"You're brother?" Megan almost laughed.

The Hunter sighed. "Cole Randolph."

Her mind spun. "How did you..."

"I overheard you talking to your brother before they left." He explained. "How is he?"

She shrugged. "As good as you might expect being a slave in a strange world, but he could be worse."

The Hunter seemed to relax. "You were going back for him?"

Megan nodded. "I made a promise."

He thought for a moment then nodded. "Who am I to stop you from keeping it?"

"What?" She asked more out of disbelief than actually curiosity.

He smirked and pulled out a ring of keys, jingling them gently. "Let's get you out of here."

Megan stood away from the door as he opened it. Tentatively, she stepped out into the hall. "This can't be happening."

"Want me to pinch you?" He asked.

Megan rolled her eyes.

He cracked a smile and started down the hall. "We need to move before the High Shaper knows you're gone."

They rushed through the maze of corridors, each twist leading them closer to freedom.
"Why are you helping me?" Megan asked quietly as they waited for a troop of guards to pass.

"I told you." He answered, slightly annoyed. "For my brother."

She grabbed his arm as he tried to stand. "But you're one of the High Shaper top Enforcers. Obviously, you believe in the system, so why risk everything."

He huffed. "Didn't you do the same for your brother?"

She sighed. "Yes, but the difference is, I knew for a fact that he was my brother. You don't even know if this the right Cole. You could be putting everything on the line, for nothing."

He hung his head. "I have to take that chance. If he's here, I need to get him home, or at least find a way to free him."

Megan nodded and let go of his arm. They rounded one corner, then the next. Hunter stopped cold, when they were confronted by an entire battalion of Enforcers waiting for them.

One soldier stood in the front with a confident smirk. "Did you really think you would be able to escape?" Hunter glared the man down. The man's grin only grew. He snapped his fingers and strong hands grabbed Hunter and Megan from behind.

Megan's eyes flashed, but Hunter grabbed her wrist. "Don't hurt them." He pleaded.

Megan met his gaze and the power faded. The soldiers dragged them away.
                                       <>
The soldiers brought them into the great hall of the palace. They forced Megan into a bow.

A smooth voice sounded from the throne. "I must say, I never expected this from you Hunter." The Enforcer didn't respond. "Helping the enemy." The High Shaper continued. "I'm disappointed in you." He approached the kneeling teenager. "That is treason. And you know what the punishment for that is."

Hunter nodded. "I'm ready to accept the consequences of my actions."

"Good." He snapped his fingers and the guards jerked Megan up. He nodded.

A pain ripped through Megan's chest.
She managed to look down, her breaths already strained. An Enforcer had plunged his sword through her back.

"No!" Hunter lunged towards Megan, but the other guards stopped him. He watched helplessly as her body fell to the floor, fighting back tears. His only lead was gone.

The High Shaper walked over. "I trust this will never happen again."

All Hunter could do was nod. He belonged to the High Shaper. He had been a fool to defy him.