The Song of the Keepers

Chapter 47 The Unexpected Assignment

"I've arranged for her to stay the week, she'll return home New Years Day. I'm sorry I couldn't make it any longer."
Ranen shared with me later that night.

We had spent the greater part of the day playing games, from cards, to board games, to several round of hide and seek, which I must admit is quite fun in a massive palace with secret tunnels. It was nice to for once to feel like a normal nineteen-year-old girl, and for a little while anyway lay down the heavy titles I carried. Keeper. Murderer. Rebel. Wind Wielder. You know, to name off a few.

"No, don't be sorry. A week is more than I could have hoped for."

Still, sadness tugged at my heart, knowing after this week it would be a very long time before I ever saw Esha again. Perhaps, if ever. There came a sudden knock on the library door and Ranen called for the person to enter. I was surprised to find Cassian, who was equally shocked when he was greeted by an enthusiastic Esha.

"Hey, Cassian! We've all been wondering about you back home! How are you?"
She set her plate of chocolate pie down and hurried across the room.

"Esha! Oh um, hi."
Cassian scratched his head, glancing around the room.

"Astrid, can I see you in private for a minute?"

Esha's face fell, as obviously she had been expecting a warmer welcome.

"Yes. I'll be right back."
I sent a sympathetic look in my sister's direction before stepping out into the hall.

"Geesh Cas, you could have given her a hug or something."
I chided him.

"What in the world is your sister doing here?"
He demanded.

"Ranen flew her in for the holiday."
I answered, crossing my arms and flipping my hair over my shoulder.

"Ranen, really? Do try and remember he's the enemy."

"Did you bring me out here for a lecture or did you have something to say?"

I moved my hands to my hips, one eyebrow raised. Cassian scowled, staring up at the ceiling as if that would spare him from my apparent idiocy.

"Quetta sent me, she has a mission for you. You're to meet her and the rest of the team she's assembled at this address in one hour."
He passed me a slip of yellow paper.

"No."
I replied simply.

"No?"
He seemed positively incredulous.

"No. This is the first night I have spent with my sister in nine months and I am not ruining it by running errands for Quetta Peterson."

"You don't have an option."
Cassian snapped.

"Yes I do and I'm not going."

"Oh really? Isn't that little girl in there the reason you want to see Itova change for the better? Isn't missing one night with her a very little sacrifice for a future filled with time with your family?"

"An uncertain future. I'm not trading what I know I have for something I might or might not have someday."

"You are walking on thin ice Astrid. Not everyone is convinced you still believe in the cause. There have been whispers, wondering if you are really a rebel."
He warned.

"And what are they going to do to me if I'm not?"
I threw out for argument's sake.

"Well, it seems a bad time to have a vulnerable little sister in town."
He answered smoothly.

I had him up against the wall in split a second, my elbow pressed against his throat, cutting off his airways.

"I'll put up with a lot Cassian Yunsei, but don't you dare threaten my sister."
I growled.