I stood there in complete shock. I felt as if my jaw was so far to the ground that I could fit a whole yeti in. Fur and all.

"W-what?" I stammered out. "You really think that I'm working with that monster?"

"It's only logical," Jack stated harshly, and a matter of fact.

"Jack, it is a bit of a jump," reasoned Bunni. "I mean the lass did save our hides after all."

Bunni had taken a step toward Jack to calm his worries, but Jack's rigid posture stayed put.

I couldn't wrap my head around this. Did he really think I was against them? I've done nothing to even imply a thought like that. I mean the whole stalking them part was a bit sketchy, but Bunni was right. I had saved their butts, and this is how he repays me? By accusing me of being a part of Death's scheme? I was boiling with rage at this point.

"And what a way to hide it? Make us think she is helping only to stab us in the back!" Jack concluded.

"You can't be serious," Tooth pleaded.

"Of course I'm serious!" Jack shouted furiously, "Am I the only one who is thinking here? This is completely different from what we have dealt with before. Before it was just what they believe in. Now their lives are on the line! Kids! The ones we were supposed to protect! Dead! Because of them!"

I saw his pale index finger pointed directly at me. I saw his once joyful blue eyes filled with anger and hate. Those accusing blue eyes had me seeing red.

"'Them'? If you haven't noticed, Jack. It's just me! Here I am standing, and I only counted for one. So don't just automatically lump me with that Woman! How dare you accuse me of helping her anyway! As if anything goes better together than Pitch Black and Jack Frost!"

I shouted those last words at the top of my lungs, and I hadn't realized the magnitude of regret I would feel for saying what I said. Jack's eyes had grown wide in those few seconds, and I felt proud that I had silenced the talkative spirit. If only…

Jack's shocked disappeared as his face twisted with the darkest of hate. With his brows knitted together, and his jaw clenched tightly, I immediately learned why no one pissed him off.

"Excuse you?"

His face alone rendered me speechless. Now his voice was dripping with venom. I was sputtering to get out words of an apology. I gaped as he stalked towards me.

"I don't think you quite comprehend the story. I know rumors have gone around, but they are all wrong! I don't care what you've heard, but get this straight, love bird. I would never, never, stoop so low as to hurt innocent children, much less murder them!"

"But I–"

"Shut up!"

Gasp

I fell to the floor with a burning sting across my cheek. I propped myself up with one arm, and held my raw cheek in the other. I felt wetness build in the rim of my eyes from the pain. I stared at the brick floor of the workshop. I think I heard someone gasp. Or they called for Jack, I think. I really couldn't tell. Or care.

The entire workshop held silence in the air. I slowly lifted my head to peek up at Jack. His face was stern and terrifying, and his hand hung in the air rom when it swung across my face.

I stared into those furious blue eyes, and tears spilled over as my stomach twisted. His face began to soften into a guilty façade. His hand cautiously came toward me.

"Cupi-"

I slapped his hand away, and rushed to my feet to fly away. Just as I got off the ground, I felt a restraining pain around my neck, but after I heard a metal snap the pain disappeared, and I flew faster that I've ever flown before.