"Since when did you ask for permission?"

"I am serious."

"Go ahead."

"Will you..." he stuttered for a moment, "Will you go out on one date with me? We have known each other for many years and it would be nice if you would allow me to get to know you on a more personal basis. We may be vile creatures according to the humans, but we have hearts, and I want to be in yours."

"I appreciate the request, yet I don't want to open myself to anyone, nor am I ready to do so. Right now, I see you as a good friend."

"I understand. You prefer to isolate yourself from everyone."

"I am sorry. On the bright side, I am sure there are plenty of bereachers lining up to be your mate."

"Wow, look at you trying to help me think positively," he rolled his eyes.

"Hey, even the black night sky has the moon to glimmer in its darkness."

"Kancia, for what it's worth, I am glad to have you around, even if we do not become mates."

"One thing I wonder is why she has you around?" a harsh voice interrupted.

"Morrigan, what a pleasure to see you again," I spoke, forcing myself to sound cheerful.

"Kancia, for someone feared by so many humans, why do you associate yourself with this low rank."

"Regardless of rank, we all serve the same function and I prefer to interact with those I can trust," I responded. Once I was at her left side, I leaned over so I could whisper to her. "Besides, I do have a strong liking for blue compared to your overrated gold hair."

Listening, she scoffed at my sentence: "You are something Kancia. I like your attitude. Hope to see you next month."

"I feel the same," I lied, trying to hold my sarcasm.

As she left, I refocused my attention on Ladron. I could see a faint rose tint across his cheeks. I eliminated the idea that he was sick, as bereachers are not susceptible to any disease or illness. Instantly, I remembered the statement I whispered to Morrigan. I didn't mean for him to hear that statement.

"Is it true that you like my blue hair?"

"I think Systiere was speaking on my behalf."

"Then why didn't your eyes change."

"The statement was a quick one. I am sure you failed to notice it after priding yourself with that comment."

"Maybe. Or deep down you cannot resist me," he gazed at me mischievously.

"He is not wrong," Systiere spoke from inside my head. "When will you give this man a chance?"

"Quite Systiere!" I silenced her.

I was thankful that my other alternate side could only communicate with me mentally, otherwise, Ladron would know too much about me and our relationship would differ in a variety of ways.

"Did Systiere say something else about me?" Ladron stepped closer, peering into my eyes.

For a second I thought he could read my mind. I then remembered it was a power reserved for the bereachers of greed and selfishness to lure their prey.

"What makes you say that?"

"You paused for a moment, not to mention changed your facial expression."

"She said she liked your outfit," I quickly lied.

"Tell her I say thanks," he replied. "You know, I always wondered what it is like to share your mind with someone else."

"It can be nice. She has helped me along my path of discovering my powers. Often when I am alone, we talk to each other, even if I want to be alone."

"You crimson bereachers are so lucky. You have a friend who will stay with you for the rest of eternity."

"Ya, a friend who I believe enjoys judging me for every one of my murder missions."

"Darling, I judge you every second of the day," Systiere corrected, leading me to frown.

"Kancia, would you like to leave the fortress for some time? I know how much you like the outdoors."

Nodding, we bypassed the other guests and escaped out the door. Stepping a few metres from the door, we could feel the cool breeze against our skin. Above us, we could see tall trees with their leaves and flowers in full bloom. Their immense height covered portions of the white crescent moon. The rustling of leaves was calming. In unison, we both allowed our black wings to emerge. Flying into the air, we flew toward a mountain that stood some distance from the fortress. We landed on a large ledge on the lower portion of the wide mountain. Overlooking the trees, the waves crashed against the grey, jagged rocks on the beach.

"Shouldn't you have informed Tama that you left," Ladron asked.

"No need. She knows that I would not stay in that room for too long," I sat at the edge of the ledge. "Plus, we will not be here for too long."

"I am glad that I suggested leaving the fortress. I could tell you were suffocating amongst all those people."

"I was not suffocating!" I shouted, slapping his arm.

"That hurt. How could you be so mean?" he joked.

"Quit your whining."

"Aww come on. It's so fun. I get to annoy you and you love me too much to do anything about it."

"Well, maybe tonight I will."

"Okay, all jokes aside. I need to show you something," Ladron pointed downward, urging me to fly lower to rest on a ledge.

"I didn't bring you here so you could be free from the others. Instead, I have gathered some information about a gang of criminals who plan to meet here."

Seconds after his statement, we could see a group of men treading through the trees, holding torches. Intrigued, I made sure not to make a sound, to avoid them noticing our presence.

"Marak, what is our next mission?" a gruff man asked.

A heavyset man with dreadlocks and a blinded right eye stood in front of his group on the largest rock.

"My friends," he announced, "for decades on end, we have assassinated tons of people. People who act high and mighty because they know the people below them fear for their lives. People who have abused their power to meet their ends. We have tried to save our world from the corruption of these dark souls. However, it has been at the cost of the lives of our kin. These bereachers have been killing our own. Today, though, we will end them. Today will be the beginning of our mission to wipe free this planet of their poison."

The men cheered, causing Ladron to turn towards me.

"I know how much you care about the innocent. If we can kill that man, we can reduce the number of crimes committed against powerful people," Ladron stated. "They run the cities they take over, stealing valuable resources from the people they claim to have rescued. If we do not stop them, cities will fall from the chaos they create."

"I hope he knows that us bereachers cannot die," I stated. "His men might as well commit suicide if they think they could face us."

"Avoid getting overconfident. If man could discover a way to kill their kind, it will only be a matter of time until they find something for us. We need to do something about it fast. If we can kill this guy, a highly wanted criminal, our kind will leave you alone. Bereachers will fear and respect you."

"Isn't that something you want?"

"Could you just do this for me?"

"Fine. What do you propose I do?"

"In two days they will meet in the building where they serve drinks for humans."

"You mean a tavern?"

"Yes, a tavern. If you can track him that night, you can see what his plan is and what resources he has access to."

"Consider it done."