On our way to Onibus we came up with a plan, and though none of the guys liked the sound of it, they all agreed to go along. Olive, Lucy and I are going to allow ourselves to get kidnapped in different places around town. When we were researching the places the woman were kidnapped from we found six locations that seemed to be the most popular spots. The targets were all pretty women on their own at night. We would go to those spots and allow ourselves to be taken, Natsu was going to follow Lucy, Talon was going to follow Olive, and Gray was going to follow me. Paxton would go between the three of them and create a strategy based off what he had heard.

We all go our separate ways once we leave the train, not without exchanging goodbyes. Talon pulled me aside and gave me a sad smile. "You'll be okay." His arms wrapped around me and he gave me a hug. "I wish I was the one protecting you."

"You have to look out for Olive. Gray and I have the same type of magic. It'll be easier for him to help me out and vice versa."

"I know." He doesn't loosen his grip on me. "You're strong, Ivie. Prove that to them. Prove it to yourself."

I give him a squeeze and let go. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Can I..." I look up at Talon, who is struggling to speak. He's always been quiet but he's never had a problem around me.

"Are you okay?"

He licks his lips, looking down at me with a gentle, nervous, glance. "No, I'm not. I'm scared Ivie."

"It'd be pointless for me to say don't be, wouldn't it?" I feel my heartbeat quicken in my chest. It could probably burst out at any moment. I'm scared too. I just need to put on a brave face. I was the one who agreed to take this job. Any right to be publicly scared I gave up as soon as I said yes to Bastion. "This job will be over soon, just like any other. I promise."

"That's not why I'm scared... I mean I'm scared of that too, but I have faith in you. I have faith in Olive, and I'm sure Lucy is capable. She seems powerful." I'm confused. Why else would he be scared? "Ivie, close your eyes. Let me do one thing."

I do as he says. "Um, okay? Talon what are you-"

Before I can finish my statement I feel his hands on my cheeks and feel his lips covering mine. My rapidly beating heart slows down and I let myself enjoy this, letting the butterflies fill my stomach. He pulls away too soon for my liking. I open my eyes and he still looks worried. I give him a smile. "Is that why you were scared?"

He looks down at the ground, avoiding my gaze. "Yeah. I'm sorry if I crossed a line, Ive. I just... I just needed to do that. Once."

I get on my tiptoes so my lips can reach his cheek and give him a quick peck. "This isn't the time to talk about any of this, but after the job we'll talk. Okay?"

He finally has a smile on his face. His hand is softly touching the spot I kissed his cheek. "Okay," he says. He walks away from our hiding spot and over to where Olive is, presumably. I follow him and walk over to Gray. He's standing over by Natsu and Lucy, the former arguing with him. It's a sight I've become used to.

"Ready to go, Gray? We're going outside the theatre, right?"

He nods, giving Natsu one last glare. "Yeah. Let's head out." He lifts up and hand at his two friends and gives them a half smirk. "I'll see you guys later."

We walk a ways away and I can still feel Talon's lips on my own. I can't stop the smile on my face. "What're you grinning at?"

I try to stop the smile but I'm unable to. I should be afraid. This job is dangerous, but I'm not scared. I'm not sure I could ever be scared with Talon consuming my thoughts. My only option is to try to play off the smile. "Oh, um, the job?" So much for playing it off. I sound uncertain, and the nervous laugh I let out doesn't help anything. "It's nothing." I quickly change the subject. "You said you'd teach me, right? Is there anything you can teach me now?"

Ir's Gray's turn to smile. "You really think you need me to teach you? You've got skill, from what I can see. Who taught you before this?"

"I really taught myself. I mean, Lyon, that ice mage from Lamia Scale, will come over and help me whenever he's in Magnolia, and I had the opportunity to study with him but I passed it up."

"Why?" I can feel his eyes boring into me.

"Isn't there anyone you felt like you had to protect? My sisters were back at the guild. I couldn't leave them. I was the strongest out of the three of us at the time."

"So you aren't the strongest anymore?"

I shake my head. "I gave up that title years ago. Ruby and CeCe are both incredible. They were lucky. The Conbolt family was able to help them with their magic. Ruby uses air magic, which is close enough to sky magic Wendy got a solid grip on how to help her, and CeCe is a fire mage."

"So you all use elemental magic?"

"I guess." I take a breath. "Our parents were elemental wizards. I guess we got it form them."

"What happened to them?" he asks. I grow silent and look down at the ground, focusing on the gray cobblestone, looking at each crack as we step, taking more care in my steps than my companion. "Sorry, didn't mean to strike a nerve."

All I do is shrug. I'm not in the mood for talking anymore. The giddiness I felt earlier because of Talon evaporated. "Let's go finish this, alright?" I look at the sky and the sun is starting to set. We don't have much time.

It's just after sunset and I'm standing close to the theatre. I fixed up my hair and makeup, as well as put on some of my cuter clothes before coming here. I need to make this man want me. I can't see where Gray is hiding, but that means whoever is kidnapping women can't either. The moon is rising in the sky, the first stars peeking out, when someone approaches me. I pretend to not see them, looking down at the book I brought to occupy myself with. I'm prepared to be taken in. He's a big man, muscles as large as his belly. His eyes are squinting at me, his tongue running over his lip as he eyes my up and down, a sleazy smile on his face. I pretend to not notice. I ignore the goosebumps that have started to form. Gray's here. He's watching out for me. Having a demon slayer on my side must be a good thing.

The man pulls a handkerchief out of his back pocket. It's disgusting looking, covered in yellow and green stains that I don't to imagine what they are from. I keep looking down at my book. He's walking towards me, closer. Closer. He grabs me from behind and I feel the handkerchief get placed in front of my mouth and nose. I have no choice but to breathe in whatever is on that piece of cloth. It's sweet smelling. I feel my vision getting fuzzy, my sight slowly fading to black. I shake my head, protesting against the man as much as I can manage, but I succumb. It's up to the guys now.

oOo

I wake up and slowly open my eyes, vaguely remembering the events that led me here. I'm inside a small room, illuminated by a thin window above my head. Morning light is peeking through. The window is at least seven feet up and too small to squeeze through. There's a heavy metal door on the ceiling, even higher up than the window. There's no escape.

I finished looking at the surroundings and started to see if there were others in here with me. There was. Blonde hair wildly flowing on the floor, breasts threatening to break through the button up shirt, short skirt and knee high socks- there's no doubt it's Lucy. Where's Olive? I notice Lucy start to stir. She probably was knocked out about the same time as me. "Lucy?"

She blinked away her drowsiness and looked at me, sitting up, carefully looking me up and down. "Ivie?"

I nod. "Yeah. So, I guess we're... somewhere." A sudden jerking and it feels like we've started to move. "Guessing we're going to find the other women."

She nods, a smile spreading across her beautiful features. "We'll save them, Ive." She looked around the room, scanning everything. "There's not really an escape out, is there?" I shake my head no. "We'll just have to wait until they release us then, or until the others rescue us." A small look of confusion crosses her face. "Where's Olive?"

"I don't know. It's just you and me, I guess."

She looked down to her belt and opened a little leather pouch, pulling out a ring of keys, a large smile plastered on her face. "You, me, and all my spirits. We'll be okay, Ive."

I give her a smile back. "I know we will."

A/N

Thank you all so much for reading. I'm sorry this chapter is a bit shorter than the others. The next chapter will be normal length, though! Please tell y'all's thoughts in a review. Thank to those of you who have reviewed, favorited and followed!