Chapter 24: Partner in Crime

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It was early in the morning by the time I got back to the village

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It was early in the morning by the time I got back to the village. The sun was only starting to break over the horizon showering the land in quaint amounts of light. All the windows that lined the houses were still shut and barricaded by wooden shutters. It was so early that the baker wasn't awake preparing the morning's loaves and not even the rooster that someone thought was a good idea to get was preparing himself to sound the new morning alarm. 

The village was dead silent which only made me more anxious to bring Dante in knowing that the sound of his hooves hitting the cobbled streets would echo louder than ever. Last night when I left I at least had drunk people to help muffle the sounds of us leaving but now I have nothing. 

Together, we walk at a snail's pace, it doesn't exactly stop his hooves from making a noise but it definitely helps, and eventually, I manage to lead him back to his stall in the stables where I tied him back up. 

I give him an apple before I grab my satchel which contains the book and start my next journey back to Gaston's house so that I could put the book on the shelf where it belonged. I know that I can and probably should wait until I go see him later on for training to return it but I don't want to risk being caught and from what I've noticed Gaston is a bit of a heavy sleeper so I'm sure I'll be fine.

I use the old hunting technique and walk on the balls of my feet. Heel toe, heel toe, heel toe to Gaston's old and slightly broken house that thankfully shows signs that he is still fast asleep. I scope the house for a few minutes trying to find the best way to get in without making too much noise. Luckily for me, I notice that one of his windows on the lower floor was left slightly ajar. 

Slowly, I push it to the halfway mark and using all of my upper body strength I maneuver my body up and through the window. Once inside I land gracefully on my feet, closing the window behind me but not all the way. 

I can hear loud snores coming from up the stairs and I sigh with relief. As I suspected Gaston is fast asleep and there is little chance of him waving up anytime soon, as long as I stay extremely quiet. Not wanting to stay in the house any longer than I needed to I rushed over to the bookshelf and placed the book in the space left for it in the back so that when I eventually take it again he won't notice it is missing. 

As soon as it's settled in its temporary home I rush back to the window and open it up. Only this time the street wasn't empty. Much to my disappointment and surprise, Adrien was standing by the window, his arms crossed over his chest and a look of excitement etched on his face. 

"Damn it," I hiss under my breath as I climb out of the house and then move the window back into place.

"You know, louve, you are just full of surprises." 

"Adrien, this is not the place to-" 

"First I caught you stealing from Gaston and now you're breaking into his house," he laughs and shakes his head. 

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