"How many times have you ventured out here now?" Heather joked with her.

"Are you bored with my presence? Shall I make it longer than previously done?" Laine smiled at her.

The two of them chuckled lightly at each other. It was true, it was her third time out in the city that month, but now, it wasn't for the Mistress. No, Laine had learned the new schedule of her Mistress and made it a point to come to the bakery when she had her dose of Mirage. Seeing how she would sleep longer and want more privacy, she gave the others the notes needed and gathered herself a brief moment to visit her new friends.

"Oh now don't be that way." Heather smiled, sipping her drink, "I really enjoy your company. Not that I don't mind the boys and the others within, but a new fresh face has many perks that they don't get. Plus it gives me a moment to get off my feet."

"I have heard women with children grow wearier faster when they are farther in their carrying."

Heather giggled at her, "Lord, I don't think I'll ever get over the little way you talk, but yes, we do get tired faster the farther we go."

"Do you know of the child then, or are you leaving that to the day they arrive?"

"Well, it's still a bit early but something tells me that it's a little girl." she smiled brightly, "Oh, little bows and dresses. I really do hope so. Seeing those in the shops kills me, I'm honestly dying in anticipation for this little one."

"A little girl would be splendid for you both." Laine looked over to the counter as Oliver laid out more treats to his patrons, "I have a feeling he would be a wonderful father to a little girl, or boy even. He holds himself in such a way that it's quite easy to see."

"That's because he did it before."

"He raised children?"

Heather nodded to the other two men with him, "Allen and James. He found them one day when he was younger, cold and hungry on the street and he scooped them up and took them home. Now, as we see, they are good men."

"Now I see why you do not worry about a child and what they will have. You have seen what he can do and do not fret of the possibilities of ill will."

"Ill will?"

Laine nodded, "Our Master spoke of ill will, he had said that children bore from ill will either end up in wrong and doing wrong or passing on. Nothing to them."

She wondered if she spoke wrongly as Heather's eyes widened at her, "Wow, never heard of that before."

"Maybe it is only within Haven where it is believed. The home and school for children of the ward are taught that, like myself. I knew nothing more but it."

"I'm guessing you don't know your family?"

"No." Laine shook her head, "The Mistress always said that those within the house are there to be survived for good and given another chance at a better life. Almost like a judging within. Those that are pure and whole will go to a home as I did and those that are ill will, will never see the doors."

"A little harsh but if it works there then by means, follow it."

Laine pondered on what she knew, how the life within was a constant circle for them all, she knew everything and everyone and yet, she felt like she knew nothing. Gillen's words echoed her head of the Mirage and more, making her wonder what else was hidden. She had seen him a few times from that night, keeping his distance at times since the body of a worker was found. He vowed he had nothing to do with it but something told her that it wasn't true.

"You ok?"

Laine's head shot up, "Oh, yes terribly sorry. I was a little preoccupied with my thoughts."

"Is there something the matter, Laine?"

She wanted to be sure before asking all that she did, but maybe it would help her calm her thoughts, "I really do not know. The Mistress has been a bit rash as of late and the other day I saw her throw something at the Master. It is not like her to be so rude or outwards like so. But I worry. Is there that I am missing that could help her in a way that no one else can?"

Heather nodded to her, "Seems you're in a bit of a conundrum. Has anything changed within the home that would make it seem like she's mad at everyone?"

"That's what puzzles me. There is no change. Everything from the moment the sun rises to its evening fall, everything is the same yet as of late she has bouts of anger and refusing to be listened to. Everyone has become afraid of her. What caught me off most was the look she gives me. Before it was one of awe and admiration, but now, it seems like there is something that bothers her with me. Does that make sense?"

"Sort of. Is there anything else that may help me in helping you?"

Laine paused, looking out the large window as she noticed the men across the way, "Well, try not to gander at the men by the store there, but how they are looking at us."

She saw Heather glance over, seeing what she meant, "Yes, what about them?"

"Master has given me the same look. He would give it to Mistress once in a while but now it has come to a few of us within the home, yet mostly it lays on me. How can I put it, I just, I feel unease with it. I've never had anything placed in my view. I have, what you called, a chill up my spine. I used that correctly, yes?"

"That you did." Heather's gaze crossed the men again, her brow knitting in worry, "Laine, may I make a suggestion?"

"Oh yes please, anything really."

"Why not stay here?" she patted the table, "Oliver and I will gladly let you stay here for as long as you want. No worries."

That wasn't what she was expecting, "Are you asking me to leave the Mistress and the home?"

"Well, if you put it like that, yes."

"But pray to tell why?"

Heather sighed, "Look, I just worry. The stuff that Gillen found within was not good. It's extremely potent and deadly to those who use it. I'm worried about you and think it would be best if you were here."

"Deadly how? What will happen to Mistress?" she worried.

"I really don't know. Xiao wouldn't go into detail but it has the boys riled and feverous in finding what else it can contain and do. And as you spoke of your Master, I'm just truly worried for you."

"Why so?"

"There are things out in this world that are not as good as they seem. And even behind those walls, bad can be alive and hidden under a mask that you cannot find."

Laine worried over what she spoke of and the offer at hand. To leave the home and live within the city with Heather and Oliver, to be a part of them and all they do, but it was daunting. To leave everything she knew behind, to start anew and change everything of herself, "May I think about it?"

Heather nodded to her, "Of course, I wouldn't expect you to have that decision right off. When you do, just come here, no need to try anything or speak to others. Just come straight for the bakery and Oliver and I will set you up within."

"Thank you graciously, Heather." she smiled at her as the clock came to view, "Oh my, I must be off. The Mistress with wake soon and I best not dawdle any longer."

"Alright then, remember what I said, Laine." Heather gave her a quick hug, "Do you want someone to guide you there?"

Laine chuckled, "You asked the same of me last time and as the same, I decline. Thank you though for thinking of me in such a way. I am grateful for it."

Waving to her friend, she made her way back to Haven, seeing everything she had learned within the city and the high concrete structure that surrounded her home. She wondered if all that Heather had said was becoming true, that something amiss was going on within the home, a possible danger that lingered in the air as she gave the Mistress Mirage and did her biddings. She wanted to push it all away as the little door came to light, to just pretend it wasn't happening but the more it crossed her mind, everything seemed to be somehow falling apart before her and the others.

Finally within, she looked around the street she called home. Beautiful homes decorated in lavish ways, spotting the taste of each owner and server within. Some of countries far from their homes to some presented in intricate ways of architecture and style. She knew she was lucky to be there, but deep down there seemed to be a dark cloud over them all.

The kitchenette door came open as she made her way up the small stairs, the cook smiling at her as he nodded to the feast for the Master and Mistress, "It looks lovely."

"My pleasure, were you out looking around for the Mistress's garden." he questioned, "I know you've been in the garden a few more times than usual."

She smiled, hoping to hold the lie well, "I was, there are a few homes that I saw with a breed of flower that I had not seen before in the last spring. I'm hoping the Master will let me within his study to find the botanical books of his."

"I see no problem there, he always has the two of us in the room."

"That is for you play gin rummy on calm nights with him." she smiled at him, "And as for I, I am the Mistress's hand."

He nodded to her as he pointed down the hall, "Last I heard, he was in the library with Mistress."

"Oh! She's awake?"

"Yes, just a moment ago. I went to ask for a bottle of wine of his choice and saw she was within. I would not worry over it, they seemed to be talking about small changes in the homestead."

Bidding him thanks, she moved down the hall, hoping that all was well with the Mistress and Master. Yet as she grew closer, the hope burned out as stern voices lifted into the air. She knew she shouldn't pry and listen to the conversations, to go to her duties and pretend nothing happened but the mentioning of her name, she couldn't turn away. She gently pressed herself against the doorframe, listening to what else would leave the two.

"Why are the marketers looking here for you?" his voice was heavy with anger.

"I was explaining to them that we accidentally lost a bottle of Mirage down the sink, that I needed another." came her reply.

"Fine, then why is Laine showing no progress?"

"She is of far beauty and seems to overpower it with her blood. There seems to be no reason for her to take-"

"Then which other is? You know you are to have one of the servants take the damn things and if we are to have the Psuche, we have to prove they'll survive all of it."

Survive? What was going on? "I told you before, I would rather not taint my personal hand."

"Yes yet here you are still obtaining Mirage and no change in any of them. I am starting to think that there is a rouse here that is hidden in plain sight."

Her Mistress scoffed, "Now don't be so prejudice, there is nothing-"

The sharp crack of his hand connecting to her cheek silenced all around her. The Master struck Mistress. Laine's heart raced, afraid and unsure of what else would happen. Suddenly, he had her by her dark hair, yanking her head back as he stood over her.

"Now that I have your true attention. You have options before you, ones you cannot remove." he growled at her, "You now begin what you were meant to do with those servants out there and your hand and we obtain the drugs in question, with that it gives us the chance to have a continuum."

A harsh shiver rolled through Laine, watching as the Mistress struggled under his hand, "Or?"

"Or I personally remove them all and the drugs. And we start fresh."

"You wouldn't?!"

"Want to bet?"

Remove them? He didn't mean that, did he? "Fine, what more do you want?"

She watched as the Master gave a sick grin, "Well, if Mirage didn't work for her and her bloodline is that good and, well let's face it, you have become too old, why not use her?"

"Are you saying you want to use Laine-"

"As a bearer yes." he replied, "Tell me it wouldn't be perfect? Besides, last I saw she's no longer the catch of the eye she once was. Now running second-best in the show."

The Mistress stood firm, unmoving from her spot, "And if it works, what then after the child is here?"

The Master shrugged, "Dispose of her."

She couldn't believe it, any of it. Everything spoken and done was dark and foreboding and now it was directed at her. She didn't know what was going to happen to her or the others but if things were not going well, then a whirlwind of trouble was coming her way.

Laine took off as fast as she could down the hall, flying by the rooms as she made it for her own. Once the large door was shut, her knees buckling and collapsed under her. Her heart pounded in her head as she replayed the whole ordeal, praying that all would be ok and that it was anger that spoke so loudly. And it all, she wished she took Heather's offer more seriously.

"We know the compounds of Drylor, it's the same you use Oliver, but a little more potent. Now Mirage is meant to cease the aging of people, from what I've gathered, almost like a magic trick." Xiao explained the drugs before them all, "However once it reaches a certain point, the human body can't function without it. What was meant to stop aging, aggressively progresses it, in all ways so it must be constantly taken."

Gillen sighed, his mind worried that her Mistress gave her the drugs before them, knowing how damning they all really were.

"So those within are taking Drylor?" Lutz asked, "For what intent?"

"Removal of evidence and people. This is stronger than yours, Oliver. It's almost like acid to the body if ingested, disintegrating from within and out."

"Just what I'd like to have in my place." Allen smirked.

"Easy way to hide things you don't want obvious to those around you." Luciano stated, "Gillen, you said they seem to have the staff under thumb at all times unless they are special to them, correct?"

"Ja." was all he got out.

"Then they all would know better than to ask, if not they wouldn't even think twice of it."

"It would make sense, though it's the next ones that have me a little perplexed." Xiao nodded at him, "Spritz we all know is a speed. To enhance the ability to do physical combats; military, and law are being loaded with it. But this Kylsire, that's interesting. Its compounds are that of Spritz but different, this is more for continuous health and longevity."

"So are they really doing what we believe they are?" Kuro asked.

"I would've said not fully until Psuche popped in. This bad boy is the key."

They all leaned in wondering what was hidden in the little vile as Xiao continued, "This is what they are really after. This not only combines all of the main drugs we've encountered over here but this one also promotes the travel of the footprint. This is designed to make it possible to have Perfection."

There it was. The truth staring them right in the face and laughing at them all. It finally was there. Gillen felt the past wars race through his blood, remembering the hell they all endured and survived. He wanted to shut it all off, to pretend it never happened. But if history was forgotten, so would be the issues that made them the way they were.

He waited for him to continue but was suddenly dragged out of the room. Gathering his wits, he turned around with blade at the ready only to pause as Heather glared at him.

"Get bigger." she said.

"Seriously, of all things?" he almost shouted, "Why not grab him from now on?"

"Ollie would make a racket and you're quiet but this doesn't involve Ollie or myself."

"Then why-"

"It's Laine."

He stopped, looking over the redhead as her eyes seemed to be hiding something from him, "What's wrong?"

Heather sighed, "She came to the shop again today but is troubled within the home. She's becoming fearful of her Mistress and what she said of the looks her Master gives her, she's growing weary of the home."

That was new. She never complained of her Master or Mistress, enjoying them both deeply at tines when he asked her of them, but now hearing this made a cold pit sit within his stomach.

"I'm honestly worried, Gillen. I even offered her a place to stay with Ollie and I, hell, I'll let her live in the apartment above the bakery. Ollie and I are out of it for the baby coming but still. I'm truly worried."

"And what can I do?"

"Would you please go over and see what is happening? Even calm her nerves. Or better yet, bring her with you." Heather pleaded with him, "I know I'm just a hormonal pregnant woman but still."

"In broad daylight?"

"Gillen, please. I wouldn't ask it if I wasn't sure. So please, do something."

Glancing back into the room and hearing the arguments rise, he made his mind, "Fine, I'll go. But if there is nothing-"

"You'll be pissed because I nearly made you lose your cover blah blah, yes I know." Heather cut him off, only to give a curt smile to him, "But thank you, really."

Within seconds, he was out the door, trudging the streets as he made his way to Haven, wondering what had her all a buzz. True, the fact that Laine mentioned her Mistress and Master in that way gave him a little worry but not by much. As he walked, we wondered about the drugs and the truth that laid before them all. That Perfection was finally obtainable. The years of fighting and watching so many died and suffer came to light as the result was before them. Wars and experiments, the human gene ripped apart little by little as the bloodlines seemed to disappear over the years.

It was hard to believe how the world had fallen into that hole, to create the perfect human being. One that would meet all physical attributes and knowledge of godly powers, no defect or mark would grace them, just a being of almost angelic likeness. But even angels looked different. He watched as races slowly died away to nothing. Like Oliver and Heather, redheads being far and in between, even the Asian races were nearly wiped out. Everything he knew had changed almost overnight for him. And it scared the shit out of him.

As he climbed up the wall, a small linger if worry claimed him. The thought of what Laine's Mistress had her hands on bothered him and the fact only the servants were to have it sent fear through his veins. Could the Mistress have forced her to finally take the drugs and now she feared for her life or having an effect of it? The thoughts raced in his head, making him move faster as the descent down was faster than usual. One the ground, he scurried along the pathways of the houses, praying he wouldn't be seen as the trellis came to view once more.

"So what now ma'am?" someone said from the other side of the shrub.

"Hush your voices." a sharp feminine voice reprimanded them, "The last thing I need anyone to hear is this."

Gillen moved silently over to the greenery, doing whatever it took to be unseen as he listened intently, "Alright, well be quiet, but if you want us to get Mirage and Psuche for you, it better pay well."

"You know you'll get paid well, but first my demand."

"Of course. Kill those two, yes? Stage it like an accident. You already told us that earlier, one of our boys is already there preparing the bakery for our ok."

Bakery? "Good, I shouldn't have let her venture out there. Now because of that woman, she's thinking more and noticing things. I cannot have that. The Master of the home wishes to have her as a bearer, there can be no free thinking."

"Whatever you say." another voice chipped in, "But to murder two people, we want something extra?"

"And that would be?"

A small pause filled the air, making his heart race, "We want a piece of your personal hand. Just an hour or so of her time. We both could use her simultaneously and get a little stress relief."

Anger roared through him as everything came to thought. The vibrations in his chest were deep and hard, screaming at him to get her and leave that area to never return.

"After the Master has her and she is with child, go ahead. Have her so roughly she loses it. One less thing to worry about. As long as you kill those within that Lion's Bakery, whatever it's called. You can have her."

"With pleasure." the spoke as one dialed a phone, "Hey, get it ready. You have the go."

"Remember, I want proof that they're dead too." the Mistress stared as she walked away.

Jesus, God, they were going after Oliver and Heather. As carefully and quick as he could, he ran out of there, finding the door she spoke about to the other side. He busted it down, just to break off down the street, pushing and shoving all that was in his way. He had to hurry, there wasn't a moment to waste to get there. One street after another his feet carried him as fast as he made them, finally seeing the famed emerald lion sign.

"Oliver!" he shouted, "Heather!"

He made it to the steps, seeing the shop closed, barely a light on within as he banged on the door, "Heather, Oliver!"

"Gillen!" Oliver called out from behind.

Turning around, he saw the two of them down the street, looking at him in worry as he darted for them. He was never more thankful to see those bright colors in his life but damn it was relieving. Both of them came to him just for him to push them both back.

"Gillen, what is the meaning of this?" Oliver demanded as he continued to corral them back farther.

"Just believe me." was all he could muster.

"What about Laine?" Heather caused him to pause, making him look at her, "What's going on in Haven?"

Shit, he didn't want to tell her, not at least in her state. He tried to find the words he wanted, to explain his findings but the sudden eruption behind him gave it all away. The once pristine bakery was in flames, gone in a single blast as people scattered away from the explosion. He watched as the flames licked the frames and sidings, the little awning lit ablaze as pieces of it fell to the ground. Heather let out a small cry as Oliver came to his side, no words needed to be spoken as the phone in Oliver's pocket went crazy as his joined in.

"Gillen, whatever was found in Haven, has made it's way out here." Oliver spoke calmly, too calm for his liking as he looked over at the man, the familiar swirls clouding his eyes, "And if I were you, I would find a way to bring her here before it becomes worse for us all."

He didn't say a word as the sirens sounded in the distance, he knew he had to get Laine out of there, no matter what it would cost him. He just had to get her out. And time was running out.