Minx

Minx

Minx approached the tunnel with Wraza in tow.

“You think the mousey one will be able to handle this?” Wraza asked.

“Gabriela is fully capable of coming up with a strategic plan,” Minx said pointedly. “Growing up in the largest library on the continent will do that to a girl.”

Wraza snorted. “You mean growing up around the brains behind the Hands.”

Minx shrugged, “That too.” One of the perks of Gabriela growing up in the seclusion of the library certainly was the information she might be privy to. Gabriela herself had mentioned her father, Supreme Capricorn, consulted with her on strategic matters. Minx wasn’t certain what that entailed, but it didn’t matter- Gabriela was an asset to them, despite who her father was.

Which was a detail they would have to divulge to the group soon. Minx was certain Sage and the group wouldn’t care who her father was- they all came from pretty messed up families as it was. Rhea and Wraza, especially Wraza, were the ones she was worried about.

They rounded a corner when Minx threw a hand up, freezing. Wraza scoffed in protest, but shut her mouth when she looked up to see what Minx was watching. Sage and Kade were at the mouth of the dark tunnel, standing close together. Noticing that it wasn’t the closeness of two people whispering or sharing a secret, Minx stopped.

Under her breath, Wraza uttered, “Well then, the Demon and the Maiden.”

Minx remained silent, observing as Kade’s fingers lightly touched the bare skin of Sage’s shoulder.

“It’s new,” Minx explained when Sage visibly shuddered.

Wraza smirked, “I know. I remember how it was at first with Rhea. The uncertainty. The fear and anticipation. But shouldn’t they be well past that now?” She questioned.

Minx shook her head. “I’m not sure.”

“Well, it sure seemed like it was in the alleyway.”

Minx shot her a look, raising a brow. “What do you mean?”

“They were sucking each other’s face off,” she answered, looking confused. “I thought you knew?”

Minx glanced back to Sage, who had a hand over the Demon’s chest as if she were feeling his heartbeat. “I didn’t. But then again, I don’t think she knows about Alec and I.”

Wraza blew out her cheeks and sighed, “Well, you two will certainly have some things to go over on this trip.”

“Right,” Minx grumbled and began walking towards the tunnel, making sure her footsteps were loud enough to alert them.

Kade and Sage broke apart, with Sage looking nearly breathless by the time Minx reached her. Kade had a cool expression, his lilac eyes looking off into the distance.

“Are we ready?” Wraza asked. Sage nodded without looking up, her eyes glued to the ground.

Kade warned, “Be careful, Orefell,” but there was no trace of warning or malice in his tone.

She gave him a quick nod before Wraza began walking down the dark tunnel. Tiny flames came to life as she walked, lighting the way while she whistled.

They followed her, listening to her whistling the entire walk.

“Where does this lead to?” Sage asked after some time. Minx shrugged- the tunnel was not the same one Wraza led her down when they traveled to the manor.

“You’ll see,” Wraza sang out.

Sage scrunched up her nose. “You said the flowers are somewhere by the sea?” Sage asked, looking at Minx.

“I said they might be. It’s hard to tell down here. The buds I grew can only stay alive for so long before they need to take root,” Minx explained.

When she’d emerged from the Manor with the prisoners, Wraza had been both shocked and impressed. But when she learned Minx left some of the Hands alive - but unconscious - she nearly blew a gasket. It wasn’t until Minx told her she’d gotten rid of the Fae Fyre - thanks to a giant man-eating flower- and that she’d planted tracking buds on the passed-out Hands that Wraza had cooled off.

“Some have already fallen off and taken root, but others are still out there,” Minx said, reaching out with her gift to find her buds. She had hoped when the Hands woke they would lead her to other locations where they’d be holding prisoners- but most of the buds ended up in the same location.

Somewhere by the sea, at the edge of the city.

She and Wraza assumed the Hands had freaked out and run to whatever leader they had- but according to Wraza there was no headquarters or hideout where the buds were.

“What if this place turns out to be a dead end?” Sage asked as they walked on.

“Then we try again,” Minx answered. “We can’t let them continue to abuse those Fae, not to mention get their hands on that amount of Fae Fyre again.”

Sage blew out a breath. “Do you think they’d use it? That they’d risk the whole city and then some if it meant burning us out of hiding?”

She and Minx exchanged a look that meant yes, they absolutely thought the Hands would do that.

“Then for the sake of whatever plan Gabriela comes up with, we should ensure they don’t have that card to play.” Sage sighed.

“Are you really on board with this?” Minx asked.

“I need them to help me fix my soul,” Sage said tightly.

Minx cut her a glare, “And the innocents? The crimes the Hands commit every day? You don’t think that should be stopped?”

“You know I do.” Sage shot back, and loud enough Wraza glanced back at them. “But you know what happened the last time I took matters into my own hands.” Sage shook her head. “Wraza was right. All this power, and all I seem to do, is cause more issues.”

Sage’s eyes darkened while her shoulders stiffened. Minx knew what happened in Leox weighed on her- and Kami’s death hadn’t helped. But she couldn’t see it the same way Sage did. To Minx, they had the chance to make a real difference here in this world. Yes, they needed to learn how to control their gifts better, but they were capable of doing great things if they tried.

“Sage, I can’t imagine how you feel about what happened in Leox and Kami- I am sure you feel guilty about what part you played in both. But, there are still people here suffering. You can’t abandon them. I won’t,” Minx said, laying a hand on her shoulder. Sage pulled away, picking up her pace until she was a few steps ahead of Minx.

Minx swallowed her hurt, knowing her words had been harsh but needed. Sage just needed some time to process it all, but Minx wouldn’t let her wallow in her sorrow for too long.

She knew if the tables were turned, Sage would do the same.

Minx heard the crashing waves echo down the tunnel. They had to squeeze through a narrow gap at the end, spilling onto a sandy beach. Golden rays of light warmed the dark stone that hid their tunnel.

The sky was stained orange and purple- the clouds hung low over the horizon while the sun slowly dipped behind the still expanse of sea. Minx inhaled the fresh air, the scent of salt and sand mingling on the humid breeze.

“Where to now?” Sage asked, surveying the empty beach that stretched far down on either side of them. The wall of dark stone behind them blocked any view of the city- the only sound she could make out was the gentle lapping of waves.

“This way,” she led them down the left side of the beach, following the wall of rock until it slowly declined into small sandy dunes. Beyond the dunes stretched green countryside- a few large estates dotted the blanket of green grass. Minx could feel the dying embers of a bud nearby. It appeared whoever unknowingly carried it had been traveling through the countryside before the bud fell off.

She found it quickly, not too far from the dunes, taking root among some daisies. Minx stretched out her gift, gently asking the flowers for help. They were more than eager, pointing her to a nearby manor that hugged the dunes atop a small rock face. It hung over the beach below- no more than twenty feet.

Besides scaling the rock face, the only other access was the long stretch of drive that led up to the front gardens. Minx crouched down, listening to the grass and flowers, tapping into the lush garden and its secrets.

She had the others follow her back to the beach, where they converged beneath the rock face.

“There’s a dozen Hands inside. Most are in the front, watching the drive. I can get us up there, and we can go through the servant’s entrance in the back.” Minx explained.

Sage and Wraza nodded, stepping back while a giant root emerged from the sand. It grew up the rock face, clinging to the stone and creating knotted footholds for them. The girls took turns climbing up as the sun settled behind the sea- the last golden rays lighting up the back garden of the manor in a dusty glow.

They hid among the hedges that outlined the gardens, sneaking their way towards a side door. Minx paused, stretching out her gift to see if anyone was nearby.

“What’s the plan?” Wraza whispered, her cognac eyes scanning the manor.

“They are still in the front, but there’s a few in the kitchen. If we can get to that open window by the door, I can send in some sleeper buds.”

“Do we want them all asleep?” Sage questioned.

Minx considered her question before answering. “I can make a counter pollen to wake them if necessary.”

Wraza puffed out her cheeks, “Fine, I guess quick and quiet is better than fast and loud.”

Sage smirked, “We can always blow up the house after.”

“Good point,” Wraza nodded.

Minx told them to hang back while she carefully made her way to the window. She pressed her fingers into the earth and let her gift flow into the dirt. Tiny green tendrils popped up, stretching and growing up to the window, clinging to the walls. She guided them through the room to the kitchen, careful to keep them up high and out of sight.

The vines snaked throughout the manor as tiny buds bloomed every foot or so. She needed to wait and make sure the vines covered every room before she allowed the buds to spread their pollen.

Once she was satisfied the manor was covered, she pushed down the line of vines and urged the blossoming buds to shiver. She didn’t need to glance through the window to see the clouds of pale pink pollen that erupted as a giant puff of pink blew out the window above her.

She quickly covered her mouth and rushed back to the others.

Sage chuckled, “Always pink,” she said, nodding to the puffs of pink clouds coming from open windows.

“Impressive. How long do we wait?” Wraza asked.

“Not long, five minutes at most to ensure the pollen is settled.” She grew three black flowers in her palm and then crushed them. A dark oil coated her skin. She dipped a finger in it, then brushed her finger over her nostrils.

“This will negate the pollen,” she explained, holding her hand to them. Sage brushed the oil over her nose and Wraza followed.

“Alright, we should be good to go now,” Minx said, then made her way to the servant’s door. As she opened it, she began humming the theme song of her favorite spy movie again.

Sage snorted behind her, “Is that-” her question died in her throat as a spear came hurtling towards them.