Chapter 24: Mission Canada, Part 3

"Sir Shingo is behind this mission." I sit back in my chair, keeping my temper in check. "I assume his child has disappeared...or maybe his wife?" I hold an open palm to the ceiling.

I notice Aamina fidgeting with her shirt's sleeve, stealing glances between the table and me. A knock on the door makes the three of us jump from our seats.

"Look, we have to go. Don't worry about me, I am safe."

"Reach out to us if you need help! We can't provide..." I hit the off button before Satoru can finish his statement.

I walk into the kitchen, grab my knife, and gesture for the sisters to stay where they are. It is going on two in the morning…nobody should be knocking on a residence this early.

"Léonce, what brings you here this earlier in the morning?"

"Ah, Madam Santa-Clara. I was not expecting you to answer. If I may please come in…"

"I don't think that is a good idea. I am heading off to bed in a few minutes."

His dark-brown eyes scan my face and shoulders before meeting my purple eyes. A half grin reveals teeth, stained from acidic foods. I mimic his facial expressions before continuing our conversation.

"Are you here to pick up a report? Or are you checking out my injuries?"

"Neither. Tell Businge and Aamina to get their things and meet me outside."

With that, Léonce turns around, shoves his hands into his pockets, and walks downstairs. When the door leading outside clicks shut, I scan the hallway to make sure it is clear. I turn back to my company.

"Who was there?"

"Léonce. He claims to be taking you both back to campus."

Silence.

"Aamina and Businge, this information will stay between us: I don't trust Léonce in the slightest."

I sit back down and rub the dry blood on my right wrist.

"Why don't you trust him?" Aamina asks, her eyes moving between the table and my face.

I lick the back of my teeth and fold my arms across my chest. I start laughing.

Aamina starts fidgeting with her sleeve again and bites her lower lip. She slams her fists onto her lap before talking.

"I think it would be best if you came to our campus! This way, you will be able to find whatever information it is you are looking for. Now tell us why you distrust Léonce?"

I stop laughing and lean back in my chair, looking my counterparts in the face.

"Simple, we met before under different circumstances. Where was he during…"

Buzz, buzz.

"Oh, come on! Paula just texted us that we are returning to campus." Aamina's voice whines out. Businge laughs under her breath.

I hold up a finger and disappear into the bedroom. The sisters move from the table and stand under the door jam.

"What are you looking for, Blaze?", Businge asks, "and to your question, Léonce was in Japan during the New Year."

I smile to myself as I put my backpack over my left shoulder.

Roughly an Hour Later

"Hey, sleeping beauties, we are here."

Businge nudges Aamina and me gently. Both of us used the other for support during the ride to campus. I take my seatbelt off while supporting Aamina's neck, and gesture for Businge to help carry her inside.

The main corridor feels inviting: a long hallway lit by candles, echoes of footsteps bounce off into the darkness, and a slight chill rolls over my spine.

"This way." Businge points to the left when we reach the midway point of the hallway. We walk a few steps down another hallway and stop. She opens the door and releases Aamina onto the bed.

After leaving Aamina's room, Businge takes us up a flight of stairs, and into another room. This one is empty, save for a basic dorm-style mattress and an empty wardrobe.

"I will see you in the morning. The bathrooms are down the hallway and to the right. Get some sleep."

"You, too. Thank you for tonight, Businge."

I catch the corners of Businge's face and reach for the sky as she closes the door behind her.

Once seated on the bed, I take out my phone and see there are no new messages. Time to shower and wash the stench from today's fight.

Thursday, June 13th, 2007

"Bonjour Aamina, it is unlike you to be up this early."

"Salut, Paula. Do you have a minute so we can chat?"

Before Paula can protest, Aamina grabs her instructor's arm and leads them into a classroom. She closes the door behind them. After releasing her grip, Aamina starts pacing back and forth while checking her phone.

"Dang, it Businge! Hurry up and get here."

"What is going on? Is this regarding your mission?"

"Please give me a minute…"

Knock, knock. Creek.

"Sorry Aamina, I just woke up when you texted me. What have you all discussed?"

"Nothing."

Having worked with Aamina and Businge for two years, Paula has learned to give them space before continuing a conversation. She sits down and clears her throat.

"We appreciate your patience, Paula. Umm…" Aamina starts fidgeting with her fingers and biting her bottom lip before continuing, "we feel Blaise should stay on our campus until the mission is over. And beyond…if possible."

Businge covers half her face with her hand and takes over the conversation.

"There are several reasons we feel this way. First, we ran into the individual who hired us for the mission. The person and Blaze have met under different circumstances. Second, there is more to this mission than what has been discussed between us and Jujutsu Technical College. I can't put my finger on it but, information is missing from one of the involved parties. And thirdly, this missing information could backfire down the road. The last thing I want is for my co-worker to get the brunt end of the backfire." Businge's nails dig into her palms as she finishes her thought.

Paula looks at her watch, gets up, and heads for the door. "I am already getting an earful from Madam Lark. If I can get a meeting with her, I will see what I can do regarding Blaise."

Once the door closes behind Paula, Businge and Aamina start talking again.

"You did not tell her about Léonce, why not?"

"Aamina, it is not our place to discuss how Blaise feels about Léonce. Come now, breakfast is starting."

...

I finish the last bit of coffee when my phone lights up.

"Is that the annoying white-haired boy we met last night?"

Businge makes a cutting gesture across her throat as a middle-aged woman comes into view.

….

"Please take a seat. May I offer the three of you a beverage?"

"No, Madam. Blaze! Sit down." Businge hisses at me. I am in my element, taking in the office surroundings.

"Je suis desole." I sit down without protest. Paula gives me a sheepish grin.

"Very well. Paula has informed me you are teamed up with Businge and Aamina on a mission. Is this correct?"

"Yes, Madam."

"And why are you on campus? We were under the impression Jujutsu Technical College would cover your housing during the joint mission."

I look around the room and open my mouth halfway.

"Uhm, you are correct. Jujutsu Technical College put me in an apartment. I am on campus because…"

"We wanted to show her around and get everyone on the same page in terms of the mission."

Aamina and I both look at Businge. A fire grows inside her stomach as she maintains eye contact with the headmistress.

"Since the three of us are working together, we felt it was appropriate to debrief on campus. Not to mention we crashed at Blaise's place and wanted to repay the favor."

I open my mouth to say something but, Businge holds up a hand.

The next thing I know, I am being dragged out the door and towards the dining hall. Once out of earshot, Businge lets me go. She points in the direction of my room.

After her Italian class, Businge and I head for lunch. We have not talked with each other since breakfast and her continuously looking over her shoulders raises red flags. Before we make it out of the classroom, her heart rate spikes up, and her pupils dilate. She holds her breath for thirty seconds and hurries us along.

"What have you seen?"

"Huh?" I blink twice before coming to my senses.

"Don't play dumb with me. What have you seen?"

"Seen of what? Canada? The campus? Jujutsu Technical College? I would appreciate…"

"Never mind, forget I asked."

A half-growl, half-sigh escapes my lips as I jerk my hand from Businge's.

We stop short of the dining hall and veer off course once Businge finishes her double-take. Once inside my dorm room, Businge dives into an all-out rant.

"You are in danger, and I want to know why. Don't give me a generic response of sorcery is a dangerous profession where people disappear…that is not my point. It seems your school does not give two cents about your well-being, they suck at communicating during missions, and you should be attending school here! Stop trying to talk and let me finish."

Her voice grows quiet as two pairs of feet approach the door. And I swear, her green hair went from a forest shade to a seafoam shade in a matter of seconds.

"We know you are inside, Businge, Blaze. Open the door for us."

My hand will not stop shaking as I reach for the nob. The cold metal feels warm inside my palm and the hair on my neck stands erect.

"Good afternoon Léonce, Paula. How may we assist you?"

"Madam Lark would like to speak with us. Come along."

I hear the faintest cuss word escape Businge's lips.

Madam Lark's Office

Aamina's eyes light up when she sees Businge, and I walk inside the room. Businge sits in an empty seat without acknowledging her sister. I give Aamina a silent wave and sit next to her. Léonce makes himself comfortable in the seat across the table from me with his skull tattoo pointing in my direction.

"Thank you all for gathering here on short notice," Madam Lark starts, "I would like a run-down on what happened last night and why the two of you brought Lithuila to campus." She gestures to Aamina and Businge.

"Permission to speak, Madam Lark?" I say this in a tone that is nearly inaudible to me. I catch Businge's eyebrows raise to the sky, and I flash her a toothless smile. Her brows relax and her shoulders drop.

"Go right ahead."

"Businge, Aamina, and I came face to face with the person who hired us for this job. I was out in the woods taking an evening walk when I heard a disturbance. The situation felt dangerous, and I called on your students for backup. " I look out the corner of my right eye and see Aamina's head bobbing up and down. Businge is making direct eye contact with me, clinging to my every word.

"And you are telling me the employer was inside the barrier?"

"Yes."

"Continue, Miss Santa-Clara. What else happened last night?"

"The employer talked with us when a curse attacked. We protected the employer before going our separate ways."

"And what information have you disclosed with Jujutsu Technical College?"

I do not answer Miss Lark right away. Her arms are no longer folder across her chest but, she maintains direct eye contact with me.

"Madam Lark, Blaise has shared the same information with her superiors as I have shared with you."

Madam Lark sits down, adjusts her glasses, and sighs. She waves for someone to enter the meeting room. At the same time, Léonce excuses himself from the meeting.