Ailith stormed into MIchael’s office, thoroughly pissed.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she said as she moved her hands to shove him.

He caught her wrists midway.

“Tell you what?” he answered in return.

“Oh I don’t know, that there were other rebel groups out there!”

He stared at her intensely. “You didn’t need to know.”

“What? So are you going to continue telling me only what I NEED to know?” she had meant it as an accusation. What she didn’t expect was for him to agree that he would.

“Yes, I will continue to only tell you what you NEED to know. The rest is unnecessary.”

“But why? I’m a part of your team.”

He arched an eyebrow. “Are you now? Last time I checked, you were unsure.”

“Don’t change the subject. Yes, I am. So will you tell me everything else you’ve been holding back from me?”

Michael shot a glance at Lucas who was still standing at the doorway, seemingly enjoying the show.

Under his glare, Lucas smirked and left the small office, closing the door behind him.

He turned back to Ailith.

His face turned stern and when he realized he still held a strong grip on Ailith, he quickly released his hands as if burnt. Michael started strolling around his room. “Ms. Gallow, need I remind you that even if you may have decided to work with us, you still work as an assassin for the government. Your whole job is literally based on you murdering people like us.”

She shot him an accusatory gaze. “You don’t trust me.”

“No, that is just one of the many factors as to why I can’t disclose more information to you.”

“You didn’t deny it, so you don’t trust me.”

He shot her an annoyed look. “To put it simply, yes. I do not trust you.”

She huffed a breath. “I’m not really working for them you know. I have my reasons too. If you don’t trust me then maybe I’ll just go work with another rebel faction. Unless you tell me everything, I’m leaving.” She made her way towards the door and started turning the handle. However, he stopped her in her tracks as he said,

“I’m very disappointed in you. You have the capability and talent yet you are too immature to properly use it. You let your pride get in the way instead of focusing on the bigger task. This isn’t a game. It’s life we’re dealing with. And with your attitude, you're going to destroy millions of it. It’s not going to get easier for anyone, including you, if you don’t keep your damned emotions in check.”

Furious, Ailith whipped herself around and ran at him, determined to land at least one punch on his face. It disgusted her how a person with such a pretty face could speak such mangled words. She wanted to ruin it. He was a jerk, a total jerk. How dare he call her immature when he didn’t know the first thing about her. It was all in vain though as he easily dodged her attack and just as swiftly pinned her to the ground, arm twisted behind her, locking her down.

“This is exactly what I’m talking about. You’re never going to survive a mission if you let your temper get the better of you.”

Ailith struggled against his strong hold, writhing from under him.

He released her after several tormenting seconds.

She lunged for him again, this time aiming for his throat and completely ignoring everything he had just said.

Once again, he grabbed her wrist and twisting her arm, brought her against his chest. He put an arm around her neck and squeezed a bit when she tried to break his hold on her. A warning. Not enough force to kill but enough to stop her from fighting back. It both unnerved and annoyed her that he was so strong and fast. Where had he trained?

“Let go!” she shrieked at him.

He squeezed his arm just a bit tighter.

Gasping for air she struggled only a little more before she gave into him. “Fine, fine. I won’t- fight back. Just let- go. I can’t- breath.”

When he finally released her, she nearly collapsed on the floor. She had never known how precious air was until the moment she had almost lost it.

Michael watched patiently as she gulped mouthful after mouthful of sweet, sweet oxygen.

Ailith glared up at him once she had regained most of her strength.

“Ms. Gallow, I do hope from now on that we can solve any problems peacefully, without fighting.”

She scoffed. “From what I’ve seen with the way you attack the city, I’m starting to think you don’t understand the meaning of the word peaceful.”

His face stayed the same. “We have tried to bargain with the government in the past however, we had to resort to attacks when they wouldn’t listen.”

“In that aspect, you’re just the same as me. I admit, I do get violent when people don’t listen but you cannot blame me for it when you and your stupid rebel group do the same.”

“It is not the same. You act without thinking about the consequences while we try every other possible act we can think of to bring justice before resorting to attacks.”

She had nothing to say to that. What he said was true. She hated to admit it but he was right.

Ailith could’ve sworn that when he read the defeat in her features, she saw the corner of his mouth twitch.

“So, will you continue with our cooperation?”

“I guess.” Ailith said reluctantly.