“I doubt they would retain it in the official records. All of these appear to be business expenses.”
Jayce rummaged through the drawers while Molly examined each cabinet. After exhausting all possibilities, they proceeded to the subsequent office.
“Shawn Ploughs oversees numerous responsibilities, it appears.” Molly furrowed her brows while perusing the list. “Transactions, indicating the destination of the goods.” Molly bit her lip while sifting through the documents. She pondered whether their offices were perpetually disorganised due to a lack of concern for their information or an overabundance of confidence in the security personnel surrounding the building. Molly had only passed a few since her arrival here. They evidently did not anticipate a wolf to be situated directly in the midst of their nest.
Molly and Jayce devoted every moment to sifting through documents and texts but yielded no results. It was only upon arriving at the largest office that Molly discerned something was amiss.
All items were arranged appropriately, and the fire continued to blaze vigorously. Molly and Jayce exchanged glances and promptly shut the door. A voice resonated in the external corridor; they swiftly entered an untouched office and concealed themselves beneath the desk. She was unaware that she was grasping his hand until she sensed his grip on hers.
He placed his finger on his lips upon hearing the main door open. Two male voices resonated against the walls, prompting Jayce to glance around the wooden structure to observe them. Molly inhaled deeply and endeavoured to concentrate on their speech, yet it resembled mere silence.
Jayce observed her and signalled for her to remain motionless. Molly listened as they entered the office from which they had just exited, and she abruptly contemplated whether they had interacted with any objects or left the door ajar.
“Did they observe him?”
“They learnt he was a guest at Colton’s camp,” the man uttered with disdain. Colton has permitted his entire royal entourage to reside there.
“What is the duration of this occurrence?”
“I am uncertain, likely since his arrival in the north.” A silence ensued as Molly grasped his arm tightly. “I propose we infiltrate the camp and locate him ourselves.”
“Activate Colton? He is our leader; we cannot do that,” the other man stated. He appeared as astonished as Molly felt.
“We would not need to if he fulfilled his role as our leader. He believes we should not pursue those he instructed us to distrust; instead, he opts to shield them from us as though we are the adversary. I have also heard he has affections for the prince’s consort.”
Jayce tensed adjacent to her. Molly merely speculated about which villager had betrayed Colton. If they were aware of Molly’s existence, what additional knowledge did they possess?
“When ought we to take action?”
“Summon everyone back; we can strategise once all are present. We must act swiftly before he returns to his palace, rendering him inaccessible. Indeed, he may have already departed.”
“Affirmative, sir.”
Jayce released her hand and emerged from beneath the desk as soon as he heard the main doors shut at the end of the hallway. He crept across the floor and gradually opened the door to ascertain if anyone remained. He shut it and signalled for her to remain patient.
They remained silent for several additional minutes. In the absence of others, he gestured for her to approach.
Molly stealthily emerged from beneath the desk and approached him with utmost quietude. He grasped her hand firmly, and she sensed that they were both holding their breath as he opened the door to the diminutive office. The corridor was vacant; he surveyed the area before drawing her along with him. The larger office door was securely closed, likely with the man still inside. Their footsteps were swift as they rushed to the end of the corridor before he emerged from his office and apprehended them.
Upon exiting, they discerned additional voices approaching from around the corner directly towards them. Jayce dragged Molly down the corridor and ushered her into a dimly lit alcove.
“Did you hear that?” enquired one of the voices. Jayce pinned Molly against the wall and covered her mouth with his hand. She gazed at him with wide, fearful eyes as the footsteps approached. “I believed I observed something in this vicinity.”
Jayce withdrew his hand and elevated Molly, positioning her legs around his waist. He seized the nape of her neck and forcefully pressed his lips against hers. His kiss was exceedingly fervent and urgent, causing her to nearly neglect reciprocating. Molly embraced his neck and felt breathless as he unexpectedly inserted his hand beneath her jumper. His hand was frigid as she gasped against his lips.
“Oh, I believe—hey! Apologies for that!” someone stammered from behind them. Jayce feigned ignorance to his words as he intensified the kiss, yet Molly found it increasingly difficult to concentrate on anything other than the man observing them.
“What is it?” enquired another individual.
