279

MAXINE

It had been weeks since I started planting the objects Zel gave me. Every day, I moved carefully through the estate and when the guards didn't notice, I placed the enchanted items where they’d go unnoticed

With each day that passed, my sense of urgency increased. The pieces were all coming together but now, with the final phase in sight, the pressure was suffocating. I wasn't sure I could do it.

I hadn’t seen much of Zel these past few weeks. But today, we were going to meet one last time to go over everything. We had to be careful and secretive. There was no room for mistakes at this point.

I got Ronan to let me see her.

The guards escorted me to her room where she was waiting. Zel sat on the bed, her eyes flickering to me. I took a deep breath and stepped forward.

She stood to her feet and embraced me. “You're here,” she said, as she let go of me.

I nodded. "Everything’s in place. The objects are where they need to be."

Zel nodded too. “I know. I can feel them. You did well.