Empire of Deceit

Chapter 5: Forgetting Today's Troubles

"What do you mean Ares got arrested?"

"Exactly what I said, Indigo!" I pinched the bridge of my nose and breathed deeply. "We were in the Bazaar, shopping for your birthday, and then the Watchmen took him into custody."

Indigo looked dumfounded. We sat facing each other on the sofa, both of us dressed in not-so-appealing clothes. Damn, I hadn't even showered yet.

"What did they say he was charged with?"

"Aiding Yuri."

"What?! How did they know—"

"There's definitely a mole, somewhere. Or a snitch." I ran my hand through my hair, wincing as my fingers touched all of the knots. "By Aion, I hope it's just a mole."

"Where's a mole?" Gideon walked into the townhouse, carrying a tote full of some groceries. His eyes drifted to me. "Why do you look like you haven't slept in two days?"

"Because I haven't." I motioned for him to sit on the other sofa. Once he did, I let it all out, "Ares got arrested. They know he's connected to Yuri."

Gideon's eyes widened. "How?"

Indigo patted my knee. "Veya thinks maybe a mole, or a snitch. If it's a mole, then it shouldn't be too hard to sniff them out. But if it's a snitch..."

"The moment we go looking, they'll throw us under too." Gideon sighed. He flexed his hand a bit. "We need to tell Yuri."

Indigo shook her head. "He'll go on a rampage and you know it. We just have to stay low right now."

Gideon made a sound of agreement. "Yeah, we could all use a bit of a distraction."

It was then when Rainor walked into the room. "Did I hear someone say distraction?"

Indigo snapped her fingers. "Yes, you're taking us to a club tonight."

As much as the idea was not intriguing for me, I couldn't help but say, "One that doesn't have tourists."

All eyes turned to me. I wasn't in the mood to explain myself and my newfound interest on leaving the house for once, so I stood and began the trek upstairs and to my room.

"Veya," Indigo tried to call out.

I ignored her.

Entering my room, I made to slam the door, but before it could connect with the doorway, a pale hand blocked it.

"Gideon, I want to be alone."

He shoved against the wood, until I let him in, closing the door behind him.

I turned around to see him surveying my room.

"You know, I've never actually been in here yet." He peeked into the attached bathroom and then the closet before glaring at me. "Maybe cause you're hiding the fact that you've got the biggest room?"

I couldn't help but grin at him. "Come on now, I'm the whole reason we even got this place."

"True, true," he fell onto his back on my bed, eyes closed.

Well, Indigo might have been right about it not being so hard at all to get him in there.

"Comfortable?"

He only nodded in response.

I walked over, crawling onto my bed to lay beside him.

"How are you feeling?" he questioned.

"Lots of things, Gid." I sighed. "I just—I have this feeling that he's not going to be released. Duchess Nikita has told me that the Council has been trying for years to get an informant close to Yuri. If someone knows how close they really are..." I trailed off as I felt my throat begin to close up. My eyes burned with tears.