I pick up my glowing amber pendant and fasten the clasp around my neck. The necklace Jared gave to me immediately makes me stronger and dulls the sickening nausea that rises from my stomach to my throat. It also draws some of the attention away from my faded pea-green chest. It becomes more faint every day. I pat the morphine travel pack underneath my arm; it creates a bump in my dress but at least I can actually go to the conference. Without it I'm about as useless as a blunt knife.

I reach down to the floor and lace my tie-up black wedges and smooth out my navy pencil dress. I'm almost ready for the decision with exception of my hair. I look smart and sophisticated; after all I am going to a press conference. The Leto press conference to be exact.

It's been 3 lonely days since I was revived; no Carlisle, no Ally, no Iron and even no Leto. The only person I've had company from is Jared but even that has been limited. He's been called back and forwards by the Rex and the Guard for trials of the 'murder' of the Leto. Every time he comes back angrier and angrier; it gets to the stage where I hide in the bathroom while he takes his rage out upon anything and everything. After a broken hand and a clear head, he finally realised that he can't calm his fury on the mirror; now he resorts to a punching bag.

'You look nice' Jared comments. I turn around to face him.

'Thank you' I reply politely. He nods and I avert my eyes. I shudder of my awkwardness and walk to the dressing table. I activate the control pad on the desk and the large purple helmet descends from the ceiling. I stick with the 'business' theme as I select my hairstyle. The machine begins to vibrate and massage my head.

'Lara?' Jared calls. I can see him in the mirror sitting on the lilac couch directly behind me.

'Yes?'

'What do you think they're going to announce today?' He asks nervously. I swallow and hesitate. It's the question that's been running through my mind for the last 3 days. There has been no word from either Carlisle or the Leto. I looked it up on the Leto news and even ordered the control pad to translate it to English yet I still found nothing. I received the details of the conference this morning from the control panel in my room. 'Leto conference ship, chamber 6'.

I lick my lips. "I don't know - would they have spent so long debating this if they were just kill us all off?" I puzzle out. That probably wasn't a helpful answer considering I replied with a question.

'I guess. If there wasn't sufficient evidence the Rex wouldn't have even considered discussing whether we formed an 'established' bond of love' Jared mimics.

"You sound like him."

Jared's eyes widen in alarm. 'Don't ever say that again' He growls.

'Just kidding' I hold my hands up in surrender. The machine beeps and the helmet is lifted from my head. I pat my hair in satisfaction and stare at it the mirror. My flawless braid loops around my head. I select the makeup I want and press down on the control pad. I shut my eyes and surrender myself to the machine's control.

'Lara if they decide we've completed the conditions, they are still going to be consequences for my killing of the Leto' Jared sighs.

'Not if you're innocent' I protest. The machine applies light pressure to my eyelids as I try and stay relaxed.

'They've already decided I'm guilty Lara and I don't know what my punishment will be this time' He says sadly.

'Look Jared that's not going to happen' I exclaim weakly. If Jared dies my fate will be inevitable. Despite our current status of 'friends' I will not be able to deal with the agony of the bond if he passes on. Jared doesn't respond. Knowing him, he's probably torturing himself with gruesome images.

The machine bleeps once again and my eyes snap open. My decorated eyes now fit in perfectly with the rest of my couture. With the glint in my eye I look dangerous.

'Control panel display the time' I order. The button flashes green and the purple wall in front of me is lit up with the blue digits of '10.55'. I sigh, we've got 5 minutes to get to the Leto conference which is apparently on a special ship. I roll my eyes; isn't it a little extravagant to create a whole ship...for talking?

'We should probably go' Jared heaves a sigh. He wrings his hands anxiously; this meeting must be even more daunting for him. I smile sadly and walk back to him. Hesitantly, I reach out my hand to clasp his. Slowly his fingers curl around mine.

'Lara what if they-'

'Hey' I croon. 'Nothing's going to happen but even if it does, either way we'll be free of them' His impossibly long eyelashes blink a few times as he stares beseechingly into my eyes.

'What do you mean?' Jared asks.

I inhale deeply. 'If we die, that's it. If we live, we've completed the conditions. We won't be pawns for the Leto to play with. Today is the beginning'

'Yes but the beginning of what? At the moment it's looking like the beginning of the end, for me at least' Jared shrugs.

'For me too' I swallow. 'Jared if you die, I will die too'

'Lara I don't want you to do that' He cries.

'It's not my choice Jared, the pain of the bond breaking will kill me. The same way as it would kill you if I died' I shrug. His nails dig into my palms as his face droops.

'I see' He utters. 'There's nothing that can stop it?'

'No'

'I guess I have a reason to fight then' He straightens up.

'Jared there's always a reason to fight. We've been fighting for the past 90 days, not just with the Leto but also with each other' I exclaim gripping tightly to his hand.

'Let's go' Jared says determinedly. He marches forward and tugs me over to the door. I stumble trying to find my feet in the high wedges. Jared activates the control pad and the door slides open. We skip out into the hall and his hand tows mine.

'Jared can you take me to Ally's room first?' I ask hopefully.

I haven't seen Ally since she fled my room. I've been to see her multiple times but every time she turns me away. She refuses to speak to anyone. Iron's been crouched outside the door for days; it reminds of how Jared did when I found out about his identity. Only Iron hasn't done anything wrong.

'Lara she won't see you' Jared says softly. 'I talked to Iron; he calls and calls to her but she won't come out'

'Wait you talked to Iron? He's blanked me every time I've seen him' I exclaim, a little hurt.

'He only spoke to me because he wanted to ask how I got you to forgive me' Jared shrugs leading me down the maze of corridors.

'But he hasn't done anything wrong?'

'I know that. He won't leave the door though. He said he didn't even care if she was a Dimidium or a human' Jared shakes his head in disgust.

'What? Iron hates the Leto' My brow furrows in confusion. This time last week, Iron and I were in the Leto simulator working as a lethal team to destroy the green holograms. I wish he could come to the meeting for moral support however it's Leto's only; Jared, Carlisle and I are the exceptions.

'Yes but he loves Al-Rena' Jared points out.

Iron doesn't mind about Ally being a Dimidium and she won't talk to him. I need to find out what's going on here. What is the past between Ally and Iron? Why does he call her Rena? There are so many questions blurring my mind, I squint to see through the jumbled mess.

'Lara, go after the conference' Jared suggests.

'What if it's too late then?' I bite my lip. My euphemism makes my fate seem slightly less intimidating. What I really mean is what if the Leto decides we haven't convinced them of our bond; that seems far more formidable.

'You'll have a few hours at least' Jared says logically. I nod my head in agreement. We fall into step with each other; our bound hands unite us together. We stride closer to our destination with every step. My breath hitches as we stop outside the tube room. The same 'Authorised personnel only' sign remains there. This is the second to last time I will ever leave the Leto palace. Next time I leave will either be for death or for my life; either way it's for my freedom.

Jared activates the control panel and we enter the tube room. The fluorescent tubes glow welcomingly as we both head towards the tubes. I release my grip on Jared's hand to peer at the scrawled address on my palm. I wrote it down just in case I should forget the location.

'Remember Leto conference ship' I turn to face Jared who stares straight in front. His mouth lies in a hard line before he smiles at me; it doesn't reach his eyes though.

'I'll see you on the other side' He replies dejectedly.

I face back to my tube and take a deep breath. I urge my legs forward and they shakily respond to my command. I step inside the tube and shut the door. The claustrophobic walls enclose me; there's only one way out now. I activate the control panel and articulate my destination. I shudder to myself and peek to my left to see Jared. He's no longer in the tube beside me; he's already gone. I close my eyes when the tube begins to flare up. I feel myself being taken as my body disappears from the flashing tube.

My eyes snap open as the bright blue flashes through my closed lids. My inside the tube, I can see the tinged outside. The tube I'm located in is at a tube station at the end of a long white corridor. On either side there are 6 numbered glass doors on either side of the white hallway. Odds on the left, evens on the right. It's spotless and perfect; its 'Leto'. Why must everything be so white?

I pulled out of my Leto analysis by a sharp knock. Jared's anxious expression beckons me to come out. I slowly unlock the tube's door and set me feet on the white marble floor.

'Are you alright?' Jared asks. I nod my head and smile apologetically.

'Let's go'

We begin to stroll down the hallway; our destination and fate lies right at the end of the corridor inside door number 6. My high wedges click with every step and Jared's feet continuously land on the floor with a resounding thud. As we pass the first two doors my feet pause and my mouth falls open at the interior décor. Though I didn't really have expectations of what the conference room would look like, I would never have predicted this.

I stop walking forward and instead walk up to the glass and press my hands against it. Though the distance between each door cannot be more than 5 metres, the space inside is colossal. A chamber is the wrong word for this spectacle; 'auditorium' would be more appropriate. The inside of conference room one is simply enormous. Hundreds of rows of white seats layer up the fan shape. It broadens out from the low seats right at the front to wide row of top seats about 150 feet above. At the bottom of the auditorium is a large white speaking platform complete with speaking post in the centre.

'Jeez' Jared mutters.

I suddenly feel a knot of anxiety tying in my stomach. There are hundreds of seats in this auditorium, will room 6 look the same? I feel slightly ill at the thought of sitting in the same chamber that also contains a swarm of Leto.

'C'mon' Jared says softly. I can see how tense he is as we walk down the corridor.

He stops just before the glass of chamber 6, just before we become visible to the Leto eye. He runs his hands through his tousled hair and his dark chocolate metamorphose into pitch black orbs.

'Jared I thought you're eyes only changed colour when you were a-' I cough.

'I guess that's one thing that doesn't change' Jared replies curtly. 'Lara, if we haven't done it, I will kill the Rex' He declares seriously.

I smile. 'Not if I get there first'.

Jared smiles back and I can't help the way the bond tingles. I love his smile. I love him. Yet he thinks I don't.

I clasp his other with mine and stretch up on the tips of my wedges to peck his lips.

'Just in case'

He stands motionless and his eyes remain close. I frown at his statue-like composure.

"C'mon." I roll my eyes and brush past him. Just before I reach the glass his arm locks on my wrist and pulls me back. He presses his lips firmly against my own. The warm feeling returns to my stomach as all our feelings are poured into one kiss; desperation, passion and love. He smiles against my lips and I pull away.

'Now I definitely have something to fight for' He whispers. I glance down at the floor not letting him see the grin that plays upon my lips. My skin tingles as he rests his forehead to mine. His minty breath washes over my face. "They never had the story planned out for the one that got away to come back." He whispers.

I slip my hand inside his and together we stroll past the glass and into the door of chamber 6.

Chamber 6 is completely identical to the first auditorium we surpassed. Only it has three main staircases; one on the left, one on the right and one in the centre. The great fan shape slopes downwards until the rows of seats meet the speaking stand.

As the door clicks closed, hundreds of Leto heads snap round in unison. I curse myself mentally, we should have gotten here earlier. My happiness is put out like water to a flame and I want nothing more than to run out the door and never look back. Jared tugs me forwards. We're the stars of this little show.

We begin to descend down the central staircase. Every single pair of eyes in the room watches us as we climb down to the two remaining seats right in the front row. Time seems to stop as Jared and I make our way down the white slope. In the middle of the stage stands the Leto Rex; the Leto Guard sits right behind him in a 'V' shaped formation.

Eventually Jared and I reach our seats and every pair of eyes refocuses on the Leto Rex. I glance about, my eyes search around the room for Carlisle yet he is nowhere to be seen. The Leto Rex glances around the room, clearly enjoying the attention and the power his position provides him with. His regal white fur robe is slung across his shoulder casually, flaunting his superior status; it reminds me of our first meeting. If only I'd realised his true evil capacity then.

The Rex presses down on a button and a microphone appears out of the stand.

The Rex clears his throat. 'The Leto Rex has gathered together the entire Leto Guard and congregation on board the 'Leto Palatio' as well as the 'Leto Pater' and the two character evidences to announce the fate of mankind' The Leto Rex continues to stare straight up into the crowd. His arrogant smirk is not present; he's not happy.

'After a considerable amount of deliberation between the Leto Rex, the Leto Guard and the Leto pater' The Leto Rex pauses. The tension in the room becomes unbearable. I grip Jared's hand so hard he lets out a small yelp. 'It has been decided that sustainable evidence has been proven of both the male and female character evidences that an established bond of love has been formed within the 90 day deadline. The planet Earth has been regenerated to its full glory and humanity will be returned from the Externium ships in the within the next 5 days' The Rex's monotonous voice blares out. The entire room of Leto bursts into applause.

I freeze. Did the Rex just say that? My hand flies to my mouth and tears of happiness form in my eyes. I turn to Jared who looks easily as stupefied. I throw my arms around Jared and a choked sob gets stuck in my throat.

'We did it; we completed the conditions' Jared breathes, his warm breath tickles my neck.

'Jared everyone is safe' I cry.

'However' The Leto Rex's voice speaks again. The room falls silent. I untangle myself from Jared as my brow furrows. However what? 'The trial of the male character evidence Jared Miller has been drawn to the same conclusion. The pater has requested a less severe punishment for the murder of Leto 38382919. Therefore instead of the death sentence, Jared Miller will be on probation for the next 90 days beginning tomorrow. Should Jared Miller make another offence, the consequences will be far more harsh and immutable' The Leto Rex's smirk returns. I feel Jared's arm tense beside me and I squeeze his hand.

The Leto Rex continues to speak about the details of the return to Earth however I cannot process his words. We completed the conditions; we saved humanity. I feel the pressure of Jared's soft lips on my cheek.

'Are we still just friends now?' He whispers in my ear.

'We'll see' I grin.

'You may be dismissed' The Leto Rex's voice rings through my ears.

'Shall we go?' Jared asks. I nod happily.

Jared and I stand in the corridor that connects to the one Ally's room is located upon. I poke my head round the corner to see Iron passed out on the floor snoring gently. I bring my head back and face Jared. I have to talk to Ally and I have to do it now.

'I'll get the control pad to communicate with you when I'm done okay?' I smile at Jared.

'Okay but if anything happens, I want you to get to safety. Promise me that' Jared eyes burn.

'I promise' I reply. 'Why are you so worried about something happening now? We've completed the conditions Jared?' I ask in confusion.

'Just please stay safe' He whispers.

'You make me sound like I'm a danger magnet' I chuckle trying to lighten the mood.

'That's because you are' He replies. I roll my eyes.

'Jared I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself' I say. He raises his eyebrows in disbelief.

'Lara, you're 5ft 6' He smirks.

'Just because I'm not a giant. Anyway you know that's not what I meant'

'Please, just try and stay out of trouble though' He plants a butterfly kiss on my temple.

'I will' I smile back at him. He leans down and places a gentle kiss on my lips.

'I love you'

I falter. 'I love you too' I reply. I can't deny that we not just friends. He's my bond-mate; my eternal soul mate. I press my lips to his knuckle before letting him go.

He strolls off in the other direction back to our room. I take a deep breath before proceeding forward. I creep along the corridor as quietly as possible. When I reach Ally's door I carefully step over Iron's legs. In his hand he clutches a silver dagger. I forgot he always sleeps with a knife.

I rap gently on the door with my knuckles. There's a high possibility that Ally won't let me in.

'Ally, it's me' I whisper. There's no answer.

I knock again.

'Ally we have to talk'

To my incredible astonishment, the door slides open leaving me face to face with Ally. Her red eyes are swollen and her hair is wild and frizzy. She's dressed in a fuzzy white dressing gown.

'Quickly' she glances nervously as Iron and tugs me through the door and shuts it. I look around her room. Unsurprisingly its identical to mine but in white. I make my way to the rumpled bed and sit cross legged in the middle of it. Ally follows me and climbs wearily into the bed and tucks herself under the covers. She looks absolutely exhausted. The bruised circles under her eyes protrude through her pale skin.

'I'm sorry I didn't let you in the other day. I wasn't ready to talk about it' She sighs.

'Ally what is going on?'

'Achilles is my bond mate Lara' She laments.

'How?'

She runs a hand through her lank hair. 'I used to live with my father when I was younger. It was only when people started being taken for cleansing that my mother brought me here' She clears her throat. 'Anyway, when I was 17 I was really into the whole teenage drinking and party obsessions. I wasn't with the Leto then so I was ruled by my human side. One night one of my friend's invited me to a party as her plus one and being the queen of the parties I said yes. Long story short, I ended up getting really drunk and passing out on one of the beds' She begins to tear up and she smiles sadly. 'The next day I woke up and found this boy sitting on the chair watching me. I still remember the way he just sat there with my tousled blond curls. He looked so much younger then. I asked him where I was and he told me how I had passed out in his room and that this was his house'

'Well what happened?' I ask curiously.

'We started talking and he told me his name was 'Achilles'. After a few weeks of cyber-messaging we began to see each other in person. The technology phase hadn't quite hit then so it was acceptable to socialize in reality. I always wondered why he wouldn't let me kiss him after our dates. I thought he was trying to prove he was manlier than his sweet exterior. He never told me he was a Caritas' She says sadly and a tear tumbles down her hollow cheek.

'How did you become bonded then?'

She rubs her left hand across her face and rubs the sleep out of her eyes. 'We had been dating for about 7 months and I was head over heels in love with him. On the night of 7th anniversary he told me he loved me as well. That's where I made my mistake' She whispers.

'You kissed him' I say slowly. She nods miserably. 'Ally the bonding isn't a mistake'

'But it was!' She exclaims. 'How can he ever love me? I'm half Leto Lara' She yells covering her face with her hands. 'I'm sorry' Her voice becomes quieter. 'After we'd bonded he would tell me how much he hated the Leto and I-I became more and more scared' Her voice drops to a whisper. 'I thought if I told him I was a Dimidium then he would leave me'

'Ally, he loves you. I'm sure if you talked to him-'

'No I can't' She declares sitting bolt upright.

'Ally, I know how strong the bond is. I love Jared even though he's an ex-torpen. Iron will not leave you; he's been waiting outside your door ever since you ran!' I point out. She folds her arms defiantly.

'Yes but Jared's a Mutari now; I'm still a Dimidium' She huffs.

'Well at least tell me why you didn't talk to me about this before' I enquire.

'I didn't think I'd ever see him again. My Dimidium side became stronger once I got to the Leto ship so it was easier to mask my feelings' She sighs.

'Is Iron the real reason you rejected the Leto Rex?'

'Yes. Once you told me I'd become a full Leto I knew I would lose any feeling for Achilles. That's the real reason the Rex whipped me. He didn't like that I'd already 'partnered' with somebody' She whispers.

'How are they?' I indicate at the spot on shoulder that the welt was located.

'They're clearing up' Her lips curve into a small smile 'The Leto doctor provided me with some cream that stopped the swelling and reduced the bruising'

'How did you get that if you didn't leave the room?'

'The control panel has its uses' Ally grins.

'I just have one more question' Ally nods for me to continue. 'Why does Iron call you Rena?'

She sighs. 'My full name is Alarena after my father's grandmother. It's obviously not on my mother's side' She rolls her eyes and I chuckle. 'He told me to call him Iron and I called him Achilles so when I told him to call me Ally, he called me Rena'

I smile; it's nice to know other people wind each other up as well.

'Ally you know you're going to have to talk to him? He's never going to leave' I remark.

She heaves an enormous sigh and deliberates my suggestion. After a minute or two she pushes her blond hair out of her face and nods.

'Okay, I'll talk to him' She smiles weakly and I clap my hands together in delight. 'But I'm going to get changed first'

'Okay, you get changed and I'll wake him up?'

'Okay' She begins to jitter and I grip her slightly clammy palm.

'So should I call you Ally or Rena now?' I grin.

'Let's stick with Ally for now'

She throws the covers off herself and slowly makes her way to her closet. I walk around the other side of the bed and march towards the door. I give her a tiny thumbs up as she rustles through her wardrobe. I activate the control panel and slip outside.

I'm wary of Iron's knife so I give him a firm shake before leaping back. Within seconds he's on his feet, brandishing the dagger with a murderous look in his eyes.

'Lara, I'm so sorry. I thought you were trying to attack me' He breathes.

I exhale deeply. 'Iron I just talked to Ally'. His eyes light up immediately and his focuses all his energy upon me.

'Is she alright? Did she say anything?' He asks eagerly.

'She wants to talk to you' I reply. His grin stretches right across his face as he stuffs the dagger back inside its pouch.

'Really?' I nod.

'But first' I pause waiting for him to listen. 'Jared said you didn't care that she is a Dimidium?'

Iron shakes his head. 'No I don't' He replies. 'She's my Rena; I don't care whether she's human or Dimidium'

I smile at him. I knock sharply on the door and call out Ally's name. The door slides open and its like time stops. Ally stands with her hair brushed in a fresh pair of blue jeans and a blue camisole top. Tears begin to trickle down her cheeks as she stares at Iron and he beams back. He slowly begins to walk into the room, restraining himself until he reaches the end of his tether and sprints to her. He envelopes her into an enormous hug, wrapping his arms around her waist and spinning her round.

'Lara' I hear a voice call. I'm snapped out of my dazed trance.

I spin round to be greeted with Carlisle.

'Carlisle' I exclaim jubilantly bouncing to meet him. I throw my arms round his neck and hug him.

'Hello my child' He chuckles lowly which sets him off on a series of coughs. I pat his back carefully as he wheezes and splutters.

'Shit, I'm so sorry'

Carlisle leans on the wall for support as he tries to recapture his breath. At the other end of the corridor a Leto strides past. I tense up immediately and set up a defensive stance. The Leto does not come any nearer and continues to walk down another corridor in this rabbit warren.

'Lara where is Jared?' Carlisle chokes.

'He's in our room' I smile. 'Why?

'I have some news for you two' Carlisle straightens up and fumbles in his trouser pocket. He withdraws a small silver wand. As it catches the light, my eye is drawn to the silvery engraving imprinted into the metal: 'Pater'.

'It was a gift from the Leto Rex; he did something helpful' Carlisle mutters. It reminds me of my gold baton shield from the Caritas ship. Oh how I would love to go back. He presses a small button and wand begins to elongate segment by segment. I watch in amazement as the bumpy segments disappear as the new cane becomes smooth and unabridged. As Carlisle sets one end of the cane down on the floor he begins to hobble away.

'Hold up Grandpa' I call smugly. Carlisle gives me unimpressed look.

'Just you wait until you're 108 years' He rattles.

'Like I would live that long' I roll my eyes. 'I would never be able to afford the treatment'

'Lara my child, the treatment is for the outside, not the inside' Carlisle's small pixie ears perk up. 'Anyway you would be able to afford the treatment'

'I'm not quite sure you've seen the state of my bank account Carlisle'

'Lara, when we get back to Earth, yourself and Jared will be famous. You are the humans who saved humanity; you will be rolling in money' Carlisle points out. My heart sinks.

'I guess I never thought about that' I mutter.

I've seen what fame can do to people. Fame means money, money means parties, parties mean bad behaviour, bad behaviour means fame. It's a vicious circle only for the 'elite'. After the lights go out, the celebrities and the Torpens come out. Celebrities aren't evil like the other night predators, they are just normal humans caught up in their minutes in the spotlight.

'Carlisle I'm not sure I want to be famous' I say.

'Being famous isn't all bad Lara; you can experience a whole new world'

'I've already experienced a whole new world' I mutter pointing around.

'Lara my child, If you don't want to be famous, that is fine. After a year or two when you're done with all the press conferences everything will be sorted and slowly the attention will die away'

"A whole year?" I groan.

Carlisle nods his head and grips his cane. 'Now what I wanted to talk to you about but we got distracted'

'What is it?' I reply.

'As you know there are a resistance group of Leto's who do not want Humans to return to Earth' I nod at Carlisle's words. He inhales deeply. 'Well there is also a Human resistance called 'STO' which is being launched as we speak. It is a group of trained Warriors fighting to divest us of the Leto' Carlisle lowers his voice. 'Lara, Iron has assessed your fighting skills in the Leto simulator to be of the standard needed to join'

'Okay' My brow furrows. 'So what does this mean?'

'Lara we should like to enlist you as a Warrior' Carlisle replies.

'Carlisle are you part of the resistance?'

'Yes I am, though behind in the technical side. I'm too weak to fight but I know how a Leto works' Carlisle sighs. 'Lara I'm the leader of the STO'

'Carlisle you're fighting to murder the species you invented? Why?' I pause in the middle of the suddenly chilling hallway.

'Lara my child, as I said to you before, I never intended for them to get this powerful. Along with the fact the Leto Rex is a Mendosus with every Leto at his disposal, we are in a very vulnerable state. The Leto Rex wanted you and Jared dead; he still does' Carlisle whispers and leans onto his new cane.

'Hm, I'm not sure. We've already won Carlisle, we completed the conditions. We're safe...right?' I ask suddenly aware that the answer may not be yes.

'No' Carlisle sighs. 'Lara there's another thing I have to tell you'

'What is it?' I ask curiously.

'Lara, the Auctor has been released with no form of punishment. He is the Sicarii's second in command and he will try and kill either you or Jared' Carlisle says slowly. My throat tightens and my hand flies to my stomach, to my wound. Though the Leto doctor made sure the scar was almost invisible, it's the psychological scar that remains.

'What? Why?' I ask breathlessly. I take shallow rasped breaths to try and let the oxygen reach my green lungs.

'I'm not sure Lara. I think the leader of the Sicarii must have made a deal with the Leto Rex' Carlisle says.

My body suffers from an immense weight that has been deposited on my shoulder. Carlisle suddenly halts outside a door and I recognise the number to be mine. As Carlisle activates the control panel, I continue my questioning.

'Has Jared been asked to join?'

'Yes but behind the scenes alongside me. He will be able to become a warrior after his 90 day probation is over, then he may fight' Carlisle informs and I nod in acceptance.

The door slides open and I scream.

My room is ransacked. The mirror lies in pieces on the floor. The bed posts are smashed; the polished woods splinters off from the wooden pillars. My hand flies to my mouth as my brain screams at me 'JARED'.

'Jared' I cry running into the room. I tear through the room searching everywhere for him. My heart rate accelerates and my breathes become rough and shallow. He's got to be here. I throw open the bathroom door. Small pools of blood lie on the purple tiles. Beside the blood is a note and a small compact disk shape.

'Carlisle quick' I yell.

I lunge forward and pick up the note. My fingers tremble as I draw the paper close to my face.

He's got 90 days

I hope you said goodbye.

I sink to my knees, clutching the note in my hands. Jared's been taken. A strangled shriek escapes my lips as I exhale heavily. He wanted me to stay safe and now he's been abducted. Where have they taken him?

'Lara give me the note'

I feel its papery weight being lifted from my fingers. I place my head into my palms cursing mentally at Jared's abductors. I have no doubt it's the Sicarii. I slowly reach forward and pick up the silvery compact. I press the black button on the front and a hologram pops. I scream again as an image of Jared comes alive. He's tied to a chair with his mouth and hands handcuffed in inhibition. The white rag that binds his mouth is splotched with red and I shake away the thought that its blood. His wide eyes are full of fear. Are they hurting him now?

'I guess this is what they meant by probation' Carlisle mutters. I stare at the hologram and Carlisle gently tries to remove it from my locked fingers. I growl at him gripping more tightly to the hologram.

'Carlisle, we've got to do something' I rasp staring desperately at Carlisle. He carefully folds the note and extracts a clear film bag from his pocket.

'Lara, calm down' Carlisle says gently. His tone sounds like it would if he was speaking to a frightened child or a wounded animal. 'We have 90 days to figure out a solution'.

His fingers quake as he carefully slides the note into the bag. My eyes follow his every movement.

'This is the Leto Carlisle' I cry. 'What if they kill him before the 90 days are up?' My eyes widen with horror. Carlisle's eyes fall from my gaze as he shuffles uncomfortably. My hand flies to my mouth.

'Oh god' I whisper. My fingers pinch the bridge of my nose; the realisation has finally hit me. 'They're going to...'

'This isn't the Leto Lara, this is the Sicarii; they don't fight fairly' Carlisle says softly.

'I'll do it' I blurt out.

'Do what?' Carlisle asks.

'I'll join the STO' I reply confidently yet my body feels so weak.

My eyes flash dangerously and my tears dry up. The Sicarii have no idea what they've just done. They've alighted a fire inside of me and I will stop at nothing. My mission at the start of these 90 days was to save my mother; my new one is too save Jared. I press the button in the middle of the compact disc and the hologram disappears back inside the silver oval walls. Jared's frightened face disappears from my view and I slip the disc into my dress pocket.

I swallow as my thoughts race. I have nothing to lose yet so much to gain. If I don't fight, I have no chance. Life is just a continous series of battles and right now I have to find the strenght to push through; somewhere, somehow.

'Lara do you accept the conditions of becoming a Warrior and member of the STO?' Carlisle's voice rings loud and clear. I can't even smile at the irony of his words.

I take a deep breath. 'I, Lara Hall accept the conditions'.

END OF BOOK ONE