Earth Touched - A Dragon Tribe Origin

Chapter Twenty-Five - Martie

"I need you to see me tonight," Frank said.

Martie gazed at the clock. "It's so late. I have to be up early to help in the morning. Can we reconnect another time?" The longer she could dodge seeing him, the better.

"This isn't about reconnecting," he said. "I have some stuff I need to give you, a delivery for you to make, and some information for you to pass on to Lori."

"Is there a reason you can't tell her?" Martie asked quietly.

"Is there a reason you're being so disobedient?" he snapped.

"I'm tired. It's been a long day, and I can't be leaving the house to meet a guy," she said with a wobbling voice. She'd spent a good portion of her night rehearsing just what to say to him once the time came. All of the practicing gave her a little more nerve, but only a little.

Frank growled quietly. "When I called Lori, I didn't get a chance to tell her about any of this. We won't be doing anything more. If anyone asks, you needed some fresh air. You might live there, but you're not his prisoner, and there aren't any rules against you coming and going as you please."

"As long as it doesn't take too long. Being out super late still won't look good," she mumbled, feeling pathetic for agreeing to go in the first place. If he wasn't going to try and force himself on her, and he really did have materials for the mission, then she knew she should.

"An hour at the most," he promised. "There's a restaurant two blocks from the house. I'll be waiting in the bar."

She hung up and moved to get her shoes on, feeling as if she were being driven by auto-pilot. It's a public place. He can't hurt you if you're in front of a bunch of people. Sure enough, Gage was cooking the kitchen when she made her way upstairs.

"Need something?" he asked.

"I'm going to go for a walk," she said quietly. "It helps me relax."

Gage glanced at the clock. "It's almost ten."

"Feeling a tiny bit homesick," she whispered. "Only a little. Walking will clear my head. I won't be gone too long."

"All right," he said. "The neighborhood is pretty safe, but if you don't have any there's a can of mace in the drawer by the grocery list." He pointed to a small peninsula at the edge of the kitchen. "In the junk drawer. If you ever need scissors or glue or anything random, you'll find it there."

Martie took the can, grateful. Holding it in her fingers did add a great deal of security. "Thanks, I'll see you soon."

The walk to the restaurant was brisk, on the verge of running. For it being so late at night, she was surprised by all of the people walking about on the sidewalks in front of the houses. Most of them were couples, strolling hand in hand from the very restaurant she was heading toward. It was a small building with a cute, back lit, brick sign that read "The Original." Inside, Martie realized right away that she was underdressed in her leggings and tunic shirt.

She spotted Frank at the bar right away, also undressed in jeans and a t-shirt. The bar in general was filled with a lot more casual patrons. "I'm here," she said.

Frank faced her mid drink. He set his glass down. "Did Lori tell you anything about our fight?"

"No," she said. "Should she have?"

"No, it's got nothing to do with you or the mission. I only ask because I wanted to know if she meant it when she said it wouldn't get in the way of work," he said. Frank handed over a small plastic bag full of what looked like magazines. "Give these to her so she can give them to my contact in the Government Center. The name is on the address labels."

Martie held the bag in her lap, curious as to what the bag actually contained. "How is she supposed to get into the Government Center?"

"Visit Finn, of course." Frank rolled his eyes and took a drink from his glass. He seemed especially irritable tonight, and she made a note to not bother asking anymore questions. "I want you to work Gage pretty hard this week for information. He's going to be vulnerable. Some big stuff is happening as we speak over in Oceina. It'll be on the news by the morning, I can guarantee it. Try to get him to open up about it, show him you're safe to talk to."

Swallowing, Martie wished she had a glass of water, or a soda, or anything to help ease her nerves. "I'll do my best."

"No matter what you hear, just know it's all part of the plan—even if it sounds like I'm about to be exposed," Frank said. "You'll be able to find time to go to the diner to give all of this to Lori tomorrow, right? It's important it gets to my contact before the end of the work day."

"Yes, I can find a way."

"Good, now how about we split an appetizer and catch up." Frank gave her a wide grin, the same one that had charmed her into dropping her guard months ago.

Martie shook her head. "No, I need to get back. My boss saw me leave."

"Next time," he said.

"Right." She got up to leave. He grabbed her forearm firmly, stopping her.

"I mean it. There's going to be a next time before all of this is over."

She managed a smile, wiggled her way free, and quickly left the restaurant. Once outside, she ran the entire way back to the mansion, the mace clutched tightly in one hand and her bag in another.