Fate's Gambit: A Half-Blood's Odyssey

Chapter XI: The Mission Begins

I'm getting myself ready for Allura's big mission tonight, but I've got the last-minute jitters. My stomach twists and turns into knots, and I feel sick. I'm not particularly afraid of simply going through with this heist, it's just that I've never actually burglarized any place with high security. The thought of getting caught by police reminds me of the fear I endured when my parents threatened to turn me over for the discipline program.

I can pretend to be big and bad all I want, but there's no way I could play that role for long in jail. And what if I end up in prison instead? There's no way I'd survive that. Everyone's so mean in prison. People would steal my lunch, and my cellmate would make me sleep on the bottom bunk and play dress up for their amusement. How would Allura fare in prison? She's so small, she'd be an easy target. Those people would rip her apart, the poor thing.

I try to remember the steps in Allura's plan. At some point, before we start, she'll send out her mice squad to cut power from the alarm and security systems at Jewels of Cleopatra and the rich person's home. From there, we'll head to Jewels of Cleopatra and break in and take whatever, then go underground to hide our loot. From there, I think she said we'll continue underground, down the street, and emerge from somewhere around the next spot. When we finish up there, we'll make our escape, free from police, and then it is mission accomplished from there.

"Kaela, darling, what are you up to?" Cota peeks into my room before fully coming in.

"I'm getting ready for the biggest heist ever," I put on my cloak and mask.

"So Roxanne was telling the truth..." Cota says under her breath.

"Oh, she told you?" I didn't expect Roxanne to say anything about this. "Tonight is going to be so much fun. Tell her I said thank you for pitching in."

"Kaela, I don't want you going through with this," says Cota bluntly. A hint of sternness is detectable in her tone.

"Yeah, I'm going anyway. I appreciate your concern, but I'll be fine."

"No, Kaela, you're not going out tonight. I make the rules here, remember? You're not going anywhere. Not on my watch."

I'm a bit irritated now. "Allura's expecting me tonight. I'm going through with the plan, and that's that. I won't even be gone long." I try to move past Cota, but she blocks my way.

"I said no, Kaela. I care about you too much to let you go out there."

"I don't see what the big deal is," I say, crossing my arms. "I know you get lonely when I'm away. We can cuddle and hug and whatever when I get back." I attempt to move past Cota again, but she won't budge.

"Stop it! You're not leaving! I forbid you from doing that mission!"

"You forbid me?" I huff and roll my eyes. "You sound like my mom."

"So take a hint, damn it! She wanted what was best for you, so you ran away. Now, here you are, still too stubborn and stupid to listen to anyone but yourself!"

My tail flicks back and forth. I hiss and growl at her, baring my teeth in my frustration, offended by what she's said.

"Am I supposed to be scared of you?" Cota scratches at the floor with her talons. She flaps her wings slowly, spreading them out wide when she opens them.

Her aggravated disposition of plumage makes her look bigger. I'm intimidated by her, and since I'm no longer thinking clearly, my intimidation quickly turns into more anger. Not wanting to further escalate things, I attempt to push through Cota once more to escape the intense cage of severe emotions that my bedroom has become.

Naturally, Cota tries to stop me again. I let my pent-up frustration get the best of me this time. Almost as if in slow motion, Cota pushes me back, and that's where I end up letting my anger get the best of me. As soon as I feel her touch me, I hiss again and rapidly swipe at her, landing several scratches across her face. Immediately, Cota flinches and drops to her knees, hiding her face in her wings.