Shadows and Steel | ✓

chapter six

-6-

Elle was drying off with a towel when Kade strode into the training room. Sporting newly polished boots, paired with a dark cloak which billowed out behind him, snapping to the line of his body as he halted. She noted how he had pinned the Order's brooch to his left shoulder, a golden goblet half empty. With a single pearl placed at the bottom, representing that he was in the Council.

Symbols like that made statements, and it was clear where his loyalties lay. She sniffed. Infuriated that despite his brooch, a small part of her argued that the getup suited him, even with that useless cloak. "Agents, to me." His voice boomed.

Kath halted her dart throwing and waited for Elle to catch up, no words passed between them as they walked to the gathered assassins. Jax glared at them both.

"Our hunch about a trade proved correct. The transaction is due tonight in darkness and you will go to the east slums and watch for the parties. Don't bother returning empty-handed."

Being waved away by Kade was not something Elle was used to, nor would she ever allow herself to be accustomed to. Jax promptly launched into his plan of action; simply put—just him, Leo and Tristan carrying the bodyweight of the team. Tristan's brows were furrowed and Leo was distracted by something across the room.

"Sorry to interrupt your fascinating speech-y thing," Elle drawled, "but that's a shit plan, just thought I'd let you know." Tristan thumped Jax on the shoulder. "We have to work together."

He outlined a better plan to watch from the rooftops amidst Jax's sulking. Elle ran a hand through her hair. "Perfect. I'm going to map out the possible routes so we can place ourselves strategically."

"I'll come as well."

She didn't look at Tristan but nodded. Jax's eyes flickered between the members, mouth agape. "I'm the leader of this team, so I'm afraid it means that you can't just call the shots!"

Raising her eyebrows she threw her hands up in the air, "gosh really? Well, would it surprise you if I didn't give a flying—"

Leo covered his ears, making a strangled sound to drown out the end of her sentence. The assassin shook her head at him, a smile threatening to spread across her mouth. After another moment of expectant silence, Jax sighed.

"Fine. Map out the streets. Just be in position by sunset."

She smiled graciously, "of course."

#

Tristan Lyander had no idea what to do with the spunky girl when she first blazed into the training room. Innocent-looking until she opened her mouth and her ghastly language knocked everyone off-kilter. He hadn't seen her around the agency, yet she clearly knew Kade Earl well.

The assassin sat in the barracks, cleaning his sword for the fifth time that day. Agents milled around the room, perched lightly on beds as to not crease the folded linen. Lockers lined one wall, yet Tristan's was pretty much empty bar his clothes—he didn't need anything else.

"Isn't that clean enough already?" Leo approached, hunkering down beside him to peer at the blade.

"Not yet." Came his simple reply.

Leo shrugged, "I will never understand your obsession with those things."

It was then that Kath bounced into the room, grabbing her jacket from where it hung on her locker door and wove through the rows of beds.

"Are you excited about tonight? I'm looking forward to some action." The boys nodded, shuffling so she could sit. "Looking good, T."

He held up his handiwork to the light, squinting at the blade. "Thanks."

Another headache began to pound by the time Jax emerged from training, sheathing his sword at his side. Tristan stood abruptly; causing flashing colourful spots to blind him for a moment. His balance wavered. Rubbing his temples, he ignored the sympathetic looks from both Kath and Leo.

"Another one?" she asked softly, touching his forehead. He flinched and her cold hand recoiled. "You should see the medic about them."

"He's too proud." Leo commented from the bed, his normal grin still present. There was nothing Tristan could do but wait until the pain dulled.

A hot and sweaty Jax threw his tower into his locker then turned to face Tristan, leaving a comfortable pause between them. "She's a handful isn't she," he muttered.

"Who?" Tristan teased.

"You know whom I'm talking about."

He laughed. "I find her positively charming."

"That makes one of us." He turned back to his locker and began to change. "She is obstinate and rude."

"Are you sure you aren't just describing yourself?" Leo snickered from behind him. Tristan grinned as well, "you two just clash with your strong personalities. Elle's clearly got some secrets, as we all do."

Blinking hard, the lights of the room worsened the pounding ache right between his eyes. Wobbling slightly, he sank down on the nearest bed he could find. At the others worried glances he screwed his eyes shut. "Give me a minute."

Jax obliged, after a while, he spoke, "the treatments not working, then?"

He shrugged. "Nothing has worked. I'm not sure how long I can continue with these headaches." He cracked open an eye, "the others think I should see the medic again."

The brown-haired man flopped down onto his bed. "I'm sorry that I can't help," his stiff apology was waved away as the crescendo of the pain passed. Tristan braced himself and rose. "I'll be on the rooftops if you need me."

"Right, very well." Jax watched the assassin skulk away, a stealthy force of habit. Yes, Elle wasn't the only one with secrets. 

(edited)