The Other Side of the Lie (EDITING, ON HOLD)

Ten-Hunter

Hunter woke when an elbow dug into his side. Bella, still asleep, moved again, and the elbow moved lower to the part of him that really, really did not appreciate getting elbowed. Cursing quietly so as not to wake Bella up, Hunter moved his sister so that her elbow was no longer in such a sensitive spot, and looked around.

Hawk was awake, and grinning at Hunter's predicament. Hunter glared at him until he stopped grinning, but the corners of his mouth still twitched.

"Come here," Hunter mouthed.

Hawk frowned in confusion, but did as he was told. Hunter motioned for him to take his place. Hawk's eyes widened but Hunter tugged him down. Hawk landed with a thump and with a swift movement Hunter was up and Bella was leaning on Hawk and not her brother. She mumbled, shifted slightly, then quieted.

Hawk stared up at Hunter pleadingly as if to say, please help, I don't know what to do! Hunter grinned, and mouthed, "I've got to take a piss." Hawk glared at him but when Bella moved again he froze and his face drained of color. Hunter almost laughed when he realized it was from fear.

"What do I do if she wakes up?" Hawk whispered.

"You're a prince," Hunter answered in the same tone. He shrugged. "I'm sure you've had lessons in diplomacy. You can deal with it."

Hunter left the cave, all the while feeling Hawk's glare boring into his back.

Once he finished his business, Hunter went back into the cave to find Swift awake and grinning like a madman at Hawk from his position with his back against a sleeping Mist. It looked like Hunter was not the only one who found humor in Hawk's predicament.

"Nicely done," Swift whispered, giving Hunter a thumbs-up. Hunter offered a grin and the vampire responded in kind. To his surprise, Hunter didn't feel disturbed by the glint of Swift's fangs.

Taking pity on the poor fey, Hunter released Hawk from his duties as Bella's pillow, and tried to make himself comfortable. He was stiff all over from spending the night on cold stone, and in a sitting position no less.

Bella mumbled in her sleep and he absently stroked her hair. She opened her eyes and rubbed at her eyes.

"Good morning," Hunter said. "Actually, I think it is afternoon."

"Where are we?" she yawned.

"A cave somewhere," Swift said. "I don't know exactly where, but Mist will. I believe we are somewhere to the south of Cloudspire."

"This whole forest is south of Cloudspire," Hawk muttered. Hunter couldn't help but snort in amusement.

"Very funny," Swift said, and sobered. "Hawk, we have a little more than three days before more bounty hunters are dispatched. We need a plan. You talked about a grate, and I think I could bend it, as long as it is not spelled. If I can't do it, Bella can deal with it. So, we are in Cloudspire. Where do we go from here?"

Hawk contemplated the problem for a moment. "I..."

"Yes?" Swift prompted.

"I have no idea."

Swift groaned with frustration.

"Hawk," Hunter said, "is there an activity your mother does daily, or a place she frequents? How would we access her chambers? Is there a way to get around without using the main hallways? I expect there are servant corridors."

"There are," Hawk began. "But there is another way to get around without being seen. The palace is riddled with secret passages, but the ones leading to any of the royal chambers are blocked off to prevent just this. As for her habits, she always has breakfast at nine in the morning, no exceptions, and she finishes at nine-thirty. She always retires sometime between ten and eleven in the evenings."