A spy's work

Druida  P.O.V.

All this time I have been playing double agent, I didn't think I would succeed in gaining the trust of the ranked members of this conspiracy, but now I am in more danger than ever before.  

All of them here think I am specifically on their side, but Maddie knows I am only ever on hers. She saved me when everything with the Coven we were visiting went down, and healed me despite the fact I had fought for the other side. She said she sensed I wasn’t a bad person and more or less had been forced to do something I didn’t want or believe in, and she was right. They had held my “siblings” in captivity back at the Coven house, saying it didn’t matter if we were Coven members or visiting witches. Maddie saved our lives and I will follow her to the realm of the underworld and back again without question, so when she came to me with this mission right after we discovered where Jessica and Tywin were, I quickly agreed. But now the stakes are higher than ever. I hate to have lied to her and manipulated events to get her to ask me for this spy thing, but it’s vital I’m here.  

I am not as close to the high ranks as some of the others, and not best friends with Jessica as Freya, but I am close enough to know their schemes and for them to play me out against each other. I think it’s fun for them, but also to test my loyalty. I’m having fun. This kind of spy work was never something my siblings ever enjoyed, but I always worked hard and succeeded in fields unknown to most in my family. Our grandfather taught us when my brother chose to abandon the narrow path of right and wrong and went to the dark side.

Freya is another matter. I know she is a double agent as well. She plays it well, just as I do, and I also know who she truly works for. I am not going to out her, not yet. She is of use to me as long as she can keep herself as close to Jessica as she is right now. And because in Freya’s eyes we’re besties, so she tells me everything Jessica tells her. It was a turn of events I hadn’t seen coming, but something I welcome with open arms because it gives me the upper hand.  

The sun peeks over the horizon when I return to my chambers after my dip outside. I sound so old in my mind, but Gamma once said I had an old soul inside me, whatever that means. I look at the clock on my table; 5.08am. I sigh. Once again I am up with the sun, and didn’t go to sleep before the moon was high in the sky. 

I take a shower, washing the memories from my mind and body, resetting myself to a new day. I need to be clear in mind and soul if I want this to be a success. 

After my shower, getting dressed and a light early breakfast I make my way to my workroom where Neo has placed the basket with the ingredients for Silvan’s wounds. I had enough for a small portion yesterday, which I made and applied to him, but I needed more as the wound is quite deep. 

Neo came back late in the evening as my friend had insisted on him staying to get some food and drink before traveling home again, the journey slower because of his burden. I look in the basket after locking the door, and right enough; an envelope. 

M

It’s been a while since I have heard from you. Are you alright? Do you feel any different now that it has been two years since you came back? Any repercussions? I must know everything, as you well know. 

That being said;

You are playing with fire my dear, but I guess it’s a part of your DNA seeing who your parents are. I got the message to Maddie and she was not impressed to say the least, but she was not surprised either. She and Liam will try to get Neo and his friends on their side; recruit them as spies as well. Maybe wound them and send them back with a message or promise of war or something. They are still thinking. 

The other thing you asked me. They are fine. Happy as can be, living a great life and being loved. You know this, why are you asking? Are you already looking for signs? Should I be worried? 

We need to have a chat face to face. Soonest. I will send for you one of these days. I have someone you might want to meet. I am going to meet with them in the near future myself as they have until recently returned home. I will let you know more details when I have met with them myself. You know I love a good mystery and things are starting to move. Ever since you came back to be honest. 

I am doing my best to lay low and not get noticed by anyone. Maddie doesn’t even know it’s me she is speaking to. It hurts, but I know it’s for the best right now. I don’t even fully understand how this came to be, so I am being cautious. When you found me.. Never mind. This is getting too long. 

 Let me know what is going on. 

A 

I read the note twice more before setting it on fire in my hand and watching it burn to ash. I know Neo has read it. I can feel his essence on the paper, so he knows my name is not Druida. I smile to myself. He is a good guy, and he doesn’t deserve to be led by such an asshole as Silvan. How he became the leader here is beyond me, but it was a done deal when I came, and I can’t do anything about it, so I am not going to try either. 

I mix the salve for Silvan's wound, before I work on some more personal stuff. I gather my favorite crystal, which I got at birth from my mother and whisper an ancient word to it; faces, sounds and pictures fill the surface. I watch as the family in my crystal is laughing and teasing each other. The father is complaining over the early hour, as his wife teases him with being a night owl. He tickles her. The children; a boy and two twin girls laugh all the way from the belly. The mother hugs the children close to her, kissing them in turn. I whisper another word and the crystal goes blank again. A stray tear slides down my cheek, and I close my eyes to settle the uproar on the inside before it takes over and affects my powers. Complete control is essential when one is as powerful as I am. My sister used to say that. As did my teacher. I sigh and put the crystal away in the pouch I always carry with me. 

A knock on the door breaks my gloomy thoughts, and I quickly wipe the tear away with an angry movement. I unlock the door and open it to come face to face with Neo. 

“His Highness requests to see you, Druida.” He says with a cold attitude, but his eyes are warm and smiling. I raise an eyebrow, looking at my wristwatch. 

“It’s barely 6am, Neo. What would you have done if I was sleeping?” He shrugs.

“An order is an order, woman.” He answers, reaching out to grab my arm, probably intending to drag me there. I just narrow my eyes. 

“You finish that move and you’ll be in the hospital for a month.” I warn him and he retract his arm immediately. “Come in inside, I have the salve ready for his Highness.” Neo hesitates for a mere second before coming inside and I close the door. “Next time you read my mail Neo I am not going to be so nice about it. Keep your eyes to yourself. Am I clear?” He gulps and nods. 

“How did you know?”

“Everyone, even those who have learned the spy work, leaves their essence behind somehow. I sensed yours. Keep out of my personal things, Neo.” He just stares at me. 

“I have not told anyone. I would never.” He says and I nod. He is speaking the truth. 

“Why is Silvan requesting me this early?” Neo shrugs. 

“I have absolutely no idea, truthfully.” I grab the salve and gestures for him to walk ahead of me. 

At Silvan’s room things are flying and crashing. I raise an eyebrow, knock and enter with Neo right behind me. Missy is covering in a corner by the bed, and I frown. What in the seven hells is going on in there? 

“Silvan, would you stop being a petulant child for a second and calmly explain why I am summoned before the devil is up and why Missy is shaking in pure fear in that corner?” I ask, crossing my arms and staring at the raging vampire. His eyes are gleaming red, a clear sign of him being out of control. 

“Abast and Gillian are dead..” He says, screaming again. I roll my eyes. Goddess me. “How are they fucking dead in their sleep?” He asks me, pointing his finger in my direction. “Without signs of illness or magic or battle?” I raise an eyebrow, ignoring the childish acting vampire Prince. I set the salve down, walk to Missy and help her to her feet. 

“Are you alright?” I ask her and she nods with a frightened side eye at Silvan. I summon her robe, drape it around her and order Neo to bring her to my room. 

“Druida, did you hear me? What are you doing? Where are they going?! MISSY COME BACK HERE!” Silvan screams. 

“Sit down and shut up, Silvan. You are a pathetic disgrace right now.” I tell him, waving my hand at the chair, which buckles his knees so he falls into it. 

“A.. What did you just call me woman?!” He hiss, glaring at me. I unleash some of the power he felt yesterday, staring him directly in the eyes. 

“I said you are a pathetic disgrace right now. Shut up and listen. How the fuck do you think they died?” I ask him harshly, almost facepalming myself. Silvan’s eye darkens in rage. 

“Jessica.”