spades

chapter 11| Cas

I opened the door and turned around to close it "Her Irina you said you needed me to help with-

My words died in my throat as I turned around to see a sharp silver dagger pointed dangerously close to my neck, the grip was red leather and the guard was pure ruby which told me that this was a hearts weapon. Irina's glared at me as she held a knife to my throat.

"Does she know?"

My mouth dried up as I stumbled on my words "D-does who know what?" Her eyes narrowed at me.

"Does Hibiscus know that she helped out the future king of hearts?" Her eyes softened before snorting "Of course she doesn't, that girl helps out anyone in need within a mile and now look, she unknowingly brought in you" She spat.

She pressed the tip of the knife slowly onto my adam's apple "Now be still, blood is very difficult to clean off wood" My eyes widened.

"Wait! I'm not who you think I am" She halted before raising an eyebrow.

"You're not Caspian Heart?" She chuckled "Don't lie to me, I used to make your clothes" My hands shot up to grab her wrists, making her yelp.

"Look, I escaped my mother okay. I'm just like you" Her eyes burned with rage.

"We're nothing alike" She growled.

"I mean we're just a bit similar" He corrected himself quickly "I couldn't deal with it okay. I had to leave, I escaped, a fortnight ago and I met Hibi. No evil intentions or anything okay? She's just trying to help me out and I'm just trying to get as far away from my mother as possible".

"So why get people involved?- why get Hibi involved if your mother catches you she'll kill us all. Why risk it?" She seethed "Hibi is innocent, why drag her into this mess? she's been hurt enough by you royals" I flinched at the hate she talked with when mentioning my family.

I didn't understand. Hurt by me? I've never seen Hibi in my life until two nights ago.

"I didn't mean it she's just really persistent and a part of me just wanted someone who knew their way"

We had a glare down as her mind contemplated whether or not to trust me. I let out a sigh of relief when she took a step back and put her weapon back in its scabbard. "You're not worth it" She spat " And besides, you're not my kill anyways" Wait what?

We both stood facing each other, I was still panting from the confrontation and Irina was still staring me down with nothing but pure judgement in her eyes. She pushed me aside, making me stumble into the kitchen countertop.

She opened the door and looked back at me before letting out a dry humorous chuckle. "You're gonna get her killed."

I stumbled back into the living room, still shaken up from the encounter. I expected everyone to be sitting on the couches having a laugh but instead, they were huddled up by the door, except Hibi, she was on the couch drinking straight from a bottle of who knows what.

I noticed a man at the door speaking to Astrid whilst Rico and Irina read over some paper. "So do not be startled by the arriving of guards at your door in a few hours..." my ears perked up at the ending of a conversation. The man finished speaking and started saying goodbyes.

"Byeeeee Lorenzo!" Hibi called out in a high-pitched voice, giving him an overexaggerated wave. The man rolled his eyes.

"Hibiscus" He greeted grimly. She didn't seem affected by his obvious annoyance as she continued to beam at him.

"See you later babe!" The man huffed before slamming the door behind him. "Love that guy" Hibi muttered seemingly to herself.

"Don't think he thinks the same Hibi" Astrid chuckled, Hibi waved her off.

"Oh please, he loves me" She mumbled as she threw her head back, taking a gulp of a dark purple liquid. I was beginning to get concerned about her daily alcohol intake...

"The Queen Of Hearts Son Has Escaped" Rico read out to the room. I felt my heartbeat pick up but no one else seemed to share my panic.

"Took him long enough" Astrid joked.

"I bet twelve she'll find him before sunrise tomorrow" Hibi snorted.

"More like before sunset" Irina muttered "Seems to me like she's already sent half of her kingdom out as a search party, guards are supposed to show up at midnight tonight" Irina shot me a look of annoyance and I gave her a sheepish smile.

"Eh, not my problem. Hopefully, kid has been killed by now. No way he's survived long with his reputation" Rico laughed before walking up to Hibi and grabbing the bottle out of her hands and taking a swing "Come over here Caspian, you ain't tell us how you managed to rob that family blind" He said gesturing me to come sit next to him.

"We don't have time," Irina said as she continued to read the letter.

"Do we have somewhere to go?" Astrid asked. She was now more relaxed with her eyes closed and hands holding up her head, only opening one eye to talk.

"No but Hibi does" Hibi looked up in confusion. "Seems to me like these people mean business and they intend to flip over houses until that guy is found".

"So why does Hibi have to go?" I asked. Irina gave me a look that told me she didn't want to answer me but lucky for me Astrid did.

"Hibiscus here is wanted all across hearts, she usually sneaks in and out of it super easy and it drives the queen bonkers" She snickered "If they catch sight of her they're sure to drag her back to Hearts, kicking and screaming"

Hibi blew a stray hair out of her face "I hate being an outlaw".

"No you don't" Irina called out as she started advancing upstairs.

"No I don't" Hibi smirked.

"Okay guys, we have a few hours to get a car and weapons ready" Irina started calling out orders which everyone seemed to obey no question "Rico check if the black ones good to go-

"Tinted windows?" He asked. She nodded.

"Back and front" She looked at Astrid and Hibi "You guys set up weapons and snacks, we don't know how long we're going to be gone" Her eyes caught mine "You're coming with me".

"What are we heading North?" Astrid inquired, Irina nodded.

"We can't" Hibi piped up "I heard Adaora's up there sorting out some criminals" She looked at Irina "We're gonna have to go to central" Everyone's eyes widened.

"Central?!" Astrid repeated. Hibi nodded.

"Adaora probably took half her cheerleaders with her-

"That doesn't mean half the trouble!" Rico stated, "Central's the most guarded place in Spades!" Hibi nodded.

"Exactly which means they're probably not going to send heart guards there. We'll have to be extra careful but we're safer there than we are anywhere else" Everyone sat with their thoughts for a second before Irina sighed.

"She's right"

"We know she is" Astrid groaned.

"So that's a plan guys, next destination is Central!" Everyone started going to do their assigned role "Lets work fast, we need to get Hibi's butt out of East before midnight!".