Chapter 49
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Kyle eyed the obstruction ahead. Edwin’s frame dominated the doorway. “Any issue? Posture seems off, planted right there.”
Providence intervened at the crucial instant. He caught the imperial address on his lips, clamping his tongue to bury the gaffe. Rina vanished from sight behind Edwin’s imposing bulk.
That minor agony preserved their strategy from instant collapse.
Unseen, he dabbed at the smarting in his eyes. The close call had frozen Edwin and Rina in mutual discomfort, deception’s weight pressing down. Kyle’s intervention shattered the paralysis; they jolted forward like figures emerging from stone.
Edwin claimed responsibility for clogging the passage.
Rina conceded her error in swinging the door without scouting beyond.
In unison, they sidestepped to yield space, only to clash and stall once more.
A collision marked their effort.
Rina broke the deadlock after prolonged awkward dancing.
“Right for me, left for you, Sir Rojas?”
Opposing orientations doomed the maneuver.
Kyle, peering past Edwin’s shoulder, cradled his brow.
Individually, each handled matters with ease.
“Why not enter for a spell?”
He beckoned the pair amid their stumbles.
Foot traffic lingered outdoors.
Containment indoors beat public exposure.
Edwin and Rina trailed him into the cafe. She mustered poise anew, but he advanced in erratic lurches, puppet strings askew. Obvious concealment.
Kyle masked dismay with courtesy. Awareness of disguise now amplified Edwin’s every motion, breaths included.
Her untimely drop-in punished his temple evasion that day.
Deceit proved alien to Edwin. Childhood’s sole scandal involved demolishing mother’s treasured china—followed by prompt ownership, sans evasion.
This wildcard jeopardized their blueprint. Kyle strategized amid Edwin’s halting gait. Rina scanned the tableau.
She inched toward Edwin, whom she trusted more than Kyle, voice hushed.
“Does this tie to your abrupt exit from services?”
Unresolved? She’d vanish promptly.
Kyle interjected smoothly.
“Matters between us resolved. Correct, Sir Rojas?”
Chance to excise the anomaly.
Edwin mulled phrasing true to Everette in Kyle’s company. Kyle prodded onward.
“Palace duties summon you back.”
Doubting Edwin’s facade, he supplied rationale.
Fate favored them. Edwin issued a wooden parting to both, then withdrew.
Solitude enveloped Rina and Kyle.
The realization dawned sharp. Amid this vacant night cafe, none but Kyle and his comrade’s forsaken companion lingered.
Everette’s demands never ceased.
His flustered departure behind us, Kyle directed me to the window nook.
Streetlife unfolded vividly outside.
Depth of night prompted tea over caffeine, jasmine steaming forth. He indicated the portal.
“Ajar suit you?”
Despite lateness, commerce stirred sporadically. Our exchange skirted shadows, Blue Hawk lore whispered solely among cognoscenti.
Open air tempted consent, but evening’s residue clung after dusk, his collar cinched tight.
Shirt sealed against skin.
Enchanted orb cooled the interior, yet vast panes invited summer’s siege.
Hushed tones would serve. His muting charm, perhaps.
Casual dismissal drew his hearty guffaw.
Outward glance through crystal expanse, then opposite perch taken.
“Safe enough.”
Ease softened prior rigidity.
“Still, Miss Diaz, what venture draws you so deep into night?”
Gravity reclaimed him; I stiffened, exam’s verdict echoing afresh.
Parallels struck home.
Deliberation shaped my reply, tentative launch.
“Belated though, bearing decision on your standing invitation.”
Procrastinated denial now polished advantage.
Revocation outshone blunt refusal.
Dread of replacement hires faded before his eagerness.
“Patience stretched precisely for desired verdict.”
Anticipation gleamed, enlistment seal at ready.
Opportunity endured.
“Your anticipated yes to Blue Hawk ranks? Affirmed.”
Echo smile, tension uncoiling fractionally. Commitment firm, verification beckoned.
“Final nod post clarification of those contract voids reviewed prior.”
Distant bases or intel-denied roles? Present station prevailed.
Resolve hardened my gaze. Benevolent grins cloaked Kyle’s mettle.
“Pre-oath, you’re external to sealed matters.”
Ice edged his pivot from persuasion.
Yielding confidentiality felt improbable, barrier steep.
Yet he tendered breach.
“Eager recruitment bends rules slightly, Miss Diaz.”
Amusement lit his eyes. Deflection probed depth.
“Secure topics aside, overview content you?”
Acceptance snapped forth.
“Ample.”
Urgency nodded before retraction.
“Mind my note: Blue Hawk role echoes current duties near identically.”
Ledger roots bounded scope.
Similarity anchored promise.
Overload’s ghosts from cunning allocations haunted; vigilance sharpened.
Novelty over rote assurances.
“Recalled. Progression details now.”
Insistent focus met his fluid advance.
