She stared at the paper once more, her heart nearly ripping in half as she read it again. The Lion's Sweettooth going up in flames as it cost the lives of two people. She didn't want to imagine Heather or Oliver within the bakery, their unborn never having a moment in the daylight with them. She tried to conceal herself but it was too hard, it hurt too much to even continue working at that moment.

"Laine, I did not bring this to you so I would hurt you, I did this because of how dangerous it really is outside these walls." Caroline stated.

"That does not help."

"Would you rather me lie and never tell you? Just for you to wander off out there and stumble upon it?" Caroline pointed out, "I know you liked them, but it is best to mourn and move on."

"How can you be so cold?" Laine questioned.

"Cold? No, not cold, eventful. I have seen life come and go for many years, it is a part of life, no matter how painful."

Laine ignored her, looking back over the yard. She wanted to just pretend it never happened, that it was all a lie and that they were alive and save somewhere, waiting for her.

"Laine, please, you must listen and mind. This attitude you have been displaying has the Mistress up in arms, asking irrational questions from everyone. I worry she may punish you."

"The Mistress has never laid a hand on me." she said coolly, "I do not believe she will ever lower herself to such a spot."

"Alright then." Caroline huffed, "What about your man of the night? Where has he been?"

And that there stung the worse. A few nights had passed and he hadn't come to see what she left or talk to her, he suddenly disappeared, "He is elsewhere helping others."

"If that is what you believe, so be it. I am going to finish my duties, that should be the same for you."

She firmly sat there, her eyes still set on the yard as Caroline made her way down the hall, her stride heavy and angry. Laine didn't want anything of the home or the Mistress, any of them to be exact but it was too late. Her solaces were gone from her grasp as she finally sighed in defeat. She pulled out his scarf once more, feeling the heavy yet soft material between her fingers, his scent still lingering on it as she held it tight.

"Oh please," she prayed into the material, "Please let it be all a hoax, that I am still dreaming a nightmare from my poor resting. Please, I beg you."

Soft cries left her, her heartbreaking more and more as she tried to will herself to move. To even breathe without her heart shattering more. How could it hurt so much? She didn't really know them, any of them but that small time and kindness gave her a new view of things that no one ever spoke of before. She wanted to taste more of it, to venture out and see what else she was missing. But the more she thought it, the harder she cried. How cruel it all was.

She let a few moments go until she gathered herself and finally began her duties. It was a nightmare, harsh and evil as she moved around the home, everything almost taunting her as if to make her mind even more puzzled to it all. What was truly hidden in the home? Were Gillen and Heather right on their past premonitions of what was going on? Was the Master truly serious of his words that day to the Mistress? So much rang about yet it did little to help her out.

A shrill of a shriek echoed the home, making her pause in her steps. What on earth was that? She waited a moment longer as it happened once more from the Mistress's reading room. She ran to the room, seeing others as they gathered around the door, begging the Mistress if she was alright.

"Move, I can get in!" she shouted at them, pulling out the key and unlocking the heavy doors.

Pushing the wooden pieces open, she found the Mistress throwing the morning paper and more around the room, anger distorted her features as another furious yell escaped her. Laine was frozen in fear as the woman was on her warpath, never witnessing this before. She knew she had the Mirage earlier and wanted to rest, gave her all that she needed to be satisfied, but now. It was like a wild animal was uncaged and let loose.

The Mistress finally paused, seeing all those behind Laine and watching her. Panic settled in her, the thought of what she would do to them worried her as the Mistress glared at them all. In a rush, she ushered them all out of the doorway, away from the issue just to close the door and leave her alone with the Mistress. Fear shivered down Laine's spine as she walked over to her, eyes dark and hateful, her lips curling in an uneasy twist.

"Laine?"

"Yes, Mistress?"

The Mistress reached out to her, her hand only inches from her face just to pull back and look at the ground. Laine worried, what was going on with the Lady of the house that made her like so?

"Mistress, are you alright?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I heard you crying out. Did I do something wrong? Perhaps I didn't-"

"No." the Mistress cut her off, "There is nothing wrong. Just something that needs to be settled. Unfortunately, it will not go in the favor I had hoped for."

"Is there anything I can do to help you?"

The icy glare she received from the woman gave her the answer she seeked. Giving a light bow, she hoped to escape the worse of it all, "Apologies Mistress. I will bother you no longer."

As quick as she could, she left the room as the others waited down the hall, wondering what had gotten into the woman. She herself wished she knew of the reason yet there wasn't a real one there. Shaking her head to them all and waving them back to duties long forgotten, she started off once more, hoping that whatever ailed the woman was finally gone.

"Laine?!" a harsh whisper came to her, only to spin around and see Caroline darting for her, "Laine!"

"Carol-" she was silenced as the woman threw her hand over her mouth.

"Laine, please, I beg you. I know I spoke highly before of our Mistress and Master and pushed aside your own thoughts and wants, but now is not the time and you need to run!" she quickly spoke, pulling her to the back room.

"Run? Caroline, what on earth are you speaking of?"

"Please, I'm telling you to run! To go outside those walls and never return. Do this. For me. for yourself. Jut run and never look back, and hurry!"

Laine pulled her hand from her, "Not until you tell me what is going on here?"

"There is no time to explain, I am doing this for you, please, just go!"

She wasn't given a chance as Caroline pushed her out the door, locking it behind her. Laine looked back, seeing tears pour down her face as she mouthed for her to go. What was happening? Things were crazy and getting worse by the moment. She backed away slowly, trying to see what in the world the woman was truly up to just to see her face change from sadness to complete fear.

Something covered her mouth as she suddenly was pressed against someone. She fought the intruder, doing all she could until another grabbed her legs and then something slipped over her head. Fear ran rapid through her body as panic claimed her mind. Laine tried to scream out, to call for help as they drug her away from the home. She didn't know what was going in or what to do as she heard them arguing with one another. She tried to beg them to let her go, to do what she could to get away. Yet the more she struggled, the harder it became. And the more she wanted Gillen.

Suddenly, after all the struggle, she was dropped on the ground, the thing removed from her head as she tried to gather her wits. Slowly, the bleary world became clear as a few men stood around her, smiling at her in wicked scheme. She didn't understand all that was happening nor cared to find out as one came closer to her.

"I beg your pardon," she scooted away, "I do not know you."

"Laine." a voice called her name.

Turning around, she saw the Master standing before the gate, a strange glance piercing her very being. She moved to him, standing by his side as he looked over the men, "Master."

"Why do you think you are here?" he asked coolly.

"I do not know, Master. Perhaps a misunderstanding."

He looked down at her, his fingers suddenly gripping her chin in a bruising force, "Tell me, and be completely honest, who was taking Mirage?"

Oh no, she knew the Mistress would be displeased if she spoke, would even be punished by her if she did but the look in his eyes demanded her to speak, "I apologize, Master, it was Mistress. She told me that it would be best for her and no one else, that it would be our secret. I'm sorry. I was afraid of her hand."

His arms quickly wrapped around her in a hug, "Now, I guessed as such."

She watched over the men as they seemed to find interest in what was going on. She could hear the life of the city beyond the wall as the gate stood open to them. It made her worry with what was to happen to them all. She swore she could hear his name being called out, as other voices lifted in the air, yet she paid no mind as the men came closer.

"But now the hand has turned." the Master spoke, pushing her away and towards them, "You may have done as she said, but you will suffer the consequences."

"What?" she barely had a moment to speak as the men grabbed her, forcing her down to the ground and pulling her right arm out.

"Such a waste." the Master said as his fingers caressed her face, "You would have been interesting to have bear children. Take care of her boys. Remember, she technically stole from the Lady of the home, so the code to follow is the same."

She tried to pull away, to beg forgiveness from her Master and Mistress for whatever she may have done to them, but the sight of the garden axe made her scream in horror and beg for mercy as they lined it with her arm. She watched as they raised the weapon above their head as the others held her down, trying to hold her still as she begged for them to stop. A flash of white caught her eye, and never more did she pray that he would be there to save her, only for it all to disappear as the axe came down.

Moments Before

He stood along the walkway, seeing the usual mingle about as he waited for the moment to go.

"Pull your head from your ass," Lutz chided him, "It isn't like you don't go over there for much."

Gillen looked over to him, seeing how collected and relaxed he was on the walk, cap over his eyes as his hands resting behind his head. He wanted to just go and get it over with. After the explosion, Luciano made it mandatory that he get over there and grab as much as he could before any more issues came about. But in doing that, he dared not get her in the sight of the ones delivering the drugs or her Mistress.

He worried, god did he ever. He knew things were falling apart there, seeing it happen little by little as he entered that warehouse for the drugs, but with her, he feared that it would be darker than the others.

"It's a moot point, why are you truly obsessed with going other there?" Lutz questioned, "Or are you hiding something else?"

"You sound like Luciano."

Lutz chuckled, "I better with how much Kuro and I are around him. Just relax, go to the joint later. Quit blue-balling yourself."

"Do you think I'm over there for a quickie?" Gillen asked.

"Never said that." his crystal purples looking up at him.

"Knock it off." Gillen looked back over the people.

"Oh come on, you never join us anymore. You've had that stick so far up your ass since Roland was grabbed by AlphaCom, I'm amazed you're not constipated."

"Are you taking note from Allen?"

"Somebody has to make you smile." Lutz finally sat up, "Isn't like there's anyone else that knows your name but us."

A shriek filled the air. Panic and fear lacing the tone as it grew closer and louder. Pleas and begs added to the mix and finally a name, "Gillen!"

"What the..." he heard Lutz trail off as a woman ran down the alley way toward them, shouting his name and pleading for help.

He saw Xiao and Oliver come up the alley as she ran toward them, continuously screaming for him. Something was wrong and he had to figure out what. Jumping down, he landed before the woman, startling her as he grabbed her flailing arm.

"What's the matter?"

"Gillen! I need Gillen, oh please, help me!" she sobbed.

"Explain why?" he heard Xiao ask.

"I beg you, find me the man she spoke of, we need to save her!"

He looked over her, finally taking in her dress and cloak and only then did he see her bloody hands, "What happened?"

"I busted the door down! They locked the gate door she used to get the Mirage." she sputtered out as realization came to her eyes, her hand flew up to his head and threw off the hood, "Oh god, it's you!"

"What about him?" Oliver questioned as he heard Lutz hum a reply.

"You need to get to Haven. Please, I beg you. Go there now, to the gate, please!" she demanded.

"What about the gate? What is going on?" he asked the woman.

"They learned of the Mistress and what she does for her and they blamed her for it all." she sobbed, "They're going to torture her and kill her. Oh, please, I beg you! Save her!"

"Save who?" he demanded, his heart racing.

"They're going to kill Laine!"

Then, he was gone. Running for all he was worth toward the main gate of Haven. He could hear the men yelling, shouting for him to stop as he ascended the building's fire escape. Reaching the roof, he could see the walls, his heart raced as his legs and arm felt numb, he just had to get there. He knew he should've grabbed her, brought her back with him against her will. Stupid, thats what he was as shouts and cries filled the air.

Something stopped him, holding him back as he could see the group of people before the gate as another stood watching them.

"Nein! Let go!" he shouted.

"Gillen don't be stupid!" Lutz held him tighter.

He threw his elbow to Lutz's head, making the man stumble for only a second. He darted for the edge again, seeing one of them wielding an axe. Terrified screams echoed the area as he tried to get down, just to feel Lutz grab him again.

"Nein!"

"Will you listen?"

"Lutz!" Oliver shouted, "Let him go!"

"Are you crazy? Do you see-"

Gillen cut his brother off as he threw his head back at him, attempting once more to get free as they raised it again.

"Jesus Christ! Let him go!" Oliver demanded.

Finally, Lutz let him free. He jumped down the side, landing on the awnings and tumbled to the ground. He darted over, palming the hilt of the sword he and Roland made, as he watched the axe come down and her screams radiated through him.

Pulling the piece and flipping the metal clasp, the sword came free and locked in place, just for him to take the head of the axe wielder off. He glared at the bleeding body as the head rolled away, panic shouts and commands filled the air as he saw the delicate arm on the ground. The vibration in this chest roared to life with vengeance and violence. He took them out, one by one, slash by hack, he gave no warning or moment of defense. He slaughtered them as he heard Xiao, Oliver, and Lutz come to the spot. He barely paid attention to them, his vision red with fury over the men before him as he took off another head. Yet last but not least, the man that watched. He saw how the man cowered away, begging for mercy as he pounded on the door to be let in. He knew too well who he was, the clothes of the aristocratic gave him away as he glanced between him and Laine.

"Please, whatever you want, you can have, but spare me!" he begged.

"Have what I want? What about her? Or the others with in?"

"They're only servants. A dime a dozen."

"Servants? Is that so?" he leaned up to him, "Want to add lab rat to it?"

The man's eyes widened at him, "You. You're the one that killed the worker and stole the elixirs."

"Gillen!" Lutz yelled at him, he turned to see his brother holding Laine in his arms, "Come on! We have trouble coming!"

Gillen scoffed, "We're you both really going to breed her like an animal?"

"At one point, yes."

He nodded, "Interesting. Guessing you would've been the one placing it within?"

"And if I was?" he shivered.

Gillen placed the sword to his crotch, watching him writher and plead for forgiveness, "You won't have to worry anymore."

He quickly threw his body into the sword, severing the man as he let out a pained yowl, blood pooling around his lower half. He looked over the work he had done, feeling the sticky substance on him as the metallic scent made his gut twist. Pleased, he left them. Following the others to the compound as he tried to think of what next.

Before long, Xiao had parts of his brood up to the medical half as Oliver spoke with the others over what had transpired, but for him. He looked down over her, bruises and cuts littered her face and body, yet what bothered him most was the bloody stump of her arm. He prayed they could reattach it. That the wound wasn't that bad nor that the nerves and vessels weren't too damaged. Why didn't he get her beforehand? Why didn't he try and convince her to go with him? Why didn't he... Gillen sighed, knowing it wasn't worth the fight with himself. She would be fine now, no doubt about it. But now his issue wasn't her.

"She's like Heather, you know?"

Turning around, he saw Lutz looking over him, blood from her arm staining his shirt. Gillen opened his mouth to counter him but the sudden hand before him stopped the moment.

"Don't." Lutz glared at him, "You may lie to everyone else here but don't like to me, Bruder. I could feel it when I picked her up. She's just like the woman."

He couldn't speak, didn't know what to say as Lutz walked away, "And if I were you, I'd prepare for him when he cones up here. Because I won't stop him."

He watched as his brother walked out the door, the cool feeling of guilt claiming his gut. He knew it hurt him, hated to do anything to the man but he didn't know what would happen with Laine and them.

Looking down at her once more, the vibrations grew loud and warm, almost telling him that all would be ok. Taking the sword, he drew the exposed blade across his palm, feeling the warm liquid fall down his fingers. He leaned over her, his hand resting over her wound, and there, he knew he would never be truly the same again.

"Laine, as long as I stand, I vow to protect you." he whispered in her ear, "Forever as long as we shall live."