I lick the blood off my lip and tap the pain. My ribs and eye feel bruised, so I decisively rush home to clean up. I can't afford my mom or Izzy to see me like this. It'll only worry them.

I hop up to the door and swing my body inside and pause. "Hello?" I call my back to the room.

There's no answer so I turn and grab a scrap piece of cloth from a drawer.

"Jean?" Izzy gasps and turn me to face her squarely. "Oh my god what happened?"

I wince as she pokes at my cut and dabs at my bruising eye. "I tried to fight my way into forgiveness. Literally."

Ironic a healer caused this much damage.

"Typical. Time will allow forgiveness, you can't force it." Izzy pushes me into a chair and grabs a canteen of water. She splashes some onto the cloth which leaves a wet, dark circle.

"Don't tell mom. She just got here and I don't want to worry her anymore." I try to pull away from Izzy's persistent hands until she slaps my shoulder.

"Stop it." I glared before she consummately continues to treat my wounds. "Mom is with Adam who offered to give her a tour. James went to fetch more water so he will be back soon. You should worry about him telling mom."

"So you won't tell her?"

"No." Izzy sighs. "But you have to stay out of harms away. What are you going to say to mom when she asks? That you fought a bear?"

"Not exactly. I'll just mention training got out of hand and I pissed someone off."

"She won't like that answer either. You're her baby." Izzy reaches into her backpack and places a little white piece of tape over my cut lip.

"Yeah, but it's the best answer I have."

"And what about Luke? Last time I checked if someone touched you in training he was ready to fight them off for you." Izzy finally pulls away form my face after dabbing the dirt off. Satisfied she smiles.

"I highly doubt Luke would care." I drop my gaze and touch my lip again.

"What? Why?" Izzy stops and gawks.

"Since I first saw him all our conversations have been short and cold or long and painful. We can't stop fighting and it's like..." I trail off not wanting to finish my sentence.

"Like what?" Izzy pries my hands open and holds them.

I imagine Roxy doing the same. She'd roll her eyes and poke my swollen ribs. 'Come on. Did he shove a stone in your throat or something? Spit it out drama queen!'

I let a tear fall in memory of Roxy. "It's like he doesn't love me anymore. Like he never had." Then I let a tear drop for Luke.

"Honey." Izzy pulls me into a hug and I lean away, grimacing at my whining ribs. "I'm sure that's not it. You guys have been apart for a long time. It's going to take some work before the both of you are in-tune."

"I don't know Izzy. How do you love someone who's changed so much? We aren't the same anymore." I stare at my feet and clutch my stomach. The silence overwhelming and intoxicating. "Can we talk about something else?"

Izzy nods and puts the bandages away. "What should we talk about?"

"You?" I tilt my head and shut my eyes.

"Okay," Izzy sighs. "Well I help out at a little care clinic with minor wounds so I can become a healer."

My eyes blink open in disbelief. How could I have not known this? I am so absorbed in revenge that I didn't even wonder what my sister and friends are doing when I'm away.

"Izzy," I pause. "That's incredible! I'm so proud of you and am sorry I didn't ask earlier. Life isn't always about me, I'm sorry."

Izzy shakes it off. "You've been battling your own demons."

"That doesn't mean I shouldn't take interest in my sisters life." I take her hand and smile. "I am glad you are continuing your passion even after everything that's happening."

Izzy kisses my forehead and takes a seat beside me. "When I was working at the clinic I met someone."

My eyes widen and I encourage her silently to continue.

"Her name is Madeline. She's the girl I was flirting with at the bar the other night." Izzy avoids my gaze timidly.

I squeeze her hands and pull them towards me. "I can't wait to meet her."

Izzy's smile beams brighter than a thousand suns. "I really like her Jean. She makes me feel safe and vulnerable. Like I can reopen a wound and she'll tend to it. I never realized how important vulnerability was until I met Madeline."

A blush now clambers onto her face. She looks tender and sweet. Her cheeks the colour of a ripe apple, but she's as soft as a berry.

"She sounds amazing." I lean in and hug Izzy.

"She is."

A pleasant serene silence hoovers lightly in the air. Finally, I pull away and walk towards the bedroom. "I need to catch some rest." I turn around and let my eyelids droop. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

Izzy sighs, "yes I will, but you're not going to the bar tonight? You can meet Madeline and hangout with all of us."

Guilt wanders aimlessly through the trenches in my stomach. I shake my head, "after today, I wouldn't think I'd be welcome."

"That's ridiculous Jean!" Izzy stands with a hand attached to her hip. "You're my sister, you are always welcome."

"I think I just need some sleep. Thank you though." I flop onto my bed and shudder, the window is open. Pulling on the handle I close the glass and lock it in place as Izzy bids goodbye and shuts the door.

I slide my shoes off and rest my head onto the pillow. My hand subconsciously slides underneath my pillow and finds my knife. My finger traces the blade and handle before a piece of paper slips across another finger tip.

I raise my head and lift my pillow and pull the paper out to find a letter with the title Dearest Undergrounder. My hands grow clammy and I swallow the lump in my throat.

Who is it from?

Opening the letter carefully I peer over my shoulder to confirm that Izzy has left. The dying breathe of the sun illuminates the page and the penmanship seeps through.

Dearest Undergrounder,

We have your best interest in mind when we say this; leave the Fide Clan. If you come back to the Bellator Clan and surrender Luke willingly and we won't hurt anyone.

If you do not come back to the Bellator Clan's district within 48 hours there will be repercussions.

Alaric will know your secret, we will take your family and hurt your friends. And if you still refuse to come back, we will take Luke.

If you tell anyone about any letters the consequences will remain the same. Do not double cross us Jean.

And remember... we are always watching.

Yours truly,
The Bellator Council