The Skin Thief

Chapter 94

"Excellent work," the commander says as we sit in his office. I resist the urge to yawn. Marcus and I were picked up from the safe house earlier than we thought. We'd barely even finished eating before we were whisked away, leaving no time to talk about the kiss or what we even are right now.

What followed was a seven-hour drive back in the uncomfortable truck, passing through the portal, and then another five-hour journey in a blacked-out vehicle back here.

My body aches with tiredness.

"Thank you, Sir," Marcus replies.

"I can't say I completely agree with what you've offered those criminals, but if it stops them from stealing our weaponry then it's a sacrifice worth making."

"I believe they have given us more than they bargained for," Marcus says, smiling widely.

"What do you mean?" The commander asks.

"Catherine Elliot talked about her daughter."

My stomach drops.

"I think that her daughter is here, in this realm."

The commander narrows his eyes and puts down the papers. "Interesting theory," he mutters.

"It's more than just a theory," Marcus says. "I did some digging and got in touch with my contacts in the second realm. Any trace of the Elliot daughter has been erased. I had my men break into the families' houses." I can't help but feel a pulse of fear as Marcus says that. I ball my hands into fists, holding my breath.

His people were searching my home.

"There are no photographs of her anywhere," he continues. I almost let out a breath of relief. Thank you, Mother.

"I figured she must have been a student of the Royal Military Academy. So, I ordered our spies to do some digging. Again, nothing came up but a name. Rowan Elliot."

I lick my dry lips as my heart hammers in my chest. I am relieved that the commander is more focused on what Marcus says rather than on me.

"Everything about Rowan Elliot has been hidden. Her student files are gone, there are no photographs, no test results, and her teachers pretend not to know who she is."

"Interesting," the commander mutters.

"Now, why would the academy go to such lengths to erase the existence of this woman?" Marcus asks.

"Because she's here," the commander replies.

My hands sweat. I can feel more sweat tickling my neck and forehead.

"Mrs Elliot told me that if I ever came across her daughter, I'd be a dead man walking. She also made it adamantly clear that for her cooperation, her daughter must receive an official pardon and more should we win the war. The only reason why this woman would need a pardon is if she is actively committing crimes against our realm."

The commander nods his head.

A deep ache settles in my stomach as I come to a realisation that, for the first time I've ever seen it, Mother has made a mistake. By trying to protect me, she may have sentenced me to death.

I look at Marcus. He's getting close. He practically has the story. All it will take is one misplaced file or photograph, or a well-placed fourth-realm spy and that's it.

Marcus is a highly intelligent man. He's going to start putting pieces together soon. My last line of defence is myself and our relationship. If I could seduce and make him love me enough that he overlooks any small inconsistencies in my life, then perhaps it would give me the time I need to make it out of this alive.