Chapter 7

My heart stopped and my eyes locked on a moving figure. He walked amongst the sidewalk smiling and greeting people that passed by. They bowed in return and some even looked eager to shake his hand or have his autograph

I don't know why but I hid behind the corner of a shop and peeked out.

A crowd started to form around him and he squirmed uneasily. Was this strange man…Crow?

He eventually wriggle his way out and started heading my way.

I ran in the opposite direction but collided with someone. I fell back and landed on the concrete. I opened my eyes and rubbed my forehead.

Instead of cowering on the ground, he was standing in front me with a smirk.

"You should be careful, missss." He said offering his hand.

Was it just me or did he just hiss?

I grabbed his hand hesitantly.

"Uh…Thanks."

He pulled me up faster then I expected then walked away like nothing ever happened. His touch sent shivers down my spine.

I turned around and was greeted with him.

I jumped back.

"Oh, sorry, didn't mean to scare ya'." He leaned against the pole and rubbed his temples.

I shook my head vigorously. "N-n-no." I stuttered.

He took in a few more deep breaths then his eyes met mine. His breath caught short and he looked at me with wide, round eyes.

"You…Are you…?" He took a step forward.

I took a step back and felt my face flush. Is he the one? The same one? Crow?

He examined my face once more then shook his head. "It can't be her." I heard him mutter. He then looked up and smiled.

"Sorry, didn't mean to disturb you…just…you looked familiar that's all." He smiled once more then hurried past me.

"Wait!" I blurted without thinking.

He turned around impatiently. My face was scarlet and the palm on my god hand was sweating irritably. "U-umm…A-are you…Crow?"

His eyebrows scrunched up confusingly. "Yes." He said slowly.

"I don't know…if you know Linda or not…but…I'm lost."

"Lost?" He said in a disbelieving tone.

I gulped. "It's a long story…Please? I-I'll pay you somehow." To tell you the truth I was scared out of my mind. That collision had really shook me up and my nerves were bouncing all over the place. Also If I keep wondering around like this will people start to recognize me like back at the cell?

He seemed to find this amusing. "Pay me?"

I nodded.

"What's your name?"

"Lynn." I've started to grow accustomed to it.

"You don't need to pay me, I was already planning on visiting Linda today anyways."

I smiled sheepishly. "Thank you."

He walked ahead then gestured me to follow. "It shouldn't be to far."

I followed in behind him completely mesmerized by his features. His black hair shimmered a dark red in the sun and was pulled back into a small ponytail near the nape of his neck. His stray hairs flowed gently around his face adding on to his graceful movements. He was tall to go with his muscular figure and to top it all off was his smile that made my heart flutter inside my rib cage.

"So…" He said ,taking my out of my reverie.

"You must be famous." I thought aloud.

"What?" He gave a sideways glance.

"Oh, Uhh…sorry ,thinking out loud, bad habit." I laughed nervously.

Surprisingly he chuckled. "Are you new here?"

" Yeah…I lost my memory so I don't know much. So I guess that means I really don't know." I walked a bit faster to match his pace.

"Oh really? Sorry to hear about that." I couldn't read his expression but his body looked tense ,or maybe it was always like that.

"Yes, but Linda was kind enough to take me in. You said you were already planning on visiting Linda today. Are you guys close?"

My question pulled him out of his aloofness. "Huh? Oh, yes. She's always been like a mother to me."

I frowned. I wondered what happened to his mother.

We walked in silence for a few minutes until a question struck my thoughts.

"Who's Kira?" But as soon as the words were out of my mouth I instantly regretted them.

His face darkened but I didn't miss the hurt and longing that touched his eyes.

"She is a sin. We do not discuss her here." He said coldly.

"I'm sorry." I whispered.

When we reached the familiar cottage I sighed in relief. He opened the door and I could smell pot roast cooking inside. My stomach rumbled and my mouth practically drooled.

"What's cookin'?" Asked Crow casually.

"Crow!" Linda came out of the kitchen with arms wide open. Crow embraced her gently. "I thought you might needed some company."

"Your always welcome here. It's been so long! Please, please have a seat.

"Hello, Linda." I said politely while Crow stalked off into the kitchen and sat in one of the overly yellowed chairs. I had a feeling he was ignoring me.

"Lynn! I'm sorry, I didn't see you there," We both laughed at the small joke. "dinner's almost ready. Marissa said you went for a little walk."

"Is she here?" I asked, maybe she could tell me who Kira is.

"No she left to do some errands. She should be back in time for dinner. Are you staying for dinner Crow?"

He leaned back in the chair. "Of course, you know I love your cooking. I also came here to deliver good news."

"Wonderful, we need some around here." She placed a kettle of tea on the table.

"I just came from the capital city. Jane should be returning soon." Crow exclaimed as I pored myself some tea. I grabbed my cup and sipped cautiously.

"Such perfect timing, we can actually go on a picnic this time without being blown to pieces! Aren't you thrilled Crow? You can come home more often now and relax, no more fighting-"

"Linda. The war isn't over. You have to understand, It'll never be over unless Damon dies."

I didn't realize I've frozen with shock until I heard the clatter of my cup hit the wood table.

Crow eyed me curiously.

"Is everything ok?" Linda asked, alarmed.

"Yeah, I accidentally dropped my cup. I'll clean it up." I got up but Crow already had a dish rag in his hand and begun to wipe the table down.

"Thank you." I half-smiled.

He nodded.

"Would you like a different cup, Lynn?" Linda asked, always to kind.

"No, thanks, but may I ask a question?"

"Of course."

Crow rinsed out the dish rag then skimmed through the cabinets, but I could tell he was listening.

"You mentioned the name Damon. Is he…like Sephiran?"

Crow's fist came down on the counter and I flinched.

"He's nothing like Sephiran! He's a filthy, disgusting coward."

"Crow." He glanced over at Linda's placid face.

"Want me to pour you some tea, Linda?" I said to quickly.

She nodded, my question dismissed. "Crow, can you check the pot roast ,please?"

He lifted the pot and a huge grin stretched across his face. "This smells delicious."

I poured the tea carefully then placed the porcelain cup in Linda's scrawny hands.

"Well since Jane will be coming home she'll be staying in her room I assume. I didn't know she'd be home so soon otherwise I would've tidied up the basement for you."

"It's ok, I'm still grateful to even be her. Is Jane your daughter?" the name brought images of a brown haired girl.

"Yes. She works a lot in the capital city with Sephiran."

"Oh, wow. So she's like his right hand man-or girl I should say."

She smiled. "I guess you could say that. Sephiran was her mentor, there very close."

"You must be proud."

"Yes, very." She sipped her tea absent-mindedly. "How's that memory of yours?"

I frowned at the change of subject. "Not good."

"So you don't remember your past." I was shocked at Crow's blunt statement.

"I-I get images and sometimes flashbacks," I defended.

"Anything interesting?" He said with a laugh in his tone.

I glared at him. Is he mocking me?

"I don't know, maybe. But that's really none of your business, now is it?"

We looked at each other. He gave me a lopsided smirk while I tried to keep a straight face. I wanted to throw myself into his arms and stroke his angel face, but that was another impossible illusion.

The squeak of the front door corrupted our intense gaze.

"Hey, Marissa, Emily." Crow said.

Marissa came in with Emily trailing behind her.

"Crow!" Marissa set down her purse and gave Crow a big squeeze. "It's about time you came to visit us!" She released him then came over and kissed the top of Linda's head. Emily stood frozen near my chair, staring wide-eyed at Crow.

He smiled at her and I felt a pang of jealously.

"Hey, Lynn. Emily said you two took a two tour this morning. Do you reckon' anything?" Marissa started fidgeting with the kitchen equipment.

I looked up at Marissa's golden, blonde hair piled up in a ball on top her head.

I noticed all eyes on me. "I can't be to sure."

"It smells good." Emily spoke weakly. I wondered why she was acting so shy. She sure wasn't like that this morning. Was it because of Crow's presence?

Emily nudged my arm then pointed towards the living room. I got up and followed her.

"Why didn't you tell me?" She whispered.

"Tell you what?"

"That you lost your memory?"

"Oh, that." I looked down, ashamed.

"Well?" She put her hands on her hips.

"I didn't want to make a bad impression. Like you'd believe me anyhow."

She pursed her lips, probably rethinking my reply, then decided, "Yeah, your probably right." She sat down on the couch and crossed her legs. She smoothed her skirt and picked at her collared shirt.

"Do you know Crow?" I asked. I was wondering why she acted like a shy school girl around him, then again his smile can make the most popular girls fumble for words.

She looked confused at first then understanding crossed her face.

"Everyone knows Crow, he's practically famous."

I knew it.

"He's on of the marked ones." She took in my expression then sighed. "Don't worry, I'll explain. Sephiran mentored four young students that were chosen specially for there unique abilities. Crow ,of course, is one of them with Jane and…Seth…" She looked uncomfortable and squeamish. Curiosity chewed at me. "Anyways, each were marked on there shoulder blade of our country's symbol. Such a beautiful mark it is. I'm jealous."

"You said there was four of them?" She was avoiding something.

She shrugged.

"So…," I tried to be nonchalant by leaning against the wall and looking around at the furniture with fake interest. "Who's the forth?"

"We don't talk about her." She said curtly.

I twitched in aggravation. "Why not?" I pressed.

She puffed up a sigh, clearly wanting to get off the subject.

"To sum it up she betrayed Sephiran and became and ally with the Western Nation, there happy?"

"How does she relate to Linda?" I recalled the situation with Marissa and Linda earlier today.

She glowered at me.

"Dinner!" Marissa's voice boomed from the kitchen. Emily got up instantly and whipped past me.

That went well.