Uh, oops. I just realize how wimpy Ni'aa was in the last chapter. Well, that's what you get for writing in it in 5 minutes, not editing, and falling asleep at the computer. Oh well, I'll edit it, next week.

Ni'aa's POV

Once upon a time Ni'aa had a life beyond this prison. That was once upon a time. It had been a day, or two, or three… a week perhaps, a year? She didn't remember anymore, she knew she hadn't eaten in a long while. They didn't feed '-shifters. A rare ghost of a smile touched her lips. How long had it been since she smiled? As she curled into a ball, her thoughts shifted back to there normal state, half crazed in the dark. For the third time in her life she had become more animal than human.

{{{[[((A.N. the first is when she killed the thief/hunter, the second just before she met Maria.))]]}}}

*~*

The door creaked open, blinding Ni'aa with light. She howled in pain. A hand clamped over her mouth, smelling like sweat and oil. Ni'aa jerked away, "Little Wolf. It's me, K'ssu. We're leaving, can you see?" Ni'aa hissed, shaking her head. K'ssu leaned down and picked her up, cradling her in his arms.

"Oh Gods. Haven't they been feeding you?"

"No," Ni'aa hissed again, "I haven't eaten since I got in here."

Ni'aa felt cool air brush her skin as they stepped outside, she was finally free. Now, she didn't regret helping Maria. Tortall should burn for the pain she suffered, and it would. K'ssu lifted her onto the back of a horse.

"I can ride with you a little way, but I'll be missed if I go too far."

Ni'aa nodded, her eyes adjusting the tiniest bit to the light. "I understand." As they headed off the palace grounds, Ni'aa asked quietly, "How long has it been, since… since I got in there?"

K'ssu paused, "A week. Maria was livid. You're her favorite, rebel or no. If I had lost you, my head would be on the chopping block."

"I suppose I should be happy about that, but I'm not. If anything, it scares me more." Ni'aa exhaled, happy to finally tell someone, "Thanks for coming after me, K'ssu, I knew you would." With her last few words K'ssu froze.

"Enough." He said through his teeth, "Off."

Ni'aa stared up at him, hurt, "Why?"

"Maria… told me to get you out, take you into the woods, and… kill you." K'ssu turned back to her, "Run away, Little Wolf, run for all your worth. I can't give you another chance like this, last time, Little Wolf." With that, he leaned down and kissed her forehead, then swung back into the saddle.

"Goodbye, K'ssu, goodbye."

As he rode of into the distance, the horse's hooves pounding, she turned her thoughts from him to Maria. 'She will pay, for every lie and every thing else.' Ni'aa thought. As she turned away, to walk down the deserted roadway, her thoughts turned to Alex, 'I'm coming Alex. Soon you'll be free.'

I'm going to be gone all weekend, so no updates till at least Wednesday. On Wednesday I want 5 more reviews, please. 5 or no update.

Oh, if you're a Percy Jackson fan, check out my story, Mistakes.

I think that's all.