After a few minutes, Lucanis removed himself from Rook and left the room, stating that he was going to freshen up. In truth, he needed to get his head on straight and explain to Spite why that wasn't ideal. Rook had grumbled something that sounded like an affirmation, but he wasn't even sure that she was fully awake.

Don't understand. Why are. You upset?

Because I hadn't expected to wake up with my client in my arms. Not to mention she's Viago's protégé, which is a whole different thing.

The Talon. Has no claim.

She's a person. There's no claim to have.

Is Rook. Not your favorite?

Rook is a colleague and a good Crow. She's worthy of respect and admiration as I've seen so far.

But she. Isn't. Your favorite.

What do you mean by that?

Want to be. Near her. She comforts. Eases. Helps.

So she's your favorite person to be around.

Yes!

I can understand that.

Why is she. Not your favorite?

I don't know her that well yet.

Lucanis waited for a moment for Spite's response only to be met with silence. He had confused the demon, and he wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.

When he returned to Rook's room, she was shrugging her a different jacket on. She noted that he had entered, giving him a tired nod. Lucanis closed the door behind him as Spite started to grumble incoherently in his mind.

"Good morning," Rook greeted as Lucanis noted that she had changed her clothes while he was out. Much more in line with her mission objective for the day.

"Morning," he replied, leaning against the wall by the door. It now occurred to him that he didn't have a disguise to help her on the stakeout. He was still dressed in his Crow leathers, and he was sure that Viago wouldn't approve of him going through his clothes.

"I told Spite last night that I would talk to you today," Rook mentioned as she reached for her boots.

"It seemed that you two talked a lot last night."

"Just enough to convince him to let you and I both sleep. He was very intent on talking about something, and I told him that I would talk to you about letting him talk to me."

"You want to talk to Spite?" Lucanis repeated skeptically.

"I want to help, and he asked for it. Well, sort of."

"Sort of?"

"He said that you won't ask for help," Rook sighed, glancing up at him. Lucanis frowned. "I won't push or help if you don't want it, but I wanted to be transparent. Spite probably won't stop otherwise."

"I'm not sure you talking to Spite is a great idea," Lucanis admitted, earning a demonic howl in the back of his mind. Rook hummed, dropping the subject.

"For today, I'm going to sit outside the garrison along the north wall to start with, making my way around every few hours once I've noticed a patrol pattern. I want you to monitor me and watch for suspicious activity from afar. The last thing I need is to get ambushed while I'm distracted. Take out anyone you think is necessary," she informed, her tone immediately changing. Lucanis straightened at the shift in tone, surprised by her professionality. "We'll meet back here in twenty-four hours to regroup. Then we can reevaluate and plan for next steps."

"Understood," Lucanis replied before Rook walked over to her desk.

"I also want you to make a stop at the Diamond on your way," she instructed, surprising him. "I'm sure Viago has already done something with our groceries, I need you to get this note to Viago. He'll send it onto the lighthouse. I'm sure the other three are thrilled that we've been gone this long."

"Right," he sighed, forgetting that he had other people watching out for him again.

"You're welcome to read over the note. It just states that we got pulled into Crow business that will take a few days. If they need us, they can reach out to Viago or Teia."

"You have everything figured out."

"The last thing we need is Bellara or Harding running through the streets of Treviso while we're searching for the qamekmaster. While I'm sure they would love to help, and I would welcome the help, I don't want anyone to blow our cover."

"Fair enough," Lucanis relented, placing the note in his pocket. "Anything else you need me to do?"

"Try not to stay too long at the Diamond. I don't know if Viago or Teia will try to chat or not, but I will need someone to watch my back," Rook reminded with a sigh. "I'll have a few blades on me, but I won't have my bow or quiver."

"I doubt they'll try to keep my attention for too long."

"I'm serious, Dellamorte. I'm putting my life in your hands today."

Rook glanced over him before leaving out the window, leaving him in her room. Spite laughed in the back of his mind as Lucanis shook his head. It was likely going to be a long day.

The Cantori Diamond was less busy than usual when he approached, but he generally didn't come during the day. He walked towards the attic with the letter in hand when he heard raised voices. He hoped that he wasn't going to have to interrupt one of Viago and Teia's explosive arguments. That usually involved something getting thrown his way, be it a dagger or poisoned dart.

To either his relief or horror, it wasn't the two Talons arguing with each other but rather being yelled at by a frustrated Veil Jumper and a scout. Lucanis jogged forward, hoping to cull the discussion before something irreversible happened.

"She was supposed to be back yesterday!" Bellara nearly shouted, trying to keep her voice down. Viago folded his arms.

"And I told you, she's handling something for the Crows. I can't tell you where she is," he reminded, matching her volume.

"Bellara, Harding," Lucanis called out, holding up the note.

"Lucanis," Harding greeted, a slight relief in her voice.

"Good timing," Teia sighed, using this as her cue to leave. She had better things to do than listen to Viago bicker with Rook's cohorts.

"What is going on? What's this about a contract?" Bellara asked, stepping towards Lucanis. He handed her Rook's note as she read over it.

"Like Viago said, a contract came up that she was able to help with, and I offered my assistance as well. Rook wouldn't have taken it if it wasn't important," Lucanis informed, hoping to cool their tempers.

"And why didn't she come and tell us?" Harding questioned.

"Because she's undercover right now. We can discuss it when the contract is finished," Lucanis answered. That didn't sit well with his teammates.

"I would prefer to know now. If she's in danger, then we should help," Harding countered.

"She doesn't have to do this alone," Bellara added. Lucanis grimaced, wondering how to get across to them.

"This isn't about whether or not she can do this alone. She's already undercover, and if you arrive, you could ruin her cover. It's not that big of a job anyway," Lucanis tried to argue as Viago nodded. "She's not in any danger. She was probably in more danger in the Ossuary than here."

"Then what is she doing?" Harding pressed as Lucanis sighed.

"She's searching for a poison maker," Lucanis answered before turning to Viago. "The qamekmaster was hired by The Butcher, and the contract also stated that there was a human traitor involved as well. We haven't uncovered who the traitor is, but we know who hired the poisoner at least."

"Then we have at least one answer. Then I assume that she's going after the poisoner?" Viago guessed as Harding stepped in again.

"That sounds dangerous," she argued.

"She's at the garrison, watching for patrol patterns. Once we have a way in, we will complete the contract on the qamekmaster. Maybe we can find some insight on the traitor as well," Lucanis added, ignoring Harding's comment.

"I hope so. News of a traitor doesn't bode well. I will have my Crows look into this as well. Let me know when the poisoner is dead," Viago answered as Harding scoffed.

"We can help," Bellara added as Lucanis shook his head.

"This is what Rook and I are trained to do. We can handle this," he reiterated before turning back to Viago. "We should be back with news the day after tomorrow."

"What should we do if Neve has a meeting set up with the Shadow Dragons before then?" Bellara asked as Lucanis sighed.

"Let them know that she's on a mission already. They rescheduled her twice, they can work around her once," he remarked.

"I suppose," Bellara relented with a frown.

"Did you at least receive the goods we sent before you stormed in?" Viago asked, stepping forward. Harding turned to Bellara, who nodded.

"Yes, the Caretaker mentioned that someone had bought food and goods," Bellara answered as Lucanis smiled in relief.

"Good, at least that didn't go to waste," he replied. "Go back to the lighthouse, and I'll bring back Rook in one piece, I promise. We'll get the job done."

"Fine, but it's your turn to cook when you get back," Harding informed haughtily, guiding Bellara back through the eluvian.

Viago and Lucanis watched as both of the women went around the corner before exhaling. Trying to explain the culture around contracts was difficult sometimes, which was why Crows generally kept their work internal when they needed to partner up. Lucanis was just grateful that he had been hired by a Crow in the grand scheme of things.

"Then the contract is proceeding well?" Viago asked as Lucanis nodded.

"As well as it can be. We found Jacobus, but Dareth was dead when we arrived," Lucanis answered. The Talon sighed, folding his arms.

"Yes, I had a feeling. Jacobus arrived yesterday and has been… distant. Once the contract is done, I think he will feel better, but he's not talking to anyone right now."

"Understandable," Lucanis replied. "It's likely that he will want to go after the traitor once they're identified."

"It's within his rights to do so. We will try to train him in the meantime while we investigate. Hopefully we can take care of this traitor and train him to be a proper Crow at the same time," Viago informed. "We will do what we can, but you should get back to your contract, since you insisted so heavily on being involved."

"You don't like that I went with Rook, do you?"

"You add a certain element that I'm not used to calculating into her chances of success."

"And what were her chances of success if she went in alone?"

"Higher before you kept distracting her. Do you really think that I don't know what's going on in my own house? I could hear the two of you arguing last night nearly across the estate," Viago complained, crossing his arms. Lucanis blanched, not accustomed to getting caught.

"We weren't being that loud," Lucanis argued, knowing that wasn't the point. Viago narrowed his eyes as the Crow clenched his jaw, realizing then how that sounded.

"Go help my Crow before I decide to test my new poisons on you," Viago warned as Lucanis nodded once, finding his way out of the Diamond.

Isabella scouted and watched, pretending to beg as Antaam and Antivans walked by. When she walked to a different area, she discreetly left her earnings for her fellow beggars. She wasn't there for the money, and they needed it more than she did.

Occasionally, she would look to the rooftops or alleyways to see if she could spot Lucanis, but she knew that he would be well out of sight. He was a professional, and he had been a Crow for longer. There was a good chance that she wouldn't see him until he came to retrieve her or if he needed to take care of a problem around her.

Otherwise, she focused on her contract, watching the patrol patterns in and around the garrison. As she expected, the Antaam patrols were disciplined and predictable, which led to their defenses to be tight but not impenetrable. If they came in through a balcony near the western side of the building at just right time, then they could enter unnoticed.

Isabella was also lucky to learn that the Antaam didn't care who was around when they were complaining about their work. Apparently, the qamekmaster was making life hard for some of the soldiers, and she was able to learn what area of the building they housed the poisoner in.

She finished out her rotation before disappearing down an alleyway towards a trellis. She had planned to go the full twenty-four hours to get the full rotation, but with the Antaam working like clockwork and having loose lips, she figured the sixteen would be enough.

As soon as she made it to the rooftop, Isabella waited in the shadows to either be followed or for Lucanis to meet up with her. Luckily, Lucanis was the only person to show up as she relaxed against a wall.

"I did expect you to bail so soon," Lucanis mentioned as she rolled her eyes.

"There's a gap in their patrol every two hours near the western balcony on the far side of the garrison. It's more accurate than most clocks I've seen. There might be a few guards we might have to take out, but as long as they don't sound the alarm, we are in," Isabella explained, ignoring his jab. "The Antaam also complained about the qamekmaster being a loudmouth, so he's located away from the rest of the soldiers for the most part. He's in the main hall of the house they commandeered."

"It sounds like you had a productive day," he remarked with a smirk.

"How was the Diamond? Did you send the letter?"

"Didn't need to. Bellara and Harding were berating Viago when I arrived. They're safely back at the lighthouse, though. No poisoning for them."

"Good to hear that Viago isn't poisoning our team," she replied with a raised eyebrow. "He didn't happen to threaten anyone else with poison, did he?"

"He let me off with a warning."

"What did you do?"

"I made a comment or two, but it doesn't matter-" Lucanis started before his eyes flashed purple.

"Talon said we were too loud, and then threatened us withpoison," Spite sneered. Lucanis reeled him back, cursing under his breath. Isabella grimaced.

"Were you causing a scene with Bellara and Harding?" she guessed as Lucanis held his head in his hand.

"Look, he knows we snuck into the de Riva estate last night," he replied, giving in if Spite was going to rush in without warning. Isabella frowned, crossing her arms.

"Then I hope your poison training is up to date," she warned before standing. "I knew it was a long shot, but you weren't taking no for an answer."

"What do you mean?"

"I told you about four separate times to go back to the lighthouse, and you said no. Sneaking around Viago while he's in the estate is nigh impossible. I was hoping that he was staying the night at the Diamond."

"What, does he keep tabs on every room or something? Have trip wires? Pressure plates?"

"The staff watch everything and report back to him if he's home. I have an understanding with them if I'm the only one home, then he doesn't need to know what I'm up to," Isabella explained as he raised an eyebrow.

"You sneak in people when Viago's out?"

"More like I used to sneak out when Viago was out. I went through a rebellious phase to drive him crazy. All the staff were trained as Crows that decided that the lifestyle wasn't for them. They know how to sneak around."

"Mierda," Lucanis hissed, shaking his head. "What are we supposed to do now?"

"Well, we can't sneak into the estate now, that will just anger Viago further," she sighed, running a hand through her hair. "We're just going to have to use the front door."

Lucanis froze, staring at her, and she tried not to smile too wide.

"And why didn't we use the front door last night? Why are we sneaking around your house?"

"I thought you didn't want Viago to poison you, so we were trying to avoid that. Since you had such an enlightening conversation with him at the Diamond, it doesn't matter anymore. If he's threatened to poison you, then I might as well lead you in through the front door. Unless you prefer to go back to the lighthouse while I finish the contract."

"You de Rivas are going to send me into an early grave," he growled out, hearing Spite snickering in his mind. "I'm not going to back out now. Can't we just go through the garrison now? It'll be dark in an hour."

"I am definitely not dressed nor equipped for infiltration, Dellamorte. I have a few knives on my, but my leather armor is back at the house, not to mention my bow," Isabella scoffed before leading him back towards House de Riva. "Unless you are hoping the Antaam will kill me off."

"What would be my motivation there?"

"Viago threatened you. Killing a de Riva Crow could be seen as retaliation," Isabella shrugged before she turned towards him. "I'm mostly teasing. I know you would do the job yourself if you wanted me gone."

"You know, we used to have normal conversations."

"That was before you jumped on my contract and listen to only half the words I say."

"I listen to everything you say. I've followed every instruction."

"Then follow the first one and go back to the lighthouse," Isabella reminded, snapping at him. Lucanis pursed his lips. Her patience had started to wear thin. "Or you could listen to me and sleep once in a while in general. You only listen to me when you find it convenient for you."

"This contract isn't a convenience for me, I'm helping you. And I don't sleep-"

"So Spite doesn't get out. It's the same old song with you."

"Spite is reoccurring issue," Lucanis retorted as Isabella refrained from rolling her eyes at him.

"How about this then," she began, crossing her arms. "Since you're helping me out on a contract that I didn't ask help with, why don't I help you out with something you don't need help with, hm? I can help with Spite."

"I don't need-"

"Oh, but it's just like how I don't need help on this contract, Dellamorte. I didn't ask for help, and when I asked you to let me do my job, you said no," Isabella reminded as Lucanis scowled. "Well guess what,stronzo, you asked for a partnership, you've got one. From here on out, we're in this together. If one of us gets a contract or a mission, then we both have one."

"I think you might be exaggerating the situation," Lucanis warned as Isabella grinned.

"Then admit that you should have let me complete my contract and gone back to the lighthouse. Then you wouldn't have to deal with any of this. Since this contract isn't aconvenienceto you."

"Why are you twisting my words now?"

"I didn't. You said them."

"Fine. Anything else you would like to list as to why you're upset with me?" Lucanis asked, crossing his arms.

"Other than you refusing to listen to me, ensuring an embarrassing conversation with Viago, and your wholly unwillingness to ask for help, no I think I've covered the basics," she remarked, counting her points on her fingers. Lucanis grumbled a sigh, shaking his head.

"I didn't mean to make you life difficult," he replied, his voice gentler than she expected. She froze as he dropped his arms. "I'm sorry for at least the first two points. I had hoped I was helping, but now I see I was overstepping."

"Apology accepted," Isabella whispered, a little surprised by the suddenness of his confession. "I'm not used to people apologizing so readily."

"Viago does tend to hold grudges," Lucanis nodded before sighing. "Are you serious about the partnership thing, though?"

"Very. While I know that you want to handle Spite on your own, I'm scared that you're going to pass out from exhaustion and hit your head trying to stay awake. Just let me help in whatever small way I can, alright? Even if it's me standing outside the pantry door while you take an hour nap or something."

"I'll think about it," he muttered, looking away. Isabella exhaled before motioning him to follow her.

"Come on, let's get back."