The Arcane Rebellion- The Arcane Series #1

Chapter 12

Xavi

Even though she's forgiven me, I still felt guilty when I looked at her.

Uriah had managed to steal three perfectly fitting knight uniforms-our disguises. Our plan was settled. The three of us go in with out invitations. Layla goes through the entertainment entrance, knocks out a dancer and takes her costume. Amir and Uriah threaten a security knight and make him take them to the archives while I take his place. Layla drags out the dance, just enough so Amir and Uriah can get the blueprint and kill the knight. We were to meet in the hallway near the courtyard.

We took a cab driven by a friend of ours instead of our horses. Our horses are too easily recognizable. While we were riding, we all drank the potions, Layla the whole vial and Uriah, Amir and I only a couple of drops. When we got in front of the club, we all said our goodbyes and wished each other good luck.

"I'll be watching, making sure those assholes don't try anything.", I whispered to Layla and she scoffed with a smirk on her face.

"You think I need protection?", she asked and I chuckled.

"No. It's just to make myself feel better.", I told her and she smiled. "Good luck.", I told her one last time before going in.

The place was quiet, but packed with knights in and out of uniform. There were tables and bars, booths and lounges. The lights above and around the crowd were dimmed, the only real light coming from the stage. There was only one knight that worked as security and he took our invitations as we entered. We stood by the entrance, waiting for Layla to come out on the stage. After she did, Uriah and Amir would have around five minutes to get the blueprint.

We patiently waited as the girl that was now dancing finished her performance. It was Layla's turn. I hoped she had enough time to steal a costume. The knights were quiet in anticipation. The curtains opened to reveal Layla dressed in all white with gold accents, her face a little blurry to me. I looked at Uriah and Amir, nodding at them to start with the plan. Uriah covered the knights face with his hand, while Amir pointed a gun at him.

"You're going to show us what we need and we'll let you go.", he said just as the song started and the knight, obviously new and young, nodded with fear in his eyes. I took the knight's place, looking back at Layla.

I didn't know she could dance. She swung and twirled around, the dress doing the same as if it was a part of her. Suddenly, I noticed her back was starting to bleed and it was like blood upon the snow, the deep red color of blood sitting on her pale skin, creating an unimaginable contrast. I hoped the knights would think it's part of the performance.

The blood aside, Layla looked beautiful, her beauty unmatched and divine in those lights. Her white hair was like a halo around her head and it looked as though she was glowing. This was one of the rare times she had let her hair down.

When she turned around, I saw on her face that she was getting tired and that she could collapse any second. I prayed that she could go on as I looked at my watch and then at the hallway where Uriah and Amir should be coming out of any second. The five minutes were almost up. Suddenly, I heard a faint sound of a gunshot. The guys did it.

Layla was done with the dance and she headed backstage. I saw her breathe out a breath of relief. I myself headed to our designated meeting spot. Uriah and Amir were already there, covered in blood and small cuts.

"What happened?", I asked them.

"The little shit was a fighter.", Amir said, wiping the blood that was dripping from a cut on his cheek.

"Did you get the blueprint?", I asked them and they nodded as Uriah handed me the blueprint. I smiled, feeling proud of the achievement. Suddenly, Layla appeared, paler than usual and covered in her own blood. "Are you okay?", I asked, putting my hand on her upper arm. She nodded and suddenly, we heard at least half a dozen new footsteps.