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“We won’t work against her,” Moth said for what seemed like the hundredth time. My own doorman standing up to me in this room when I knew the moment we stepped out into the hall he’d be my man again.
“All we want is a spare bird or two to look for a scrap of a boy,” Puck pressed.
“Tod’ll take of himself and no doubt is giving hell to whoever has decided they must take care of the mite,” Moth said. He was the only one who knew Tod personally but seemed awfully calm about my nephew not coming home of his own accord. “An’ ‘fore you say it. He’s been gone for a week before without you fretting.”
Puck looked over his shoulder, his eyes pleading for me to say why even a day away worried us. What we suspected. Tod was an omega. He’d not presented yet but our instinct to protect him went beyond the paternal. A parent knew. Besides Sophia had always insisted he’d be an omega even though our family were nothing but betas before I’d presented. I refused to blink, and he knew I’d not give in.
“Let’s move on then. The robberies.”
“The redistribution of wealth,” Daisy said with a toothy smile. She was the one I trusted least for she had chattered away from the moment she’d arrived at the Hell. Blithely asking for a mug of porter and a slice of ham. Making disparaging comments about the decoration and quality of the furnishings.
“We know she does not keep all the monies,” Puck pushed on. “We ain’t stupid and know the charities you lot prefer.”
“As I was saying, redistribution of wealth.”
“Daisy, enough.” This was Peaseblossom. Of all Polly’s people she was the greatest mystery. Her accent and manner was as refined as any princess but she dressed in drab clothes and her hair looked like it had been hacked at rather than cut. “We appreciate your interest in our philanthropic endeavours but at this time do not have permission to discuss the details. Until her majesty decides otherwise, you must remain in the dark.”
“Torture won’t work neither!” Pansy, who was likely the sister to Daisy, interjected. “Sides her majesty’d be unhappy. And she’s a quick temper when she’s all worked up!”
“Enough.” I put enough bark into the word that the betas sat to attention. They could not help it and the ire I saw in the eyes of some spoke volumes. “I think we have determined that this conversation will go in circles. If you have any messages, I promise to deliver them, untampered with. Moth, can deliver them if that makes you more comfortable.”
They looked between each other and a few pulled out stubs of pencil and scraps of paper while others whispered in Moth’s ear. Interesting. We now knew who could write or at least write code and those who were more likely to be illiterate.
“If that is all,” Puck said with more force than he probably intended.
“Tell her that the shipper was bled dry and the Westies are plump in the pocket,” Mustardseed said without abruptly. He’d been quiet the whole time and his words caused the others to let out a whoop of joy. Puck moved fast, leaping over the table and catching Mustardseed by the arm.
“What’s that?”
“You know. Why else would you ask?” the man said. His skin was dark but in a different way to Puck’s. And on his head a turban and at his waist some kind of curved tribal dagger-sword.
“You called them ‘Westies.’”
“Aye. Like I would all the good works for my people Easties. Picking a code what’s easy to remember ain’t the worst thing,” Mustardseed said gravely. Puck shook his head but kept silent, these were fights for another day, but I knew him and he’d not let Hippolyta’s good deeds go. The next opportunity he’d bring up the topic Polly donating a sum, likely large, to a charity which provided for formerly enslaved persons arriving from the West Indies.
“Let’s leave these alphas, then.” Prog, the beta from that first night, stood and dusted his hands against his breeches. “They’ve a task far harder than any of ours.”
Daisy scratched her chin. “Wotcha think the odds they’ll be mated to her by–”
“Mated by her, I think you mean.” Peaseblossom threw in her opinion.
“Insolent children, begone!” Mustardseed smacked them both upside the head and pushed them towards the door. “I’ll give you good odds for it but not here.”
They pushed each other through the door arguing and laughing as if nothing had changed and their mistress was free. And in the quiet that followed I knew I had to make more plans. Ones that would fall into place if I must bring her rabble more securely under my thumb.
I opened my mouth to ask Puck which of the betas he trained to be bodyguards could be trusted when he let out a howl of unchecked emotion. Breathing heavily, he walked to the window and looked out onto the street and then paced back towards me like a mighty caged lion. Back and forth he went until at last he settled against the wall.
“She gave the money to my charity.” He slumped and let his legs give out so that he slid down into a seated position. “Why?”
“Does it matter, my love?” I touched the top of his bowed head. He so desperately wanted to forge a connection to her but with every step closer he seemed more terrified and ready to pull away. “Surely it works to your advantage? Another to chink in that Amazonian armour. She demonstrates her affection,” I teased a smile but his eyes soon became troubled. “Puck, dearest, what is it? Not this issue of charity, surely.”
“Tod. Moth acts like we don’t care for the boy.”
I pressed my lips together and refrained from looking at the wine sitting on the table. Not a drop for five years and not one again.
“He’ll be back.”
“What if he’s heard about Polly and decided to take her in dislike? He don’t warm to many. And I can’t think of the last female he wasn’t rude to.”
