here?" Xavier said seriously.
"I have no idea," Kelly replied. "I think—I'm afraid it's because—"
"Of me," Leolin croaked. "He won't get another opportunity like this to come after me. I'm a sitting duck here and he knows it."
Leolin glanced at Draco, and his face was full of concern.
"Fuck," Kelly said in a hurried whisper. "I have to go. Be safe."
He clicked off and they all exchanged a tense look.
"We need to get out of sight," Tieran said finally. "We have a long night ahead."
A/N: Sorry for the cliffie, and sorry for the wait. The next chapter is already halfway re-written, so the next update should come sooner. REVIEW