Robin’s stomach grumbled again, much to her embarrassment. The three of them sat down on the kitchen island as Simon began to make two more sandwiches while Robin ate hers. She watched them interact—Simon talking a mile a minute and Isabella responding and listening, and it felt like an older sister indulging her younger brother. While she wasn’t part of their camaraderie, it didn’t feel awkward at all, and she found herself settling in and eating to her heart’s content until Isabella left them to finally get some rest.
“There is a room ready for you, but we have to wait for Dylan first,” Simon said, polishing his food with huge gulps of milk. Robin nodded, though she felt sleepiness seeping in bit by bit. Noticing it, Simon reached out across the counter and playfully slapped her back.
“Hey,” she grumbled, glaring at him.
Simon winked. “There’s the Robin I remember.” His gray eyes twinkled, then softened. “It’s good to have you back, you know. I miss us. I miss this.”
She wasn’t going to be caught dead admitting it, so she rolled her eyes. But she did miss it, too. She missed working with him, scarfing down food with him, arguing with him, hanging out with him. She missed him. “Can’t ride solo?”
He smirked. “Oh, I’m totally good with solo. I just miss your litany of complaints and whining.”
“Hey! You’re the one who keeps whining.”
Simon shrugged. “We were teenagers. Now we’re better.” He tilted his head. “So are you now the best witch in the world?”
“I wouldn’t say world,” she said. “But I’m better now.”
“And are you happy?”
She blinked. “Does it matter?”
Simon nodded solemnly. “It’s all that matters, Robin.”
She thought that over in her head as they went out the kitchen. Was she happy?
She didn’t really know. She was restless, yes, but she wasn’t unhappy, either.
Leave it to Simon to make her ponder too much for her own good.
*****
By the time five hit the clock, Dylan called them back in his office to announce that Red had given the go-signal and Robin could be part of this mission. A new shifter entered the meeting room: a brusque-looking, orange-haired young man named Jake Kismet, who was going to be their new tag-along. He looked like the quiet type, but Robin felt an energy inside him that indicated she could be wrong.
Dylan then told them of their mission: a very familiar one at that. Apparently, Lucy Marlow had been kidnapped once more—this time, by what they suspected was a royal family with illegal dealings with magic. The task of the three was to do some espionage work to see if their latest source was true, then to proceed from there with the rescue.
A determined look entered Simon’s face, and she knew he was already planning how to set up the espionage. He was good at that—no, actually, they were good at it together, and a tinge of excitement entered her at the thought of having to use brains and brawns all over again, along with her magic.
“Where’s this royal family?”
“Japan,” Dylan replied to Simon’s question.
Simon grinned. Unable to help it, Robin’s mouth quirked.
It looked like she was going to get that side vacation, after all.
CHAPTER FIVE
Thirty minutes after arrival in Japan, Simon watched in amusement as Jake and Robin began to get into an argument.
It started when Jake refused to get inside a portal to jump to the destination where they needed to go. Simon was used to this aspect of Jake, as the twenty-three-year-old often took any other modes of public transportation except magical ones. His aversion was a mystery, but no one contested it until he was actually going to be active on missions.
Like right now.
Naturally, Robin didn’t take it kindly. She took one laser-eyed look at Jake and boldly told him that the portal was needed for haste—something that wasn’t exactly true because the three-day travel they’d been given meant they could take their time. Jake called Robin out on it and told her that maybe they should stick to the traditional method of traveling, while Robin shot back that maybe Jake needed to calm down and actually be brave enough to try something new.
If there was one thing you shouldn’t do to a young wolf, it was insult their pride.
Thankfully, the argument didn’t escalate as both parties chose to settle down into some kind of weird animosity, with Simon right in between. Amusement turned to exasperation as they refused to speak to each other, but he wasn’t necessarily fazed. This was a test in itself if Jake could hold out and still be professional, as was needed in missions despite not getting along with their partners.
They got to Nagasaki in no time via a portal, then the public train. They then decided to use the remaining time to iron out the cover that Dylan provided for them—an invitation to a local village’s grand ball, held for that place’s ruler who was having his fifty-second birthday. The ruler’s son, Jin Hiroshi, was the one they needed to check over, so they discussed their options before finally deciding the following: that Robin needed to play a royal figure, Simon her bodyguard, and Jake the watch from afar.
A few days later, Simon found himself standing in what had to be the grandest party he’d ever attended in his life. The little town wasn’t as little as they thought, and the ruler’s old-style Japanese mansion could pretty much give Buckingham Palace a run for its money. Everything was decorated in subtle gold and grand lights, and Simon was glad he decided for the tuxedo he was wearing, as it seemed everyone ditched their traditional clothing for more formal, modern ones.
“I’m here,” Robin whispered in his earpiece—a magical one that she enhanced for the three of them, to make it invisible and reach wider ranges. “Where are you?”
“Entrance,” Simon murmured, taking a sip of champagne. “Hurry up. The bodyguard can’t be without his charge.”
“I’m coming,” she muttered.
Robin hadn’t brought a dress with her and had gone on to shop for one, insisting that Simon and Jake go first. She wasn’t late, exactly, but Simon really needed her as soon as possible.
There were many new guests streaming in slowly through the double doors, and Simon watched out for her. Flashes of red and yellow caught his eyes, as it was the general color of this particular ruler.
Then came a flash of blue—royal blue, to be exact. Simon looked up.
The last time he’d seen Robin in a dress was when they were doing their first covert mission in Brazil for a panther clan, and he’d been blown away then.
He realized it was nothing compared to now.
Robin walked in slower than the rest, allowing him time to observe her. She was the only one wearing a blue dress, one that hugged her curves in a heart-shaped corset before flaring at the bottom. Her hair was braided lightly, with tendrils curling down her ears and a pair of diamonds winking at her ears. She didn’t change a damn thing on her face, but she did put on something that made her lips extra glossy and her green eyes smoky and greener than ever.
Just like before, the world stopped.
Simon felt a jolt in his stomach—one that shocked him and turned into heat quickly before he banked it down. She was beautiful, yes—but he was reacting to her cover and not the actual Robin, and he’d better stop before she socked him in the jaw. Simon waited for her to finally meet his eyes. They widened when they did, and he felt his pride swell as he smirked and approached her.
“You clean up good,” he murmured, giving her another once-over and appreciating what he was seeing.
Her eyes narrowed. “You, too. Now act all respectful to your charge.”
A scoff came to their ears, and both pretended they didn’t hear Jake. Instead, Robin lifted her chin and walked ahead, with Jake close behind her as they navigated the party area as casually as they could. While they did that, Jake spoke into the earpiece every now and then, giving them an update of what he could see from his spot. Simon was aware he was situated in one of the trees som
ewhere near the entrance. Then he finally announced what they’d been waiting for.
“The boy’s here.”
“Got it,” Simon replied.
“I’ll check out the last few arrivals, then scope the area out.”
Then Jake was gone, and Simon and Robin—along with everyone else—watched the double doors as Jin Hiroshi made his grand entrance.
He was wearing a tuxedo like everyone else, and he looked particularly regal in it. Research indicated he was half-Japanese and half-French, but the Japanese roots were pretty strong on his almond-shaped eyes and strong jawline. He was tall, but not taller than Simon. Simon watched him covertly as the man smiled serenely at the welcome given to him. He then announced that his father would be here soon.
“Let me do the talking,” Robin murmured. Simon nodded.
To his surprise, Robin didn’t approach the man. Instead, she made rounds around the room, her whole persona changing from the Robin he knew to a more cheerful and poised one as she engaged in conversation with other invited royalties. Simon waited for some free time where no one could overhear before stepping forward to tell her to go approach the man now—but a male voice interrupted her before he could say anything.
“I don’t believe you’re wearing the official colors.”
Robin turned around at the fluent English. So did Simon. Jin stood in front of her, eyeing her with a curious gleam in his black eyes. He glanced at Simon once before dismissing him as nobody and turning his focus back to her.
In response, Robin’s cheeks heated. Then she fluttered her lashes and affected a polite and sheepish smile.
“I’m sorry, your highness. I’m afraid my secretary missed the memo, and I was told the official color was blue.” She sighed softly, the tone melodious and sweet. “If I had known…”
It worked. Jin’s curious stare turned to one of appreciation, and she fluttered her lashes again.
“Don’t be sorry. You stood out. And you look beautiful.”
Robin accepted the compliment like she was used to it. She boldly held out her hand, and Jin stared at it for a few seconds before finally taking it and lowering his head to kiss it. She smiled sweetly.
“May I know who you are?”
She curtsied. “I’m Princess Ana Lisbeth.” She then began to name out a royal family from a remote area in Russia. “But I went to America for the last few years, and I’m afraid my accent isn’t very accurate. I came to wish your father a happy birthday. I have to admit…I’m very curious about him as I’ve heard he’s a great man.” Simon inwardly snorted, because her Russian accent was flawless.
Jin glanced at Simon one more time, then turned to her. “Would you like a tour of the place while my father isn’t here yet?”
Her eyes warmed. “Of course. I would love that.” She glanced at Simon without really looking at him. “Stay here,” she clipped out in a dismissive tone.
Jin took her arm and directed her slightly to the left. Both of them did not give a backward glance towards Simon, and Simon watched as the two lowered their heads and murmured to each other. It was obvious the ruler’s son was taken by her charms, and that was the leeway they needed to gain a welcome entrance here.
So why was he bothered?
Trying to get it out of his mind, Simon looked in their direction one more time until they disappeared. Robin could take care of herself, so he had nothing to worry about in that department. He decided to check on Jake instead.
“Anything new, Jake?”
There was silence on the other line.
He tried again, but no response came.
With a sigh, Simon stayed where he was and waited for things to fall into place.
CHAPTER SIX
Jin Hiroshi was perhaps the most enigmatic man Robin had ever met, with his charming, reserved personality and polished good looks. Had she been an ordinary human, she’d have appreciated his attention immensely, because really, what woman wouldn’t be flattered by the attention of someone obviously worldly in looks and status?
Because she was a witch of higher ability than the rest, she was able to sense something that others didn’t, or couldn’t: an energy inside him that was foreign. It wasn’t necessarily negative, but it made her wary enough as she was yet to figure out what it was.
It was surprising to note, though, that it was somewhat similar in current to the witch she and Simon just tried to capture a few days ago. Still, that could mean anything from them being allies to the current not having anything to do with the former.
So she kept up the act, being demure and everything a royal should be while throwing in her own western culture from the so-called time she claimed she stayed in the US. He gobbled it all up, obviously appreciating her worldliness coupled with innocence. When he invited her to stay at his home—this home—for a few more days so they could get to know each other, Robin pretended to act shy at first, but readily accepted his invitation when he kept cajoling and promised her he intended her no harm. Then the ruler arrived, cutting short their conversation as Jin excused himself to be by his father’s side during the birthday greetings.
Because she was left to the corner while everyone was trying to get the Lord ruler’s attention—with her claiming she would greet him when the excitement died down—Robin used it to her advantage, eyes watchful of the stairs and other areas of entrance. She finally decided to head to the powder room, which was on the second floor. Robin was walking as leisurely as she could in case someone was watching down the halls when she suddenly felt a hand on her arm. She jumped, then turned around to defend herself.
Simon yanked her to the side.
“I can’t contact Jake.”
She opened her mouth to scold him for jumping on her, then snapped it shut when what he said finally registered. There was a worried expression on his face.
“He might just be out of coverage, though,” he added.
Robin frowned. “Unless he got out of the village, coverage should be fine.”
“There’s nothing we can do about it now. Come on; we need to look around while everyone’s busy.”
They kept trying to contact Jake while they used stealth to check the interior of the mansion but found only silence on the other end. Simon kept going, efficient as he swept the empty rooms while Robin used magic to do a second check. Everything was clean on the two floors up, and Robin was about to announce that they’d better return to the party floor when Simon suddenly stopped beside her.
“Blood,” he muttered.
Then he was quietly running in the other direction, leaving Robin to follow on his heels.
She didn’t smell it at first, but Robin smelled it the moment Simon opened a door. It was cloying and thick, and she realized it was one of the areas they hadn’t bothered to check: the bathroom on the third floor.
She recognized Lucy’s figure right away, her blonde hair clumped in a mass on her head and blood flowing all around her unconscious form on the floor. Simon moved forward to check for a pulse, but Robin staggered back when a strong negative energy hit her—something dark and as cloying as the blood, if not more so. Her hand shot forward to grab on Simon’s back.
“Don’t touch her,” she said harshly.
Then she was the one moving forward, opening her magic up and wrapping it around the dead figure.
Within seconds, she confirmed that her guess was right. “This isn’t Lucy.” She closed her eyes and chanted, gathering her own energy and building it up to use it for her spell. Then she touched the tip of the figure’s shoulder, and a burst of sparks appeared before Lucy’s demeanor changed into a black-haired man—a dead one.
Simon cursed under his breath. “We’ve been trapped.”
Then he was moving in a flash and dragging her with him.
She did her work, making sure her traces of magic disappeared completely before they left. They could hear footsteps and men murmuring and knew the trap had been to determine their location, and her dispelling the illusion of
Lucy had been the trigger. Already prepared for this, Robin unzipped her dress and took off her heels as they kept running to the balcony at the back, where she took a second or two to use more magic to burn down her outfit. In her tube top and tights, she turned to Simon.
“What’s the plan?”
“Jump,” he barked.
Her eyes widened. “But—” The words died in a strangled yelp as Simon yanked her again and hauled her in his arms.
Then he was stepping up the railings and leaping down—from the third floor.
Her heart caught in her throat, and Robin saw her life flash before her eyes. Then instinct took over and she burst out with her magic, causing an invisible trampoline to flare below them and pillow Simon’s landing. He jumped against it and landed on his feet, where he deposited her quickly on her feet and pulled her to run away.
Slightly dizzy and heart still hammering, Robin scowled at him. “You can’t expect me to respond that quickly all the time.”
Simon grinned like it didn’t bother him at all. “Yet you did it and saved us. You really are the best witch ever.”
She grumbled some more but caught up to him. They evaded the guards that went after them, climbing on one of the trees and using a spell to shield themselves from detection. After a while, silence filled the area they were hiding in, but they used hand signals to communicate in case this was another trap.
Do you have a replica of the dress you just burned?
Robin nodded. Of course. What are you saying?
We return to the party. You still have birthday greetings to say.
But what about Jake?
She didn’t voice the question out. Jake was something they would worry about internally, but Simon was right: the show must go on.
She just hoped the other wolf shifter was alright and not lying somewhere in a pool of his own blood.
*****
They reprised the roles they played earlier, with Simon acting like a respectful bodyguard and Robin the innocent and bubbly Princess Ana who was slightly shy but liked spending time with Jin. No one suspected a thing, and she kept at it and left Simon again as she finally greeted the ruler—a middle-aged Japanese man named Yugoshi Hiroshi, who was less friendly than his son but oddly put Robin more at ease.
Simon (The Clan Legacy Series) Page 3