Baker Thief

by Claudie Arseneault

  They stood still in the rattling elevator, and the cabin shook as it crawled into the bowels of the Centre. With every passing second, a new knot appeared in Adèle’s stomach. What would they find down there? Claire had spoken of a factory, and Adèle tried not to imagine the precise form this could take. She might lose her focus.

  “For the record, there was no other way down.” Zita’s voice almost didn’t cover the elevator’s racket. “This isn’t truly under the Centre de Recherche. We just passed through portal magic.”

  Koyani hissed and clenched her teeth. “Any… requirements to this portal? Do you know the distance it travels and how many can go through?”

  Requirements? Adèle glanced at her capitaine, surprised by the precise questions. She must understand the basics of this magic, or she wouldn’t have known what to ask. Zita’s eyes also widened—she must not have expected it either.

  “Not that I can tell.”

  “And the landing is safe? We won’t find an entire squad waiting to shoot us at the bottom?”

  Zita froze, horror painted across her face, and she stammered her answer. “Didn’t find anyone when I first came.”

  “Stay back.” Koyani gestured for her to stand away from the door.

  They fell silent once more until the elevator slowed down. Koyani cleared her throat. “For the record, I expect the whole story once your informant is safe. All of it.”

  Zita shot Adèle an alarmed look, but she ignored it. She’d known this would happen. Her short time working near Koyani had taught her the capitaine was both perceptive and decisive. Adèle feared her reaction to Claire, or to her disappearance if she vanished. No matter what she did today, she’d betray someone’s trust. And while Adèle didn’t understand how or why she’d earned Claire’s, it seemed as precious and fragile as Basir’s crystal walls, and shattering it would amount to a heinous crime.

  The grate slid open in a cacophony of rusted metal. Adèle and Koyani raised their firearms, ready for resistance.

  Deadly silence followed the ear-piercing shrieks of the door’s opening. Nothing moved. Nothing breathed, even. The stringent aseptic smell reminded Adèle of Emmanuelle, but what little warmth the thought brought was killed by the lifeless light cast by ceiling lamps. Her sister didn’t belong in a place like this. Adèle scanned the rows of science benches for a sign of ambush, but, if guards were waiting there, they were hiding well.

  “All right!” Zita exclaimed, making both officers with her flinch. “Let’s get searching!”

  She strode forward, all careless enthusiasm. Adèle’s heart climbed into her throat, and her ears rang from the gunshot sure to follow. In the stunned and expectant moment Adèle wasted, Koyani grabbed Zita’s shoulder and pulled her back.

  “What are you doing?” she hissed. “Listen here, Spanking Paddlefish—”

  “Spying,” Zita muttered, just loud enough to interrupt.

  “Whatever.” Koyani snorted, but her scowl hid the flicker of a smile. “Until I declare this area safe, you’re to stay behind me at all times. I don’t want a shot civilian on this mission because you’re a reckless enthusiast. Keep yourself together or you’ll be dead before we save your friend. Is that clear?”

  Instead of answering, Zita turned to Adèle. It earned them both a glare from Koyani.

  “She’s in charge, not me,” Adèle said. “And she’s right. Let us do our jobs.”

  With Zita’s reluctant agreement acquired, Adèle and Koyani stepped out of the elevator to properly explore these hidden laboratories. A beginner’s nervousness crawled through Adèle. She’d never teamed up with her capitaine before, and despite years of experience, she felt as though she’d landed back on square one: the rookie needing to impress her boss. Adèle had run into so many complications since starting with Koyani’s unit, this would be a chance to prove she could perform without problems, too. At least until they found Claire. Then the troubles would begin anew.

  They swept through the first room without a hitch, clearing one row of workbenches after another. Despite her excessive self-consciousness, Adèle coordinated her movements with Koyani with practised ease. Whenever one advanced, the other covered her back, and they continued to alternate until every corner had been explored, and every side office cleared. Zita had stayed behind, rocking on her heels, until Koyani motioned her forward. Only two doors remained, each branching into a different direction.

  “Take one,” Koyani ordered Adèle. “Be careful. Do not engage without me if you can. I’ll cover the rest with Squiggly Paddlefish.”

  “It’s Sp—”

  “Forget it, I’ll never call you that.” Koyani didn’t hide her smirk this time, and Zita’s eyebrows arched, as if she had just been challenged to a contest of wills. “Stay close. If you can’t contribute, I need you to stay out of my way.”

  “I can be of use! I’m a Seeker.” Zita straightened, and for a moment she seemed taller than her actual height. “I track down people.”

  “Can you sense her?” Adèle regretted the question as soon as Zita’s smile fell off. She’d have said so already, if she could. Now the three of them were left to consider possible explanations for Claire’s vanished signature, death foremost amongst them.

  “I still think she’s okay,” Zita said in a subdued voice, “but I don’t know for how long. We should hurry.”

  Adèle nodded, turned, and stalked to the other set of doors. Behind her, Zita started to explain Seeking, only to be hushed by Koyani. Then they passed the doors in silence, and Adèle stayed alone with her increasing sense of dread and unfaltering determination. She couldn’t fail. Claire had saved her life along with so many exocores. She had cracked Montrant Industries’ secret on her own, and now she needed help to get through it alive. Adèle refused to let her down.

  * * *

  Investigating the secret labs quickly became a horror trek. Adèle strode down an aisle of tanks with growing nausea, her gaze resting on each frail body contained within in turn. She forced herself to stare at them, to examine the withered muscles and hollowed cheeks, to take good note of the sick and paler tones of their skin. They looked dead. Perhaps some already were, their life force drained through the tubes sticking out of their bodies. Somewhere, in another room, that magic became exocores. Adèle’s mind reeled at the idea, and in the otherwise silent room her wheezy breath sounded like a death rattle to her. The edge of her vision darkened as her consciousness tried to slip away, shock and lack of proper oxygen pulling at it.

  She crouched, shaking her head clear. Between the asthma and the fever, she was struggling to keep steady, and this entire expedition without help was turning into a mistake. No time for regrets now, however: Montrant Industries’ goons could walk in at any moment. Once both Claire and the area were secure, they could figure out how to save those encased in glass and still within their reach.

  Adèle pushed on, leaving the tanks’ zone with relief. She paced down the corridor and past strange rooms with unknown purpose—no doubt Em would have a guess. One had two set of doors with only a small space between, while cold air slipped from another. She ignored them in favour of the third, from which white light spilled into the corridor. Revolver at the ready, Adèle pushed the door open and stepped in. Her heart dropped as she took in the room.

  A large desk leaned against the wall on the right, filled with notes and textbooks, an exocore-powered lamp hanging above it. Further down the room, closer to the left wall, stood what could only be described as a test station. The white light came from a single prototype tank, and through its scratched glass Adèle immediately spotted Claire’s characteristic purple hair, flattened over her head. Lifeless and heavy. Her gaze followed the tubes jutting from Claire’s arms to the top of the tank, then out of it. She trailed them to a small console in front of the apparatus with levers and switches.

  Adèle sprinted to it and stared at the machine.

  One of these switches could save Claire. So many tubes stuck out from her wri
sts, and terrible images of witches and exocores spun around Adèle’s mind. The distant disgust she’d always associated with transforming humans into physical energy coalesced into a solid horror, which lodged itself in her stomach and blocked her throat. Claire had grown pale, clammy, and a grimace twisted her mouth. Anger and fear built inside Adèle as she watched Claire hang limp, held to the tank through mechanical braces. Exhaustion lengthened her traits. Even her mask seemed half undone and tired—or perhaps that was Adèle’s fever returning. It didn’t matter. She wanted her brazen and cheeky thief back.

  Adèle hesitated between levers, bent over the console, her hand flitting from one to the other. Which one stopped this machine? Would Claire be all right? She had to save her, but what if she hit the wrong button? Could it kill her instead? Sweat trickled down her forehead, a slow crawl across her skin marking every second wasted.

  Adèle stepped back, gritting her teeth. Her gaze fell upon a power cable, running out of the control panel. Blood beating against her temples, half-convinced she’d make a huge mistake, she crouched and ripped it out in one strong yank—no time for doubts or regrets. The lights inside the tank turned off, the metal clasps released Claire’s wrists and ankles, and the glass hissed as it unsealed. Claire slid from the tank, waking up with a surprised gasp, and Adèle straightened. Their gazes met, and she waved the torn cable with a slight smile.

  Claire touched her mask, and relief rippled through her body once she was reassured it had held. When she took a tentative step forward, however, her strength faltered and she grabbed an open clasp to keep steady. Adèle rushed to her, one firm hand stopping further movement, before wrapping her other arm around Claire’s waist to support her.

  “Slow down,” Adèle said. She reached for the needle still stuck in Claire’s arm, pinched it, and slowly pulled it out. Claire tensed against her, making Adèle acutely aware of their proximity. She was warm and soft, and Adèle didn’t withdraw after unplugging Claire. “There.”

  “You… you came for me.” Claire was shaking, in voice and body. Adèle longed to squeeze her or run a hand through her hair and promise everything would be fine. Her cheeks flushed and she tilted Claire’s chin up, towards her. She was alive, and safe, and beautiful. A dizziness washed over Adèle, her vision blurring at the edge as she forgot to take a few too-precious breaths. She wanted to hold Claire tight, to wrap herself around her, breathe in the warm sweet scent and touch her lips, so close to her—too close for comfort. If she just bent forward a little…

  Adèle withdrew with an awkward cough, forcing her mind back to practical matters. Koyani was searching the labs nearby, and sooner or later, she’d be upon them. Adèle tried to ignore the disappointment that’d flashed through Claire’s expression, or how she panted, clearly out of breath too.

  “I might have to arrest you,” Adèle said, hoping to break the charm. She knew the way her heart was hammering now, the flutters of “say the perfect thing and please please let her be as nervous as I am,” the growing desire to build something magnificent and everlasting.

  “Is that how you call it now?” Claire asked. “Or is the charge ‘seducing an officier de la loi’?”

  Claire’s mischievous grin lay a honeyed trap, and Adèle wanted nothing more than throw herself in it. Exercise some control, she scolded herself. They could figure this out later. “Claire, this is not the time. Others have come. If—”

  Two fingers on her lips stopped her. “I know there are layers of complicated here. Heavy prohibitions and problems looming ahead—some you can’t even see. I get it.” The depth and seriousness of her tone stunned Adèle, but Claire’s smile quickly reclaimed its rightful place. “But… if that is your desire, Madame l’Officier, you should kiss me before they crush us.” She moved closer, impossible to ignore and impossible to resist. “Kiss me.”

  Claire waited, giving Adèle full control. She trusts you. Zita’s words echoed in her mind. Her head spun, and the world zeroed in on the chubby woman in her arms, this thief she’d pursued relentlessly yet had somehow grown to trust and love, too. The last few days had been a blur, but Adèle’s unexpected fondness was crystal clear, even through the fever. Claire held on to her, still weak from the tank, her eyes shining behind her mask.

  Layers of complicated. Some in clothes, others inscribed in the law. When had that stopped either of them?

  Adèle closed the gap, her lips meeting Claire’s thin mouth, her hands pulling the soft body closer. Claire leaned into her, clutching Adèle for strength, fingers digging into her arms with unnerving desperation. How long had Claire desired her? Since Adèle had first pointed a revolver at her, standing in her doorway with nothing but a nightgown and her anger? Instant attraction baffled her, but thinking of Claire right now sped her heart rate. She pushed Claire against the tank, drawing a muffled cry out of her, and Adèle savoured the sound as much as she did the taste of Claire’s lips. She grew more insistent, until a sharp cough behind her smothered her desire.

  “Let me guess: this informant’s code name is Ultimate Kisser.” Koyani spoke in a controlled tone, leaving nothing of her thoughts filter through. “Or perhaps Exocore Thief would be better suited?”

  Adèle froze. Pain constricted her chest. The sudden switch from dizzying elation to dismayed fear sent her reeling, too stunned to react. Claire pulled back an inch, her smile full of mischief, and she giggled. Giggled. Adèle’s heart swelled at the sound, and she found herself grinning.

  “Looks like one layer of complicated has arrived,” Claire whispered.

  “That’s Capitaine Koyani.” Adèle straightened and placed herself between Claire and her superior. The capitaine was leaning against the doorframe, her arms crossed, clearly unimpressed. Adèle knew she should explain—say something, try to defend herself—but how? This kiss was exactly what it seemed, and pretending otherwise would insult Koyani’s intelligence.

  “You know your orders, Officier Duclos. Respect them.” Koyani snatched a pair of handcuffs from her belt and slung them across the room, to Adèle. “She is still a thief.”

  “No!” Adèle cried out. “Capitaine, this is where they make exocores out of people.” Whatever qualms Adèle had about defending herself and her kiss had vanished. “All the tanks and tubes here, that’s how they make them. She’s been stealing conscious people, trapped and used against their will.”

  “One could argue that makes it kidnapping,” Koyani said, and for a moment Adèle thought she’d detected amusement in her tone. Had the hint of a smile danced on her capitaine’s lips, or was she imagining what she desperately wanted to see? Whichever the case, Koyani had no intention of letting Claire go. “We’ll sort this out at the station. Between Mx. Kouna and her, I’m sure we can figure out our next step and what… deals can be struck.”

  Claire’s hand on her forearm stopped Adèle from protesting further. “Argue all you want. What matters to me is that they’re safe from Montrant Industries’ greed. Some laws have to be broken.” She picked up the handcuffs and offered them to Adèle, meeting her gaze. “Looks like you finally got me. Will you do the honours?”

  Adèle didn’t want to take those handcuffs, and she didn’t understand why Claire encouraged her to. How could she remain so calm at going from plugged into a tank to being arrested? Did she trust her enough to think she’d be protected at the station? Adèle hoped that trust wouldn’t be misplaced. She wouldn’t leave Claire if she could help it, but it most likely wouldn’t be her choice. Wouldn’t it be wiser to escape now? Faced with Claire’s steadfast nods, however, Adèle slowly cuffed Claire’s hands.

  “Why?” she whispered.

  Claire shrugged, and smiled again. “We should leave, no? I don’t have it in me to fight.”

  “All right.” Adèle kept a hand on Claire, leading her out of the room and subtly supporting her. Something about Claire’s cool bothered Adèle. It was forced, hiding a plan or some thoughts she couldn’t guess at.

  “You’ll have to take off t
he mask, too,” Koyani pointed out. “That particular game is over, I’m afraid.”

  Claire tensed against Adèle, yet she flicked her hair back with a wide smile, forcing the casual cheerfulness she so often projected. “May I keep it until we reach the station? I would be grateful if I could avoid immediate public identification. The mask exists for a reason. Who knows what Montrant will do once it knows me?”

  “Favour granted.”

  It had taken a whole second for Koyani to decide, but in that brief moment, Adèle’s mind had flooded with questions about who hid under that mask. Part of her was dying to see, as if a full face would explain Claire’s familiarity—her shrugs, her quick laugh… even her smell. This girl scratched at her memories, both a mystery and a comforting presence, and her investigator inclination pushed her to try to fit the pieces of the puzzle together. Yet she feared finding the answer by herself: she would rather have Claire tell her. Zita claimed that she trusted Adèle, but she obviously needed time to determine how far that trust extended. Adèle could wait—forcing the issue would be breaking that faith—and relief washed away her hint of disappointment at Koyani’s decision.

  “Thanks,” Claire chirped, and a wide grin spread across her face. Adèle suspected her attitude was another mask, maintained for Koyani’s sake. “So I’ll be sharing a cell with my number one fan?” she asked. “It’ll be nice to meet the one who put my name on the map.”

  “I don’t know that I want the two of you in the same room,” Koyani replied. “Unless you both plan to cooperate and tell us what you’ve learned. Mx. Kouna has not been amenable in that regard.”

  A slight frown marred Claire’s carefully pleasant expression. “How long have you been battering the poor journalist?”

  “A few hours,” Adèle answered. “It’s well into the afternoon now.”

  “So they… haven’t been at their office today.”