The Shadress (MCD x Reader)

Sp. 05- Garroth's POV

"How much food do you think we're gonna need? This trip seems like it's going to be both long and short." Aphmau ponders her own words with a hand to her chin. She looks down at the papers on the table and I watch as her eyes narrow in the way that they do when she is deep in thought.

Snapping back to the conversation, I hum before responding. "Were you asking me?" She nods. "I think enough food for fifteen days would be enough."

"Are we going to be gone that long?"

"No," I shake my head. Then, I point to the small version of the map that Shade made for her. "This journey appears like it would only take eight to ten days. The only reason that we would need fifteen days worth would be because we run into trouble on the route."

"We don't even know the route," Aphmau muttered, the concern over the lack of information apparent in her voice. However, before I could respond, there was a hurried knock on her door. We both stand and move to answer it automatically. "Laurence? Jace? What are you two doing here?"

They glance at each other, which is when I notice Laurence is holding the back of his head with one of his hands. There doesn't seem to be any blood, but he's clearly hurt. "We have a problem," Jace begins.

Laurence scoffs. His meif'wa ears are flattened in annoyance.

"When was the last time you saw my sister?"

"5 days ago," I answer.

Aphmau hesitates before correcting me. "Actually, Garroth, I last saw her yesterday. We had a discussion about Irene." Has she been talking to the Shadress without any of us knowing?

I study Aphmau with a scrutinizing gaze; purple ears twitch. "You've been talking to her without any of us knowing?" Laurence asks for me. Her eyes widen and she briefly glances away. "Aphmau, do you know how dangerous that is? Disregarding the fact that she is the Shadress, you've essentially run away without any of your guards knowing."

"She's a guard, too." Her voice sounds resolute. This is a topic for another day.

"We'll talk about that later. What's the issue, Jace?" I return the conversation back to its original track. I sigh before tearing my eyes away from Lady Aphmau.

The aforementioned blond runs a hand down his face; his voice no higher than a whisper as he speaks. "Irshvoon galtvor avir uvo."

"So you were right? But that means they were inside the gates and no one knew." Laurence's eyebrows furrow and his hand presses against his neck harder.

"Yeah, that's what I'm worried about." Jace looks up, anger lining his features. "My sister has been taken from within the outer walls of Phoenix Drop, and I think you all know who would want to take her."

"Were you knocked out, Laurence?" Aphmau's concern shifts to our friend at the notion.

His hand drops immediately and he shrugs. "It's not a big deal. But this plan was clearly well thought out if they were able to get in the walls without anyone else knowing."

"They had to have been watching," I agree, crossing my arms. "That would explain why they knew that we had switched from two guards to one on the outer gate."

"Shade was supposed to act as a second guard." Aphmau shakes her head. This must be affecting her more than we thought. Just how close are the two of them?

Laurence narrows his eyes at her, noting the abnormal concern as well. Then he looks at Jace and says, "Well, obviously, we can't just leave her with him. What are we going to do?" Strange that he's concerned for her more than he would have been before.

Jace takes a deep breath. "We need to come up with a plan and fast."

"A plan to do what?" I glance at Aphmau. She looks upset.

"Break into O'Khasis."