Always - Moonbli

5. Spies and Secrets

Moonwatcher

Moon froze, drawing back her claws and standing innocently.

Darkstalker was gazing down at her with a confused expression, which turned into suspicion, which immediately jumped into a dazzling smile.

'It's been like, half a week since I've seen you! It's like you've been avoiding me, Moonwatcher,' he said, cocking his head slightly. 'Why would I avoid you?' Moon asked, pretending to be surprised. 'I guess we've both been really busy - you fixing your kingdom, me exploring this place. It's fascinating. You really did a great job on it.' Moon held her breath, waiting. Did he believe her? Was she convincing enough, or was she going to be mistrusted by him for the rest of her life? 

'Yeah, that's true,' said Darkstalker, his smile growing a bit more genuine. Moon sighed with relief as he turned his head away. 'I've got something to show you, by the way,' he added conversationally, walking slowly so that Moon could catch up with his huge strides. 'What sort of something?'

'You'll see. It's quite cool, actually. I mean, I think it's really innovative. Maybe you'll have a different opinion, but I'll value that. Anything that isn't simpering nods from a bunch of tail-lickers is music to my ears. Especially when it comes from a good, well-meaning friend.'

Moon tried to look pleased. But didn't you make them a bunch of tail-lickers who simperingly nod to everything you say? went her mind. She immediately flushed that thought out and buried it under a thousand questions about the 'something' Darkstalker wanted to show her. If he heard that rebellious thought, he didn't show it.

They entered the palace  through the front gate. Moon wasn't paying attention to where they were going; all she knew was that the climbed many, many flights of steps. It was ridiculous how many stairways this palace had. And the mirrors. Thousands of broken, moldy, scratched mirrors, big and small, scattered all over the long, winding corridors. It was easy to get lost without even trying.

Darkstalker's tail softly thumped in time with some light music drifting up to them from the courtyard. The music rang a bell in Moon's mind, and she asked, 'Darkstalker?' 'Mm-hm?' 'Yesterday there was a party. What was the occasion?' He chuckled in that way only true villains can, the quiet yet evil chuckle that hides many secret world-destroying plans.

'It was to celebrate the something.' 'Can you give me a clue about the something?' 'Well, it's animus magic.' 'Yeah, but I kind of figured that out myself, thanks.' He laughed again. 'You don't know how nice it is to have someone to talk conversationally to,' he said, smiling in that charming yet scary way of his. 'I'll give you another clue. It makes the NightWings stronger and more powerful.'

That's ominous, she thought. They continued to climb more steps when a skinny, bad-tempered female NightWing dashed in front of them. 'Hello, Fierceteeth,' said Darkstalker pleasantly. 'I have a message for you,' she snapped. Her gaze landed on Moon and her eyes narrowed. 'A private message.'

'Oh, no, Moon can hear whatever it is,' he said immediately. Moon tried to look as non-threatening as she could and gave the snarling, underfed NightWing her most innocent smile. 

Fierceteeth did not look convinced.

'Really,' she insisted, passing him a scroll. 'It's about - you know.' She shot him a look. Darkstalker gave Moon an edgy, sideways glance and read the scroll. His smile tightened and his muscles tensed. Now that smile definitely looked fake. 'Moon, you, uh, go on. This is important.' 'But -' She reached out a talon, but the two of them turned around and swept away.

She sighed. I guess I'll find another way to sneak that key.

She decided not to follow them in case Darkstalker noticed and got suspicious, so she headed down the stairs, wandering aimlessly for a few minutes before reaching the Great Diamond. Moon walked slowly across the courtyard with her head down and her eyes trained on stone, so she didn't see where she was going. That resulted into bumping into something small and very solid. A strangely familiar yelp resounded from in front of her and was quickly stifled, but the damage was done and Moon heard it. When she looked up, startled, all she saw was air.