Mardea found herself awake at four thirty-six—the smell of buttery cream and sweet honey sugar drew her into a serene awakening.

Letting out a yawn, her fingers reached across the cotton sheets—making the connection that Adam was cooking, no longer beside her. She drew herself up, hunched over, eyes zoning out—her nose focused on the scent of the vanilla pancake.

Feeling each of her breaths, she felt safe. Today is going to be better, she reminded herself.

Slipping into her clothes she strode towards the light, remembering to not crash into the boxes stacked unevenly around the sides of the wall.

"Good morning." Adam smiled, wearing a green flowery apron, plating her pancakes.

"You are like a really good dream," Mardea said starry-eyed.

He chuckled and bit his lip kindly, "That's why we have to be the kindness we want to see."

"So cheesy." Mardea reached over the counter for a kiss—her cheeks blushed and her eyes were mesmerized. Seeing the man within, that his face was nothing compared to his soul beneath.

Adam met her kiss and Mardea stuck his tongue in his mouth.

Startled he pulled away "Woah! It's just pancakes. Besides you had the shittiest day yesterday. I wanted to start your day with good food." He danced around the counter and seated himself next to her on the stool.

Mardea was grinning and stuffing the pancakes down.

"Don't be late meeting Rohaan. He hates tardiness." He washed some fluffy pancakes down with tropical juice.

"Hmmm, yeah," Mardea said unimpressed. " I don't really want to talk to him."

"Am I hearing a hint of pride?" Adam poked her side with his elbow.

"Nooo, I just refused his help and now... I'm marked...Okay okay. He can be a smart mouth at times." Mardea muttered her words through her hands as if she were ashamed of herself.

"We all make mistakes," Adam said reminding her.

"Yeah, but his one will cost me my life!" Mardea looked down—blurting out the truth they both kept pretending wasn't real.

Adam pushed his lips together as he felt helplessness engulf him.

"There I said it." Mardea leapt off the stool and dumped her plate in the sink.

"What's the longest someone has lived with a mark?" Adam asked avoiding eye contact.

"Maybe a week." Mardea folded her arms staring straight into his wandering eyes. "I don't think they have statistics."

He finished up and placed his plate in the sink on top of Mardea's. Wrapping his arms about her, they stood there in the kitchen.

"I wish they weren't making me transfer.. I feel all control I had slipping away."

"Same," Mardea said feeling Adam's sadness bubbling up in his chest.

"I believe you can survive. You're a good fighter." He paused turning her to face him, ready to meet her eyes. "Kill every demon you see. Don't let them win!"

Mardea smiled, seeing his determination for her. "I will. And then I'll transfer and we can live happily ever after."

Adam laughed, "Sounds like a realistic plan!"

"Why thank you! I came up with it all by myself." She laughed teasingly and they held their hands together tightly.

"Good luck today." He said.

"You too... I'm going to miss you." Mardea said giving him one last hug and a long dragged-out kiss—he stuck his tongue in her mouth to pay her back. Licking the inside of her soft wet cheek. Her tongue stroked his and her heart fluttered as she pushed deeper into his embrace. Their lips not wanting to pull away—begging to stay in the moment.

Mardea snatched her jacket and headed for the door—riding the elevator down. She held in every one of her emotions. 

The thirty-minute walk from Adam's apartment to the depot was long enough for Mardea to wonder if she would meet Rohaan halfway there. Between the wind and rain beating the tar road, trees lending suspiciously as if they would snap—there was no sign of him.

Mardea felt herself looking over her shoulder—wary of the shadows. Struggling to see through the blackness.

At this time in the morning, there was a person in the Report Box. She scanned her ID like last time and the guy gave her a nod. She carefully walked across the concrete and in-between the parked truck.

Stepping into the warehouse her eyes fell on Rohaan immediately, his black hoodie was wearing him, covering his face with his brown hair sticking out. Seeming pretty snug in his non-compliant jacket. But then she noticed him directing two people loading up the heavy dark green truck.

Mardea cautiously made her way over the cracked concrete floor. "What's happening?" She asked in a hushed tone.

Rohaan turned slightly to see her and then turned back to the guys.

"I thought it would be easier if I just borrowed my mates from town. They are a lot stronger, that way it's faster."

"Huh," She responded, annoyed she wasn't consulted.

"Ya forgot ya coms." He said taking steps forward, giving a hand to wheel the crate into a tight spot aboard the truck.

Mardea huffed knowing he was saying, I didn't tell you, because I couldn't and that's on you.

"I know ya mad at me," said Rohaan strapping down the crates.

Mardea took a breath and stood in the middle of the truck's back door. "Look at me Rohaan."

He quickly peered up at her. "I'm not mad at you." She said, his eyes focused on the glowing red mark on her forehead.

Pity filled his expression—without saying a word he went back to organising.

"What am I doing?" asked Mardea feeling silly standing around.

"You can drive the truck." He said plainly.

Seriously?? He usually fights me over driving the truck. "Thanks." She smiled and went round to the front. Yanking open the door she leaped on the furry seat cover.

Her black combat boots rested on the dash—leisurely lending back. It was nice to have a break from helping direct and load up. She appreciated that Rohaan did all the organising—it took the mental load off. Even though she was a little grumpy towards him she put it down to being tired.

To the right was his headset, its lights flashing yellow and red. Mardea removed her heavy leather jacket and tossed it on Rohaan's seat—revealing her white singlet. The vehicle's clock ticked on to six ten. Twisting the key started the engine and she cranked up the heat. The truck rocked as the roller door was pulled down, making a rumbling sound.

Rohaan leapt in almost crunching his headset under the jacket. 'All good if my buds ride back into Coasto with ya?"

Mardea nodded and put her foot down on the clutch, shifting it into gear. Rohaan's two helpers jumped onto the back—holding on as it exited the building.

Rohaan tossed Mardea's jacket onto the dash and sat with one leg crossed under him.

She grabbed her ID from around her neck and scanned it. The vehicle arm lifted up, letting them pass through.

Silence sat in the truck as Mardea drove. Rohaan watched out the window and bit his nail sluggishly—weary from how early it was.

A thirty-minute walk was a ten-minute drive, Mardea struggled to remember that fact when having to walk places.

"Where do your friends want to get off?" She asked entering the township.

"They'll just jump." He shrugged. It was a ten K zone. They landed on the road and dashed to the street to avoid the non-existent cars.

The drive continued to the gate where Mardea once again scanned her ID—she felt herself getting agitated from having to always scan it. But it was a security measure to stop enemy demons. Rohaan, lending across Mardea as she pushed herself into the back of the seat scanned his ID.

It typed out, Name: Rohaan Cade Sharn Palau. Age: 25. Blood stat: N/A.

Just then a notification appeared on the screen, 'Cleared' and the gate opened.

Rohaan sat back down as Mardea drove the truck through. He usually talks a lot, why do I feel so awkward? Is it about Adam? Maybe I'm just overthinking things.

"How's Adam?" Rohaan said breaking the silence and noticing her face deep in thought.

"He's transferring," Mardea said keeping her eyes on the dirt road.

"WHAT?" Befuddled Rohaan raised his voice. "Ooooh, ya Dad knows. By the way."

"Knows what?" She questioned as the fear ate her up.

"Ya elopement..." He raised his brows with slight concern on his face.

"When did he find out?" asked Mardea voice shaking, glancing at Rohaan.

"Corp told him after ya left. Do ya think he's getting transferred because of that?" Rohaan pried.

"God, I hope not." She swallowed.

Rohaan stared at her eyes, nose and lips—seeing the despair and worry creepy over.

"Why is this happening?" She said to herself, frowning.

He took his eyes off her and minded his own—placing his headset on. Not my business, he repeated to himself.