Soul Gem Collector Chapter 5

“Stay behind me,” I said as I snuck forward towards the door.

It was dark inside, I couldn’t hear any movement inside, but I knew that we had shut and locked the door so there had to be someone. I nudged the wooden slab as I held the stream of fire in my hands at bay, then rushed in with my fists lifted so I could see if anyone was nearby, but the room was empty.

“What?” I muttered while I spun around. “Who the fuck opened the door?”

I heard the sound of a handle as it turned, it sounded like it came from the bathroom, and I immediately whirled around so I could blast whoever it was with my fire.

“Who’s there?” I snarled.

“Wait!” a squeaky voice said as my flames lit the face of a petite woman that was familiar.

She was a mouse beastborn with curly, light brown hair that flowed down her back loose ringlets, her eyes were a bright red, and her half-moon ears were a dark brown that were spotted with white. She was tall for a mouse beastborn, but the top of her head still only came up to my eyes, and she still had a petite frame.

“Akinda?” Ayalara asked as she burst in from the street with Janel, Noura, and Taslyn right behind her. “What are you doing here?” She rolled her eyes at the woman as she stepped between us. “Zayre… this is my sister, Akinda. Akinda… this is my business partner, Zayre.”

“A pleasure to meet you,” I grumbled while I squashed Valerys’s fire. “Noura, can you take care of the lights? Tas… can you make sure the door is locked?”

“Of course,” the djinn to my left said, and with a snap of her fingers the sconces lit with buttery light that flowed out into the room.

“The door is locked,” my vixen girlfriend said. “If we’re going to be here longer, then I’ll put up deterrence wards against the City Watch and the King’s Guard.”

“Akinda, what the fuck are you doing here?” Aylara repeated.

“What?” the mouse-girl waved her hand dismissively at her sister. “This is my safehouse. And why do you look like a cat?” Her tail swished behind her and her hair rustled with the movement.

“Right,” I said. “Noura… can you take down the glamours?”

“Of course,” the djinn grinned, and then snapped her fingers.

I watched as each of the girls shimmered, and then the illusion faded to leave them in their true forms. When I glanced in the mirror behind the bar, I saw that the beard was gone, and the robes had been replaced with my coat, shirt, and pants.

“You’re a djinn,” Akinda gasped as she looked at Noura. “Aylara, you didn’t tell me you owned a djinn.”

“We don’t own her,” my petite business partner rolled her red eyes. “She’s part of our family.”

“But she has a master, right?” the brown haired mouse-girl’s eyes sparkled with greed. “Which one of you is it? And how much do you want for her?”

“Noura is not for sale,” I snarled.

“Of course not,” the opportunistic woman said. “But maybe a trade? I can make it well worth your while.”

“Like Aylara said,” Janel said as she wrapped an arm around the djinn’s waist, her green eyes flashed with barely contained rage, and she pulled Noura close. “She’s family.”

“Alright, alright,” Akinda conceded, though I was sure that she would bring it up later, and I decided to ask Aylara more questions about her sister later.

“You still haven’t answered my question,” the platinum haired woman said. “Stop avoiding it.”

“Ugh,” the other mouse-girl rolled her eyes. “I swear. Sometimes I’d think you were part dog.”

“Not. An. Answer.” Aylara huffed as she threw her hands up into the air. “What are you doing here?”

“I just wanted to check on my baby sister,” Akinda sneered. “Can’t I worry about my favorite sibling?”

“You’re full of shit,” my business partner said as she put her hands on her hips, her tail twitched erratically, and she tossed her head to get her curls out of her face. “You’d sell me out the second it was beneficial to you. Did the Korlems offer you money? Are the guards about to break down the door?”

“Wow,” her sister whistled. “Like you wouldn’t do the same.”

“I’m bound to Zayre,” Aylara said. “If you turn him in, you’ll ruin me too. And then I won’t be able to help you anymore.”

“I still can’t believe you tied yourself to a human,” the brown-haired woman grumbled. “They’re so terrible at business.”

“I love him,” my partner lifted her small chin. “So… what are you going to do?”

“Well,” Akinda huffed. “Despite what you think… I’m not going to sell you out. You’re a pain in the ass but you’re still family.” She pulled her curls over her shoulder, and then started to braid it. “I just can’t believe that you’d bind yourself to a human. Wait…” She paused to stare at me. “You used magic.” She looked me up and down with more appreciation, she had seen me with fire in my hands, and I hoped that she didn’t suspect that I had soul gems.

“I did,” I answered her unasked question.

“Damn,” the mouse-girl whistled. “Okay, Aylara… maybe you’re not as dumb as I thought.”

“Thanks,” Aylara snapped. “You still haven’t answered my question.”

“She’s like a dog on a bone,” Akinda rolled her eyes, and then grimaced when she looked over to see Taslyn. “No offense.”

“Don’t insult Tas,” my petite partner said. “Just answer the fucking question.”

“I suggest you tell us why you’re here,” the redheaded vixen warned as she bared her fangs.

“Fine,” Akinda lifted up her hands in defeat. “I was curious about who my little sister was hiding.” She grinned and there was a flash of greed in her bright red eyes. “I didn’t realize she was with the murderers everyone’s looking for. Though I should’ve guessed when Kay Korlem insisted I call him if I heard from you. Not that I did.” She lifted one delicate shoulder in a shrug. “The guy really thought I’d give up family for such a low price and a threat.”

“I’m glad he didn’t offer more,” Aylara rolled her eyes at her sister.

“I figured I’d hear it from you before I made up my mind,” the brown haired mouse-girl said.

“Hear what?” I asked as I motioned for everyone to take a seat.

“Hear your side of the story,” the woman said as she plopped down on the black couch. “They say you killed the Chief Constable in some kind of rebellion. But if Kay Korlem is involved then there’s definitely more to it. That guy is slimy.”

“You’d know about that,” Aylara said as she sat on one of the pink sofas.

“I’ll ignore that,” her sister responded.

I sat next to Aylara, with Janel on my other side, and Tas joined Noura on her red chaise lounge. I didn’t like my business partner’s sister because she was in fact slimy and I had no doubt that she would sell us out for the right price, family or not.

“Anyways,” Akinda said. “I figure that the Korlems are up to something and the chief was helping. But I’d like to know why you killed him. And why Kay was willing to offer me my weight in gold to turn in my sister and her friends.”

“Why would we tell you?” Taslyn asked as her amber eyes scoured the mouse-girl who had taken her couch.

“Because if you don’t,” the woman said. “I’ll just call Mr. Kay and get a payday.”

“You’d do that to your own sister?” Noura gasped.

“I’ve got plenty of others,” she shrugged. “And I’m not about to get in the middle of a war between my baby sister and the Korlems.”

“They’re working with the Iron Dwarves,” Aylara snapped. “We’ve got proof.”

“Bullshit,” Akinda replied. “The Iron Dwarves haven’t been seen in the River Kingdoms in forever. And the Korlems aren’t stupid enough to get into bed with them. That’s treason. And I’m pretty sure they’re not going to risk the death penalty.”

“But they are greedy enough,” the platinum blonde mouse-girl countered.

“Where’s this proof?” the other mouse-girl asked.

I narrowed my eyes as I studied the woman, she was greedy and manipulative, but she was Aylara’s sister, and if I could convince her that the Korlems were in league with the Iron Dwarves, then she would be less likely to turn on us. I waited a few more seconds before I reached into the pocket of my coat and pulled out the locket.

“It’s right here,” I told her. “I recorded a meeting.”

“I want to see it,” Akinda put her hand out for the amulet but I handed it to Taslyn instead.

The vixen’s pupils were dilated wide, their black fathomless depths stared straight at Aylara’s sister, but she still held out her hand to take the amulet from me, though her eyes were still glued to the brown haired mouse-girl.

Is everything okay? I asked through our mental link.

She’s definitely nervous, her aura shows signs of rage and greed, but there are traces of affection when she looks at Aylara, Tas responded.

So can we trust her? I glanced at the petite woman on the couch next to me as I reached over to squeeze her hand.

I wouldn’t tell her more than we have to until we can talk to Aylara alone, the redhead said while she held up the amulet. But I think we can show her the amulet. She muttered the spell that replayed the meeting, though her pupils were still wide as she watched for any signs that we couldn’t trust the woman.

“I can’t believe this,” Akinda whispered repeatedly after the Iron Dwarves showed their face on the recording. “Shit, shit, shit.” She tugged on the end of her braid as the recording stopped. “They’re here. They’re actually fucking here. What the fuck are the Korlems thinking?”

“They’re greedy bastards,” I said. “And the dwarves pay them in gems.”

“Still,” the brown haired woman muttered. “It’s not like the Iron Dwarves won’t kill them too if they attack. They’re probably just gonna die last. Or worse… they might become slaves.” She shivered at the thought of it, and shook her head.

“So you won’t turn us over to them?” Janel asked.

“Fuck no,” she said.

Is she telling the truth? I asked Tas through our bond.

Yes, she’s pissed and scared, the vixen responded as her pupils narrowed back to slits.

Good, I said.

“What’s your plan?” Akinda asked as she leaned back against the back of the couch, then pulled her legs up to cross them in front of her.

“We need to get to the king and warn him,” I said. “The Korlems haven’t just been supplying the Iron Dwarves with black powder. They’ve sold them war machines and other weapons. And we ran into a warband on the way here.”

“A… warband…?” the brown-haired woman said as she shook her head again. “They’re already here.”

“Yes,” I said. “We need to do this fast. The longer the Korlems have to cover their tracks, the longer they’ve got to help the Iron Dwarves get more people in. They could be ready to attack any day.”

“We need to figure out how to get in to see the king,” Aylara said as she shifted so she was in the same position as her sister.

“I’m so sorry my contact didn’t work out,” Janel apologized while she ran her hands over her robes.

“It’s not your fault,” I told her. “We might be able to sneak in anyways.” I suggested, and then paused as a yawn interrupted me. “Noura, can we have some late night snacks… and some beanbrew.”

“I’d love to,” the djinn grinned, even though her eyes darted over to Akinda. “Did you want your usual black coffee?”

“Please,” I said.

“How did you meet?” Akinda asked Noura as the djinn snapped her fingers and summoned a tray of fruit, nuts, and cheese, along with a large jug of beanbrew.

“By chance. She’s an amazing woman, and I fell in love with her almost immediately.” I smiled at Noura, then winked as she started to blush.

“We all did. She’s fierce, loyal, smart, and look at her… delicious.” My mouse-girl lover winked at the djinn playfully while she ran her tongue over her lips.

“Thank you,” Noura responded with a roll of her eyes, the fire under her skin pulsed a little faster as her embarrassment grew at our compliments, and she shook her flaming curls to cover her face. “Can we please get back to how we’re going to get in to see the king?”

“Right,” I clapped my hands and then leaned forward to get a steaming cup of beanbrew. “We can go in using disguises, maybe as the King’s guards…”

“That won’t work,” Tas said. “The castle will have people that can see our magical signatures. Even if they can’t see through the glamour.”

“I can use my powers to hide mine,” I said. “If I practice then I might be able to hide yours as well.”

“You can hide your magic?” Akinda gasped. “That’s… how powerful are you?” She lifted an eyebrow as she reached forward to grab a piece of cheese, a new appreciation lit her eyes, and she nodded her head in approval.

“I make it work,” I told her, she may not turn us into the Korlems, but I didn’t trust her enough to know about the soul gem. “They don’t have Aylara’s signature. And I can hide mine. So the two of us can pose as guards or servants. Someone who can get in to see the king without suspicion.”

“Never going to work,” the brown haired mouse-girl said as she shook her head. “Even with the new influx of soldiers, nobody is getting into the inner parts of the castle without someone who knows them personally.”

“I could teleport us in,” I suggested. “If we pick the right time we can pop in and he’ll be alone, then we can show him our proof about the Iron Dwarves, the Korlems, and the Chief Constable.”

“No matter how strong your magic,” Akinda said. “There’s no way for you to teleport into the presence of the king. The castle has wards all over the place, and I’m sure the king will have something on him. Not to mention he’s never actually alone.”

“How do you know all this?” Janel asked.

“You’re not the only one with contacts in the castle,” the opportunistic woman said as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. “I keep tabs for instances like this.”

“You often sneak people in to see the king?” I asked.

“Of course not,” she rolled her eyes. “But lovers and thieves are always looking for a way in. I just give them advice.”

“So what do you suggest?” Aylara huffed.

“Well,” her sister drew out the word. “I have an idea...but it might be dangerous. And the information isn’t free.” She grinned at us as she popped a grape into her mouth.

“You always have an angle,” my business partner said as she rolled her eyes. “You’d think you’d want to help us stop a full blown invasion. But no, you’ve got to get your cut.”

“A girl has to eat,” the woman shrugged. “So...what’ll it be?”

“We can find a way without you,” Aylara sneered.

“But that takes time,” her sister retorted. “And I may not turn you in… but someone else will. And if they tell the Korlems first you’ll wish that it was the King’s Guard or the City Watch that found you.”

“You’re literally the worst,” the platinum blonde mouse-girl complained.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah,” the brown haired mouse-girl rolled her eyes. “But you’ll pay me because you have to.”

“I hate you,” Aylara sighed. “How much do you want?”

“Twice my weight in gold,” Akinda retorted without hesitation.

“No,” her sister rejected the proposal.

“How about three perfect diamonds?” I asked.

“Zayre!” my partner exclaimed. “That’s too much.”

“Accepted,” the brown-haired woman smiled.

“That buys the information, your silence, and your loyalty,” Taslyn added.

“Of course,” Akinda nodded her head.

The diamonds were a good idea. The rubies, emeralds, and sapphires are what you need most, the vixen said through our link.

And we will still have plenty of diamonds if we need them, I replied.

“What’s this plan of yours?” Aylara asked as she reached over to take a strawberry and a piece of brie.

“Where’s my payment?” her sister countered with an innocent look.

“I’ll go get it,” I said as I stood. “Our bags are in the master bedroom.” I walked into our room and found my satchels on top of the dresser.

“You can’t trust her,” my business partner said as she followed me. “She may be family… but she’s slimier than a week old fish.” Her lips curled up in disdain as she glanced towards the entertainment area, and then gave a little squeak as her glare accidentally landed on Taslyn.

“More than you?” the vixen teased.

“So much worse,” the platinum blonde said with a roll of her eyes. “And I’m not slimy. I’m resourceful.”

“Yes, you are,” I chuckled as I started to look through the bag with the diamonds until I found three medium sized ones that I held up to the light. “These should be enough.”

“Oh no,” Aylara said. “There is no way that we are giving her those. She can take smaller ones.”

“We have plenty,” Tas said in a whisper and a look towards the couches. “If we give her these, then she’s more likely not to turn us in.”

“She’ll definitely expect she can con us out of more,” my petite girlfriend said as she rolled her eyes.

“Which we’ll use to our advantage,” the redhead next to me said.

“Shall we then?” I asked as I clenched the stones in my hand, and then walked back out to the others.

“Your advice better work out,” Aylara told her sister when I handed the brown-haired mouse-girl the diamonds.

“That’s all on you,” she said. “It should work out just fine as long as you don’t get caught.”

“What do we need to do?” Janel asked.

“Tomorrow morning,” Akinda started, and then shifted in her seat as she got more comfortable. “The king will be available to hear the public’s complaints. It’s a tradition in the city that dates back forever. There’s gonna be plenty of guards. So you’ll have to be in disguise.”

“You want us just to walk in?” my wife gasped. “I thought there would be people who could tell our signatures…” She looked at each of us, and then nodded her head as she realized that it would have to be Aylara and I that went. “I don’t like that idea. What if they realize who you are and you can’t get away? We need to have a rendezvous for the rest of us.”

“Tas and I will be in constant contact,” I reassured her. “If something goes wrong, I can transport us back here, and we can get out of the city before they realize where we are.”

“I’ll have the carriage ready,” Noura added.

“What about the disguises?” Aylara asked. “We can’t have Noura cover us or they’ll notice her magical signature.”

“They don’t have yours,” I said. “So you should be fine. Though we can change your hair color and put you in some frumpy clothes that’ll make you look bigger.”

“And you?” Janel asked as her green eyes scanned over me.

“I’ll put some dirt on my face so I look like a farmer,” I said. “And I can wear stained clothes. I’ll use a cane and a hood over my head so I’ll be hunched over.”

“No one will look too closely at an elderly farmer couple,” Tas nodded. “We can make that work. And Aylara… you can hex anyone who gets too close so they’ll have a sudden urge to be further from you guys.”

“I’ll be very happy to hex some castle guards,” the platinum blonde grinned.

“I think this could work,” I said. “When we get up to the king we can tell him that we have information about the rebellion leaders. He’ll probably usher us into another room and we can show him the amulet and black book then.”

“If you guys get caught,” Akinda spoke up. “You don’t know me and we’ve never met. And if you snitch… I’ll tell the Korlems where you are. Family or not.”

“Obviously,” Aylara rolled her bright red eyes.

“Well, I’ve done my job and I’m going home,” her sister said as she stood. “Thanks for the payment. Keep the little brat safe.” She gave me a threatening look, and then broke into a bright smile. “And good luck. You’re going to need it.”

As I watched Aylara’s sister leave, I hoped that nobody would offer her a better deal than the one we just cut.