Mara and Silver part three. It’s some time before the MC wakes up, and everything is Not Good.
Hidden for slight spoilers
It was odd walking into the base with SIlver at her side. Though she’d got the usual dirty looks from the sentries they passed, no one had spat at her or shoved her. She hadn’t been kept waiting at the entrance for ages while those on guard pretended they had to check and double-check things before they could let her in. One look at Silver and they’d been rushed right in.
It didn’t seem like this was out of any particular love for Silver. Mara knew fear when she saw it, in the way their eyes flickered to Silver’s glowing gaze and then away, in how the few other people passing through the tunnels shrank away. Silver pretended not to react, but Mara saw them give a thin-lipped smile.
She felt the others making note of her as she followed meekly in Silver’s wake. This might not improve her reputation. Then again, it could hardly be worse.
Vin was deep within the tunnel complex, hunched over a map laid out on a table, discussing something in low voices with a few of her commanders. The conversation halted as someone noticed Silver and Mara enter, and nudged Vin, who turned to the two of them. She looked like she hadn’t slept in about a week, and that might well have been true. It’s been a bad day, her expression said, and now I have to deal with you.
“Miss me?” Silver said brightly.
Vin makes a gesture to her companions, who leave, though reluctantly. Then, to Mara’s surprise, she turns to her. “Well?”
“She’s a good little thief,” said Silver, wandering over to the map and toying with the markers.
“Of course,” said Vin flatly. Mara kept her face a blank mask, showing no reaction to Vin’s scorn. “And this thing you needed someone to steal was…?” She directed the question at Mara.
Mara hesitated. She had looked at the book, of course. Hadn’t understood much of it. Would Silver not have expected her to take a peek, with all the effort she’d gone to? “A book,” she said with a shrug. “Some magic tome.”
“Nothing that concerns you, dear Vin,” Silver added. “Especially with everything else you have to be concerned about. Look at this mess.” They waved a slender hand at the map table. “Every single side here seems to be losing, but yours worst of all.”
“Think I hadn’t noticed?” Vin snapped, some of her fire surfacing. Sometimes, Mara wished she’d known Vin in a different time and place, a better life. There was something to be admired in Vin’s seemingly endless will to fight. She was falling for Silver’s bait, though. There was a purpose there, something they were setting up, something they wanted.
“Well, fortunately,” said Silver, giving what might have been a charming smile if not for the teeth, “You have excellent taste in allies.”
Vin grumbled under her breath then said, “We’ve got a lot to discuss.” To Mara, abruptly, “You. Out. I’ll talk with you later.”
Mara was tempted to lurk in the tunnels outside and try to eavesdrop, but it would be too risky if anyone saw her. Sighing, she made her way through the cave network, avoiding meeting anyone’s eyes.
