Chapter 9

Once again alone, the room seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Aggie was the first to speak up, “Who the hell was that?”

“That was the King’s sister, Yavari. She is a bit of a handful and quite the character. We have to tolerate her because she is still royalty no matter how we feel about her.” A visible shudder ran through Mathius and Aggie knew there was a larger story to tell there.

“Did you two have a thing, once upon a time?” Aggie blurted without a hint of jealousy and something more akin to taunting.

“I would rather not discuss it.” Mathius grumbled and turned away from the group and began to pour himself another cup of tea.

“Oh, come on, I know so little about you guys and I’d rather not start off with a long list of secrets to unravel, but time is already against us.” Aggie pleaded and even batted her eyelashes a little for good measure. Just before she broke out her signature pout, Mathius sighed and his shoulders drooped.

“She has had a thing for me our entire lives. She was second in line for the crown and I was always to be head of the royal guard. We grew up in the same circles and she was always there. I never returned her affections, but that didn’t once stop her from pressing her luck. I’ve been telling her no for years.”

“I figured as much.” Aggie knew her words would catch him off guard but the speed at which he grabbed her made her breath catch. Quickly she realized he had dusted her to the other side of the room and pressed her back against the wall. His lips were on hers faster than she could get herself under control from the magical transportation and was quickly lost in the feel of his touch and his lips moving with hers. Nothing else mattered, the room fell away as did the remaining inhabitants. It wasn’t until they were startled by someone clearing their throat, that Aggie felt guilty. She had been kissing Mitchell minutes before and now Mathius, all while everyone was in the room and watching. This wasn’t who she was. Aggie never cheated on boyfriends and never really paid attention to other guys if she was in a relationship. Is that what this is? A relationship? Nothing has been defined, and, if that is the case, then who is to say I can’t kiss or hug or touch any of them if I decide to? Aggie let her brain wander for a moment attempting to justify what had just taken place.

Without another word about it, Mathius went back to all business. “Now that we are all on the same page, where do you want to start today?”

“Ren and I will walk the castle and see if any scents from the room become clear or more defined. Perhaps we will find a lead.” It must be the Alpha in him that makes Mitchell so much of a dictator. I wonder if he is always in control or if he lets his guard down for, ‘special activities’. After their brief moment Aggie had a few new ideas about this macho man standing before her.

“I would like to go outside the castle walls and visit with any of the towns folk and see if they have any new information. While I know the previous scenes have grown cold now, I’m hoping someone has a tiny piece of information that will give us something to go on.” Xavier was stoic as ever and so rigid. Aggie wondered if he ever let loose.

“Do you have the power of compulsion?” Aggie was making it a habit of blurting her thoughts out of the blue at them, as though they had been friends forever and wouldn’t be offended. She heard Ren chuckle at her antics. Aggie remembered that he said her method wasn’t the politest way to ask them about their powers. This seemed to only be a formality and none of them seemed to be taking offense by her method of getting information out of them.

Xavier’s smiled pulled slowly across his face, Aggie made a note not to meet him in a dark alley where he might be upset or hungry showing her that devilish grin. “I have the power over the weak-minded.” He was always so straightforward and simple when he spoke. Never mincing words, but also never fully explaining. Aggie knew they had more important tasks at hand so she filed that away on her ever-growing list for a better time.

“I will go with you.” Liel spoke as though he knew Xavier wasn’t going to share anything else with Aggie. Aggie scrunched up her face at him in a childish way, but he wasn’t even phased.

“As will I. I’m sure I can persuade one or two to share some stories.” Kyrel added quickly.

“I’m not sure those stories are the kind we are trying to uncover,” Ren chimed in with a smirk. Everyone just shook their heads at his train of thought. He really was the troublemaker of the bunch.

“That leaves the rest of us to go through the mail.” Mathius finished his tea and made to leave the room.

“Mail? You guys have a mail system here?” Aggie thought she was confused before, but now she was off the scale.

“Not in a sense that you would think, but more of a magical sending system. It isn’t as easy to maintain, but we can send messages through magical means directly to a person we have a connection with. I want to check and see if I recognize any signatures or if Gryson can break them down for any trace.” Mathius spoke as though this was perfectly normal and not the most insane things someone might have ever heard. The rest of the guys never questioned so she had to assume this was a normal thing. Trying to go with the flow she merely nodded and followed them out. Everyone went their separate ways when a hand clutched hers a new sensation ran through her. It felt like a thousand butterflies were flapping across her skin and inside her stomach. Aggie slowly looked up and saw Eldon keeping pace with her. Though he wasn’t looking at her she could feel him throughout her body and the draw was unbelievable. Destiny. This must be what people mean when they say fate. Aggie walked silently as her thoughts drifted. Eldon never let go of her hand and she never pulled hers away. She was content to feel him and how her body reacted to him.

Soon they stopped in front of a simple looking door and Aggie was puzzled. “What is this place?” All the other places she had seen in the castle were overdone and ornate to draw attention. This room seemed to blend into the wall. The only real reason she knew it was a door, was the knob that materialized the closer they stood to it. Does this place exude magic all the time? Is everything imbued with spells in order to make this castle function? Rubbing her temples Aggie realized all of this was giving her a headache. Perhaps humans shouldn’t spend too much time in the other realms to prevent mental overload. Again, this was placed in her mental file.

“This is our security room. It’s not on any maps and is intended to be inconspicuous.” Mathius’ hushed tones weren’t completely a whisper but they were obviously an attempt to keep people from drawing attention to them.

Stepping into the room, Aggie was in awe of the tactical space. Everything one could possibly need was here. Weapons, ones Aggie could recognize like swords, ax-like blades, and daggers, combined with ones Aggie couldn’t dream of explaining or describing. There looked to be a meeting space in the center. She could picture the guys all sitting around the table exchanging ideas, like a great meeting of the minds. Without asking she made her way toward the table and ran her fingers over the worn wood. Many conversations and heated debates had taken place at this table. She could feel it, as though the wood was radiating the feelings through her hand and telling her all about it. She smoothed the aging boards in small circles almost as though she were reassuring a small child. Aggie didn’t know why she was drawn like this but she had to assume it was because it was a connected piece of furniture to all the guys.

“We are going to start over here.” Gryson cupped her elbow and guided her to the far corner of the room. It had a blank wall on it that looked like a projector screen was embedded in it. With a wave of Mathius’s hand, it came to life with an ethereal glow. That was quickly replaced by mixtures of rainbows swirling on and a fog lightly poured over the surface. Nothing was tangible and Aggie felt as though she was watching the opening scenes of a movie before the credits began to roll. Quickly, shapes started swirling around on the screen and leaving her imagination to take each shape into consideration, as she didn’t know what was happening.

“Don’t you want to see Prince Rikan? He will be disappointed if you leave before he gets to see you.” A woman’s voice filtered through the space. Causing Aggie to whip her head left and right to determine the source.

“I haven’t the time, dear sister. I’m late for a meeting now as it is.” That voice, Aggie recognized and wondered who Yavari could be speaking to. The guys didn’t mention another sister.

“If you must then.” The mystery woman’s voice was disappointed but strong. “Please don’t stay away too long or he may forget what you look like. He always did adore you.” Aggie was beginning to put the pieces together. The picture faded out back to the faint light from nowhere. Although Aggie told her mind there was a hidden projector in the room. Just trying to ease the throbbing in her head.

“That was Queen Annare speaking to Yavari.” Mathius supplied when he thought he knew what caused Aggie’s confused look. Aggie just went with it to not bring up how hard this magic concept was for her to handle.

“It was the night of the kidnapping.” Gryson added as they all continued to stare at the blank screen, Aggie decided to call things what they looked like and not over think it.

“Do any of you have a piece of paper and a pen?” The three men looked at her as though they were asked to produce a unicorn. “You know so the non-magical here can take notes. My brain might miss details, but if I write things down I can be helpful.” With a flourish of his fingers and a smile Gryson created her request from thin air. The best part was she noted that he had procured another bit of information from her life at home somehow. He had supplied her favorite pen. Something with a gel ink always wrote better than the traditional ballpoint or stick pen. So now she could take these notes and feel a little more at home. As a reward, Aggie leaned up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek. Technically, the first kiss she had initiated but she was taking things slow. He had saved her twice today with his magical abilities and for that she was grateful. It was the least she could do was to show her appreciation. Gryson took the opportunity to wrap his arms around her and hold her, for just a second, before he released her back to the floor. Only then did she realize he had lifted her off the floor to assist her in her task at hand. She really was a midget in comparison to these guys, but she would make up for it with her big personality.

Using her new pen and paper, Aggie noted that the queen and her sister-in-lawhad a conversation about the prince, on the day of his disappearance.

“Well at least she was telling the truth about not being home when he was taken.” Eldon piped up and his lyrical voice caught Aggie in a spell that ended the moment he stopped speaking. She really wanted to get to know him but he was the quietest of all the guys. At least Xavier spoke up more often than Eldon, even if he was vague in his comments and not forthcoming with information. She knew more about Xavier, the second quietest of the bunch, than she did about Eldon. Their moment in the hallway had been nothing short of a surprise, but she wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth, as they say.

“To be honest, and I know I’m new and don’t know anyone, I didn’t think her statement was completely truthful. I’m not sure what it was but it felt off to me or forced in some way.” Aggie didn’t want to upset anyone or step on toes, but maybe they were too close to the situation to have seen it. Perhaps an outsider was just what they needed. “Am I the only one who noticed that?”

“She seemed perfectly normal in character to me.” Mathius confirmed her suspicions that he was blinded by something. He said he had no attraction for her. So, maybe it was the fact that he was avoiding her and couldn’t see everything clearly because he wasn’t looking at her under a microscope and more like trying not to touch her with a ten-foot pole. Gryson nodded his agreement and this frustrated Aggie because she needed them to trust and value her opinion, just as they would any of the other guys.

“I sensed something as well.” That beautifully captivating voice cut through Aggie’s frustration like a knife. “I’m unable to say exactly what it was but her story didn’t sound genuine to me either.” With a small shy smile in Aggie’s direction, he was finished with his statement. Back to his silent, reflective self, Eldon had captured her interest better than any of them could have ever dreamed of doing.

“We have no evidence against her and this,” Mathius gestured at the screen, “gives nothing but proof in her favor.”

“I didn’t mean to insinuate that you were wrong, but she might not be as innocent as she appears. Instead of jumping to conclusions, let’s just make a note to keep her in mind and not write her off.” Aggie made a show of writing down this on her paper but didn’t say another word.

Another wave of Mathius’s hand and the screen came to life again with rainbows and fog.

“Trust me they don’t know anything.” A familiar voice, once again, trilled over the airways.

“How can you be so sure? They can’t find out about us.” This was a mysterious male voice and Aggie wasn’t sure if either of the guys knew who it was.

“I told them I had a meeting, as you know, I have many official meetings at all hours of the day or night. I don’t operate on a daytime schedule like my brother.” Yavari’s tone was dripping with disdain and that concerned Aggie. She had never had any siblings but knew that some, even as adults, didn’t see eye-to-eye all the time.

“Yes, but our meetings have nothing to do with court and the pomp and circumstance that you like to flit here and there pretending to go on about this and that.” His voice was a deep and rich sound, like someone who might have been noble. Though Aggie snickered at her thought. Who was she to say what a noble did or didn’t sound like?

“I don’t pretend anything of the sort. If I did, you’d think I wasn’t with you of my own choice and purely for social standings.” Yavari purred her words like the seductress that she was. Aggie heard that tone just a short while ago directed at Mathius. Without another word, the screen faded, yet again.

“That didn’t sound suspicious at all.” Aggie deadpanned in hopes of getting a couple laughs. She was disappointed as stoic frowns met her smiling face, as she scanned the room. “Damn you all, Ren would have laughed at that. Next time I’ll endure Mitchell’s brooding and go with them.” Crossing her arms, she openly pouted, at her lackluster crew of the moment.

“I don’t recognize the other voice.” Gryson didn’t acknowledge any of what Aggie said and just began addressing the mail. Now that Aggie thought about it, they were more like phone calls between places than mail. She would mention that when she was with a crowd that listened to her opinions and not just placating her by letting her tag along.

“It’s familiar but I can’t place it either. Almost like it was a voice I heard once in passing, than from someone I might actually know or have been introduced to. I’m usually pretty good with voices and names.” Mathius’s tone was prideful and directed at Aggie with the last statement. She didn’t give him the time of day and glanced over at Eldon who was still deep in thought. She was sure that Mathius growled or grumbled under his breath at her response or lack thereof, for that she beamed.

“It seems we need to speak to Yavari again, but I don’t want her to spook her. Is there anyone who might be close to this situation and have some insight into her day-to-day?” Eldon’s eyes never broke from the screen that had faded to the haze and swirls of colors. It reminded Aggie in some way of the colorful aspect of the knobs inside the secret room. She didn’t know how to refer to it yet. The guys called it the Gateway, but to her it was just another room in her Gran’s house, no matter what they have told her. To change that thought process would be like rebranding her brain.

“What if we spoke to the servants? Delia seemed helpful enough this morning. I’m sure they hear things that we don’t and wouldn’t be able to uncover. People of this stature have a tendency to think of those beneath them as invisible. Did you notice Yavari didn’t even notice me this morning or question who I was? That could’ve been because all she cared about was to get Mathius in the sack or because I’m right.” Aggie didn’t bother to look at Mathius, she could hear his snarl plainly.

“That idea has sound reasoning. Do we know who her chambermaid is?” Eldon acknowledged her disregarding what Mathius was grumbling about. “If we can find out when she is out on her next meeting, we may be able to get an appointment or a few moments with her, at the least.”

Never ceasing in voicing his displeasure at Aggie’s jab Mathius spoke with a hint of frustration in his tone, “I’ll look into it and persuade her to hold court with us.” Aggie struggled not to laugh at his old language. She was going to have to get these guys to lighten up and teach them some modern speaking skills if she was going to be around them this much. She made a mental note and refocused her attention on the matter at hand.

“Don’t you think all of us rushing in to speak to a servant is going to draw some attention?” Aggie spoke up expected to be ignored once again.

“Why would that be of consequence to us?” Mathius was on the rougher side of life, Aggie had noticed. He was more of a ‘take and ask for forgiveness later’ kind of person than a person who thinks about someone’s feelings. He was the definition of caveman thinking. She wasn’t saying he wasn’t smart because the cavemen invented some pretty handy technology in their time, but he had a very one-track mind. If he had a goal that was all that mattered. Simple things, like perception, didn’t matter as long as the goal was accomplished. He was rather transparent like that and Aggie had picked up on this characteristic rather quickly.

“I don’t know how much of our business you want to travel down the grapevine. If not the servants, I’m sure the nobles will whisper.” Aggie was sure he couldn’t be that dense to realize that people are going to talk.

“We do not have grapes here or any vined fruit. There is no need for concern.” Aggie groaned in frustration at Mathius’s words.

Taking a deep breath and then releasing it, “No, ‘to travel down the grapevine’ just means to gossip.” Aggie was just getting a small dose and could see what was to come. This was going to be beyond trying and hard to get through with any sort of grace. They were going to be a challenge, but if anyone could step up to the plate it was her.

Mathius considered her words in silence for a moment. Aggie watched as emotions traveled across his face. First confusion, then that quickly moved into shock and then finally into understanding. She was thankful his emotions were so easy to read. “I believe you might be correct. I will go alone and report back.”

“Do you think that is the best idea?” Aggie pressed her luck, hoping he wouldn’t get growly again.

“What do you mean? Of course, I’m the best person for the job. These are my people and they will be more comfortable speaking with me.” His voice was raised slightly but not seemingly from anger or because she questioned him. It was more like he was astonished that she would suggest otherwise.

“Not to disagree with you but perhaps I could throw out another scenario. What if say, I was to go with one of the other guys, whoever has the most experience with your people. We might be a bit less intimidating for a lowly servant than the head of the guard. If you were to go, don’t you think they might think they were in some kind of trouble?”

“You’re saying I might scare them? Are you saying that I’m an imposing figure and I can’t relate to the common people? You make me sound like a pompous ass who carries himself as royalty.” Mathius laughed at the thought even though she hadn’t confirmed or denied anything. The other two were silently watching the exchange, enthralled as though they were watching a sporting event on television.

“Have you seen yourself? You have been a bit of an ass to me since we met and your hulking form,” Aggie gestured at, well all of him, “isn’t exactly one to lean to endearment upon first glance.” With a huff, Mathius turned away and crossed his arms like a petulant child.

Breathing heavily, he took a few moments to compose his thoughts. From his profile stance, Aggie could see his nostrils flaring open and closed, without warning he whipped back around and got right into her face. His eyes were cold and flat. The life in them was missing. Aggie wondered how he could turn it on and off with the flick of a switch. “I’ll have you know I’m more than capable of handling this job but instead of trying to stand here and convince you, I will send Eldon with you. He is the second most qualified person for this job that is in this room. He may not know my people but the way of his own will help him through this task.” Aggie didn’t know what that meant but the heat in his words was not lost on her. “Mark my words, I will prove to you my worth in due time.” Aggie also realized they were no longer talking about the task at hand.

With her mouth agape, Aggie stood frozen at the display she had just witnessed. She didn’t know what to say. I didn’t mean to upset him, but I needed to convey my point and opinion about the next step. We could have easily lost all headway if we didn’t plan this properly. Thinking with our heads and not egos would play a huge part in all of this. I guess that is my role, to rein in the crazy from time to time. I’ll be needed to put things into perspective since obviously no one else was going to step up for the job. She added the last thought with a touch of snark as she looked up at the two silent observers still standing in the wings.

Unable to stand it any longer, “Neither of you gaping fish thought it helpful to jump in and help at all?”

“We didn’t think it was prudent to choose sides in this particular situation.” Eldon shared his thoughts honestly.

“Not to mention, it was pretty exciting and attractive to watch you hold your own.” Gryson added with a smirk in her direction.

Rolling her eyes and sighing in frustration, “This job is going to be harder than I thought.” The words were spoken under her breath and not for the three men’s ears standing in the space with her. “I guess we should make arrangements with the maid.”

“Why don’t we just speak to Delia and see if she can get a message to the girl we need to speak with, instead of tracking her down on our own? She can report back to us and let us know when and where to meet.” Gryson’s idea had merit and at least she knew he was thinking like a strategist and not a man with something to prove.

“That makes sense. At least we know that we can trust her. Mathius, would you make the request?” Aggie was trying to mend the bridge at least a little for now even though he hadn’t had time to cool off completely. She wanted him to know he was still needed.

Mathius didn’t look up right away, as though he was considering her request. Then he looked at her with a touch of fire in his eyes, “I’ll make the arrangements for you, but you will debrief with me immediately after the meeting, in your chambers.” Aggie wasn’t sure what he was getting at but the blaze was growing in his eyes and Aggie wondered if it meant what she thought. A chill ran through her body as she thought about all the reasons he would want to meet with her. None of them had anything to do with a rundown of the evening’s events.