The Above || Completed

24 Detectives For Hire

"Devonne, are you sure you aren't rushing into this? Why don't we check this book out first?" Aeron started suggesting as we weaved through the corridors.
"We'll check it out once we've talked to Grace," I snapped, my mind racing with far too many thoughts.
Aeron decided to step in front of me to slow us to a stop.
"Slow down, okay? You've barely thought this over," he said firmly.
I took a deep breath. "I have, Aeron. There's something the council is keeping secret and Grace either knows something that could help us or she's the one we're looking for."
Aeron nodded. "All right, you have a point. But can we take care of this after dinner?"
"Fine," I surrendered.

We took off down the hall and when we came round to the dining hall, a short, round, bald-headed man awaited us at the door. He was dressed quite formally.
"Evening," he greeted.
"Can we help you?" Aeron scowled, not bothering with a greeting.
"Aeron," I scolded quietly.
The last thing we needed was for him to be reproachful.
"The council has requested that you attend dinner privately. You have pending matters if I'm not mistaken?" the little man said, his voice airy and deep.
"Far from it. Where should we meet them?" I asked curtly.
"If you would just follow me, Miss Zeph." He smiled as he led us away from the dining hall.
Aeron leaned toward me as we walked. "The council probably wants to reprimand us for last night."
"Well, clearly I know how to handle government officials better than you do. Let me handle this," I said, keeping my voice hushed.
"Sorry if our government just happens to be a little too inferior in my eyes," he muttered indignantly.
"Oh, please, Aeron, all governments are inferior." I chuckled knowingly.
He rolled his eyes as we came to stand outside a clear, intricately decorated door, evidently crafted with ice. Our tiny escort opened the door and gestured gracefully for us to step in. I nodded in thanks to him.

This room was smaller in comparison to the dining hall itself. But it was just as breathtaking. Ice crystals glistened at every visible angle and the chairs and table were carved from the white wood of our trees. Sitting at the table was the same woman who'd given us the news about the angel. The striking council member with the long, silver hair that inspired jealousy in me. She wore a red dress which revealed most of her bosom and gave her already perfectly curved body a curvier look.
"Aeron, Maddison," she stood to attend to us, "please, sit."
Was it just me or did she smell like vanilla and cinnamon?
We sat down side by side, facing her. I noticed that she had quite impressive cheekbones. I self-consciously sucked my cheeks in a little.
"What might your name be?" Aeron said, and upon seeing the apprehensive look on my face he added, "If I may ask, that is?"
"Venus," she responded, sporting a coy smile.
I scoffed but quickly turned it into a cough. "Excuse me. I apologise."
She even had a pretty name! And Aeron was already charming her.
"Venus," Aeron repeated huskily, making goosebumps run up and down my skin. "Stunning name to go with a stunning face."
Venus giggled. "You flatter me, Aeron."
I could not be jealous.

"Shall we dig in?" I said politely, gesturing toward the steaming food.
"Good idea," Venus agreed.
I found I'd suddenly lost my appetite. You know, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the food fell down her cleavage and got lost in there. But I bet that's all Aeron wanted to do.
Like I said, my appetite was lost.
We ate the delicious meal within the next ten minutes and once our plates were cleared, Venus decided to get down to business.

"Listen, as much as I've enjoyed this extremely pleasant dinner," Venus gave Aeron a pointed, appealing look that made my insides boil, "I have matters to discuss with you."
"What might these matters be?" I asked.
"The incident that happened last night. Neither of you showed up at the dormitory and our security guards reportedly caught Aeron," Venus explained. "I'd like you to explain yourselves."
Just as I went to open my mouth, Aeron beat me to it. "Ah, Venus, that was all a big misunderstanding."
"We apologise for causing so much concern," I said, feigning sincerity.
"Right." Aeron acted as though he was absent-mindedly running his hands over Venus' knuckles.
"See, I've always been told of the beauty of your courtyards and Maddison and I just wanted to appreciate them a little more," he purred.
"I see," Venus replied, smirking at Aeron as she pulled her hands away.
And Aeron just loved a challenge.
"That settles it then," I decided.
Venus held a finger up. "Not quite. I'd like you to abide by the rules from now on, or I may be forced to disqualify you both from the Renewal."
"Of course," Aeron said, nodding along.
Okay, what ever happened to letting me handle this?
"Don't worry, Venus, we've learnt our lesson," I said, imitating a schoolgirl.
Venus beamed at us. "I'm very pleased to hear that."

We sat in comfortable silence, with Aeron biting his lip enticingly. I was in denial of my jealousy but that didn't mean I was any good at hiding it.
Then Venus spoke again, "What's that book your holding, Maddison?"
I'd totally forgotten that I was still carrying THE HISTORY OF ANGELS with me. I felt as though I'd been caught committing a crime. I clutched the book tighter.
"Can I take a look?" Venus offered once she realised I wasn't going to reply.
Aeron nodded at me, so I handed it over. Venus' face took on a nasty expression. Aeron and I shared a look of fear.
"Did you find this in the library?" she asked gravely.
I responded nonchalantly, "Yeah, around the Fiction section."
"Ah, interesting." She breathed, faking a smile.

"Is something the matter, Venus?" Aeron asked, concern adorning his attractive voice.
She stood up and began pacing around the room.
She pursed her full lips. "I'd like to hire you on behalf of the council."
"Excuse me?" I blurted.
"I'm not following." Aeron furrowed his brow.
"Instead of investigating the angel on your own terms, you'll be working on behalf of the council," she explained.
"But-" Aeron got cut off.
"Save your breath. The council has figured out what you're up to by now. We think it's very brave of you to put yourselves out there in such a way," she said smugly.
"And if we agree?" I enquired.
Venus shrugged. "I suppose we'd pay you once the job is done."
"Then it would be a great pleasure to work for you," Aeron said, standing up and bending to kiss Venus's hand.
Her face was glowing infuriatingly. "I look forward to your status reports soon."

"Can I have my book back now?" I asked a little more impatiently than intended.
Hesitantly, Venus handed it to me. "Until next time."
As we walked out, I caught Venus tugging her extremely low neckline even lower and shooting Aeron a long-lashed wink. I had never felt myself do a more intense eye roll than I did just then.

^^^

!!Author's Note!!

Any Veron shippers?

I'm working on these updates with a lot of motivation because there are so many things that have to happen. And my ideas just keep flowing!!

I'm on holiday at the coast so the next time I have access to the Internet, all the updates I've worked on will go up.