Chapter 5

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Ice

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 I settled into Crestwood's couch, always awaiting some kind of ambush. Sure, Crestwood promised to not harm me if I conduct business with him. But I am still wary because he is the Alpha's captain of the royal guards. This was the first time I've made direct contact with Crestwood even if his children and wife is working under me. I looked around and surveyed the room noting possible escape routes. The chimney, the window and the front door. If Crestwood wanted to corner me he would have to cover all these spots. Luckily for me, I didn't come alone. I came with a small recon group waiting for me outside. Suddenly I heard a clatter in the kitchen.

 I stood and strolled towards the kitchen, but Crestwood called out, "I'm okay! Just a bit of a spill." I decided to remain standing, just in case. Vrr, vrr. My phone vibrated silently in my pocket. I pulled it out to see a text from the recon leader, Pendrake.

 'The house is surrounded by the royal guards Ice, should we come in?' I turned and strolled into the kitchen, there Crestwood stood crouching over the table with the tea tray in front of him and his phone in his hands.

 "Is there something you are not telling me, Crestwood? What's with the royal guards outside, hmm?"

 "Wh-wha-what ar-are y-yo-you ta-tal-talk-talking a-ab-about? I ha-hav-have n-no cl-clu-clue, I o-on-only kn-know w-wha-what I've t-to-told yo-you" Crestwood stuttered as he tried to keep a grip on his phone. His phone dropped to the ground and slid towards me. Crestwood dived for the phone but I just put my foot on it as it stopped right in front of me.   "What's this my dear Crestwood?" I articulated. I purposefully slowed my actions, so that I could savor the tortured look that rested upon Crestwood's face. I glanced at the screen and saw 'Royal Guard HQ.'

 "It's not what you think!" He blurted."Oh really? So, you are not contacting the Royal Guard's HQ and you have nothing to do with the Royal Guards outside. Certainly it has nothing to do with the sack I saw in the captain's hands. Definitely has nothing to do with bounty on my head. Right?" My voice by now dripping with obvious sarcasm.

 "I, I, I ah, ah," Crestwood started to blubber.

 'Knock, knock' someone was at the door and I wasn't done chatting with my 'good' friend Crestwood.

 "Call them off Crestwood, unless you really want your children, Wasp and Pendrake, who is in the lead of the recon group to be hurt severely or even dead by the end of this. hmmm?" I threatened.

 "No! You will not hurt my children! It's too late to call them off." Crestwood tried to convince me to not call in the recon group.

 "Stop! You aren't going hurt my husband, neither are you hurting my kids! Or your one and only brother goes." I swiveled around to see Renda, Crestwood's wife and one of my members. She was clutching my brother tightly with a knife to his throat.

 "What on earth! River! What are doing in here? How did you get here?" The plan is going all wrong. It wasn't suppose to go like this.

 "Sorry sis. Climbed through the chimney, was going to help you climb out. I didn't expect Renda to turn on me with a knife or on us at all." He smiled weakly and shrugged, then winced at knife.

 "It's nice to watch a family reunion, but dear Ice, I don't think this is the right time at all. So stop your yapping!" Renda cut in to our conversation.

 "Are you really turning on me? Forsaking what your children live to do? To rebel against the hateful rule of the Alpha's!" I demanded.

 "Yes. But I am not willing to risk my children. Enough with this, River or your freedom?" She spoke softly but threateningly.

 "Your children made their own choice when they decided to work with me." I retaliated back.

 "Make your choice now!" She screamed in frustration.I looked into my brother's eyes, full of determination and unwillingness to giving up on me and what we are doing. But, but, I couldn't let him get hurt, I couldn't let anyone get hurt. If anyone was to go down with our mini 'Robin Hood' rebellion, it should be me, only me. Especially since it was my idea. Especially since I'm the only face that the Royal Guards will recognize. Everybody can go free, they can keep the business going without me. They have to, I'm counting on them.  

 'Don't do it sis. I'll go with them and you run. I'll keep them distracted.'

 Since River and I are twins we could communicate telepathically. Useful in situations like this.

 'No way River! I can't let you go down for a faulty in MY plan.'

 'Sis, the rebellion will go down without you.'

 'You are perfectly capable of helping me run it while I'm gone.'

 'No sis-''River-''Don't do it. I'll distract them.''No.'

 'Please sis-'

 'I said no. I'm counting on you River.' 

 'Please!'

 "I said no!" My shout resounded through the room. Renda held the knife closer to River's throat.

 On the bright side, if I can get into the palace I cam free my parents, that is the last thing I want to do, need to do.  I pulled out my phone and started a pressed the contact.  

"Pendrake. Hold back. Whatever, I do, hold back. Do not fire. Do not shoot. Do not do anything. Tell everyone to retreat and go home. Now." I commanded.

 "But Ice-" Pendrake started.

 "Did you not hear me? Are you defying me?" I questioned him, a hidden threat in my voice. I was met with silence and before he could answer, I hanged up.

 I turned to Renda and nodded my head towards her.

 "Shall we continue?"