78 - Kieran

Annie was shocked. He was even better looking than Aster. With his dark hair, his skin was really pale. She wondered if he must go out clothed all the time to be that pale. His blue eyes shimmered like sapphires glinting under sunlight beneath his long lashes. His face had delicate features, youthful.

He seemed younger than what she thought he was. Not a man, but a boy around her age. Maybe younger. Kieran had a look of annoyance. His gaze was on Aster. "Did you get anything yet?" he questioned.

"No, Lord Knielson keeps his manor tightly guarded. It'll be hard to get in. His servants that he keeps there haven't been seen outside either. One of our contacts did give us an updated list of missing nobles though," Aster recited. After he finished his words, he moved over to the opposite wall from Annie.

His hand trailed over and a small sound of something clicked was heard. Annie stood up in surprise. She watched the floor boards opened and a huge table rose. Aster pulled some papers out of his cloak.

"The list is getting bigger now," Aster said. He put the papers on the table. Annie moved closer to pick the papers up. Kieran moved and stopped her. She watched him take and look over the papers.

"I would like to see them too," Annie asked, quietly.

Kieran didn't seem to acknowledge her words. He rifled through the papers. Annie clenched her fists tightly at the blatant treatment. Aster pulled a chair to sit in. "He's always like that, Annie. Don't take it to heart. He'll give it to you when he's done," Aster assured.

A few minutes went by and Kieran tossed the papers onto the table. Annie gritted her teeth. She picked the papers up.

"Kieran, what are you doing?" Aster asked, shocked.

Kieran shrugged and crossed his arms. "I was finished with the papers. We haven't gotten any progress. It's been a year now and you can't give me anything? Useless."

Aster stood up, angry. "You know I have been trying the best I can! I want to find them more than you do."

Kieran smiled slightly. "What do you know about my determination on this case? Is that why you recruited her? You think she'll be able to find them better than us?"

Aster smirked at him. "I've found something interesting about her for sure." He walked towards Annie. Annie had been looking over the paperwork. She didn't see that Aster was now next to her. Before she could react, he grabbed her wrist and lifted it high in the air. "She can use magic."

Kieran's gazed at her briefly. "Are you saying she's a noble? You know only nobles can use magic."

Annie tried pulling her arm away but Aster held tight. "Annie, now that you know what we do... You must also tell us about yourself. You've been searching about yourself, right? That's why you have been inquiring places."

Annie realized they must have been keeping an eye on her. She had misjudged. She had been questioning at the taverns and cafes. For the right amount of money, it was easy to get info. It also worked the other way too. She shouldn't be surprised. "Yes..." she hesitatedly responded.