Head in the Clouds

Chapter 26: I Know a Spy When I See One

"Don't forget the other trunk!" Ko called. He threw a golden broach, snatched off a wealthy woman's dress only days before, into his knapsack.

Asa struggled but managed to get the last trunk out to the carriage. Though she was severely overworked that day, having dragged numerous pieces of furniture around all morning, she was glad they'd finally get away from Jericho. Despite her contempt for the kingdom, she was happy to see her brother again. She wondered if he'd be okay facing those fairies- she hoped he'd be.

With the trunks perfectly stacked into the carriage, Asa reentered the home to find her gloves. She watched as Ko placed a bag of bills into his knapsack. She wished she could make him feel less scattered, less frantic, but all she could do was watch. 

"That everything?" Ko asked throwing his bag over his shoulder. She nodded, "Let's go."

They ascended the short flight of stairs up to the front door in a hurry, hoping to leave before things got any worse.

"Finally," Asa thought as she twisted the door handle, but her smile fell upon seeing a figure at the door, "Lady Deidre?"

"Asa, so nice to see you again," she greeted the girl, then she turned her head to Ko, "You."

"We don't have time for this Deidre," he warned, he thought about pushing past her but decided it wasn't the best choice.

"Going somewhere?" She asked. She stepped through the door, pushing it closed behind her.

Ko folded his arms over his chest, "Back to Callaco, like you asked."

"Why now?" She inquired, her voice a little too sweet.

Asa shifted the weight between her feet. Her eyes landed on the umbrella right beside the door.

"I don't know. Maybe because there are fairies impaling people here!" He almost laughed.

Deidre now folded her arms, "You were at the wall weren't you?"

Ko's lips pulled into a smile a condescending smile.

"Wouldn't you have seen me, Deidre?"

Asa's eyes lingered over that umbrella as though her life depended on it.

"Not when you figure out how to go invisible," she explained.

Ko's eyes shifted over to Asa. Her big brown eyes widened as she turned to him. The loose strands of flat hair clung to the sides of her sweaty face. Her lips quivered as though about to say something, but she pressed them tightly together.

"I don't know what you're talking abo-"

"Save it," she mumbled walking past the pair. 

She plopped down onto the orange couch and rubbed her temple with the heel of her hand. She sucked in a deep breath and sat up straight. Ko walked over to the couch and looked at her like she'd lost her mind.

She pointed her finger between Asa and Ko, "Asa, tell Ko that you've been spying on him."

"What!" Ko exclaimed. He turned to the petrifying servant. With wide eyes, he could hardly believe it, "Asa?"

She turned her back to the umbrella slowly extending her hand behind her for the weapon. Deidre, of course, noticed this but couldn't care to stop her yet. 

"Asa?" He repeated a bit desperately. 

Deidre narrowed her eyes just a bit as she looked at Ko. His already narrow eyes seemed to be even more narrow. His chest raised as though holding a breath. He seemed genuinely... hurt.