The map flies from each end of the table as my fists clench. Warriors and strategists pack the small, wooden, windowless room from shoulder to shoulder. Luke and Alaric stand on either side of me arguing about the best plan of action. The noise seems to get louder and louder; I reach and hold my head, sighing.

Luke stops arguing and stares at me, "Jean? Are you okay?"

I shake my head and slam my hand down on the map flying to the other end of the table. "Everyone shut up!" I yell as people continue to talk over me. I close my eyes and take a breath before standing up on the table. My hands sit on my hips and I wait quietly like a teacher with kindergartens. Slowly the attention focuses to me and the room quiets to a whisper before ceasing. "That's better. Would someone like to tell me what we are arguing about?"

One brave warrior with a ragged scar drawn down his cheek breaks the silence, "Yeah! These strategists aren't helping, they don't know what it's like on the battlefield. It's easier said than done!"

"You don't think when you're on the field, you just go on a killing spree," a clean-shaven man shakes his head, his arms crossed.

Shouts erupt again and I sigh. My head falls into my hands as I try to cover my pain. My pain for my missing sister, my pain for my dead mother and Roxy.

"Hey!" Alaric booms. "If you don't shut the hell up, you will leave!" The crowd quiets as they stare at Alaric in shock. "Listen to Jean."

Abruptly they all turn to me, their eyes attentive and ooze submission.

"Thanks Alaric," I clear my throat and flip the map open. "I know we are in pain, but we leave to attack the Bellator Clan in four days. Let's use what we have to our advantage and communicate."

"We are communicating!" The scared man spits, "Are you deaf?"

Luke and Alaric snap their heads at him. Alaric chuckles darkly and Luke cracks his knuckles walking towards the man.

"Children stop!" I yell at Luke and Alaric. I turn to face the man and jump off the table, the crowd parts as I make my way to the man. I stop a foot away and squint, "I am not deaf, but I will be if every one keeps arguing like four-year-olds and don't start working together."

The man scrunches his nose in distaste and shakes his head quietly.

"I don't know if you knew this," I turn and hop back onto the table, "but communication is about talking and listening." I flip my eyes back up at the man and smile sinisterly, "So let's practice. Let's give suggestions and point out our assists and weaknesses. Does anyone want to go first?"

Silence follows like the grim reaper in a war, quiet and inevitable.

"Okay," I sigh to ease the tension strung high in the air, "I'll go first. Our greatest asset is Luke, he lives and breaths that land, so we know what territory we're getting ourselves into. Also, he has trained those soldiers and listened to his strategists, so it's a good chance we'll know the layout of their army and plans. A disadvantage is that only Luke knows the land well, so the environment won't suit us all."

Everyone nods and whispers lightly. "We have motivation," a young man calls from the back. "They came into our territory and killed our families yesterday. We've done nothing to them, so they have nothing to fight for besides Lady."

People talk and I hop down and readjust the map on the table. The men and women swarming the grid throwing suggestions and opinions. Some are discarded, and others are improved. They bicker and agree, finding a middle ground we've been failing to find all night.

I back away and take a breath of air. My headache finally easing. I head to the door, hoping to slip away for some rest until the scarred-faced man steps in front of me.

"I'm sorry." He looks over my shoulder and gulps, "I was rude and should have respected you."

I glance over my shoulder at Luke who's arms are crossed and glares at the man. The Devil would have shivered at the look in his eyes. I shake my head and turn back, "You should have. Maybe I would've forgiven you if you came to me on your own terms instead of someone else's." I push around him and open the door, "Goodnight."

《《《《《《《《》》》》》》》》

I run my wax along the string of my bow. I take a breath in and listen to the birds chirp, my stomach rolls over and my hand trembles.

Tomorrow we fight.

Everything in my life has lead up to this moment, yet I'm afraid. I'm afraid that Izzy will be dead with the rest of the Immunis. I'm afraid that Luke, Alaric and Adam will die in battle. I'm afraid to leave James behind, alone. I fear for my life as well because if I die there is nothing I can do to help anymore. All the preparation and training the past four days could be pointless.

I shut my eyes and let the setting sun soak into my skin, but every time my eyes close they see the ones of Lady. They're dead and behind them is a trapped soul who gave up years ago. I watch her approach Roxy and slit her throat, then Izzy's. I scream and fight the chains that shackle me to the ground, but it's useless.

Lady will always own my dreams.

I reach up and touch the L scarring my face, I will never be rid of her. When I open my eyes tears well in them. I drop the wax and rest my head on my bow, my chest squeezes my lungs shut.

"Are you okay?" Alaric takes a seat beside me and rests his large hand on my back.

I nod, sit up and take deep breaths. "I'm sorry, the pressure is getting to me."

"I understand," Alaric sighs, "I used to have panic attacks before each battle I went into."

I wipe my tears and smile sadly, "when did they stop?"

"I can't remember when, but around the time I didn't let my fears control me. They are still there, but I harness them instead of letting them dictate." Alaric looks down before resting his elbows on his knees, "But I can tell you when they started."

I copy him and pick up the wax, "When did they start?"

"When I was 10 Lady came back into my life. She pulled me away during training and lured me into the forest. She told me she was my mother and handed me a photograph of my father. I believed her and she said she would take me home and that she always loved. I was so desperate to believe that she loved and wanted me that every night I'd go into the woods and visit her. She'd teach me to fight and how to wield a sword when Windsor wouldn't let me go near one. When I told her my dad never let me hold a sword, she snapped saying Windsor wasn't my father. She became hysterical and unpredictable." Alaric runs his hand through his hair and sighs. "I didn't know what I was getting myself into.

"I met her in the woods the next night and she stood in the dark with someone tied at her feet. I got scared so I began to walk away, but she said that he would die if I left. I ask who, and she pushed my best friend into the light."

I gasp and shake my head, but Alaric continues.

"Lady kidnapped my friend and held a knife to his throat. She said I had to beat him or he'd die. So, I hit him until he was purple, she smiled as I did. I tried to save his life, but it didn't matter what I did because she killed him."

I sandwich Alaric's hand in both of mine and feel hatred quench my core.

"When I asked why she killed him she replied, 'I had to make sure you had no reason to stay.' I asked why she made me beat him she said, 'to make you a soldier. I saw how you wielded that sword, your fists. You have the potential to be a warrior just like your father. But here, with these people who shelter you, you are weak.' I told her I didn't want to be a warrior and she hit me."

My mouth lays open and I stare into his traumatized eyes. Words could not describe my disgust for Lady. Leaning over, I wrap an arm around him and he rests a head on my shoulder. We sit like this until the sun has set and his breath had steadied.

Alaric clears his throat, "She wanted me to be my father so badly she sacrificed my happiness and childhood."

Lament fills my face as I squeeze his hand, "Lady killed my best friend too. Her name was Roxy and she took my place during an execution, so I could live."

Alaric squeezes my hand back, "You must blame yourself."

I nod and lower my head, "I'm working on that. It's difficult, but I'll get there."

"I know you will," he releases my hand and stands up. "I've forgiven myself."

I stand up and hug Alaric, "Thank you for being here."

Alaric hugs me back and sighs, "It's been a long time since I've had a best friend like you."