Chapter Four

Jessica sneezed and somehow woke herself up. Everything was hazy for a second and it took her a while to realise where she was. She should have known she wasn't home from where the pillows were too soft and the bed too comfortable, but it was the simple fact of the barely familiar boy in front of her that gave her the clue.

"I was wondering when you'd join the world of the living again."

She felt too numb to answer him back, the pain from Mia and her link was gone and pure and simple numbness took over. She didn't know what was worse, feeling Mia's agony and falling down with the same afflictions or feeling this strange numbness where she didn't even know if Mia was all right or not.

She sat herself up and her eyes settled on Zeke, it seemed that the rest had gotten over the anxiety of not trusting him for he was the only one here, alone with her in her Hotel room.

"Where…"

"Gone after the girl Mia," he had guessed along her line of thought and passed her a glass of water. "Nic, I think that was his name, did a locating spell while Hira did something with that link in your head that connects you to her," he smiled at her, "and as you can tell they gave me a mini update on things."

"So they've all gone?"

"Yeah, all rushed out as soon as possible, well after threatening me of course. Understandably," he leant forward in his chair, "but the thing is Jessica why are you hanging about with a bunch of night worlders?"

She smiled craftily at him and leant forwards herself, "Why do you think I know anything about this nightworld?"

He laughed, "You're good, you know that don't you? I'm no fool, even though I might seem like one. You move like us and if you don't know anything about it, I'd say it's a miraculous coincidence."

"If you're so righteous about me knowing about the Nightworld why are you talking to vermin?"

His composure stiffened at that and his blue eyes seemed to ice over, "I stopped thinking of your kind as vermin a long time ago."

"Really?" she knew she was poking her nose into something that didn't concern her but the others had left her and at that conclusion she wouldn't have anything to do until they came back, so teasing Zeke even if it was cruel was something to fill her mind with, "so please tell me what life changing experience made that happen?"

He relaxed again and his eyes seemed to engulf her from where she sat, he was something to look at that was definitely her opinion, and the view from where she was, was exquisite. He had the ideal Nightworld beauty without the harsh hardness in his eyes.

"Circle Daybreak did."

It shouldn't have surprised her and she couldn't stop a callous laugh escaping her throat, "you're going to really hate me then."

"Try me."

It could have been seen as simple flirting, they were sparring with words but Jessica wasn't stupid and she knew what her next words would do to him and she stilled for a second so she could remember his eyes filled with something except disgust, she wondered how long he would hang around after her little declaration.

"I kill people for a living."

And she could see it in his eyes, two sides of him sparring against each other. She was human which to him meant vulnerability that represented what he was fighting for. But the other was the harsh truth; she did what he had spent most of his time nowadays fighting against.

"Why?"

And for once it seemed like a question that was impossible to answer, why? Well she was brought up to, trained to and if not, well there was the unappealing result of execution. Loyalty was a big thing in the Company and the only reason Ryan wasn't dead was because no one could find him.

"It's my job; it's like asking why you're with Daybreak. It is just because, that's it. I don't think there's a way I could explain it to you."

It hurt her more then she expected when she saw that look on his face, something in between pain and confusion, "so why even tell me?"

Her fingers anxiously entwined within each other, it seemed ridiculous; she had killed numerous people over the years and had felt only vague discomfort at most. But when asked to explain it all to someone she would seize up and become something she had been fighting for most of her life not to be.

"Because we might as well end the delusions now, I like you and I don't even know why and I wouldn't want to start something when a couple of weeks down the line you would find out what I am and run as far away from me as possible. I've already been screwed over by a few people and don't really like repeating the process."

"Fair enough," but his voice was hard, not the Zeke she had met a few hours ago and maybe that was the mistake in it self. She should have left him well alone; someone like him didn't deserve to be messed up in stuff of her own making.

"You can leave if you want."

His eyes caught hers and she didn't know what else to say, he was a sweet guy. Maybe that was the problem, guys like that didn't appear in her life and when they did it was just as an example of what she didn't have.

"That's what I keep telling myself," His voice was somewhat hollow and tired, "but as you can see I haven't moved. How long are you here for?"

"Depends on Mia, but a week at the most. I've got to get home and I don't want to miss too much of College."

His sardonic laugh seemed to echo around the room, "so not only an assassin but an educated one at that."

"As I said you don't have to be here, I told you the truth didn't I? I didn't let any feelings develop before hand and that's for the best. You're too nice of a guy to be mixed up with someone like me."

And as soon as those words left her mouth, the hardness in his face washed away, "I'm not a nice guy, just unlucky is all and truthfully I like you too."

She smiled at him unbeknown to her how much it affected him, "it would be nice, but you have to think what Circle Daybreak will think. I've had a couple of unfortunate meetings with them over the years and they were not overly impressed with me."

He smirked, "surprise, surprise."

"Oih," the air had lightened a bit, but the underlying hurt feelings were still there.

And that was it, the air around them thickened and there seemed like there was nothing else for them to say. Zeke sat back in his chair and looked gravely at his hands, while Jessica blatantly stared at him.

"We need to think about this," he said, his voice serious and now just tired, "because this is going to be a challenge for both of us and even though we might survive it, I'm not sure if anyone else will come out unharmed."

It was all true and Jessica wanted to regret her actions for ever bumping into him in the first place and causing all this, but for some reason she couldn't and didn't really want to.

Gunner was the first one to find her; the others had all rushed in after his anguished call of her name.

She was still in the position she had fallen asleep in, but her skin had paled to a death like white and slight tremors shook her in her sleep.

"Mia?" his voice was soft yet urging, he had kept telling himself to expect the worst but when he actually came to it, he couldn't accept it if anything did happen to her.

"Mia?" his voice was more persistent this time and he leant over her to feel for her pulse and met fiery skin.

He scooped her up in his able arms and met the others concerned gaze as he swung around to leave, "she's ill, we need to get her back."

No one disagreed and they all followed him in silence, Lalia, Mike, Don and Cherry nominating themselves for the job to stay about and search the place.

They hadn't known what to say to each other when they did eventually get back to the hotel; they all hurried off to Gunner's room and laid her gently down. Nic stood above her with a grim look on his face.

"Wait a second," everyone took a step back, they had seen Nic do magic before and it had always been magnificent and awe inspiring but slightly dangerous to anyone who was in the general vicinity.

But this time what flowed from his hands was a soft silver glow that drifted around Mia's body; she laid there still except for an occasional whimper and shuffle.

With an irritated sigh from Nic the magic dissipated and Mia's fever clad body still lay there.

Gunner was the first one to speak and it was cold as ice, "and the problem is?"

Nic glared at him, "the spells the Company put on us to rebound the ones we get while we're on duty has somehow banded altogether and have created a barrier that none of my healing spells can pass through."

"Potions, you must have something!"

Nic sighed and looked away from him, "no, this was an emergency call. I haven't brought any of my equipment and it's very unlikely that it'd work anyway, you have to remember all the chemicals that are floating around inside of us to ward against poisons."

"So what can we do?" Hira was the calmest in the room, the rest in the room weren't ready to lose one of their own yet; over the years he had lost many.

"We can do it the human way I suppose, I know what's wrong with her it's just that I can't do anything. She's going to need a lot of TLC and you know, the cold compress thing and lots of liquid…"

"I'll give her some of my blood."

They all stilled at that, at Nic's words they were all ready to go out and do his bidding but Gunner had frozen them. A lamia just giving his blood away was a big thing, partner or not. It was also a thing that the Company would most probably rebel against. Gunner had been in enough trouble these last few days; he didn't need any more bad attention.

"Gunner you know…"

"I know and that's why you're all going to forget that I just said that and go back to your rooms. Mia needs me, I've let her down too many times before and I won't let her go through anymore pain or misery when I can make it alright within a couple of hours."

"Gunner don't be…"

"It's foolish…"

"They'll know, they always do…"

The barrage of voices slammed down on him and it was only Hira's firm cold voice that stopped them.

"Enough, you heard him, it's his choice and his partner. Go back to your rooms; we'll discuss the game plan later."

They all filed out obediently, following orders already ingrained into them soul deep. When the last person filed out and the door had been slammedclosed Hira turned to him.

"Don't think I agree with what you're doing but it is your duty as Mia's partner to value her life as much as your own. But you do realise the emotional entanglement this will lead you into? She'll be able to see into your mind, it won't be like feeding, it will be a reversal of play here. Once you let her drink you will be at her whim."

"I don't care and if I wasn't such a fool as I was before we wouldn't be here now. She needs me and at last I'm actually doing something for her, all I've ever done in the last few weeks is let her down. So what if she demoralises me by what she sees, I'll deserve every second of it."

Hira just shook his head, "well, what can I do except let you children make your own mistakes," he sighed and looked down on Mia, remembering Gaja. His own partner from so long ago, if he'd had a second chance he would have done everything in his power to save her.

But he had resented her for it then, her weakness that had eventually killed her in the end. But to have that warm security now, knowing that one person was always beside you, ready to protect you. He would risk Company punishment if he could just go back and change it.

He left Gunner then, retreating towards the door so he didn't have to see Mia's weakened body anymore. Before Gaja, Hira had never believed that old ghosts could haunt you. But now he knew the truth; it wasn't the ghosts that haunted you, it was the guilt.

Gunner sat on the side of the bed and looked down at his Mia, the one he had promised never to let down, the one he had told he'd always be there for. He drew his wooden blade from his bag and settled it on the edge of the bed as he moved Mia into a sitting position and hoped she wouldn't choke on her only lifeline.

She wouldn't wake; they had tried that on the way over, so he was left with the undignified result of shifting her about like an old rag doll. He was just hoping it would work; he didn't want to think about a future without her, even if she didn't want him in hers.

He picked up the knife and with a slight frown he slit it across his wrist, blood welled and he balanced his arm towards her mouth. He had only cut one of the minor veins so it would only trickle down her throat, too much would choke her and his nerves was on edge already, he had never been any good at first aid. Which should have been understandable in their line of work, but now he felt the guilt settle in.

Mia had always nagged him that he should, she was only mortal and things like wounds would happen and he would be the only one around to help her. He had taken her role as a witch and healer too serious, how could he have been so stupid that he wouldn't foresee that there would be a day the wounds would be too serious for her to heal herself.

It was like some tragic Greek myth, the healer who could only heal others and lived an eternity in torment from their own unhealed wound. He eventually felt her lips on his wrist and felt something tingle in the back of his mind.

A whisper sounded and it was only at the second try he eventually made it out.

'Gunner'

And the rest was a warm flow of feelings as he felt her mind open to his and he knew that no matter what she was going to make it.

Jessica watched Zeke walk out of the room, she tried not to sigh until he closed the door and was a little way down the hall.

He was another person she was watching walk out of her life. She had given him her number and address at home, just in case he wanted to pop by. She knew how pathetic she sounded but she hadn't met anyone like him in her life time and just the thought that he might leave Daybreak someday filled her with a warmth.

He had stayed a couple of hours more after her little announcement, he had told her more about him self, about how he worked freelance in Daybreak between all the headquarters in America. He had blamed it on his itchy feet and how he never really like to stay around anywhere for too long.

She had told him as much as she could about herself, nothing about the Company of course, but mainly how old she was when she was recruited and a little bit about the training. She had even told him about her half brother Kieran and how he was the only one in her family she spoke to.

And it had felt good, talking to someone and knowing that it wasn't going to be examined and scrutinised later. He had actually listened to her and she had felt safe with him there, which was a challenge a lot of people never passed.

And now he was gone.

"Hello there."

Kyle spun around at the voice and his eyes were instantly met with an image of a stunning woman. He had never met her before which would have been helpful because not a lot of woman like that suddenly made their way into his home.

He was met with silvery eyes, which were set in creamy skin and delicate bones. He didn't believe the guise she wore for an instant. The woman reeked of nightworld and Kyle knew that if it was her desire she could crush him within a moment.

"Hi," his voice wasn't strong as he would have wanted it but the only night worlders he had to see were his assassins once in a while. This woman, even though she could have fit the image for she only looked to be in her late twenties held an edge that definitely confirmed she wasn't one who took orders.

She sat herself down, opposite Kyle's desk where he had been working through some of his planning again. He knew that everything had to precise; everything had to be perfect so the Company never found out.

She smiled at him in away a cat does when it knows the mouse had no way to escape. "There is someone I need to find Mr Richards and to your surprise I can only guess, you are going to help me."

"How can you be sure that I'll be able to help you?"

The woman smiled again, "blackmail being one of them and of course you work for this particular person. So you will do this for me, wont you Mr Richards? It's that or everyone finds out what happened to John Wards."

Kyle stilled and his skin paled as a memory of a gunshot sailed through his mind, "who?"

"I need to find Tristan Gully, your boss I believe. You find him and I'll deal with him."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Mr Richards, I know of your plans, I have been watching you for a while, I'm not stupid you know and the fact your replacement was a day breaker did make me a little suspicious."

His blood seemed to have dropped and settled in his feet, his hands were clammy and he had no idea what to say. He had thought he had been so smart and it took just one random person to come up to him to prove that he wasn't.

"Now, we'll work in a partnership here. You do this for me and make sure that your own plans don't go to your head by killing the man and I will keep it all quiet."

Kyle nodded, feeling like a foolish old man for his extravagant ideas, "yesmiss."

The woman's smile curved even more and gave out her hand so they could shake upon it, "you can call me Elizabeth, Kyle. Now let's get down to business."

Jessica sat on the side of the bed and watched Mia sleep, Gunner had told her about the blood exchange which in the Company's reality didn't happen if anyone asked.

Mia was still weak and as a tentative Gunner had tried to explain, someone had seriously screwed around with her mind. So when she did wake up it would be best for them if they weren't surprised when it wasn't their normal Mia talking back to them.

He had predicted weeks, months even for her recovery, physically it would take a week at most but that wasn't what Gunner was afraid of, he had tried to explain it to Jessica, it was like someone had personally pulled all of Mia's nightmares from all their hiding places and stuck them in full view of Mia's mind where she couldn't escape them.

Mia stirred and her eyes groggily opened, panic seemed to be etched in her face until she noticed her companions in room and nearly instantly her features relaxed and she sat her self up.

"Hi ya."

"Hi, how you feeling?" Jessica knew it was a stupid question but what else could she say? There never really is any room for chitchat when your best friend was recovering from something like that.

"Like someone ran me over with a bulldozer, Jess, it was…" her voice cracked and she looked away, Gunner cautiously took a couple of steps forward but a moment later stilled, waiting for her next reaction.

Jess took the initiative and gave Gunner a gallant smile, "you know Gunner; I think Hira would really appreciate knowing that Mia is awake. If you could do this…"

"You just want to leave don't you?"

Jessica's smile widened.

"I'm not stupid you know, you could just ask me."

He sighed and stuck his tongue at her in defiance, only making him look even more immature then normal and of course much more attractive.

"Door," she reminded him glancing at it.

He rolled his eyes, covering up his concern in the process and left with as much dignity as he could.

Silence seemed to thicken in the room, Mia sat there not willingly giving anything away and Jessica let her. Not even pretending that she knew what she was going through, she positioned her back against one of the bedposts and waited with patience. Whoever did this would pay and Mia was the only one who could start them in their search.

And now all she had to do was wait. And that was exactly what she did.

"They lied."

Jessica almost jumped, it had been about forty-five minutes since Gunner had left the room and they had sat in oppressive silence. She stopped herself from asking who 'they' were, Mia was nothing but thorough. In her own time she would tell Jessica all they needed.

"He brandished knives and other torturing wares, said he needed a lab rat so he could teach others the best techniques of torture, said that he needed someone like me so at least he had some resistance and they were shown what it'd really be like." her voice was hollow and emotionless and no matter what she did Jessica couldn't erase the tension that knotted in her back.

"I shouldn't have laughed at him, I know that now but I had been so sure. The Company had said that I would be safe there, that no matter what was going on to my body my mind would be safe from all that and I believed them." She shook her head, "stupid, stupid me and for a while thought I was safe until he came in after me."

Jessica leant in, interest spurring her, "who's he?"

"He introduced himself as Avan, did the whole charade of bowing and everything. When I first saw him he took my breath away, he was stunning Jessica and very unearthly." She took a shuddering intake of breath, "I wanted you lot to save me so much but the more I tried to call out to you the more he would laugh at me and say all I ever would be was alone and that it was better that I learnt that particular lesson now."

Knowing that she shouldn't, Jess asked that one question that all the burning revenge in her needed to hear, "what did he do to you?"

"Ripped my soul apart." She looked at Jess and gave her a weak smile that dropped nearly instantly, "all the dead filled my view, all of them looking at me with hate and resentment in their eyes, all of them accusing me, all of them all rightly of course. I had never felt like such a monster until he did that."

But Jessica knew that was only part of the story, there had to be something else that could do all this damage to their ever so dear Mia. Simple ghosts couldn't have.

"He told them to line up and they looked at him like some saviour, Jessica I knew he was playing with me, knew they were only from my memory but it was so real. I couldn't move and they all started to walk towards me and with each one that passed I'd have a flash of their death and the pain they felt in their last moments." A reckless laugh escaped her, but it was harsh and somewhat wrong to Jessica's ears, "over four years of killing and there were a lot of them and I never thought it would end."

Mia's hands came up to rub her face, her tired eyes going back to Jess, "then it was the flashbacks, all the horrible things of course. The training ground executions, the beating when we did stuff wrong and the broken bones, the crying ourselves to sleep." She shook her head, "and then he got to the more personally stuff."

Mia left out Avan's commentary, he had merely laughed at her quiet anguish at all the sights, but the thing was all her close friends were in her visions and that had only intrigued him. Especially the frequent times Jessica was in them. He had admitted his amazement at the fact this human had survived what a lot of the night worlders hadn't.

Even said she was pretty, that it was just a pity she was human or he would have added her to his collection. To his collection of what, she could only guess.

"I never told you I went to see my family last year, just after Ryan ran off. I wanted to prove to myself that I would never do the same. Jess, it was lovely, they had all welcomed me with open arms, all love and happiness," it was at that part that ice entered her tone, "that was before they found out what I did. They were Harman's, lovers of life and earth and all that other crap. They had looked at me with disgust and then totally rejected me, even Harvey. Big brother, the guy who said he's always protect me. It was only something like that, that could push away his lies and show his true colours."

"And that was the thing that hurt me over everything. They didn't want to touch me, Harvey kept all my sisters away from me as if I'd hurt, infect them in some way and that was the thing that Avan needed as his finale. Flipped some switch and for hours on end that was the thing I saw, on automatic repeat."

Jess knew that wasn't all of it, but knew that Mia's concession had been enough. This guy had hurt her and there was nothing left to do but hunt him down and get him to feel the same type of pain he had caused her.

Jessica made a move to leave the room but then turned around and faced her, "we'll get him, I promise."

Mia didn't believe her but nodded at her anyway and watched her leave the room and a minute later Gunner snuck back in. there had been so much more she hadn't told her of, but what she had, had been enough.

She tried not to remember what he did when it was all over and he had watched the scene of her rejection for the lat time. With a little wave of his hand he had stopped them instantly and with a cold voice he had told the unseen audience that was the end of the demonstration for today. And through the world she couldn't see beyond she could see his eyes follow these unseen people out of the room that she hardly remembered being in.

But his last words had been the thing that had angered her the most, it was the pity hinged in his voice that had inflamed her anger.

'I would kill you,' he had muttered, 'but that would be only letting you escape your miserable existence.' But with an instant his mood had changed and his eyes were thoughtful and voice soft, 'families always forgive. They can't help it, they love you, you know. They just couldn't stand to know what you did, ignorance being bliss and all. It'll get better.'

And with that he had left, leaving Mia with control over her own meagre mind again. She had hated him more then anything then, they had been taught how to deal with torture, how to deal with the shock and the other results. But pity?

It a thing that the Company didn't deal in and it was now that Mia wished she wasn't one of the few who had made it through the selection process of the Company, wishing she was could have been one of the executed on the training grounds.