~ Three things in life:
your health.
your mission,
and the people you love.
That's it.

- Naval Ravikant.

~~|||~~

"Hey."

I flinched awake. I rose myself up to glance back at Chris who entered the room. He looked like shit with all the bandages and substances on him, as well almost in drugs of how dilated his pupils were. The Elves must've given him weird medicine pills.

I offered him a tired smile as he closed the door softly behind him, to not wake up our sleeping Demon.

"Hey." I rasped back, rubbing my eyes. My attention turned back onto Alchadar who laid on the medical bed before me, his face peaceful while he kept sleeping. I put on nod that his bare chest still rose in steady rhythm, which was good. He was still with us. Also the bandages on him didn't look like bleeding anymore, slowly but steadily his fast genes started to work on his injuries. It was really good.

Although it dearly rasped my heart to see him in that condition, Alchadar had never outdone himself and when he finally did this was the result. It looked bad. I didn't know how to feel about it.

Our real first encounter with the Kingdom...

I'm not quite sure how we'll move on from here.

If at all...

"You've been staying here the whole time with him?" Chris questioned next as he limped up beside me, looking at the recharging Demon. I sat on a chair beside my partner's bedside, feeling extremely exhausted but the few hours of sleep I just had seemed to do it.

I nodded to Chris.

"Have you eaten yet?" He then asked, dragging a chair beside me with a slight wince. I got worried and watched him sit down, the bandage supporting his right arm looking really bad. I hadn't even noticed that he had dislocated it.

"Are you okay? Shouldn't you be resting too?" I almost dismissed his question, it was useless to answer. I had no appetite left. I was more worried of the two knuckleheads, they were idiotic enough to let themselves end up like this, but they still were my friends. I couldn't ignore the state they were in, damn I think I didn't even sleep when I winced awake the second Alchadar moved his arm in his sleep.

"I'm fine." Chris took in a deep inhale and lent back on his chair, sitting almost like a badass he were until he took out sudden cigarette from his front pocket, and lighted it up with a lighter. I stared at him bewildered as he took in a rag of the toxic, breathing it out with a big puff. "You want some?"

"No, thank you." I scrunched up my nose of the smell, retracting away from him a bit. "Can't you smoke anywhere else other than here? Alchadar's still sleeping!" I groaned pissed, not believing how careless and unpredictable the Slayer still could be. He just dared to come here and have a smoke while my partner was still unconscious. 

"I believe once he wakes up he wants some too, trust me. I'm doing him a favor." Chris said as he took in another rag, looking extremely satisfied as he had nicotine in his system. I shook my head in disbelief.

"I doubt that." I sighed as well leaned onto Alchadar bed's side, looking at Chris extremely bored. I glanced into the corner of the room and saw Armen still there sleeping heavily, not hearing us or Chris coming. Otherwise there'd be a hell to pay if we woke up the damn Beast. "... Where'd you even get that from? I haven't seen you smoke before."

"From Thandruil-  the King sure has a good taste." Chris breathed out the grey smoke out of his lungs in waves, doing for the truth kinda cool-looking art. "I don't smoke regularly. And also--" Chris put the cigarette on his lips for a moment as he breathed the smoke out from the corner of his mouth, as he begun fizzling around trying to grab something from his side pocket. He pulled out a big sack of something heavy, I could hear big load of coins rubbing against each other. He had unnecessarily big smirk plastered on his face. "It's our pay-day, princess. We can go shopping as soon as we get to leave."

I sighed to him, correcting my position. 

"Hate to break it, but we're staying here as long as both you and my maniac partner are completely healed and feeling better. Thank God we're in the healing forest," I lent my chin onto my palm, and without realizing it I focused onto my partner's face, counting every freckle on his face and notifying the way his cheekbones flexed beautifully, completing his handsome face. His cheeks actually made his jaw look like it could take up iron. It was odd to have a chance to finally be able to see him close and like this, it was a rare opportunity. I had seen him sleep before, but this was something new. I had mixed up feelings, making me wanna both slap him and hug him. "Otherwise we'd be here for a long time."

Chris took in his last rag of the toxic until he dropped the cigarette down and squeezed it below his boot, sighing heavily. Casually, on the wooden floor. I'd be surprised if we didn't become arsonists too. 

"You know... back there," Chris begun out of nowhere, I turned to him to see him ran his fingers through his thick blonde hair and pull them back, all the while he looked at me. "Alchadar may not admit it, and I hope that you won't become too much of a wildcat after this, but what you did back then was good thinking. Being honest here, I don't think we even had a solid plan as we encountered the Seven, Alchadar was wearing out. I could see it. But we were determined to fight them for the sake of you four to get away, I mean hell. I was ready to die back there if I knew that you got to safety."

I listened him closely, being momentarily caught up shocked and surprised. Chris had it in him to admit his defeat, but I knew that Alchadar was bold. He was a Demon after all, they happened to be arrogant and try everything they possibly could to survive and make it on their own. But what Chris was saying was almost the same I believe my partner would've had... but in other way.

He'd kill me first, then speak.

Should I just run away before he wakes up to save myself out of this?

"... Actually it was not my idea." I admitted as I looked out of the only window of the room, seeing Elves working there. Their lives had returned almost to normal after they had Gail back, they didn't have go be scared of Legion anymore thanks to Alchadar either. "Praxina came up with the crazy idea, she was also determined to help you guys. Without her down there with us... I don't think you two would've made it out of there alive."

"Or you." Chris bit in, suddenly leaning forward as he rubbed his hand against his knee. His green eyes challenging mine to argue. "Even if the Elf wouldn't have been there you'd come straight back, like you've done a couple of times already. I mean jeez, how hard is it for you to follow simple orders?" He groaned annoyed, looking down at the floor for a moment as he lent his arms on his legs. I watched his hair fall almost in harmony onto his face, had he showered?

I blinked in surprise of his sayings, thinking it back. Yeah, it happened with the Aswang once... and possibly when Alchadar fought Khan a few days ago, but not else. Err... okay maybe at the hot springs too, but I thought the monkey was Chris!

Whoa, I hadn't even thought about that. I was not good at listening Alchadar, I'd get my ass killed one day. Either by him, or something that got me killed because I didn't follow his orders. 

"... Sorry." I fizzled around with my hands on my lap, cheeks flushing red. I didn't know why I felt so embarrassed to realize something like that. "... It's just that once I see you guys all non-afraid and 'ready to rumble and get the party started' I want to feel being a part of it, just like you. I'm supposed to help you guys, but sometimes I feel like I'm only giving temporary solutions... or I'm just a burden to you guys. I want to pull my part too, it doesn't matter how weak I'm still."

Chris looked at me, longingly and odd. It actually started to bother me after a while and I turned to him, raising an eyebrow. I just told him a raw subject, and he kept staring at be almost blindly and shocked.

"What is it, donkey? Don't you dare mock me." I rose up to sit and pointed a sharp finger at him, my brows narrowing into a thin line. Chris relaxed after that and nodded a couple of times to himself, giving me suddenly this shit-eating smirk as he looked confident. What the hell was he thinking?

"Alright then, princess. I'm going to make you stronger, besides Alchadar's training of course. I'll teach you the basics of my skills and give you a rookie's class of slaying Demons, but they do come hella handy with other kinds too. So, what'd you say? Wanna become a part-time Demon Slayer, princess?" Chris asked from me, his sudden offer coming out of the bushes. He rubbed his hands together and looked pretty sure of his choice, it was something he wanted to do. He, Christian freaking Warlock wanted to help training me?

What next, he'd start rubbing my feet too?

Did he hit his head from earlier?

"... You have a temper," I begun slightly cautious, my face still shocked. Perhaps suspicious too.  "Are you sure you won't kill me the moment you get frustrated with me?"

Chris snorted, running a big hand down his face in disbelief. "Me? You do remember that I do not harm women and children, especially children." He said, my body going rigid. Did he just... yeah, he did. Chris knew what he had said, and didn't look sorry at all.

"You're saying I'm a kid?" I growled, Chris looking innocently up at the roof, finding it pretty interesting suddenly. He was messing around with me again, I could feel it deep in my bones. "I may be small, but I'm 19! Don't you start with me!" I nudged his side in annoy, he gave me a tongue smirk-wink which doubled up my annoy. "Oh, I'm gonna kill you--" I stood up from the chair but suddenly the door creaked open, our attentions turning to it immediately.

Praxina and Gail stood behind it, staring at us surprised and frozen on the spot. It might've looked terrifying when I had my fist up in the air, ready to teach the Demon Slayer beside me a lesson.

"-- Don't let us interfere." Praxina gave me a smirk and dismissed us, as well she pushed Gail to go forward. "Gail wanted to see how the Demon was doing, we won't be long. Also, we got a shield barrier casted around the Castle, the Seven won't find you here anytime soon."

I growled and gave a small tap to Chris' injured shoulder, which he immediately reacted to and retreated from me, holding it in agony. I think I heard a few quiet curses of 'son of a bitch' and something similar to 'fuck' and him swearing he'd pay me that one. I grinned in victory.

Then I gave some room for Gail to jump on the chair I sat on a minute ago, his eyes concerned of Alchadar's condition. He sat there still, almost like pouting as he looked ready to sit there as long as it took for my partner to wake up.

"Don't worry." I said to Gail as I put a soft hand on his shoulder, the boy's mesmerizing green eyes on me then.

"He may look like shit, but he'll live kid." Chris also reassured, after he regained from my hurtful action. Although his face was bright red. I didn't even feel bad, he most certainly earned that one.

"... Also," Praxina said behind me, I turned to see her hands crossed as she looked at me. "My Dad wants so see you, said he was going to make up for what we did to you... I also wanted to say that, uh," She looked away embarrassed, tightening her grip on her hands. I listened to her closely, just waiting for the words. I knew that she didn't have to say she was sorry anymore, she proved to me already it back in the mine. Her idea saved my friends, if anything I owed her. But I think it weighed her down of what she had done to me. "I'm... sorry."

I smiled to her, she was all flushed in embarrassment. It was glad to see that even the tough Elf was capable of apologies and feelings.

"I forgive you... if anything it should be me thanking you." I smiled to her, which earned her attention back on me. She didn't expect to hear me say that clearly. "Even though we most certainly didn't meet in good terms ... I think that your idea back there saved my friends and all of us. And for that, I'm grateful to you."

The Elf's face looked more embarrassed as she found the wall interesting, she snorting once. Ah, I wish I had a picture of her face.

"It was nothing... you coming?" She asked then, heading out of the door and onto the aisle as fast as she said her apology. I smirked smugly, well that was awkward.

I headed for the door but stopped as I heard expected movement, turning around to see Chris up and ready to follow me- and even Armen who had woken up, the Beast stretching up his body. Damn, the guys still weren't trusting.

"It's okay." I told them, holding the door's knob in my hand. Chris and Armen stopped in pure confusion, almost not getting to their head what I was saying. Nor meaning with the word 'okay'. "I won't be long... stay here with him for me." I said to them, unexpectedly. I wanted to know were the Elves really trying, and I didn't want to seem threatening and unsure of them still. I wanted to forgive them, holding grudge was tiresome.

"You sure?" Chris asked, worried. I didn't know how exactly he intended to assist me in his state, I might've been better on my own.

"We'd make sure nothing goes wrong." Armen said too, his animalistic instincts kicking in. He knew there was a potential danger, but having them worry over me for nothing was exhausting, I wanted them to start trusting on me too.

"Nothing will happen, I promise." I smiled to them, trying to ease them up. "I'll have this to make sure of it." I showed my bow to them, confident. I didn't give the Elves another chance to use me like that again. I finally shut the door close, leaving them there with Gail. Then I turned to Praxina who waited there her arms still crossed, her face non-readable. But her calculating, green parrot eyes were pretty much locked on me. "Take me to him."

Praxina rolled her eyes, turning. 

"... This way." She directed me a way, starting to lead me through the Castle's maze. I didn't know how many tunnels and aisles we walked through before getting to the floating plate again, the only place I remembered. Possibly because it traumatized me the most of the entire place. "... No one will mock or look down on you anymore." She suddenly said as we got on the plate again, her foot tapping it soft. "I swear it to you."

Her green eyes pinned mine, which I looked at determined. She was determined of her words, it was as if she had made sure of it. But why? Why'd the Elf start suddenly caring of what the Elves thought of me... did I cause that? Or was it what my team did for them? Did we prove her wrong?

"I'm not worried of the looks anymore." I said as the plate was half way up already, my skin crawling again. I pushed the feeling away, this was something I had to confront by myself. "It's about trust and what's about to happen."

Praxina gave me a small nod, until turning to the open aisle before us when we arrived. We stepped on it and I walked again through the pure white room, lianas still covering the walls. It was almost like when she brought me there the first time, but now I only wore pretty much clothes on and I didn't have my hands tied behind my back. I was there on my free will, about to find out what the King Thranduil wanted to speak with me.

"It's nothing deadly then." The Elf woman in front of me gave me a slight glance, more confident look on her face. "If you just know how it works."

I wasn't certain of how to read her words or between the lines, but it was too late to back down once we entered the King's platform, the white hall. The place was still huge as I remembered it, but this time there weren't any unnecessary people there besides us and the King's personal guards, as well the King himself. Yet there still was that odd, eerie atmosphere I believed I wouldn't be able to shake off for a long time, not when it was still in my fresh memory of what had happened there. 

King Thranduil sat on his throne I had happened to miss before, looking at both of our arriving figures almost hesitant and surprised. I bet he wanted to make the situation as easy for me as possible by ordering most of his men out of there. But he himself didn't think I'd come alone to see him, not without my friends. Say I'm surprised of such improvement too.

"Faith." Praxina's Dad stood up from his throne and started walking down the stairs which were built right below the throne, it actually looked kinda cool with all the roots and flowers surrounding it. It also had that 'Elf' kind of touch, man these people were really good at handling plants and nature without killing them. "I admire your courage to come and see me by yourself, I think I haven't had the opportunity to that yet."

I stopped along with Praxina by the end of the staircase, looking at King Thranduil's arrival hesitantly. I didn't know what he wanted, neither what Praxina's words from earlier meant. What were these two planning to do to me?

Gotta hope for the best, right?

"... Can't depend on the guys forever for everything, right? I know I can handle myself." I crossed my arms firmly on my chest, momentarily having eye contact with the King. "Besides... being resentful is tiresome," I glanced back at Praxina, noting that these two were pretty relaxed. Perhaps they didn't plan on killing me there and then. "I feel like I have to get this done before we leave. I'm not angry or upset to you guys anymore, but I can't shake off the pressure on my chest the moment I step into this room... it's too powerful." I tightened the grip I had on my arms, trying to make them understand what I felt. I wanted to trust them even the slightest bit. 

"... I understand," King Thranduil sighed deeply, closing his eyes for a second as if he knew what I felt like. Slowly, he took a step in my safety bubble and landed a careful hand on my shoulder, his deep, wise green eyes on me then. I had never seen his eyes so crystal clear, determined and strong. "We did that to you, and no matter how many times we apologize it won't matter, because you will always remember it.. It was a traumatizing situation, and for that reason I promise to improve our habits." He spoke up, I softened my eyes a bit. But still my chest tightened more of anxiety. "But, perhaps actions speak louder than words." 

Suddenly the King looked elsewhere on his right, towards one of his servants. A male Elf dressed in white suit walked forward, carrying a bunch of stuff on a red decoration pillow. I stared at the things in disbelief once the servant came to a halt beside us, nodding to the King. King Thranduil picked up one of the arrows in a wooden trug, holding it out to me.

"As a gift, we'd like to give you two dozen of our arrows, with the package they come in different abilities as well power. We know that you carry a bow and it's your main weapon, so we chose that to be one of your gifts." The King handed me over the arrow, it was made out of the forest's wood but it also had an odd mechanism stuck on the tip, an explosion? They were giving me explosive arrows-- guess who got a hella excited.

But my eyes narrowed up, almost frozen as I stared at the King in shock. "One of the gifts?" Then my gaze dropped down onto the pillow again, where was besides the arrow trug a pair of folded black jeans, sleek brown leather gloves with quite the decoration, a new belt which was meant to carry artillery as well this big, badass looking sword. The sword stood out the most, it was the most beautiful thing of them all. "... You're giving me all this?"

"It's the least we can do for you, young one." King Thandruil chuckled at my expression, somehow relieved. "In the end it's not much since you're travelling with Alchadar and the others, but I felt like you should have something. Although you should know," He still added, giving me a sudden pointed look. "Some of these arrows have tranquilizer in them, and what we witnessed of his and the Slayer's actions today... I think you should remember that just in case." He gave me a tiny wink, but I could see that he was serious. He didn't even flinch. 

"... Right." I smiled a bit, they'd come in serious use if Chris and Armen begun fighting. Gosh I loved the arrows so much. "... Uh, Thranduil?" I questioned then, the King stopped right when he was about to turn around. He turned to me a little questioning look on. "You mentioned way earlier that you and Alchadar knew from way back, can I ask where he knows you, Gail and this whole place?" 

It wasn't necessary info, but I was keen on learning more of my partner a bit by bit. Alchadar was still a big mystery to me, he had been there on Earth for so long. I'd have loved to learn more of what he was like as a child and a teenager. His life before and after he decided to join the Black Phoenix. 

"Well, that's an interesting story actually," King Thranduil chuckled to himself as memories started coming back to him, as well he turned to me. "I knew Alchadar when I myself was still a teenager, all the way when my old man was the King of this Castle. I've known the daredevil for 300 years." What he said that to me had my jaw lock out of place, I think even Praxina froze beside me. 

"No way." Praxina cut in, stepping up. "How come then I remember seeing the Demon for the first time 10 years ago? After Gail turned 49 years old?" I had to think hard and compare Gail, then the 49 years old kid... normal age really was not a thing around here? 

"It was during the time he was being chased by bounty hunters as well his brothers and sisters... he didn't visit often for the sake of our safety." Praxina's Dad explained, his words did have a sad meaning behind them. Even he looked really upset for a moment. For 100 years Alchadar had ran and fought for his life, for his own mad reasons. I narrowed my eyes a bit and let my arms slide down to my sides, until I looked at Praxina and King Thranduil again.

"Alchadar... what was he like then?"

Praxina snorted and crossed firmly her arms again, pouting. "He was first nice and stuff, but when he didn't allow me to fight him I tried to force him... then he turned really scary and edgy for a split second to scare me away."

"Well it worked, didn't it?" King Thranduil looked at his daughter amused, the memory was funny to him. Praxina glared deadly at him, which made me chuckle once. "Ah, let's see... he was pretty self-reserved, always kept what he knew all by himself and didn't give me anything at all," I slightly flinched when he said that... he was like that with me too. That is, until something happened between us. We started to grow awfully close. "Then he was kind as always, at the same time powerful and evil--"

"-- Arrogant," Praxina cut in, three fingers up of what they had classified of my partner already.

"-- You've got to admit that he was impressive, I mean he made a living by fulfilling different people's requests," King Thranduil said to Praxina, these two almost like already forgotten me. I kept staring dumbfounded back and forth of them. 

Alchadar doing requests?

"He was a freaking Demon, Dad. I mean surely you remember when he saved one of our people from falling thirty feet down-- she was a mile away from us and he still got there right on time! Jumping from the freaking window and jumping from roof to roof like a damn monkey!" Praxina stared at the King, I felt small tension in the air. I think it was me.

"Alchadar, a monkey? Saving a 'she'?" I bit in, crossing my arms right back up. Now I just really wanted to know what the hell they were talking about. 

"He did, but no. Praxina's overreacting a little bit," King Thranduil gave me an offered smile, glancing at Praxina challengingly. "... Alchadar ran to the scene, there's a difference." He pointed her a finger which to Praxina scrunched up her face in disbelief and grabbed her hips, looking down on him.

"And you think you could do the same?" Praxina had him taste his own medicine. Gosh I wished I had at least Armen there with me when they were at it. I could've had easily slipped right away. "Run 2000 meters in thirty seconds, that's a really hard goal, Dad."

"..." King Thranduil tried to come up with a better excuse, he really did, but sadly he ended up unhooking his finger at her and sigh in defense. "Alright, I can't. It's what only Demons can do, and I don't doubt for a second that Alchadar can't do better than that." 

"... I guess you're right." I said finally, the tense atmosphere cooling down a little bit. I gave them the softest smile I believe I had ever done, I was really grateful to the two. Thanks to them I think I revealed a few more new things of my partner. "Thanks, now I feel like I have a completely new perspective of him."

Praxina froze for a second, something troubling her. She kept staring at me. It was written all over her face that she wanted to ask me something. 

"... I understood that it was you who managed to set the Demon's legs back on the ground, and not run away like he used to," Praxina begun, eyeing me from the tip of my boot to the top of my head. I felt really uncomfortable of both her staring, and her next question. "I'm not trying to sound rude or anything, but... how'd a human manage to stop him for a second to catch his breath?" 

I should just probably get used to people asking me the same question all over again. 

"-- It was the kind of thing that happens to people who are from completely different worlds, and suddenly their paths just collide. I call it fate." I didn't want to start telling them of my past as well how we had our difficulties along the way, but that was the most short story I had ever given to anyone. "... You know Alchadar, helping out the weaker than him." 

My only hint, take it or leave it. 

"Fate, you say? Can't be helped..." Praxina sighed deeply, non-satisfied. But she seemed to be fine with my explanation at the moment. "Well then, Faith. I guess it's time for us to head back before your crazily insane group decides to come and check if we have killed you yet or not." She motioned me to follow after her, while I tried my best to pick up my gifts from the pillow, then bow to the King in thanks and goodbye, until I followed after the mad Elf.

"You could've of have just said crazy, you know. What you said is that an actual sentence?"  

"Shut up."

~~~

            It took us a moment to get back since I had a little difficulty to carry all my stuff, and I ended up switching on the new jeans as well put on the gloves just to have some room for all the things. I wasn't complaining though, I knew Chris would've been jealous again. 

"I'm surprised that they've been there so long. Without coming to check on you or anything." Praxina murmured under her breath as we walked down the last aisle to the medical bedrooms, heading towards where Alchadar was. 

"They're learning to listen." I gave her a sheepish grin, which she rolled her eyes at. 

They actually do listen.

Or then they probably tried trying to get out. 

I stopped behind Alchadar's door and grabbed the knob, taking in a deep breath. I didn't know why the hell I prepared myself before going in. "All right, I'm still alive and well and got a bunch of stuff which is pretty cool actually-" I avoided to raise my gaze up as I stepped in the room and walked over to the table which rested in the corner of the room, near the door. I did caught everyone still there, but I was not excited to wait all the questions and demands so I decided to answer the possible ones myself. "No, I was not hurt and yes I'm okay... now can someone fucking tell me why you're all so freaking quiet?"

I swung around when no one had opened their mouth since I stepped in the room, all I saw were Armen and Gail giving me goofy looks, as well Chris near the window ledge he sat on. It was up to me to figure out why they all acted so weird. And scary. 

"Faith." Praxina coughed to her wrist 'accidentally' and lent to the door's hinge, nodding her head at something in front. She also had that weird grin on her face, what the hell was wrong with everyone? I looked forward but didn't see a thing, from my perspective Armen hid most of the sleeping Demon.

Wait.

Had Alchadar's body been always that up?

Faith.

It took me a few seconds when I reacted, I heard Alchadar. In my head. I launched forward like a lightning and circled around the Beast almost knocking myself down in the process, but the moment of shock that followed after made me already forget. I gasped and froze when I saw Alchadar up already in a sitting position, bandages still pretty much covering him and his abs and muscles were still seen-able but I didn't care. I stared at his face and into his now open, golden amber eyes that looked at me almost amused, yet he was relieved. Well he most certainly looked like he had had a time of his life as he casually had his arm rest on his abdomen, and he kept giving me my stare back.

"Al..." I whispered, the realization of his conscious-self coming to me with a slap. "Al!" Almost ignoring the fact that he was injured I launched on him, wrapping my arms around him. I felt him wince but his arm soon found itself on my waist too, he hugging me back almost like he expected me to do that. "Don't you ever, ever, ever do that again. I swear to God, you scared the hell out of me."

I could feel weird and goofy looks on everyone's faces behind me. 

"I told you I wasn't going anywhere." Alchadar smiled against my shoulder, I felt it. That goddamn Demon. I slowly retracted from him and instead sat on his bedside close to him, looking down at his wounds. They most certainly had already healed. "As soon as Chris gets himself back up, I believe we're ready to go." 

"Nah, man. What's to wait?" Chris stood up from the window ledge and walked up on Alchadar's bed's other side, his face told that he was more than ready to go. "We could even find a place where to rest the night if we leave now."

"No, no and for the last time, no." I barked in, looking at Chris dangerously. "We stay here for the night, end of discussion. The Seven can't find us here, and more importantly the longer we stay here gives you more time to heal. We leave by morning," I then looked at Alchadar, not as demanding look on but still I challenged him to even start with me. "Okay? Everyone can have a good night sleep for a change." 

I don't know what was up with Alchadar, but all he did was give me this odd grin and nod to my condition. I froze. Whoa, had everyone hit their heads pretty bad the last time I checked? Especially this Demon?

It could be the drugs making him like this. 

"All right, I'll get rooms reserved for you then." Praxina said from the door and Gail jumped down from the chair behind me, following after her sister. "Come on." 

I turned back onto Alchadar, Chris and Armen. The guys kept blankly looking at me, I must be nuts to think that they looked at me proud. I wish I wasn't there as I stood up clearing my throat awkwardly, walking over to the table I had put the things the King gave me. Good, I could make them stop by showing these babies.

... Is it me who's loosing it or them?

"Although Faith," 

Alchadar's words made me freeze before it got to my head to even leave the room, Armen blocking my way to the nearest exit. I swallowed down the gulp in my throat, Alchadar sounded so serious all of a sudden. I turned around with an awkward smile plastered on my face, while my partner motioned me to sit down onto the chair beside him. This didn't promise any good. 

I'm so screwed.

"We need to have a long conversation of what happened back in the cave, and why you disobeyed my direct order again?" 

Ah, it'll be a long night. 

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~ keep reading.