Shadows of Truth and Deception (Levi • OC)

CHAPTER 6 - Veiled

veiled /veɪld/ — not openly declared or expressed

     The week remaining until the mission passed without Reinae and Levi speaking to each other. Every night, she lay awake in bed, waiting for the knock on her door that never came. She kept telling herself she wouldn't go to his office because of her pride, but deep down, she was scared to see any trace of hurt in his eyes. She didn't know if she could bear it.

     She spent her days sparring with Carter and Isaac, letting them tell and show her as much about their fighting as possible so she could plan how to incorporate them into the fighting routine she, Jasper, and Aiden had developed in the underground. Her brother still barely spoke to her. She had no energy to make amends.

     A scout found her on the training grounds, saying she had been called into Erwin's office. Good. She needed a distraction and couldn't wait for the next day when everyone was to go outside the walls, and she deeper into them—to the Capital.

     Erwin had called her to his office several times in the past week, mainly to inquire about her progress with her team and advise her on approaching her title as a captain. He tried to awkwardly apologize for the 'little problem' they had that night—his wording almost made Rei laugh again—but she brushed it off. Despite wanting to tease him about it, Erwin was the only one she could talk freely with those days, and she cherished that despite feeling the weight of his stare sometimes—the stare Levi had said he was aware of, too.

     That time, Erwin was not alone in his office. Reinae froze, her hand stilling on the doorknob as her eyes met Levi's. His expression remained blank, and he turned back to the papers on the table.

     "Hello, Rei!" Hange exclaimed, shifting Rei's focus to the other two squad leaders in the room. "First mission as a captain, heh? Exited?"

     "Not really," Reinae muttered, closing the door behind her. "You called for me?"

     Erwin cleared his throat, walking to his desk. He took a piece of paper from the drawer and handed it to Reinae.

     "I wanted to give you this." His gaze warned her, and Reinae put the paper in her pocket, knowing she should read it privately. Erwin gave her a small nod before returning to his place between Levi and Hange. "Rest well tomorrow."

     It was hard not to wince when Levi's eyes snapped to hers. Hange and Miche's gazes darted between the commander and Rei, too.

     "You're not going?" Hange asked, head tilted to the side with confusion.

     Rei remained still, forcing a spontaneous smile on her face.

     "It's just a surveying mission. I'll not be needed."

     'Not needed, or needed somewhere else?' Levi's eyes inquired. Rei ignored him.

     "Oh," Hange said, glancing at Erwin, who kept his attention on the formation scheme.

     "Enjoy your day off," Miche said with bitter envy, frowning at Erwin. "Something I hadn't received for more than a year."

     Erwin cut him a stare. "I once asked you to stay behind from a mission, and you were so appalled by the idea that I decided not to do so again."

     The tall man only grumbled something in return, leaning back in his chair. Reinae excused herself, meeting Erwin's calculating blue eyes one more time before leaving. Levi didn't look away from her until she closed the door.