My legs are jello, but I refuse to let Alaric witnesses my debilitated state. My feet pound into the ground as I peal into an empty ally. Darting between buildings and hopping over debris I listen to the voices that echo. My eyes shut as I catch my breath before identifying where the men are heading. Sliding from left to right we elude officers and witnesses. Finally, we approach the horses who stand patiently in the trees grazing.

Slowing down I look across the street where voices begin to grow daringly louder. We sprint across the opening, Alaric stepping near my heals as we duck into the trees. I whisper lightly, gasping for air as I do so the horses know we're here. "Hey there," I reach out and throw my body into the saddle, swinging my leg over the stallion and giving him a stroke. "Everything is fine, but we need to go now." Digging my heels in, I ease into a gallop heading away from the distant screams and harsh commands.

I hate to admit it, but leaving without Luke nearly breaks my heart again. I've had dreams where I go on this mission and miraculously find Luke and bring him back. To be in his arms again would be like taking a sedative during a surgery. Sure, you'd be in excruciating pain because you would be already cut open. But something that will take away the pain, even for a bit, would be alleviating.

We continue to ride, eventually slowing to a trot before walking. All voices have faded and I am only accompanied by my guilty conscience and a man who thinks he knows who I am.

"You knew what you were doing back there," Alaric nods, his eyes held to the ground by an unseen force.

"Well when you escape once, the second time tends to be much easier." I join his gaze, watching the grass flatten under the hooves of our horses.

"Why did you run from the Bellator Clan?" He asks bringing his horse next to mine.

"Because Lady wanted me dead." I bluntly hit him with a cold answer hoping to end the conversation.

"Okay, but why?"

Annoyed I roll my eyes and glare at his soft ones. For a moment my shield trembles and I realize that he is the only one who looks at me like that anymore. I've pushed everyone away. James and his smart-Alec comments, Izzy and her caring arm, Adam and his friendship and Roxy. Roxy with her sass and heated passion. My mom and Luke have disappeared and now the only 'friend' I have is a man who doesn't know that I'm from underground. How I was punished for falling in love with the wrong man.

A tear pinches my eye and I wipe it away as I look down, "because I crossed a line which wasn't meant to be ventured near."

Alaric presses his hand to my shoulder and rubs. "I'm sorry, but you're safe now and I promise to help you assassinate Lady. I don't break promises Jean, especially to my friends."

I return a broken smile and place my hand over his, "thanks for being a good friend."

Alaric nods and pulls his large warm hand away from mine, "it is a goal of mine to become more than friends one day."

I sigh and press the palm of my hand to my face, "of course it is. You're a fool if you think I'll fall in love with you."

"Then consider me fool," Alaric trots ahead and winks as he passes. "Because you will fall for me eventually. No women have escaped my deathly charms yet."

I scoff and smother a smile. "Idiot."

   《《《《《《《《》》》》》》》》

It's hard to believe the difference in this Clan compared to the Bellator. They don't know I'm from Stratis city, but they still welcome strangers with cautious open arms. Respecting their superiors, and not controlled by fear.

We reached Fide Clan's entrance and a large group of people crowd around us cheering. They smile and shake Alaric's hands and mine, congratulating us on a successful mission. Many ask if I've filled the spot of Alaric's permanent archer. I shrug in response, pleading to myself that I did.

I can't help but let my eyes wander upwards, staring at faces pretending one of them is Izzy, or James. Alaric's interested gaze catches mine and he nods his head for me to follow. I fake a quick smile and walk away with Alaric as he hands his horse to a stable boy.

I slide out of my saddle and hide a uncomfortable stance. I pass the boy my horse as my legs adjust to the ground instead of stirrups.

"Ready to go?" Alaric smirks at me as I follow him mindlessly.

"Go to bed?" I ask exhaustion sweeping over my body in one fluid motion.

"I would love to go to bed with you!" Alaric's eyes light up. "That's a way better idea than mine, let's go now. My place or yours?"

"Stop!" I smack his shoulder roughly knowing he's just doing this to press my buttons. "I'm tired and murdered someone today, I just want to sleep."

Alaric's playful stride turns to a slow paseo. "I get it. If you'd like to go to sleep I won't guilt you for it, but if you want to join me for a tradition you're more then welcome."

"Tradition?" I ask arching a brow.

"Yeah, there's a tradition where after every mission I have a drink with my team. Usually the next day we take off training depending on how much we've had." Alaric glances over at me, "I'd really like it if you came."

"I don't drink," I stare up at him.

"You don't have to," Alaric smiles widely, "the sun is just starting to set, the night is still young. Let's let go of today's tension and relax a bit. Trust me, it's fun."

I do need to escape my mind, it's relentlessly beating me, guilting me, pulverizing me. Hesitating I finally nod my head, "okay. But on three conditions."

"Sure."

"One, I don't drink. You don't pressure me into it and if someone does I'm leaving." I stare him down and he sighs.

"I can make that happen. What else?"

"Two, you escort me back home when I want to leave. No questions or complaints, I get easily lost with directions." I cross my arms and jut out a hip.

Alaric nods, "fair enough, and your last request?"

"My third condition is that you don't make any moves on me no matter how inebriated you are." I give a hard glare which cracks through Alaric's easy-going facade.

"I can't make any promises buttercup," Alaric gives me a shrug and begins to walk away. "All I can promise is that I can try. It's my sole duty to inform a women of their ravishing beauty. You are no acceptation sweet heart."

I groan and follow him, "I guess that will do."

After dropping our equipment off at the armorer we head towards the bar. I'm not sure what I was expecting the bar to look like, but it was defiantly not this.

The bar had a cobblestone exterior with a rusted tin roof. Wobbling men chug beers by the door and decorate the landscape. In the blacked out window is a sign that said 'Age is only a number".

I slow to a stop before Alaric grabs my forearm and leads me into the bar confidently. "I'm back!" Alaric shouts roughly and a swarm of men come and pat him on the shoulder laughing and passing him beers.

In the bar there are many tables with chairs scattered in the large, crowded room. Women and men of all ages fill the alcohol infused air with shouts and laughter. Sitting by the bar daintily is a bweauttiful brunette I grew up with.

"Isabelle?" I call cautiously.

She turns around and smiles softy, a red liquid swirling in a elegant glass. "Hey Jean, how was the mission?"

I'm not sure if it was the heartache or emptiness, but something compelled me to returned her smile. My feet pad on the creaky floor as I wrap my arms around her shoulders and squeeze. Burying my face into her shirt.

"I take it that it didn't go as well as expected?" Izzy sluggishly wraps her arms around me before pulling me back. "Let's talk, but this time without name calling?"

"I am sorry Izzy. I was mean and hurt and took it out on you. I was wrong, just because you are beautiful and happy doesn't make you a slut."

"Damn right it doesn't," Izzy pulls back and stares into my eyes. "I forgive you, but lets move on and talk about your mission. How did it go?"

I take a seat beside her and sigh, "according to Alaric perfect."

"But to you?" She asks taking my hand.

"I killed two people and didn't feel bad about it.  I beat someone to death and shot a man with an arrow. I liked how it felt... to avenge Roxy." This is true, but I could never tell Izzy the delight I felt when I crushed his bones.

Am I a monster for reveling in the pain of my enemies?

Staring into her glass she offers me a sip and I daringly take it. The bitter liquid passes my lips and I cough a little. "When we first left our home I would feel bad if I bumped into someone at school. Now I don't feel anything when I take someone's life."

"Jean," Izzy grabs my hand, "we've all changed. Just look at James making friends with the bar tender."

"James is here?" I ask standing up and looking down the long wooden bar. My eye catches on my tall lean friend who's pouring drinks and taking tips. A chuckle slips past my lips as his eyes move to mine and he gives me a nod. "Can I grab a drink?"

"I thought you weren't going to drink buttercup." Alaric leans over my shoulder already wreaking of beer, but unaffected by it.

"She can do what ever she pleases iron liver." Izzy shoots back, "this one is on me."

James smiles at me, surprisingly fitting in with the surrounding delirious people. Taking his backhanded compliments with open arms. "What do you acquire Jean?"

"Something small and relatively inexpensive," I smile leaning over the counter.

James stands quietly for a second before leaving. He grabs a glass and pours a yellow liquid into it.

As I rest my elbows on the sticky bar top a slap echos in my eardrums and a stinging sensation burns my butt. Spinning around I meet the eyes of a stumbling, drunk idiot.

"I know where I'd like to take you tonight," the tall man stammers as he rubs his crotch.

Revolted, I clench my fist and slam it into his face with a crunch. The man fumbles backwards as his friends catch him. A series of shouts erupt and and a few men step forward puffing their chests out and balling their fists. Alaric puts himself between the men and I, telling them to stand down.

Izzy smashes her glass onto the counter which silences everyone for a moment before proceeding  to scream, "BAR FIGHT!"