A Thief's Treasure (6 page)

“Hello Alyssa.
 
My you clean up well,” Eliza stated.

“Thanks.
 
Sorry I took so long, you know how women are with their showers and stuff,” I replied.

“I definitely do.
 
Now why don’t you join the men at the dinner table?
 
Everything’s already out there and waiting,” she replied warmly.
 
I nodded and walked into the dining room where the boys resided.
 
There was a ton of food and today Eliza had mad
lasagna
for us.
 
It looked amazing and after taking a couple bites it definitely tasted amazing too.
 
Eliza joined us shortly after with some rolls and a salad and I definitely helped myself to them. This was a great atmosphere and I felt at home with all of them.
 
We talked and joked about various things and both Anthony and Eliza asked me about training and how I went through it.
 
I told them my secret and they had grins plastered on their faces.

“She’s definitely her mom’s daughter,” Eliza said warmly.

“Sure is,” Anthony replied.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“Well your mom can talk to the Gods as well and she is a descendant of the original controller of the Great Rune.
 
Only a few alchemists can do that and I’m happy you received your mother’s genes on that because it makes all of our lives that much easier,” Anthony explained.

“
Ahh
.
 
So when do I get to meet my parents?” I asked.

“Soon.
 
You will definitely get to meet them and catch up,” Eliza replied.

I nodded and continued eating, relishing in the taste of the food.
 
We continued to talk and have fun until we were all done.
 
I helped Eliza with the dishes and after that I went back up to my room.
 
I knew what I was going to do the rest of the night and for the next two hours I was stuck to the pages of the alchemic books I was given.
 
They were interesting as hell and I wanted to learn more.
 
However, at around 10 sleep started to overtake me.
 
I turned off the lights and crawled into bed.
 
I was exhausted from that day but I knew it was a good thing.
 
I dozed off and even though my body felt like I had done a marathon today I couldn’t wait for what was to come next.

Chapter Seven

About six months had elapsed since I had started training with my alchemic guardians.
 
I call them guardians because my family’s still alive but they’re taking care of me.
 
I’ve learned so much since I’ve started and I’ve been able to not only master the earth element but also the air one as well.
 
I worked a little on fire and how to use it as a weapon, but I also worked on my physical fitness as well, and since then I’ve dropped about ten pounds and gained a lot of muscle.
 
It was great and I couldn’t believe all that I’ve learned.
 
I also read the textbooks I was given cover to cover and soon I was also able to perform iron alchemy along with other small metals.
 
Anthony was impressed with my progress to say the least and one day I woke up and I looked at the clock, shock and fear coursing through me.

“Crap!” I cried.
 
It was nine am, about three hours after I’m supposed to get up.
 
I grab some of my workout clothes and rush on down.
 
Thinking they would be pissed at me I walk in with an apologetic look on my face.

“Oh my god I’m so—“

I looked at all of them and they’re all calmly sitting in the living room.
 
Anthony was talking to Eliza and Darren was texting on his phone.
 
A look of confusion was present on my face.
 
“What the hell is going on?”

“Oh we decided to let you sleep in.
 
You’ve been doing great and we wanted to reward you before we tell you the big news,” Eliza explained.

“Big…news?” I asked.

“Yep.
 
Tonight, Darren and you are going to Egypt to pick up a small piece of
jewelry
that apparently has some black alchemy on it.
 
The plane’s leaving at noon so
 
get ready.
 
You’ll be gone for less than twenty-four hours, but it’s more of a mental thing.
 
You guys know your stuff and I’m sure you’ll be fine.
 
I have some clothes for you to wear and you can change into it now,” Eliza explained.

I was definitely excited for this news, but at the same time I felt nervous as hell at the sheer fact that I was actually going on a mission to retrieve the notorious
artifacts
.
 
I walked into the room she indicated, which was a small bathroom.
 
Hanging on there was a black
catsuit
with a small blue belt.
 
I pulled off my clothes and tried it on.
 
I had to take off my bra to wear it, but once I got it on I admired myself.
 
This was very sexy and showed off my normally
nonexistent
curves.
 
I hope Darren doesn’t ogle the hell out of me because of it.

I walked out and Darren looked up from his phone.
 
A ghost of a smile was present on his face and I covered my hands around my body in embarrassment.

“Stop staring,” I voiced.

“You look great sweetie.
 
I’m happy it fit you perfectly,” Eliza replied.
 

“It does look good.
 
Reminds me of how Eliza looked when she went on missions back in the good
ol
’ days,” Anthony said happily.

I smiled; with them I didn’t feel very nervous.
 
Yet when I looked at Darren I could tell the perverted side of him was definitely on the loose.
 
He was a nice guy and did have his moments when he wasn’t a complete nark, but right now was definitely not the time for that.

“Well glad it fits.
 
If you need anything else get it now or else we’ll wait on Darren to get dressed and then we’ll drive you to our jet,” Anthony voiced.

I nodded and walked back upstairs.
 
I tried to find a small t-shirt bra that might help cover my nipples.
 
After ruffling for a minute I found one that was almost like wearing nothing and I slipped it on.
 
It was a snug fit, but it definitely was better than being ogled by a guy you had a little crush on while trying to do a great job.
 
I grabbed a hair tie and walked back downstairs, where Darren was wearing a similar suit to mine.
 
It definitely accentuated his muscles and I couldn’t help but stare at him for a second before coming back to reality.

“So you guys ready to go?” I asked.

“Sure are.
 
Let’s get out of here,” Anthony replied.
 
We walked out the side door to his Ford Explorer and we got in.
 
I sat in the back and Darren rode shotgun next to his father.
 
Eliza decided to stay home and after waving at her we drove off.
 
The drive wasn’t that long and soon we were at a small hanger in the middle of nowhere.
 
We parked the car and got out.
 
There was a small plane waiting for us and a pretty young pilot with fire-engine-red hair waiting for us.

“Hey there Coco how are things?” Anthony said cheerfully.

“Doing great.
 
Is this the newbie?” she asked.
 
I knew she was referring to me and I flushed a little bit.

“Sure is.
 
Why don’t we head out though, you guys have an eight-hour plane ride from here to Egypt waiting for you,” Anthony stated.

“Sounds good.
 
Come on in kids, you’ll have a great time,” she said warmly.
 
I followed her and we walked into the plane.
 
It was similar to a private jet, with a couple of seats, a table to eat, a TV and gaming system, and a bathroom all crammed into a small twenty-foot long plane.

“Wow this is awesome,” I voiced.

“Yep.
 
Welcome to the family jet.
 
We use this for missions.
 
The Alchemic Council pays for everything.
 
Now don’t mind Coco, she’s not into me or my dad at all.
 
If anything she might try to flirt with you, she’s a lesbian and recently got dumped by her ex-girlfriend.
 
Don’t talk about that though, she gets really mad when people ask about how she’s doing or anything regarding her ex,” Darren instructed.

“Okay I won’t.
 
So I just sit in the seats?” I asked.

“Yep.
 
Don’t worry though, you’ll be fine.
 
Let’s get buckled up though, I know my dad wants us gone soon.
 
Egypt missions are normally easy and don’t require a whole lot,” Darren explained.

“Cool.
 
Sounds great,” I replied.
 
I sat in the seat and Darren sat in the one next to me.
 
I felt a little uncomfortable at first but then I relaxed.
 
I put my seatbelt on and after a moment Coco’s voice came over the intercom.

“Hello you two crazy cats and welcome to my plane courtesy of the Alchemic Council.
 
Hold onto your seats ladies and gents because this is going to be a bumpy ride,” she replied.
 
The engine started to take off and Anthony waved at us.
 
I waved back and so did Darren, but within seconds we were already up in the air.
 
The
takeoff
lasted only a couple minutes, and soon we were cruising.
 
Coco came back on the intercom again, this time actually giving instructions.

“Hello guys, it’s your pilot again.
 
We’re cruising at 30,000 feet and now you guys can safely move around.
 
Just like in normal planes if the seatbelt sign comes on again please go back to your seats.
 
Now help yourself to any of the food and drinks available, just please don’t make a mess or else I’ll have to come back there and punish you once we land.
 
Other than that have fun and be safe,” she stated.
 
The sign clicked off but I stayed in my seat.
 
Darren got up and started to move around the plane.
 
He grabbed a beer from the cooler and opened it, taking a drink and exhaling a satisfactory breath.

“Is that really a great idea to drink right before a mission?” I asked.

“Honey we have a seven-hour plane ride.
 
I could get wasted right now and I would be fine in seven hours.
 
Truth be told I have done that once, it was interesting.
 
Relax sweetie, you’re fine.
 
Coco knows what she’s doing,” he said reassuringly.

I grabbed the magazine in the pocket and started to read it.
 
Darren walked over to the TV and gaming system and started it, the sounds of Call of Duty permeating the room.
 
I didn’t’ really care for games but at the same time I wanted to have some fun with Darren.
 
After a few minutes I closed the book I was reading and walked over to him.

“What you playing?” I asked.

“Call of Duty Black Ops 2.
 
Want to try?” he asked.