“Run, run, run. Run from the darkness. Abuse, abuse, abuse. Abuse the darkness.”

(«^») 8E/438Y/12M/39D 9:12 AM

I ran as fast as I could all the way back to Yalina’s house. I ended up using Chronostorri twice immediately after I got out of the club to make absolutely sure none of them would have any chance to track me down.

Going back on my word like that was bound to earn me trouble, but that man was better to the world dead. Any member of any elemental gang would be better for the world dead, excepting the sound gang, and the ice gang. What A said in that letter suggested that the gangs were under the control of the Fox People, and that meant that all of them were out to get me. The Fox People don't only want The Von dead, but they're our polar opposite.

By the time I got to Yalina’s house my entire body ached. My lungs burned, I could taste blood, and my shins felt like the muscle had disconnected from the fucking bone. I got to the door, and knocked twice, then limped inside, and collapsed on the floor.

“Welcome back.” Azrael greeted me, eyes closed.

“Indeed. What happened?” Yalina gave me a worried look.

“They didn't have the information we're looking for. But,” I took a few deep breaths, and pushed myself back up. “They said that one does.” I nodded to Tael.

“So, Tael. Care to enlighten us?” Yalina turned her eyes to the shackled mage.

There was a long silence before she spoke, “As if I'd ever work with you people.”

“Of course you're going to make this difficult.” Yalina shook her head in sorrow.

“If she's working with the Fox People I think it should be expected.” I shrugged. “Where's Aurora?”

“In your room.” Yalina said.

(«^») Aurora Faelina Yurriana

As soon as Iris brought one of the prisoners up to our room I immediately knew what was about to happen. In fact I knew quite a while before she even got up the stairs.

“Aurora I need you to help me out with something.”

“Yes, I know…” I didn't like what was about to happen. But I also knew it needed to be done. “You need me to make sure she doesn't lie to you.”

“Are you fine with it?”

“Of course not! But what needs doing needs doing…”

Iris sighed and propped Tael against the wall, “Your friend in the darkness gang said you have the information I need. So, I'll ask politely. Which cell is Raisa in, and where is the dreadnought headed next?”

Tael spat in Iris’ face, “As if I'd ever help a fucking monster like you.”

“Tch.” Iris snapped and paused, taking a deep breath. Iris then drove her foot into Tael’s lower leg, cracking it. “Call me a monster again, and I break you instead of your shin.”

Tael didn't scream but it looked like she wanted to. Instead she chuckled a little, “You're only proving my point,” She said shakily.

“No I'm not. If you want to see a monster I can show you what real monsters look like. How they act. What they'd do to you.”

Tael hesitated for a split second, just enough to show her fear. “Then show me.”

Iris was pacing for a moment, then stopped. “Aurora, leave the room.”

“But Iris-!”

“You don't want to see this. I don't want you to see this. I'm sorry but I need you to leave the room.

“But-”

“No buts. Please do this for me?”

I gave her a hurt look, “If you insist…”

Hesitantly, I walked out of the room and down into the living room. “Care for some tea?” Yalina offered as I sat down at the table.

“Sure. Is it sweetened?”

“No. It's actually a little bitter, but the sugar is right there.” She nodded to a small ramekin with a lid sitting in the middle of the table.

“Thanks.” I said as she poured me a cup. It was still steaming hot, so I put some ice in it as well as a few spoonfuls of sugar. Not enough to be like candy, but enough to give it a soft, pleasant taste.

“You prefer your tea iced?” Azrael gave me a look with one eye before closing it again and staring at nothing.

“Yeah… it's seen as uncouth in Alexandria, especially in the upper class but I enjoy cold tea. It's cold most of the year in Alexandria and that cold is welcoming. Iced tea reminds me of that cold…”

“You like the cold?” She looked at me again, brow raised.

“Yeah. It's comforting in a way…”

“To each their own I guess.” She closed her eye and faced back at the wall.

For a moment there was a long silence, interrupted only by the rustling of chains. I looked at the dealer we caught with Tael, “What's wrong? You seem anxious… you two have been awfully quiet this entire time…”

“I'm fine. I just want to go home but I doubt that's an option right now.”

I gave her a hard look, “You can't fool me. Something's bothering you. I can tell by the way you seem restless.”

The dealer bit her lip and looked away. “Am I really that easy to read..?”

“To me you are. Now tell me, what's wrong?”

“I… I don't think I'm allowed to tell you…”

“The rules of your gang don't matter here. Tael has no control right now either. In fact, judging from the way Iris seemed like she was exhausted when she came into the room she probably ran all the way here from the darkness gang’s club. I know she would've gone straight there after getting the letter that was delivered last night. Iris doesn't run like that unless she gets in a fight she can't win. I'm willing to bet she killed your gang’s leader after getting the information she needed.”

“I… I wouldn't be surprised…”

I gave the girl a long hard look. I crawled over to her and took her hand, “Push your Aura out for me.”

“Why?”

“I can force it to happen if you don't want to comply.”

“What how?!”

I gave her a hard look, “You're making this more difficult than it has to be…” I took out a small, thin razor and quickly cut the girl's finger.

“What are you doing?!”

“You'll see.” I pulled out a small dish and smeared the crimson blood in it. I wrapped the girl's finger, and then carefully sparked my lunar aura just on the surface of the blood. The blood turned purple but was smeared with pink glitter. “Are either of you two good at magic identification?” I looked at Azrael and Yalina.

“I'm not trained in it.”

“Neither am I, sadly…”

“Hrm… this seems like mind magic. It could be dust too, but I'm not sure…”

“Are you saying she's under the effects of a spell?” Azrael gave me a calm look.

“Look. You're a priestess, you should know the signs.”

I handed her the dish. She opened both eyes and inspected it carefully, “Her aura is tainted… that's definitely the strongest sign…”

“I'm right here you know.” The girl said, frustrated.

“Aurora we need to go.” I looked up the sound of Iris’ voice.

“Where?”

“Faer. The dreadnought leaves tomorrow.”