I woke up for a second time with a pounding headache . . . a worse one at that. I thankfully managed to retain all knowledge of the previous events. The last thing I remembered was the dragon . . . my guardian ghost.

My senses were sharper now, like I could hear the faintest noises. I could sense Hao behind me, watching me.

"Can I help looking at you?"

I scowled angrily at his remark to my thoughts.

"Stay out of my head Hao-sama, my thoughts are none of your concern."

"Your thoughts are what I want them to be, I own you Anomria."

I hung my head in defeat, he did have complete power over me or I had my life as forfeit.

"Well I'd appreciate it."

"I'll keep that in mind."

I still had my back turned to him, it made me uncomfortable to know he cold kill me any second. With one fluid motion he could kill me, just like that it'd all be over. Hao apparently had decided to stay out of my mind because no remark came after the thought.

"Well we're not staying here forever are we?"

"Well there's a job I need you to do."

"Meaning?"

"The day you . . . overheard,"

He stressed the word 'overheard' with enthusiasm meaning he didn't want to argue with me right now.

"My conversation with . . . my friend he never got the job done-"

"Are you saying you want me to kill someone Hao-sama?"

"Four people actually."

"No, I won't do it."

I stood up and made an attempt to get to the door but Hao was already there.

"Where are you going Anomria?"

"I quit."

"Stop."

I froze. The authority in his voice was supreme. Something you didn't disobey not without bitter results. I was at the mouth of the cave waiting for him to say something.

"You wouldn't be running away would you? I do own you Anomria."

He had come up behind me without me noticing. Not that I card it was his words that were making me mad.

"I don't belong to anyone. Kill me if that's the only blackmail you have."

I tried to keep walking but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back then pushed me back into the cave.

"I don't want to have to kill you."

I lunged at the door again but he grabbed waist and pulled me against his own body. I stopped my useless struggling against him and relaxed. His body was warm, I shifted uncomfortably sending a series of shivers up my spine. I stopped thinking about it to keep Hao from reading them in my mind.

"Where are they Hao-sama?"

He smiled victoriously.

"They should be leaving the town south of here soon. You don't need to hurt anyone just restrain them."

"Who's attacking them then?"

"You're better off not knowing now."

I nodded and he released me. A immediate coldness washed over me when he let me go. I walked back toward the mouth of the cave. I had no intention of running away from Hao, there was something stronger than blackmail holding me here now. I looked toward the village, my village, the one I had been exiled from three years ago. I was going back.