Page 37 of Infiltrated

“A hummer? East? Toward the border?” I drummed my fingers on the desk. “Fuck.”

Pixie was able to string along more words than I was though. “So what? A Shadow kidnapped a baby and headed toward the border, separating us and the human side. This is a suspicious time, considering the Council has sent out Shadows and have been after Exousia to bring her in.”

Do you guys know of another team being sent out after your meeting? The timing is too close.

No. Luca’s voice floated through.We don’t know if anyone was sent out but it would be unlikely as they want us to bring them in. It is more than likely a trap of some sort but no idea by who.

Hmmm, I’m sure we can guess considering they kidnapped a child. They would know I would swoop in and save the day.

Burns nodded. “I thought so too, I honestly think it’s a trap to catch her.” He held my gaze for a minute before continuing, “I know she is too smart to get caught though, however the Shadows complicate things, it's going to cause upheaval.”

“Honestly, Burns, there has been enough unrest as it is. This isn't the first child stolen. It is just the first baby from the lower castes to be attempted to be taken over the border. It’s been high castes for years. But you add that to Shadows having to give special recruitment invites, it’s like the Council is switching up tactics. Possibly preparing for something? I mean you know as well as I do, they do not care about the lower castes. So others are trying to possibly draw me out, why all the attention now? It’s been years in the making?”

Burns looked taken aback by the news, but quickly masked his features. If there is one man who would burn the midnight oil to get answers, it was this one.

“I’ll learn what I can and buckle down the lower castes. You know Exousia has been preparing us for a long time.” He smiled softly.

I smiled back but right now we needed to shut the threat down. We couldn’t stop the plans we had to infiltrate now, things were rolling and honestly thathadto be the end game right now. Everything will get better from then. I felt it.

“Burns, can you call your contacts and see if they actually left the city limits? If this is a trap, they wouldn’t keep driving, they would pull over. Also, if you can spread the word that Exousia will be using contacts and cameras to patrol, starting five weeks from Friday.” Pixie asked.

“I did, they didn’t. It’s a trap.” He smirked. “As for Exousia, I will spread the word. The lower castes band together, you know that. I will keep the lines open though for emergencies. When the baby is saved, Mary will watch over her. We will all lend a hand.” I loved them for it. It's amazing how an entire community can grow when they are treated fairly and given a chance to thrive.

Our timeline was closing in, I don’t know how I knew that but my gut was never wrong. I was excited though. We are going to fuck shit up. The men’s amusement was clear through our connection. I thrive on this shit, they have no fucking clue how real shit was about to get.

We stood up and headed toward the door of the office. I hesitated at the door and looked at Pixie. We had to tell Burns about our plans. They welcomed us and they needed to know that things may not be as they seemed once we infiltrated.

“Burns, Pixie and I will be going undercover at the capital, under the guise of Shadows.. If you need to reach us for any reason you have our cell numbers, it’s encrypted, so no worries. I’m letting you know because things may not be as they seem. We need you to keep your eyes open and report anything that may seem out of the ordinary. Extra patrols, militant like behavior, any detail is important,” I finished off, looking him in the eyes.

He looked at us and shook his head sadly. “I won’t ask why, it's not an old man’s place but be careful. The Council is…well I’m sure I don’t need to explain it. But I will let you know if anything is amiss. Thank you for telling me,when you come back as Shadows, it won’t be a surprise to us. We have your back.”

He gave us a warm hug and we filed out of the office, back into the bar, then off into the darkening sky. Perfect. Exousia thrives off of darkness. Let’s fucking do this.

We will be heading east, boys, let’s figure this out.I send out as I swing up onto my bike and take off.

Luca

Hearingthe conversation inside the bar set us all on edge. A murder, a kidnapping and now we are going to save the baby, and corner what may be a team of Shadows. Or Shadow impersonators. I’m not sure what is worse at this point. I rubbed my temples as I felt a headache coming on. Ellie and Pixie have led some interesting lives, it is inspiring really how they both took what was thrown at them and thrived. It was going to be an adventure being bonded to them.

“I really have to wonder how the hell Ellie and Pixie gained so much respect down here. They see them as family almost, I don’t think I have ever seen such solidarity among magick users.”

“It is mutual respect and the desire for change. They have a common ground and same enemies. Clearly, the Council is seeing it too, and knowing Elps,” Etienne said with a smile, using their friend’s nickname for them. It was cute, fitting. “Knowing Elps, for even a few moments, has been eye opening. Their strength beams through them,” he finished.

“Eye opening, sure. I want to hit several things at once, starting with whoever motherfucker is trying to ambush Ellie and ending with everyone on the fucking Council,” Dimitri piped up.

“Anyone else thinks it is awesome how they know who she is but don’t at the same time. It’s like she's a ghost.” Dante chuckled. “It is actually hot how these two women work together to save the day and that Ellie always puts herself in front of Pixie and even tries to keep us out. Hell, she is ready to take everyone on to protect us four from the Council’s desire to have us married. Out of everyone in the universe, we hit the mate lottery.”

Yeah, they are definitely amazing and rare in their characters. Gave me serious blue balls to be around them and not balls deep whenever I could. Just watching them on their bikes was an erotic experience. When they stepped out of the bar, our eyes roamed over them.

We will be heading east, boys, let’s head out.Ellie said as she swung her leg over her bike and Pixie followed suit.

“Fuck, anyone else hard as fuck just from looking at them? They have curves for days, I’m going to fuck them on their bikes one day, mark my words,” Dante whispered. We all nodded slowly as we took them in then pulled off after them.

* * *

Fifteen minutes after heading east,I started to hang back at Ellie’s directive and Pixie rode next to us. Ellie threw a cloud of darkness over her face and picked up speed. It was like watching darkness take on a persona, mystifying and creepy at the same time.

She looks like a fucking Death Eater. Dante chuckled.

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