I sleep most of the afternoon. I know that I'll need to sleep for this train wreck that'll happen tonight. I honestly don't see how they can't see this'll end in murder, or at least some death threats. That's the only way I can see it ending.

"Alright, plan. Let's see, damage control is a good idea. I don't want what happened with Amory getting out, just like I don't want what happened here getting out. Calynn will want me to be on Mercy's Revenge anyway; if she hears a word about this she'll be the one killing someone. And Ace can't keep secrets worth anything, at least not from her.

"Now, I've slept so I should have energy. I can't let them know anything's wrong, so I'll act how they would expect me to act. Rebellious, arrogant, basically my personality. Also, if I can find a way to get a drink I totally will; I need one so bad. Well, I don't right now, but I will tonight.

"Oh, and if Calynn offers for girl talk, I need to refuse immediately. It's a dangerous slope, and I know it.

"Okay, let's look at what we have now. Damage control, drinking, and no girl talk. An awful plan, but it'll have to do for now, and if something goes wrong, I modify the plan and wing it like always," I say, all aloud, and like the feeling of control that I'm regaining with each word that I say.

"Do you always talk aloud? I've heard that it's a sign of insanity," A very familiar voice says from the door, and, not even glancing up, I retort back.

"Not always, just when I need expert advice."

"Which is apparently right now?" He asks, and I nod.

"I'm stressed," I blurt out, for nearly no reason at all, besides I need to tell someone.

"Yeah, I gathered," He says, nodding, and I give a half-smile.

"And a quick run-down of when I'm in stress is I talk aloud. I also make plans, and when the plans don't go accordingly, I get even more stressed. Common stresses are what we're doing now; meeting people. Talking to people. And no one here is friendly or on my side. So, needless to say, I won't be calm or calming down anytime soon. The only thing that can make me not stressed once I'm stressed is being alone, or when said stresser is over."

"That doesn't sound like much fun," Miguel remarks as he walks towards me. "Though, since getting the event over with helps, I went shopping today. You can get changed then we can go on over to the tarven," He says, as he lifts up a bag that I failed to notice earlier in my stressed out state.

I take the bag, and don't even have to give him a pointed look to get him to leave; he's already on the way out. Maybe the 'gentleman' thing isn't really an act. Maybe he does actually believe that he is one; he acts like it.

The thought immediately goes away when I look at the dress. It is slightly pretty, I guess. Though, it isn't my style, in the least.

I hold it up, and cringe when it barely goes down to my knees. At least it covers up other things, mostly.

Okay, I'm making it worse than what it really is, most likely. The dress is respectable, at least compared to what most other women there will be wearing. At least he got a decent color; an emerald green. As I said, it's about knee length, sadly. It had the lacy mesh sort of material scooping down, just enough to cover everything but low enough to make me uncomfortable. The sleeves are honestly my favorite part. Whenever I have to wear dresses, I love the type with these sleeves. The long flowy ones, the ones that hang off you and make you look like you're floating when you walk. It stops right at my elbow, with it collaring around my arm on both sides.

I get it on, and for once, smile. I look pretty again. The dress wasn't even as short as I thought. Sure, it's not the ankle long, full arm, high collar, ones I usually wear, but it still makes me look pretty.

Miguel knocks on the door, and I call for him to go in. "Wow, you look stunning," He says breathy, and my smile gets bigger, softer. A woman always likes being told she looks pretty.

"Do you have a hair brush? Either that or a comb or something?" I ask, and he nods.

"Maartje gave it to me. Something about a woman always wanting to look her best," He says as he gives it to me, and my smile goes away. "Oh, before I forget, here. I thought you might want your necklace back."

I look at it, and see my signature necklace dangling on his finger, and hold back a smile. My last tie to my mother. When they took it, I don't know why they did. Probably in my sleep one night or something. All I know is I went crazy when I woke up and it wasn't there.

"Thanks. Just let me fix my hair really quick, then I'll put it on," I say as I grab it, and then head to the mirror.

I start to run the brush through my hair, and wince at all the tangles. Salt water really does wonders for the hair (note the sarcasm.) as does not brushing it around a week, minus running my fingers through it. I only washed it once too. Gosh, I wish kidnappers believed in hygiene.

"Here, let me help. I know Luna's hair looks like a rat's nest in the mornings if it wasn't brushed well the previous day," Miguel offers, and then takes the brush.

"Are you saying my hair is a rat's nest?" I tease.

"No, I am saying you need to get your hair wet right now," Miguel fires back, and I already want to start complaining. Saying I don't like dressing up, especially doing things with my hair is an understatement.

Many complaints from both of us later, my hair is soft and styled perfectly. It falls in front of my shoulders, the ringlets completely defined and the waves almost perfect. I move the hair off from being tucked behind my ears like it always is, and in front of them. It's not like I'm wearing my glasses, sadly. They got lost in the whole mess of everything, and while I need them a lot, it's fine. I used the new invention the IEA had, contacts I think they were called, and it's just like I'm wearing glasses. Too bad I prefer glasses to them; they would make fighting a whole lot easier.

I move to put my necklace on, planning on using the mirror, but Miguel beats me to it. "Here, let me help," He whispers in my ear as he unlatches it and lowers it down.

I smile faintly as he latches it, and the familiar weight falls on me. I don't know when the last time I took the necklace off. Actually, I do; when I got struck by lightning and Amory stole it from me. I'm lucky Amory sent it back; though I have a feeling his mysterious Jewel wrote the letter. The handwriting was like the one in the letter I saw.

"Thank you," I whisper, fingering the charm. I press my thumb into it, feeling the heart dig into my skin, the smooth contrast of the cross just pressing against it. Then, I hear the silent click, and school my face.

Really, he doesn't know the first rule of hostage control; once you take all rescue devices, or all potential ones, don't give them back. I mean, does it really make sense. An emotionless, heartless spy, attached to a necklace who no one knows gave it to her. It should be ringing all sorts of alarm bells.

"No problem. If you're all ready, we should go now," Miguel says, and I hold my finger up, silently asking for one minute.

I close my eyes, and breathe in. Then, I look directly at myself, and see a different girl staring back at me. You are a boss. You are a spy. You are worthy. You are a queen; the queen of all spies. You are a shadow. You are deadly, even though right now you just look not hideous. It doesn't matter if you don't look like these things, you are. Don't walk around like you rule the world; it'll be taken as arrogance. Instead, walk around as if you don't care who rules it; then you'll be taken as a threat. Don't speak a lot, but when you do, make sure they listen. You are in control. You have the one thing you strive for; all you have to do is claim it. You can do this.

I lift my chin up, and glare back at the woman in the mirror. She is pretty, I suppose. Maybe I should find a way to make myself look pretty without feeling like I'm losing myself. Or vulnerable; I can't feel vulnerable. You have this.

"Let's go," I say, and we head for the door. Let the game's begin.

We walk down, and now I see why they let me out. The tavern, or inn I guess it's called since it has rooms above it, is the same place they're meeting. They can hurry me away if they need to. And, since they're giving the inn more money, if a fight breaks out and they get caught by the inn owners, Amory's bunch will get the worse end of it. Very crafty.

We take a table in the back, Miguel sitting on one side, and Captain Storm on my other. She's looking better, like how the rumors describe her and not weak. Thankfully, he isn't here, and instead Laurens and the uncle are.

They have four, Amory will have two others, and I'm on my own. I've barely been able to take down seven alone before, and that was with the element of surprise and picking them off one by one. Seven, alone, when they have an idea of the extent of my abilities, not going to happen.

Perhaps, if help gets here fast enough. I mean, I sent off the alert, and I always tell my agents that I'll bring the cavalry if they need it. Hopefully Zeev or Amelia pick it up; they'll know it's desperate if I'm calling for help. Though, I've probably missed a few drop-ins, and when I'm only supposed to be missing for a day, three tops, they'll be worried and know something's wrong.

It'd be fine if Patrick or Callum intercepted it too. I could still get some help then. I'd prefer my own agency, of course, but still.

"So, LB, how did you get those blue circles under your eyes. I mean, when I look at them I can see them move from black, to light blue, to green. I don't think you got punched or anything, so they have to be some sort of super good make-up or something," Captain Storm says, jumping me out of my thoughts.

"They're from insomnia," I deadpan. She gets this expression as if she's stuck her foot into her mouth, and Amory picks this time to show up.

"Don't worry, Captain Van Acker. She's had insomnia since I don't know when. At least when she was thirteen. Those rings under her eyes are permanent; a price she has to pay to be the Ice Queen," He says, his predatory eyes sliding around the world, before they land on me permanently. "You do clean up nicely when you can be bothered to do so, my dear."

Miguel has this surprised look on his face, as does everyone else at the table, and I can't resist. I let out a huge sigh, roll my eyes in exasperation, and then put on an annoyed and very patronizing tone, "Amory, for the millionth time, I will not get in bed with you. It doesn't matter how many times you ask, the answer will still be no. You're not my type, far too old. Just stop, please."

It has the desired effect for sure. Amory reels back as if I just slapped him. Ace is trying to hide his laughter whereas Calynn is unable to. The other four all have shocked, and a few disgusted looks on their faces. Can't say I blame them with what I insulated.

"I swear, I would never. I'm married already, and we're about to have a daughter. Not only is LB my niece, but my wife would kill me if I even thought about it," Amory immediately says after he gets over his shock.

Now that I've had my fun, I decide to fess up. "Amory is sadly right. Though, I am intrigued about your wife; please do tell us more," I say, leaning back in my chair with the grin of someone who knows they're about to win. I guess it's technically called a smirk, but that's all just perspective.

"I thought they'd keep you on a tight enough leash that I wouldn't have to worry about your smart mouth. And no, you're not learning about them, ever. I know your track record with children," Amory says, and I roll my eyes.

"Please, I have a right to know about my aunt and little niece, since I'm going to be the honorary aunt. And you seriously can't hold Jamaica against me; I was young, naive, and on a mission. I didn't ask for the little tag-along you so kindly forced onto me," I say, sighing at the reminder of Jamaica. That really didn't end well, for anyone.

"Jamaica was three years ago. Forgive me if I'm still a little skeptical of your child abilities. And who said anything about you being an honorary aunt?" Amory says, and I shake my head.

"Technicalities, both of them. And yes, Jamaica was long enough ago for me to know how to be around small children better. At least how to not traumatize them, and I'll learn as I go with the little thing," I say offhandedly and dismissively.

He looks unimpressed. "I'm withholding my judgment, but do get the right to say 'I told you so' when your idea ends badly. Just don't traumatize my child," He says, the silent threat that I do actually take seriously hanging in the air.

"Wait, you two know each other. Well. And you're apparently related? Those weren't just rumors," The uncle says.

"Yes, Ruben, she is in fact my niece. A few of the rumors are true; most of them aren't. I was, in fact, hard on her; I'm the reason she can't leave any fingerprints. I made her hold matches until she basically had second degree burns on her fingertips. I also whipped her and didn't do anything when the wounds got infected, at least until it nearly killed her. I made her face her greatest fear, thunderstorms, by having her be outside during when that probably classified as a hurricane, and because of that she got struck by lightning. Just because she was my niece didn't mean she got a walk through the park; I was probably more brutal towards her because of that. Well, that and the fact that she was Player's daughter," Amory rants, and Ruben looks taken aback. Ace and Calynn both wince at the memories, while everyone else at the table stares at me as if they can't believe I went through that. Though, it might also be because I don't react; it's in the past and there's nothing I can do to change it.

"Why are you not upset about this?" Miguel asks me.

"It happened in the past. He's family, so I can't get revenge on him too much. Besides, he's a pirate and he felt bad for what he did. Well, at least he says he does. Besides, he did some things that needed to be done; he just wasn't that gentle about it. But, then again, when has anything in my life happened gently to me," I say, shrugging my shoulders. Everyone looks at me like I'm insane, and I'm vaguely reminded of those stupid board meetings.

"So, what do we need to discuss?" Calynn interrupts, thankfully. At least someone understands the assignment, and how I want to get this over soon.

"Well, originally it was going to be about you joining us and what that would mean. Now, I think we need to discuss what should happen to her too," Captain Van Acker says, and I have to school my face. Usually I'm allowed to show that I'm bored but right now I don't think it would bond the best.

"Alright. I'll join your little group, but I want control of my own ship. I want to get rid of this stupid organization, however I don't want you controlling my crew. On my ship, I am still the leader, same as if I were to be on yours. We are equals in all other forms, and the only way to tell who is in charge is who's ship we are on, or, like now, if we're on equal ground, that means we're equals." Amory says, and I nod along. That fits with how his reputation has grown; he will do anything to protect what he sees as his, and he's a control freak. Of course he would want the benefits of joining a group, but still want a reasonable amount of control.

"That sounds reasonable, I can agree to all those terms. For the alliance to work, our ships will have to stay within helping distance of each other, so if one needs help the other can come. That will hinder plundering a bit, so our ships usually take turns plundering. We can work you into the schedule, maybe the next ship we see could be yours," Van Acker responds. I'm surprised by how reasonable this is; if only spies would be more like pirates. We might actually get something done in our meetings then.

Apparently Miguel notices how much I'm paying attention and seemingly memorizing what's going on. "Taking notes on how to run your meetings when you escape?" He whispers, and I have to close my eyes to keep from smiling. If Calynn saw, no one could help me escape the stupid girl talk that would undoubtedly come.

"Now, for the more troubling business," Amory musses, but then Calynn speaks up.

"Captain, why don't I go somewhere with LB? You won't be needing me, it seems that Miguel is in charge of her so if Captain Van Acker wanted to come she could and let Miguel handle this meeting. It would also be in our best interest to not let her hear how we could be divided on some stances since we know how persuasive she can be. It would be best to keep her completely in the dark, and the only way to do that is to take her away from the topic of conversation," Calynn argues, and I see Amory considering what she said. I quickly let my eyes flicker over to the other, and see they're actually considering this.

"Captain, if I may speak," Miguel starts, and I try not to smirk. Miguel will surely object.

Van Acker nods, and he clears his throat, "She stiffened up at the idea, so it seems like this wouldn't be something that she would enjoy. I think it would be a good idea to go ahead and let it happen; I can surely handle the negotiations if you want me to."

Van Acker seems to consider all of this, before finally nodding her head, "Go ahead, Miguel. This sounds like an amazing idea to me; LB, come along."

Calynn grins, whereas I scowl upon hearing those words. My death warrant has been signed, and the cause of death will surely be whatever 'fun' girly activity Calynn has planned. 

What do you think is going on? What could Calynn possibly have planned, and why did Eva agree?