Chapter 35 Dustin, interlude

(Dustin)

He waited quietly, focused on his breathing. The front door closed with a soft click, but still he waited, determined to feign sleep. This was a skill he devolved in his teens, as Taniya had a habit of creeping into his room to cause mischief. His lips twitched, but he forced down the instinctive smirk.

As for why he was sleeping on the couch and pretending to sleep was to bait Callie into something. After several more minutes of silence, he opened his eyes, blinking to clear his vision. He yawned and massaged his neck, wincing as he sat up. Dustin wasn't sure exactly what Callie might do, but he had been doing this little test for five days now.

It was Friday, and he was wondering if he was wasting his time with this little test. Every chance Dustin got, he would lower his guard and let her take his comm. He would even leave it unlocked, leaving all that sensitive information for the taking. It was obviously bait, and most times, Dustin actually was asleep in the morning.

But that didn't matter, as his comm was programmed to record all actions. Even if she took the bait, his comm wouldn't sound the alarm. It would simply record her every action quietly. Dustin groaned, stretching, turning his neck painfully.

After five days of sleeping on the couch, he was exhausted and sore, his body needing a massage desperately. He flushed as he contemplated asking Callie to give him a massage. He glanced at his crappy couch with a scowl. His comm buzzed for the second time, this time at five thirty pm like it did every day.

He answered."Any luck?" Asked an out of breath Taniya. "Nope, she keeps ignoring my comm."Dustin reply grumpily.

"I told you she wouldn't. I know your cranky Callie lied about her Fake ID but I think she is trustworthy."Taniya said.

"What are you doing?" Dustin asked curiously, ignoring the statement. "Trying to win five hundred crowns obviously."Taniya said, laughing.

"You are still trying? Isn't this the sixth day in a row you have lost?" Dustin asked. "Well, I want a new car. Something to replace my out-of-date Bileran."Taniya said excitedly.

"Then maybe you shouldn't have bet against Callie when she fought Delander two days ago."Dustin said. "Ya, Briane made three thousand crowns.... So, when are you taking Callie on that date?" Taniya asked, her voice oozing mischief.

"I'm taking you both out to that restaurant, not just Callie."Dustin stammered nervously.Taniya snorted, but didn't reply to his words. Dustin shifted nervously and changed the uncomfortable topic. "I'm surprised the officers allowed the soldiers to stop exercising to watch that duel?" Dustin asked.

"Are you kidding? The officers are encouraging people to challenge her after her duel with Delander. It's great practice, and it helps the soldiers relieve some stress by having fun."Taniya said.

Well, it made some sense, with a potential war on the horizon. Not to mention the call to muster. People's anxiety would be going through the roof. Dustin hoped he could reason with the Slax and calm things down, but he wasn't so sure he could. The Slax ambassador, Roger el Suasua, was a childhood friend, which gave him some hope of smoothing this over.

"Has anyone come close to defeating her?" Dustin asked, his mind wandering. "Well, Captain Delander was really close. But since she won that fight, no one has come so close to winning!.." Taniya said amusedly.

"Have you noticed anything suspicious about the way she fights?" Dustin asked for the fifth time in the last two days.

"Well, she is amazing at fighting, but I don't know what you're looking for? Maybe you are still upset at her for lying about her fake ID?" Taniya asked gently.

"Hmm."Dustin said, his mind drifting. He remembered that duel vividly. For some reason that he couldn't shake, watching her fight struck a cord. It had been bugging him since he watched her fight Delander. He wanted to trust Callie, but it was hard to shake the feeling.

"When are we leaving for Valia?" Taniya asked, changing the subject. "We are going to pick up the Etrian prime minister tomorrow. But the plan is to get on the battle cruiser today."Dustin said, digging through his counter for some breakfast.

"Have you told Callie yet?" Taniya asked, sounding winded.

"Nope, it's a surprise. Knowing her, she will find a way out of it if I tell her in advance. Waiting until the last minute is the only way I can think of to avoid her running away."Dustin said, cracking a smile.

"You are just the worst, you know that?" Taniya stated jokingly. Dustin chuckled, wondering what Callie would say?

"Well, she deserves it after all the times she forced me to ride in the car with her."Dustin said, with a smile.

Dustin knew Callie had a complicated history with the Etrians, but he knew she would like Valia. It was Dustins favorite city, with its spiraling skyscrapers, not to mention its park. He took a big bite of a sweet and crumbly biscuit, immediately feeling better. Callie would scoff at the breakfast, stating the nutrition biscuits were not proper food. That made Dustin smile. She was absolutely infuriating at times, but he couldn't help the fluttering in his chest at the thought of her.