We all went back to our rooms when it started to get dark.

I'd asked Malvin to teach me how to use Jeremiah's sophisticated television. Apparently anyone could used it  anytime they wanted.
I was dying to try it out.

He said it was connected to the entire area and all you had to do was swipe your hand.

When I got back to the dorm, I swiped the screen and a flashy interviewer in a blue suit appeared in front of me.

"Tell us what happened that night," he asked.

"Well, I opened up my home to them."

It was Dante.

"You mean Miss Creed and Mr Maxwell?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "I even gave her fresh clothes to wear but as soon as she got the machine going, she was determined to take it for herself."

"What use would you have had with the machine in the first place, Mr Groove?
Am I correct in saying that the machine would only work for Miss Creed?"

"Yeah, but we were going to strike a deal. Find a way to use it for some good." I rolled my eyes at that. "Then she drugged me and took it for her own motives."

"My sources says she drugged Mr Maxwell too."

"I guess she was afraid of him in the beginning," he said. "But I could tell it wouldn't last. I'm not surprised they're working together... they seemed connected."

I flinched, remembering when Alluna had said the same thing about us.

"My sources say that you've sent several private search parties out to find Miss Creed. What's the plan when you find them?" The interviewer asked.

"When I find Pacem Creed," He looked into the camera. "I'm going to kill that bitch and make Jake watch."

I quickly swiped my hand to change the channel.

I'd known that Dante had been angry, but that seemed a little extreme.

I tried not to think about it and focussed on the new image in front of me.

An old lady was sitting in a news-chair, wearing a purple suit. Seated in the chair opposite her, was a woman in flowing clothing that I didn't recognise.

"Today we have Miss Turner with us-a fine art specialist who majored in historical paintings. Miss Turner," Ugly Suit Lady said, "you've been examining Pacem's artworks. What can you tell me about this picture?"

The abstract work I had done with Jake appeared on screen.

"Well Lauri, this is definitely not her usual protest piece. First of all, the location is completely concealed and hidden from the public. If it was meant for protest it would be out in the open."

"Then in your professional opinion, why do you think she did this?"

"I've been examining the work thoroughly and if you look at the immediacy of the brushstrokes, it looks like this work was an act of passion. It definitely does match the usual characteristics of her works. The spontaneity of the piece makes me think that she didn't do this on her own."

"You're saying that she had a partner?"

"That's exactly what I'm saying, and it seems to me that whoever it was must have been very close to her."

"Would go so far as to say the work has sensual undertones?"

She nodded.

"I have reason to think so. Pacem's works are usually very planned and thought out, but this doesn't quite fit the mould. It seems to have been done with intense emotion. Something had to have put her in this state."

"Thank you so much for joining us today, Miss Turner and offering your insight."

The interviewer faced the camera, putting her hands on the table.

"So what do you say, folks? Who is Pacem Creed's mystery man? Is it powerful bounty hunter Mr Maxwell as most people seem to believe? Or is it perhaps the leader of the cult that she's recently been associated with, Jeremiah Stoneham? Either way, somewhere out there her lover-"

"Pacem?"

Jake's voice made me jump so quickly that the television was off before I could catch a breath.

"Um..." I fidgeted. "Yeah?"

He smirked, stepping into the room.

"What were you doing?"

"Nothing." I lied pathetically. "What's up?"

"I just wanted to check how today went. I didn't see you after training."

My face lit up.

"It was amazing. I mean, not everyone's got a handle on their connections yet, but they're definitely getting there. Danielle made the plant wrap around my neck. All she had to do is make it squeeze and it would be a weapon. It was surreal."

He grinned. "I told you that they'd come around."

"You were right," I admitted. "How did it go with you?"

"Like you said, not quite there yet." He frowned. "People have the strength but they don't know how to use it. They think aggression doesn't require skill."

"You can make it work though, right?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "I haven't actually had a chance to speak to you since Veera's little showdown the other day."

I seemed to be doing a lot of blushing tonight. I'd totally been avoiding what had happened. (Partly because she'd accused me of having feelings for Malvin).

"She's delusional." I rolled my eyes. "And crazy."

Jake put his hands in his pockets and shrugged his shoulders.

"She wasn't all wrong. I mean Malvin does care for you a lot."

"Not like that." I shook my head. "Trust me, he only has eyes for Veera. You've seen it."

Jake stared at me for a long while before giving me a curl at the end of his lip.

"What?" I asked

"I think you'd be surprised at how many people have eyes for you."

"Are you feeling insecure Jake?" I grinned. "Because trust me, you're the only one I look at and think and-"

He kissed me. Again.

And it was even better than the first time. If that was even possible. His hands were resting gently on my neck and the warmth of his touch sent chills down my spine.

He pulled away too soon and I was disappointed to feel his lips leave mine.

"Actually I came here for a reason. I thought maybe if you weren't tired, I could show you a couple of moves."

"As in ninja moves?" I shook my head. "I don't think so."

He grinned. "I could at least show you how to defend yourself, Pacem."

"I defended myself just fine with Veera."

"You're not always going to be so lucky." He sighed. "Would it be that bad to know how to fight?"

"I have Shir to fight for me."

"What if she's not there?" He asked. "What do you do then?"

"I run."

"And when they catch you?"

I didn't respond.

"Jeez, Pacem don't be so stubborn. You're going to need to know how to defend yourself someday. You said it before; there're a lot of bitter people out there and they probably want to kill you more than anything."

I thought of Dante's words and a chill ran down my spine.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt." I folded my arms self-consciously

Jake nodded triumphantly.

"Good. Let's go to the amphitheatre."
He winked at me.

"Lover."

My cheeks went bright red. "I thought you didn't hear that!"

"Are you kidding? I was standing there the whole time. I heard everything."

I hit him on the chest, feeling mortified. "Don't be a jerk."

"Jerk?" he chuckled, "haven't heard that word in a while."

Before I knew it his arms scooped around my hips, pulling me in closer to him.

"Besides," he said. "It's not like they're that far off."

I grinned. "They did also think it could also be Jeremiah, you know."

"Well they obviously don't know the guy personally." Jake rolled his eyes. "You wouldn't go for a loser."

Something in his tone was very defensive. He almost sounded jealous by the thought of me being with Jeremiah.

Which was almost as ridiculous as me and Malvin, but it made me smile.

I put my arms around his neck to be closer to him.

"No Jake," I stared at him. "I wouldn't."

"Smooth." He pecked me on the lips and then broke away. "But don't think your charm is going to get you out of self-defence class."

"Damn," I said sarcastically. "You saw right through me."

Jake really did make me go to the amphitheatre in the middle of the night just so I could practice my poor punching skills.

In truth, I was slightly embarrassed at the thought of Jake seeing how pathetic I was at this.

"Jake... maybe this isn't a good idea."

"Can't back out now." He shook his head. "Hit me."

Jake was wearing a black vest and shorts that one would wear to gym. I'd always thought vests were kind of sexy, and he was definitely pulling it off as his muscles clung tightly to the fabric, revealing themselves clearly.

"Are you going to hit me back?" I asked. "Because I might just sneak attack you with another log."

He grinned. "You know I'm not going to hurt you. What are you afraid of?"

I stared at him with no intention of answering that question.

Eventually I caved and hit him.
He caught it effortlessly and then released.

"When you swing, use your shoulders." he explained. "If you move your whole body it's a dead giveaway for the opponent."

"So it's kind of like poker?" I concluded. "You can't show your next move."

Jake smiled, "Exactly."

I went again with the same outcome.

"Don't move your feet either."

"Okay. So no moving." I nodded.

"The only benefit you have here is the element of surprise. If you lose that, you're a goner, especially if you're going up against another Karnoi. Once you got the basics of punching and kicking, I'll teach you some other tech-"

I hit him in the stomach.

He didn't catch it this time. It didn't hurt him much either- he barely flinched but I still felt like I'd won some small victory.

"Ha!" I yelled. "I got you."

He seemed amused by my excitement and humoured me.

"That was good. Now try it with a little more force."

"Where do I get that from?" I asked.

"The core." He babbled on.

The classes continued for a while but I eventually coaxed him to take a break and sit on the steps.

"How'd you learn to fight like that anyway?" I asked.

Jake shrugged. "I grew up in street fights. I made enough money off of it. People would take bets. Sometimes I knock their teeth out and sometimes it was worse than that. A kid strong enough to beat a grown man was something people were willing to pay to see, and I needed the money."

"Street fights..." I repeated something about it seemed familiar.

And then I'd remembered the dreams that I'd been having every night since Alluna had put the helmet on me.

The boy fighting the man.

People cheered all around him, and as they did his eyes would glow.

Alluna had been right; we were connected.

I'd seen Jake before I'd even known him.

He'd been the one in my dreams.

Are Pacem's dreams as good the reality ?

When will Pacem get to put her new fighting skills into action?