All characters as well as setting is (C) George Lucas and Disney

All original characters (including Larulai Hynn, Darvic and Lord Hynn) and story is (C) BlackLaceLamb

Chapter II: Hidden in Plain Sight

Larulai awoke breathless and trembling, her mind reeling in a clouded mess.

"Shh, it's okay. It's all okay now, my darling." Her father took her hand and stroked her hair. Larulai flinched back and rubbed at her burning eyes, trying to steady her breathing. "It's alright…"

"You're safe Laru. You're in your bedroom, back home." Darvic's voice carried through the mist in her head and at last she could see properly. Indeed, she was in her room, her father and brother seated beside her. She pointed to the pitcher of water and the pills, and Darvic poured her a glass. The sun was beginning to set outside, and her father and brother had changed their clothes to their formal, black attire. Though Darvic fidgeted with his collar, clearly uncomfortable in the old Empire uniform, but of course their father insisted he wear it. Larulai pushed back the blankets and ran to her window.

"Larulai, get back in bed, you're not strong enough!" Her father said firmly, following her closely.

On the field not far from their mansion were two ships, a plain transport shuttle, and a tall, black ship. A number of stormtroopers were filing out of it, and she could see some other figures in black among them.

'It's them… The one who did that to me. I'm sure of it!' Her heart began to race, in a tempest of thrilling apprehension. 'Never had I felt a power like that… I-I have to see them! Even for a few moments!' Her father stood beside her and peered out, muttering a curse under his breath.

"They're already here! Quickly Darvic, get to the main hall!" Her father growled as he began to walk out of the room. Larulai grabbed his arm, and he stopped. "What is it?" She gave look back to the window, then nodded her head to the door. "You want to meet them?" She nodded, her eyes silently pleading at him. But Darvic stepped forward.

"It's dangerous Larulai, you're already so weak," she glared at him icily "and in their presence we can't guarantee your safety." Darvic touched her shoulder, hoping his words would sink in. She shrugged his hand off, clenching her teeth together.

"There's a guest here tonight, though originally he wasn't joining us. And if he's as strong with the Force as the rumours say he is, then it's better if you stay out of sight. He could take advantage of you somehow…" Her father said, taking his daughter's hand. Larulai stepped back, shaking her head in frustration. Her hands formed fists, and she began to sense her ties to the Force rising within. The chandelier above them swayed precariously, the glass of water and pitcher began to tremble and crack.

"Laru… don't." Her brother said, inching towards her. "Calm down, it's going to be alright."

Suddenly her hand flexed and the pitcher went smashing against the wall by her father's head, the glass of water shattered on the nightstand. Her father and brother stared at her, her blue eyes blazing with defiance. She could see the fear in their eyes.

'I may never get this chance again… I NEED to see them, even if it is dangerous! If I don't… I may never meet another Force user again…' Her father straightened up and looked at a clock on the wall, his brow furrowed.

"If you dress in your regular disguise, like one of the servants, I will permit you to stand among them and watch as our guests enter and leave." He said. On occasion, when important guests visited, she used the disguise her father gave her so she could listen in. He always said it was for her own protection that she remained out of sight, but she didn't mind. Larulai's face broke into a wide, relieved smile.

'Thank you…' She mouthed the words, and her father smiled kindly at her. Darvic's face turned white and he opened his mouth to disagree.

"She was invited to join the meeting from the start," their father interjected "the least I can do is offer her a good seat to watch." Darvic scowled and stormed out of the room. Larulai was already running to her cupboards and fishing out her servant's robes. "I'll see you downstairs in five minutes, darling." He said, then followed his son out the room and closed the door.

Larulai tried to steady her breathing and calm her mind as she changed. It was a simple grey dress with long sleeves and an ornately buckled gold belt. As well as a formal burgundy robe that hid her whole body, with a hood over her head and a veil that rested under her eyes and covered her mouth. She glanced at the shards of glass and puddle of water on the floor, the heat of shame creeping up the back of her neck. Larulai put her veil in place and pulled up her hood, walking out of her bedroom and towards the entry hall. Reminding herself over and over to keep her mind clear and calm. To not be afraid.

General Hux and Kylo Ren walked through the entry to the mansion, led by Lord Hynn. The General and the man of the house were in talks as they walked, Ren stayed silent and listened carefully. On either side of their path were a line of servants in long robes, their faces hidden from sight. He could sense the flow of the Force in this room, the awakened one watching him carefully. Ren slowed his pace.

With a twist of his wrist, he sent out a pulse through the room towards the servants. And someone unknowingly sent a small, rippling pulse back to him.

One of the servants wavered, to his right, in the front row. A soft, painful gasp escaped their lips as their body tightened slightly. General Hux and Lord Hynn were almost at the arch to the next chamber, and Hux noticed Ren had fallen behind.

"What is it?" Hux asked. Ren could sense Lord Hynn's heart begin to race as he stepped towards him.

"I can dismiss the servants if their presence displeases you." Lord Hynn said. Kylo Ren stopped walking and looked at the servant that wavered. Their head rose, and all Ren could see was a pair of piercing blue eyes, lined with gold. Eyes that looked straight through his helm, and were silently addressing the man within. Eyes that held the same uncertainty that he had once known when he was new to the raw power of the Force. The other servants seemed to take a step away from her, leaving the girl to his mercy. "Sir? Is everything alright?" His clutch of the Force ceased and her stance shifted, her body relaxed and she bowed her head once more.

"Yes, let us proceed." He walked briskly to catch up with them, and they slipped into the next room. Ren turned to look back, just as the servant stumbled out of line and a young man rushed to her side.

They made themselves comfortable in Lord Hynn's study and began to discuss his proposal. His miners were becoming unruly over the past few years, they needed a show of force, and to remember the raw power of the Empire that had consumed Lothal. They needed to recognise the new might of the First Order.

Lord Hynn wanted to sell the children of his miners and servants to General Hux, to be raised as stormtroopers. In exchange for a secure position in the First Order and a substantial sum. He clearly thought what he had to sell was valuable, but the reports he'd given Hux said that many of their parents were unwell from their many years in those dangerous mines. From the time they'd spent together, Kylo Ren could read Hux rather well, and behind his cold, dismissive demeanour, there was still value to be had from these children.

"What you're asking is simply too much, we can give you a generous sum for them, but anything more is out of the question." Hux said, throwing the reports back at him.

"They are strong and fit, raised on Empire-approved material. I've done half of the training for you." Hynn said firmly. Hux was far from impressed.

"I can see that the only thing you've done is waste our time." He said. Kylo Ren looked at Lord Hynn, his heart was still racing from earlier. His mind drifted back to the girl from before, with the piercing eyes.

"What can you tell me about the servant girl?" Ren asked.

"The one who fell out of line earlier? I'll be sure to put her in place later this evening." He said quickly.

"The girl is heavily Force sensitive," Hux turned and looked at Ren, pleased at this turn in conversation, "and she could grow to be a great asset to the First Order-"

"Absolutely not." Hynn growled. "She… she is not for sale."

"Just one servant girl, if you throw her into the deal then perhaps we'll reconsider your proposal." Hux said. Ren watched Hynn carefully, his blue eyes, though clouded with age, were a distinctly similar shade.

"But she's not a servant, is she?" His face turned three shades whiter "She's your daughter." Ren watched as his eyes closed, resignation clear on his face. Hux's eyebrow lifted.

"My only daughter, Larulai." He growled, like an old, angry dog protecting its territory. "I am fully aware of her blessings and-"

"And you've done nothing to help her learn how to control her gift, only how to hide it," Kylo Ren spat "If you give her to the First Order, I can instruct her in the ways of the Force and make her one of the finest examples of what we are trying to achieve. The First Order can give her what you've failed to." His tone was firm, unnegotiable. Ren would leave with the girl as a purchased asset, or take her by force if necessary. But the old man was not convinced.

"She is to depart within the month, for Chenowei. My daughter has promised herself to the Church of Light. There, she will take her vows, and they can give her what she has been working so hard for. Safety and solitude." Lord Hynn said firmly. Ren was glad for the mask, so he could roll his eyes at her foolishness. Running away to a distant planet and making a senseless promise of poverty and chastity would not bring her peace. If anything, fleeing from the Force's calling would bring her more pain. Hynn tried to compose himself, but was failing to push the debate back in his favour.

"Can we continue negotiations without bringing my family into the equation? I will not bargain with my daughter like some common whore-" Kylo Ren lifted his hand and felt the Force flow through him and into the arrogant, foolish man's mind.

"You will sell your daughter to the First Order." He said, waving his fingers slightly.

"I will sell my daughter to the First Order." Lord Hynn replied automatically.

"You will settle for whatever contract General Hux offers you."

"I will settle for whatever contract General Hux offers me." The old man blinked wearily and looked at the General with a smile. "Now then, where were we?" Hux kept a cool demeanour, but it was clear he was more than pleased with the evening's events.

"You will sign the contract to sell your daughter and the slave children, as agreed. In exchange, you will receive a reasonable number of credits, and an estate in the Unknown Regions, where you will oversee the management of a number of First Order colonies." Hux said. Lord Hynn extended his hand, a formal, content smile on his lips.

"Well then General, it seems we have an agreement." As Hux shook his hand, Kylo Ren rose from his seat and headed to the door.

"Where are you going?" Hux asked.

"To collect our most valuable acquisition." Ren said, the slightest hint of humour in his tone. "Meet me at the ship after the contract has been signed."

"Very well." Hux pulled out a pen and fingerprint scanner to secure the contract, and Kylo Ren swept out the door. Sensing the ripples of the Force that ran through the mansion, he headed in the direction of the blue-eyed girl. His fingertips lightly brushing his lightsaber.

Larulai dropped the burgundy robes on her bed and straightened her dress, her brother eased back the curtains to check on the ships outside.

"How are you feeling?" He asked. Larulai shrugged and gave him a nervous smile, picking at her nails as she paced back and forth. Occasionally glancing at the blaster in Darvic's hands, which he took from a guard on the way to her chambers. "They should be leaving soon, don't worry."

Larulai had steadied herself since her brief encounter with Kylo Ren, but she could still feel his presence. He was a foreign, powerful figure that had shifted the flow of the Force unexpectedly, and she was desperately trying to focus and regain control over herself. The way her body had frozen against her will… they way he looked at her… she tried not to think about it. There was no other way, Kylo Ren was the one she had sensed that morning, and the sheer amount of power he struck her down with still frightened her.

But in a strange way, it was comforting to know she wasn't alone. The Jedi were long gone, and the remains of the Sith had been locked away and nearly forgotten. Kylo Ren seemed to be the only other Force user in the galaxy still alive, but Larulai knew that being raised only on Empire propaganda had sliced her view of the galaxy in half. Maybe there were others like her, just as scared, as confused, as lonely…

A sudden shift in the Force caught her attention and she stopped pacing. Larulai combed back her brown tresses nervously and straightened her posture. She sensed who was advancing on them, but prayed she was wrong. Darvic turned at the sound of footsteps outside the door and stood in front of her, easing the safety off the blaster with his thumb.

The door swung open, and Kylo Ren stepped into the room and looked straight at her.

"What are you doing here?" Darvic growled. Ren ignored him completely, but stayed silent, watching Larulai for a few seconds. The flow of the Force shifted around them as they assessed each other, Kylo Ren especially seemed fixed in his thoughts.

"Lady Hynn?" He asked finally, she nodded. "You have been contracted to join the First Order, and shall be departing Lothal immediately." All colour drained from her face and she broke her gaze from Ren, her lips parted in shock.

'That… that's impossible! He has to be lying! Father would never…'

"What are you talking about?" Darvic snapped.

"Lord Hynn has just sold you to us, he and General Hux are signing the documents downstairs." He said simply. Kylo Ren offered his hand to her, Darvic moved closer to his sister and lifted the blaster to his chest. "There is no need for violence. Come quietly, and we shall leave Lothal in peace."

"Like hell she is!" Darvic aimed the blaster at him. But one swipe of Kylo Ren's extended hand sent him flying against the wall, Darvic hit it hard and fell to a heap by the window. Larulai screamed and rushed to his side, shaking him and smoothing back hair from his closed eyes. Her lips moved and her lungs pushed air, but no words made it out. She began to tremble, tears forming in her eyes as she looked down at her beloved brother.

"Get up." Ren began to move towards her, his robes sweeping over the floor. Larulai felt her fear burning white-hot, heart racing as adrenaline rushed through her. The chandelier began to tremble. "Now." Her head lifted and she looked at their reflections in the dark window pane, tears rolled down her cheeks as she saw Kylo Ren reach for her arm.

'GET AWAY FROM ME!' The window cracked loudly and she leapt to her feet, escaping his grasp. He seemed to observe the window for a moment, before turning to look at the woman a few feet from him. 'He-he can't take me, he-he can't. My father would never- He's lying. He just wants me for my power! H-He's going to kill me!' She desperately reached out to the Force around her.

"This is going to end one of two ways." Kylo Ren snarled and unsheathed his lightsaber, fresh tears rolled down her cheeks at the terrifying sight of his display of chaotic, fiery power. "Either you walk with me to the ship willingly, or I'll-"

Larulai screamed on the top of her lungs and thrust her hands out. The chandelier crashed to the floor beside him and every window in her bedroom shattered, a million shards of glass went flying at Kylo Ren. A blood vessel burst in her eye from the stress and mixed with her tears. Ren kept moving swiftly towards her, using the Force to divert the shards away from him with a wave of his hand. Occasionally he'd swing his saber in arches and the glass would explode instantly. She moved backwards as more and more windows shattered through the mansion, followed by cries of surprise from the servants. Larulai could barely see through the terrified tears, Kylo Ren becoming little more than a warped monster of shadows and fire. When there were no more windows to break, her exhausted arms fell and her back touched the wall of her bedroom. Ren slowed his pace and sheathed his saber.

"Thank you for that… informative demonstration, Lady Hynn." He tilted his head mockingly. Larulai gritted her teeth and threw her hand up again, trying to use the Force to hold him back. Ren's pace staggered for a moment, until he threw his own, much stronger wave against her. She cried out as the back of her head hit the wall, but stayed standing despite the fatigue threatening to consume her. "I sensed your power, but never knew you were capable of feats like this. I'd almost say I was impressed, if you weren't so quickly becoming a thorn in my side." Kylo Ren thrust his hand out and Larulai's body snapped frozen, one hand still extended in a desperate attempt to stop him.

'Please… please don't…'

"I saw it in your eyes." He stood before her, less than an inch away. "I once knew that fear, that doubt." Ren's gloved hand lifted and wrapped around her delicate wrist, pulling her closer. Her terrified eyes reflected in his visor. "All that power, without the knowledge or guidance to channel it, will drive you mad." His grip tightened fiercely, Larulai winced with pain. "You know in your heart, only one who understands the Force can give you the peace of mind you crave so desperately." Slowly his hand uncurled from her wrist, his fingertips brushing the bruising flesh. "If you follow my every instruction, and prove your value to the First Order," his voice softened "I will show you the ways of the Force… and you will never cower before another again." Larulai looked away in resignation, her jaw tight as she tried to stop her tears. Finally, exhaustion caught up with her and she wavered on her feet. Slowly she looked up, just as Kylo Ren's hand passed over her eyes, and all she saw was darkness.

Lady Hynn collapsed, but Ren easily caught her in his arms, one arm under her knees and the other around her shoulders. Her head rested against his shoulder, blood still clinging to her eyelashes. She was so frail and thin, in comparison to Kylo Ren's expansive, dark figure she felt like nothing more than a child's doll, twisted and broken. Glass crunched under his boots as he walked through the destroyed chambers, tatters of fabric clung to the four poster bed, paintings hung crookedly, mirrors were cracked. He began to walk out of the room, pausing to give Darvic a final glance. One of his green eyes opened, just long enough to see one of the strongest foes in the galaxy carry off his helpless little sister.

Kylo Ren exited the room and walked down the hall towards the front door, the silk drapes blew gently in the cold evening breeze as he walked past more and more shattered windows. From the corner of his eye, he saw a group of servants peeking out from one of the rooms, their eyes glinting from beneath their hoods. But they weren't looking at Kylo Ren. Their gaze was fixed on the woman in his arms. He braced himself for their attack, to defend their mistress, but no one came to her aid. Ren saw the burning hatred and disgust in their eyes, and knew no other obstacle stood before him.

Kylo Ren left the mansion and reached the door to his private shuttle, just as the last of the stormtroopers filed onto their own carries. Hux was waiting for him inside, and followed Ren to the back of the shuttle where there was a small med bay; and he noticed Hux's critical eyes turned to her.

"Seems she put up some resistance," he said "I hope you didn't damage the goods too badly."

"I was gracious enough to offer her a peaceful submission. She chose the hard way." He said as he entered the medical bay, two doctors rushed over and Ren placed her on an empty bed, the doctors firmly strapping her wrists and ankles down. "She's suffered a heavy level of mental stress, after she's stabilised give her a sedative to keep her quiet until we get back to base." He glanced at her unconscious face. Her tears had dried to form pale lines along her cheeks, gleaming gold from her makeup and red with blood. Ren left the doctors to do their work, and walked alongside General Hux towards the main deck of the shuttle.

"Lord Hynn has signed all the necessary paperwork, we shall organise a collection of the rest of them in a few weeks," Hux said "any difficulty with the son?"

"He tried to defend her, but was easily subdued. I suspect he'll give Lord Hynn an earful once he wakes, but I'll leave that ugliness between them. There's nothing he can do now."

"You didn't kill him?"

"If I did, it would make Lady Hynn even more resistant to join the cause. True she is powerful, but dangerously unstable." Kylo Ren said. The way she'd screamed still echoed in his head, both exquisite and terrifying. The raw power of her fear was what made her so chaotic, and fear would be her undoing unless she learnt how to overcome it. "If she is to become an asset to the First Order, she must come to trust my guidance."

"With your winning personality? I think not." Hux said in a clipped voice. Ren gave Hux a sharp look, and he fought the urge to choke him there and then. "Do not forget that she is property, signed and paid for. If she proves to be more trouble than she is worth, I'll leave her disposal to you, Ren. You will discuss this acquisition with the Supreme Leader, of course."

"Naturally." The shuttle began to shake as it took flight, the stormtrooper transporter alongside it. They were headed back to Starkiller base, to observe the continued construction of their weapon, and to take the next step in their plan.

Darvic shakily got to his knees, the back of his head was wet with blood and he could barely think, but anger burned inside of him and gave him the strength to stand. He had tried to protect his family, and failed. Now Larulai was in the clutches of the First Order, likely being tortured by that monster Kylo Ren. He had always despised his father's sympathy to the Empire, but this was the last straw. If their father would not get his sister back, perhaps the Resistance would.