10 feet Under

Chapter 15

"Nadlynn! Get over here!"

I groaned, and burrowed myself deeper into the blankets. Someone then yanked a pillow from under me, and began smacking my head with it.

"Stop it!"

"Well then get up!"

I hissed at Pio, before reluctantly shifting into a sitting position.

"We've got some important stuff to take care of. Next week is a big week."

"So, now you want to include me in your plan."

He shrugged.

"Don't really have a choice. Now, stop bitching and come on."

I followed him to the back of the bus, where all of the men were having a heated conversation.

"He'll be there. I know it. He won't pass up the opportunity to get a little hint. We all have nothing. No leads. None. No one does."

"But it could be a trap-"

"Well let it be one then! We have all the ammunition we need to blow their brains out if they so much as give us a wrong look."

Pio cleared his throat, and all of the bickering subdued.

"I think it's time we tell her a bit of the plan. Marino, you help me fill her in. The rest of you, out back. Clear the area for the weapons, we'll need a lot of room. We're meeting with the men in about two hours. Oh yeah, and Emilio, Leo, Torre, Matteo, grab a gun and guard the back." All of the men dispersed, and it was just me, Pio, and Marino.

"Alright, Nadlynn. I want you to take a wild guess. Where do you think we are?"

I shrugged.

"I can tell you where I hope we are. Spain. Those men, my God...they're beautiful. Or Belgium. Because...chocolate."

Pio rolled his eyes.

"We're still in France, Nadlynn. We've just driven all around the place, is all. But, I'll give you a hint: Good food."

I smiled.

"Lyons?"

"Bingo."

"Oh my God, no way! I literally come here every year just for the food festival. They have the most extraordinary-"

"Don't care. Listen, there's a huge gathering next week in Paris. They're holding a bal masqué."

"How does that concern us?"

"Apparently the guy hosting it- his name is Auguste Sauvage- knows a thing or two about the Crystal", Marino said.

"Anyone interested in finding it would be foolish not to show up", Pio added.

"Did he invite you guys over or something?"

"No...but we plan to make him talk", Pio replied with a smirk.

"Anyways, so the ball. We can't just barge in there with our guns and start shooting. He's got some pretty powerful people protecting him. We need to fit in, for the most part. Nadlynn, how familiar are you with basse danse?"

"Uh...Not very?"

"That's what I thought. In case you're wondering, it's a quite ancient dance that was famous in France years ago. It's the only type of dancing that will be done at this ball, so you have to learn it."

I nodded my head.

"Okay...what's the ball for anyway? This guy just throws lavish parties at his leisure?"