The morning key cleaning of the keys went in silence. Then it was over, the girl handed him the 9th, last but one million and left. When the evening came, she appeared before him. Kyon did his "painstaking" job with pleasure. He found it amusing to see her eyes searching for "truth" in his, where not so long ago, she was looking for l.u.s.t. She was treating him differently now, but it did not change her taciturn nature.

Kyon wanted to occupy even more place in her thoughts, make her depend on him even more. Should he invite her somewhere? Was there any mutually beneficial cooperation? There was nothing he could do today: the hunt for the thieves guild was about to start in a few hours...

Then as if struck with sudden insight, Kyon gave a slap to his forehead. It's true what they say: "The best place to hide something is in plain sight." The little thief could be... A thief! Or even the head of the thieves guild. She was highly unlikely to descend to the common thief, her pride and arrogance would never allow it. This pretty obvious thought had just come to mind to one of the most favourite Synergy's pets...

It was going to hit the fan.

Everything was ready to capture the guild. The department would never back off. How could he persuade the girl to cancel the monthly meeting? It was no less than an important fifth anniversary. The only option was to tell her about the ambush. However, the little thief was too smart and cautious. She would require proof... The low-ranking investigators that work for her in the department knew nothing about the operation. Only a narrow circle of people was in the know, which means that she wouldn't believe him or she would find out about his position as a high-ranking investigator. What would happen next? Would she trust him? Hardly, given her suspicious nature. All their agreements and existing relations would come to an end. If she ever survived ...

«Do you have any plans for the evening?»

«I do if you want to ask me out.» – She answered quietly, waiting for his reaction with poorly disguised interest.

«Would you agree to a cup of tea with me for a hundred thousand, say, in a couple of hours?»

She looked at him with surprise. – «Maybe. Do you want to buy my time for a hundred thousand spheres?»

«I take no smiles today. Come tomorrow.» – The girl jokingly said and turned away. She was lying on the bed, letting him ma.s.sage the area near the key of light (her heart). His touch was gentle and accurate. She felt a bit sleepy. How did he do this? His touch used to disgust her, now it felt so nice.

«Why do you think I can steal?»

«Well… You skillfully took off my ring in the library. Not every professional s.n.a.t.c.h thief is capable of this.»

«You were as slow as a snail. Anyone in my phase can do it. By the way, I didn't rob you. It was payment for your protection.»

«He gave me the medicine himself, convinced that I would return the favor. He can blame himself. Why do you want to become a thief, anyway? Didn't you tell me that you can make more money than me and my guild altogether? Go, earn your bread.» – She snapped at the end.

Kyon said nothing. Her words sounded convincing, but it wasn't enough. It was still too risky. If she really was Lanai, Lovr would never forgive himself if they caught her. He wanted to one hundred percent sure.

Meanwhile, the minute allotted for the key cleaning had come to an end.

The little thief got out of bed, stretched herself, slightly arching her slender body, and went to the door.

Her key of light was 99% pure. There was only the key of water left. However, it was quite pure from birth. It would be great if he could clean it in one go.

Kyon hastily thought of an idea and shouted as she was leaving the room:

«Lanai.»

The girl slowly turned around and gave him an icy look. – «Why did you call me so?»

«You are the head of the thieves guild, aren't you?»

«You are mistaken.»

Before Kyon only opened his mouth to object, the girl interrupted him:

«Not a word more. I don't want to hear anything about them. Never mention my compet.i.tors again.» – She said and slammed the door loudly behind herself.

At some point, the sound transmitter rang. Finally, news from Byron!

They talked for about a minute. Byron happened to have had a private conversation with his uncle. A keg of beer and snacks, helped Byron to fish out the frequency of Hans's sound transmitter!

Kyon finished the conversation and called Hans at once.

«Who is it?» – He heard the second brother's hoa.r.s.e voice.

«Pa.s.sword.» – Kyon said in Sauron's voice. Once, he received just as unexpected call and had to give a pa.s.sword.

«The eldest!..» – Hans's voice trembled. – «Pa.s.sword… Just a moment. I can't remember it…» – *paper rustling* – «They who deceive once will deceive many times. They who dare to betray will never stop betraying.» – The robber recited without understanding what he was saying.

«Why are you calling from a different frequency, the eldest brother?» – The second brother asked suspiciously.

«To stay under the radar. A little bird told me that you had been talking with your uncle. You know the rules. If it ever happens again, I will have to punish you.»

As Sauron said, any communication with the outside world during the "business trip" was prohibited. Hans would really get it from Sauron if he found out.

The inveterate bandit was surprised and even frightened by Sauron's cunning ways. Henceforth, he would blindly trust him and obey all his rules. – «My bad! Forgive me, the eldest brother… It won't happen again!» – The robber's suspicion had disappeared, fear had replaced it.

This short call gave Kyon the necessary pa.s.sword to capture the first brother, aka Sauron. Kyon had been planning to get it by torture, but when he learned that the 2nd brother was Byron's brother, he decided to take the long way, or the big guy would never get his revenge. The most dangerous criminals (like the other five brothers of Sauron) were kept on the lower level of the department, and even Kyon, the investigator of the 3rd rank, couldn't save anyone from there.

«I talked with your uncle and found a new member for our gang. He is rather weak but fiercely loyal. His name is Byron, he is your younger brother. You will welcome him properly.»

«The eldest…» – Hans found himself at a loss for words.

«He will be there today or tomorrow. Good hunting!» – Next, he called Byron and told him the plan of action that included infiltrating into the gang, the long-awaited revenge, and wonderful survival.

Byron was shaking with antic.i.p.ation. He thanked his friend a thousand times for his help and promised to do everything in the best possible way. – «I'm ready to leave right now! I'll be waiting for your signal!»

«Good luck, Byron.»

«Thank you, brother.» – Byron thanked Kyon from all his heart.

Kyon did his best to minimize the odds of Byron's failure. Byron could take it up from there. Tomorrow would be a big day. Of course, Lovr couldn't care less if Byron would get his revenge. He was after his personal gain, namely, the chance to fill the nucleus with light. Nothing had changed in their relations.h.i.+p since he had left the mine. Kyon's att.i.tude had never changed.