Disclaimer: I do not own Hellboy or any of its characters. I love all of it, but I don't own it. I do own the lovely Miss Isabella.

Dwayne's Mate- Haha, and you love my updates too

BlkRoseOfMine- Why thank you.

ilkdmrogers- That's always a great compliment to receive, thank you

SesshiraRayu- Haha, can't promise all updates will be this quick.

AnimeOtakuBara- Well then I hope I can live up to that promise.

Reinamarie- I didn't know there was a petition. And I might have to look into that first part.

"You sure do know how to get yourself in trouble," Jared said laughing. His short brown hair was spiky from the sweat covering his head and face. His bright green eyes were dancing with merriment.

"You bugged me?" Isabella asked raising her eyebrows in shock. She had known Jared for the past sixteen years of her life since he and his mother had moved from Ireland to the States. Jared had lost his accent at a young age. His mother had not. It had always made dinner conversations rather interesting. Hearing his voice always reminded her of that. Or at least, it always had. Now she was too shocked to think of it. "You jerk! Who said you could freaking bug me?!"

"My mother…your mother, does it really matter? I bugged you and you obviously needed the help." Jared said looking Isabella over an laughing. "How do you manage this kind of thing?"

"Are you planning on untying me or not Jared Mahoney?" Isabella asked slightly perturbed.

"Give us a moment," he said waving his hand dismissively as he took out his knife. "How did you get into this little bit of spot anyway? Just curious. I won't tell the mothers."

Isabella made sure that she waited until Jared was untying her before she started talking. "I'm assuming you heard about the auction."

"Aye and the hell that went on after it. Hellboy exists."

"He's not the only thing. So do elves and the kingdom of Bethmora."

"You've gotta be shitting me right?" Jared asked raising his eyebrows in shock as he helped Isabella stand up. She stumbled into him instead.

"You know I was at that Auction and you heard what happened there. And you're asking if I'm messing with your mind? Sometimes I wonder about you Jared."

"But you still love me." Jared said with a stupid grin. "Now let's haul ass and get us out of her before your captor returns."

"Captors," Isabella corrected him. "One claims to be Prince Nuada, Silverlance. If he's telling the truth he could probably beat you in a fight Jared. And the other happens to be a troll I think. Nuada called him Mr. Wink."

"Mr. Wink?" Jared asked skeptically tugging Isabella along. "Real original…and slightly demented."

"You only say that because you haven't seen him. Now we have to get going. Nuada plans on killing all of us humans."

Jared rolled his eyes up to the ceiling as if asking God or some other higher power: why me? and continued dragging Isabella along. They had to get out of there before Nuada came back. It was bad enough the elf prince had captured her. It couldn't be allowed again. Despite his promise, he had to tell his mother what had happened. She was going to kill him, but he had to. Word had to get out to the others that the princess was in danger.

He had killed his father and his sister had fled. Now was the time for mourning…and searching. His sister had the third piece of the crown. He needed it for without it…he could not control the Golden Army. And that was needed if he was to succeed. And by all that he had always praised and worshiped he would succeed no matter what it took. That was why he waited for word from Mr. Wink telling of the safe return of his sister. But first he had to check on the woman. He still could not understand what she was, but he would not give up. He had to know and he would.

Nuada strode through the tunnels under the city. His eyes were always set forward. Set towards his goal. There was nothing else. There never had been, never would be. He was a driven man and he always got what he wanted. Why should now be any different? Especially when he was so close to his goal. The girl, whatever she was, was a slight distraction. Nothing more. And not one that would keep him from his work either. Merely one that would give him something to ponder on while Mr. Wink obtained his beloved sister.

"And how do you fair?" Nuada asked as he walked into the room. The sight that met him was not what he had expected. And it did not please him either. For the room was empty. Nuada circled the room slowly, rage boiling inside of him. Coming back to the single door he saw a mark which he traced with his finger before slamming his fist into it. He swore loudly in the ancient tongue before stalking out of the room.

The Royal Guards of Taldra.

He had been wrong. She was human alright. Just a very special kind of human. She was of the line of the old Kings. The only humans who had ever had honor. Who had ever felt a connection to the earth. The Healers. It presented Nuada with a problem. She didn't know that she was Taldra either. She would have mentioned it otherwise. Taldrans were protected above all else. Nuada would have been damned once for striking her. The humans had forgotten that line now though. It didn't matter anymore.

Nuada began his way back to his own chambers near the Troll Market. He had much thinking to do. Like what he would do when he saw the Taldran noblewoman again. And what he would do if she or her guard tried to interfere in his affairs. He would not be stopped. He would never fail. He could not. There was too much at stake.