Opal curled her dew-covered toes into the red grass and slurped the mash of foods she'd helped Proga forage for that morning. She swallowed and repressed a shudder until he was no longer looking. It wasn't bad but the texture was off-putting. After all the pampering they'd received at Corax's home it was hard to return to normal food again. Everyone was slowly coming to life as the morning sun grew brighter on the horizon. Except for Yue. He'd been awake even before she and Proga started out at dawn. When they returned, he was still sitting against the wagon, staring off into the distance. She understood why he wasn't able to sleep after Obsidian shared his story. It took awhile to get it out of him, what with his ability to focus so unpredictable. At the end though one thing was clear; he and Ren were both kept for a time in a locked cell together recently. Not deep underground in a dripping cave. It had been high above the ground, a white brightly lit room where wind whistled through the bars.

Ren had been kept in Lster and if Obsidian was even slightly correct about timing, they'd missed him by mere days. There was a moment after he explained this his eyes cleared and he took Yue's hand, apologizing for delivering what he knew to be painful news. Yue had waited for him to get the vague expression back on his face before he walked away. Since then, Yue'd barely spoken. Proga stretched his arms above his head and went to re-apply salve to Kait's still purple hands. She and Spark had awoken just after everyone had started to settle down for the night. Although Kait calmed immediately after seeing Yue and Proga were both safe, Spark, disoriented, had attempted to run. Proga's reflexes were good enough he'd caught the other demon before he was lost to the night. Even that brief burst of energy left the fire-demon drained and after finishing his food he'd immediately fallen back asleep.

Yue must have been waiting for them to finish because the second Gabbro set down his bowl. "We need to pack up."

Proga turned, holding one of Kait's hands carefully. "Let's allow everyone get on their feet before we move too far, Prince. The last thing we need is to prolong this journey if someone became sicker." As he said this his gold eyes flicked to Reugu who was shivering even sitting under a heavy blanket made from northern bird feathers. His breakfast hadn't been touched as he glared at everyone before getting up to rest elsewhere.

Yue followed his gaze, frowning. "Tomorrow, then. Staying in one place outside of any of the trials or territories wouldn't be safe, either."

Opal's mind immediately went back to their encounter with a Horde and decided she very much agreed with this idea.

"I can put up a warning barrier if you are concerned about unwelcome visitors." Gabbro stood.

Yue nodded.

"I think letting him go anywhere unescorted is a poor choice." Proga watched him carefully.

"You still don't trust me, shifter?"

"No."

Gabbro put one hand to his chest, as though wounded.

"I'll go with him." Opal volunteered.

"There. Opal can keep me from getting into trouble."

Proga frowned and shook his head. "Not Opal."

Opal felt her ears get warm. "Why not me, Proga?"

He opened his mouth but Kait touched his shoulder. "brother- do you want to come help me clean these?" She held up one of the stone bowls to Obsidian. Obsidian turned, dropped a handful of flower stems and grinned. "Of course, little sister!"

Kait smiled back at him, then her expression cooled when she turned back to Gabbro. "I'm sure he wouldn't dream of doing dangerous while with Opal."

Proga was still frowning when Opal turned away.

As much as she appreciated Proga watching out for her he was starting to become irritating. She was well aware she was the weakest in the group but that didn't mean she was stupid.

"You're awfully quiet for you. I'd look where you are going."

Opal realized that Gabbro was leading her into some needle bushes and was holding a branch back to let her walk in without having it scratch at her face. She'd almost walked right into it. Maybe her self-preservation did need some work.

"Thanks." She scooted around a tree before she noticed there was not enough room to avoid brushing up against him again. Opal flashed back to the bridge and halted. There was only inches of space between them.

Gabbro didn't say anything, just waited.

"A-are you going to leave us?"

His expression didn't change as he released the branch, cutting them off from the field and the rest of the world.

"Would that upset you, Opal?" His voice was low.

"Yes." She blurted.

He considered her face. "I think you'd be the only one. And I think that is only because you think I can give you information about your past. I hear you can remember almost nothing."

"That's only part of why."

"Really? What's the rest of it?"

"I... don't know."

Just a hint of a smirk. "I don't think I believe that." Gabbro turned and continued through the bushes. She followed a few steps back, stuck between embarrassment and determination.

They paused by a larger tree, tendrils of leaves crawling up its black bark. Gabbro put a hand against it and then pulled his bag off. Opal stepped closer to watch. He removed a long, thin strip of paper with words she didn't know, ran his thumb across his tongue and pressed it to the back of the paper.

"Would you like to place it? Anywhere is fine."

Opal took it and stuck it on as he said. It was a little crooked, she tried to pull it off to reposition it, but the paper stuck fast. It also produced a sharp, piercing sound, not unlike the paper he'd used to call Reugu. Opal clapped her hands over her ears until it stopped.

"What is it?"

"Safety border. After we place the next three, anything larger than a rabbit that passes through the square will trigger it to go off and alert us."

"Did you make all of these?"

"Most of them. It's a necessary practice when you work along side more powerful demons- especially when they have enemies."

"Could you teach me?" Opal suddenly realized how much better she would feel to have any sort of protection at all.

"If you would like."

"Why did you hang out with demons who have so many enemies?"

He frowned. "I'm afraid where I grew up there weren't many other options. And once my brother got involved... let's just say I feel responsible for what happened to him."

"And Yue- did you help them capture him? Do you know who they are?"

Gabbro sighed. "Not directly. But yes, I know who did although not their real names. I've assisted capturing others for ransom before. There were quite a few times."

"Is... is that how I know you?"

"I doubt that. I'm sorry to say I'm still having trouble recalling where we have met before."

"But you feel like you know me, right?"

"Yes."

"If I can't remember and you can't remember... maybe... maybe something happened to us too. Like Obsidian."

"Maybe."

"Why are you so nonchalant about all of this? Doesn't it frustrate you not knowing?" She stood in front of him.

"Everything I do, everyone I associate with and my reason for following a Prince's entourage is to help Obsidian. I don't expect others to understand or forgive me for that. Once he is safe I will consider myself again. That said," He reached out and traced her jaw with a finger, tipping her chin upward. Opal at once felt unbearably dizzy as his eyes searched hers. "I do find it frustrating I can't focus on remembering you."

Opal felt like she was tumbling down. Flashes of cool mist on her skin, refreshing after the heat of the sun on her all day, pebbles under her toes as she ran just out of reach of the laughter from what she was sure was a friend, then cold and a sharp pain and the pounding of fists against a door, the feel of lips and teeth against her neck- Opal's back itched from leaning against the rough bark of the tree. The piercing whistle noise was in her ear. She had a hand on her chin, breathing rapid and irregular.

"I apologize. I don't know what came over me." Gabbro looked like he might mean it. "Are you ok to continue or should I take you back?"

Opal swallowed hard. Going back was the last thing she wanted now. "I'm ok."

------

Proga was the only one awake when they returned. He sorted through crates apparently trying to make more space by consolidating some of the more poorly packed boxes. At their approach he stopped to watch them the entire way back. Opal was once again annoyed by this behavior. He never even gave Gabbro a chance.

It seemed like half of his reason for disliking Gabbro in the first place was because he associated with another shifter. He didn't know if he'd participated in Yue's kidnapping. And even if he did, Yue hadn't been hurt long term. Hadn't Gabbro helped them afterward? She knew Proga would do about anything for Kait, so why couldn't he understand what Gabbro would do for his brother?

"How'd it go?" Proga asked in a low tone to avoid disturbing Yue who was sleeping, slumped to one side on one of the crates. Opal watched his fitful sleep. His eyebrows were knitted and his legs kept twitching. Obsidian was curled up next to him, a hand gripping his white braids.

Opal raised an eyebrow at Proga who shrugged. "He likes playing with his hair. It was better than him trying to bury everything."

Gabbro seemed less impressed as he bent to untangle his hand. He picked him up to lay him on the real blanket.

"He really cares for his brother." Opal whispered, admiring how gently he laid him back down.

"Maybe." Proga glanced, uninterested. "What kind of barrier did you put up?"

She explained it the best she could. "He said he would teach me."

"Did he now? Well, just make sure you are careful."

"Why do you hate him so much?"

Proga frowned, pointed to Yue and motioned for her to get up. Opal rolled her eyes but followed.

"So?" She pressed as soon as Proga stopped. She felt a little out of breath. One of his steps was three of hers when he walked quickly.

"I don't hate him. I don't trust him and I think he is much more dangerous than he lets on."

"Why?"

"For one, he clearly keeps bad company."

"Like Reugu? Another shifter? Is that the bad company?"

Proga narrowed his eyes. "He also associated with all of those demons in that hotel. I don't know if you saw that their entire business model seemed to be about extortion. But yes, hanging out with shifters is not a great sign."

"Proga. You're a shifter."

"I am aware, thanks. That's how I know what I'm talking about. Do you know why other demons are scared of shifters, Opal?"

"Well, you can turn into anything you want."

"No. I can only turn into things I've been able to see and touch. And it takes practice. They are scared because they- we- can shift others too."

"I don't understand."

"Why do you think when I shift, I tell you to stand outside the shadow? Do you know what would happen if you didn't and I decided... its ugly. The kind-hearted ones turn you into something else. The less kind ones will turn you inside out. And most shifters are happy to do it for the right price."

His eyes blazed from tan to gold. "I know Reugu's kind and they are vile. If Gabbro is comfortable around him, there is something wrong. And if he's in charge of a shifter he is extremely dangerous."

Opal shook her head. Horrifying at it was, she didn't believe that meant he was a terrible demon. "But its for his brother. He told me that. Are you saying you wouldn't do that for Yue? Or Kait?"

Proga looked past her. "Never again. I don't care what the reason or for who. I will never do that again."

Opal watched him leave. As much as she'd tried to defend Gabbro and Reugu his words left her cold. Again?

Dinner that night was quiet. Yue bounced his leg as he poked at the remains of the dried meat and hard bread they'd kept from the market. Kait seemed to be recovering well, she barely winced as she picked up her plate and rested it in one hand. Obsidian seemed to enjoy feeding her bites of food anyway. Spark had finished his plate earlier and once again passed out.

Opal purposely sat on the other side of the group from Proga who occasionally gave her indecipherable glances. The only one who hadn't shown up to eat was Reugu. Perhaps to spite Proga, or prove to herself she wasn't intimidated Opal offered to bring a plate to him. Even if he as antisocial he still needed to eat.

He was where he's been that morning, curled under the blanket, sleeping away from the group by a small outcropping of rocks. She imagined he might have tried to sunbathe like a lizard.

"Reugu- are you awake? You need to eat something." She paused. "It's better than this morning, promise." She hoped her voice was cheerful enough. He ignored her. She sighed and put the plate down. Better than his usual disdain, she supposed. Proga would be pleased she hadn't managed to make headway. Opal started back to the wagon but then slowed to a stop when a shiver made her rub her arm. She wanted to be wrong. Please, please be wrong.

"Reugu- hey, are you ok?" She held her breath as she pulled the blanket back and saw his pale eyes had gone completely black and sightless.