38 Trust Me

'Why did he have to be so cryptic? He could have just told us the location.' Aurelia grumbled, hoisting her bag over her shoulders. 'Speaking of which, how the hell is this guy so updated? How does he know who else knows the location except Cyan?'

'It's not so hard to guess, come to think of it. If Cyan had to choose one person to share his secret with, it would be his best friend.'

'Hmm. Would he trust him, though?'

'They have been friends since childhood, of course he does. Cyan even trusted me, after I tried to steal his ring.'

'He's really stupid.'

'He's just innocent.'

'That's why he's been fooled by this man. What if it's someone right next to us?'

Falcon looked at her worried face and narrowed his eyes in false suspicion.

'It's not me.' She sighed. 'And don't try to look too brave, you are scared too.'

'No, I am not scared. I am terrified for Cyan. I hope they had taken me instead of him.' Falcon sighed, casting Lapis Valley a last look as the train engine emitted a hoot, startling Aurelia. She was sitting by the window, the breeze playing with her hair, so Falcon tore his eyes away and sighed in relief as his back touched the bunk bed.

His eyes were heavy from being awake for days. Although it wasn't the most he'd stayed up, it was the most tiring. His mind was exhausted from the crippling fear and anxiety, and he wondered how Aurelia was doing.

'Are you hungry?' Remembering the last time they had been on a train together, and Aurelia had insisted on buying food from the vendors, Falcon couldn't help but voice his concern.

Aurelia cast him an amused glance. 'No.' She said, turning her head back towards the window. The sweet night air fluttered her hair and Falcon closed his eyes quickly, for fear of staring at her until he couldn't help blurting out something stupid like 'you look beautiful'.

He wondered when he had started to notice her like that, and shook his head to get rid of the troubling thoughts. It wouldn't be easy to leave her when they had rescued Cyan and parted ways, never to see each other again?

'What are you thinking?' her voice floated towards her, almost like a whisper. 'You look sad.'

'Nothing.' He shook his head and looked at her. 'Worried about Cyan.'

'Go to sleep.' Aurelia said. 'I'll keep watch.'

Falcon hesitated, his mind reminding him of ten thousand things that could go wrong if he went to sleep during a mission. His hesitation must have shown on his face because Aurelia sighed. 'Trust me.' She said.

Falcon decided to do just that and closed his eyes.

XXX

He dreamed of Orchid, her long flowing dresses, and her lilac scent. She was calling him by his name, something which he couldn't understand, her merry laughter echoing in the field, as he rode a black stallion.

'Mom,' Falcon giggled, 'I'm flying.'

Orchid laughed, but something was wrong. Her outline was a little hazy and her voice, which was calling his name, was fading out.

Falcon turned to her in distress, his heart thumping a little too wildly. 'Mom? Mom!'

She had stopped laughing and her eyes were troubled, shedding tears that were staining her cheeks. Orchid held out her hand towards him and Falcon leaned forward to take it, only to grasp thin air.

He awoke with a gasp, his entire body shuddering and realized Aurelia was shaking his shoulder gently. 'Wake up,' she retrieved her hand when he opened his eyes, 'we're here.'

He nodded, sitting up and trying to keep his face down. He could still hear his mother from somewhere far away, screaming for help.

'Falcon, you're crying.' Aurelia rubbed the pad of her thumb across his cheek and he shivered, feeling the moisture slip down his cheeks.

'I...sorry.' He mumbled, keeping his head down.

'It's okay.' Aurelia moved away and turned towards the window to give him some privacy.

Falcon cursed his nightmares once again and wiped his face on his sleeve hurriedly, knowing his face had turned a deep shade of red from embarrassment. Reminding himself Aurelia wasn't someone to judge, Falcon looked up at her to see her put on a black jacket over her gear, adjusting her hair.

'So, what's the plan?' Aurelia met his eyes and asked, securing her hair in a tight bun.

'We have to slip into the party, do you have a dress?'

'It's not a party, it's a photo shoot. We just need cameras and photographer uniforms.' Aurelia rolled her eyes.

'We can steal them,' Falcon said casually, before he realized Aurelia's glare targeted at him, 'or not.' He added hurriedly.

'We don't have to steal anything. It's a hotel, we can just slip in as guests. All we have to do is locate Canis North, who knows about the stone's location. Is that all 453 told you?'

'Yeah. But I'm sure they won't let anyone in. But I ain't Falcon for nothing.'

Aurelia smiled. 'Let's go.'