Title: Ambition's Price
Word Count: 249
Rating: G
Summary: The Mystery Cat makes a request, and recognizes, perhaps for the first time, the true cost of his endeavors.

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Two pairs of eyes watched as the queen stormed away; both cats knew that she would not willingly return to this place. She had been pushed too far, and now she was lost to them. To him.

The other watcher was a new agent; he knew that sending her on an extended mission so early in her career was risky. He might lose her, too. But the other queen, his golden Demeter, did not know this one, and that was what counted. She could have a fresh start, worm her way into the other queen's heart, the heart that was closed to him.

"You know what to do," he said quietly, the only indication of the emotions swirling inside him.

"Yes."

"If nothing else, Bombalurina, watch over her." He did not need to add that he was asking her to be both guardian and spy. This one was clever, and he found himself already oddly remorseful at her loss.

"It's a promise, Macavity," she said, grinning that seductive grin. And then, with one last teasing curl of her tail, she was gone, too.

He sat alone for a long time after that, deep in consideration. He had lost the object of his obsessions, and sent away another brilliantly shining queen immediately after.

Yes, for all his conniving and planning, he was a fool.

Macavity stood and shook himself to clear his head. Such thoughts were for the weak. He had no need of love, of companionship. He had ambition.