Back on the ship, I sat in a chair, twiddling with my knife and some wood. I don't know what I was exactly making, but at least it kept me distracted. I was engrossed with it that I didn't take any notice to the appearance of another behind me. I jumped out of my seat when she did speak though.

"Bored?"

I spun around to see the emerald eyes meeting mine, her face smirking. Oh yes, the newcomer. "No. I'm just keeping myself busy."

Arissa leaned against the back of my chair, looking over my shoulder. "What are you making there?"

"Not sure yet. It'll turn out to be something."

Arissa sighed, loudly, and took a seat near mine. She placed her elbow on the table next to her, putting her chin in her hand, and fixing her eyes on me. I glanced up at her for a moment before shaking my head and going back to my work.

"I really have to become one of you, don't I?" Arissa's voice sounded bland.

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, you do. I thought we explained this clearly?"

Arissa smiled, a small, sweet smile. "Oh, you did. I'm just thinking."

"About exactly?"

"What it's going to be like."

I stared at her, a hint of a glare in my eyes. "It's not the end of the world, dear."

Now she returned a glare. "I'm not a 'dear'. I'm sure you aren't too much older than me."

"Oh?" I scoffed, focusing my attention on the knife in my hands.

"How old are you then?"

"Eighteen."

"Ha!" she exclaimed, laughing. "See! I'm seventeen. So, no calling me dear."

"Whatever."

Her eyes began to cast around the ship, a confused expression splashing across her face whenever she spotted one of the technical machines. "What is all of this junk?"

"Are you really going to call it junk?"

Arissa furrowed her eyebrows, waiting for me to continue.

"This 'junk' is keeping you from falling to your death," I snapped, trying not to give her my full attention.

"I figured that out," her voice was harsh. I cringed a little. "I just don't understand any of it."

I shrugged. "Stanton can teach you. He's the tech guy."

"Stanton is the dark one that wanted to kill me, right?"

Chuckling, I answered. "Yeah. Don't be flattered. He does that to everyone."

"Flattered? That guy scares me."

I gave a little jump in my seat, my eyes widening as they met hers. "The great newcomer is afraid of someone?" I gasped, not trying to hide my amusement at all.

Her eyes narrowed in my direction. "Anyone can be scared."

"Stanton is only afraid of Zelia, or Charles. I can never tell. Brady doesn't seem to be scared of anything though."

Arissa leaned in close to me, her sweet scent traveling up my nose. "Nothing that he's not hiding."

"What are you talking about?"

"The people that try their hardest to be strong are the ones that are terribly afraid," something twinkled in her eyes.

I lost my breath for a second. Then, when I did regain my conscious mind, everything seemed confusing. "So, you are telling me that Brady only acts strong because he's afraid of everything?"

"Precisely. Everyone, mainly you men, have to seem brave. It's a natural fact, since you were the ones that went out fighting. I see it all the time. My father is one of those people."

"And your mother?" My voice sounded edgy.

Arissa glowered. "She met her worse fear."

My eyebrow raised.

"Death."

"Ah," I let out a breath, resisting the pursuit of more questions.

Instead, she did it for me. "She was murdered. A hired murderer. The man ran into my room after the gunshot was fired. He would have killed me too, if it wasn't for my father's guards that chased him in."

"Did they catch him?"

She nodded. "I watched him die."

I reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. Her response was a puzzled expression, so I pulled my hand back, having the same reaction as her.

The recollection of finding her in the spirit house, bound at the wrists and ankles, bubbled in my head. "How did they capture you?"

"Hm?" Her eyes looked at me, coming back from a distant memory I presumed.

"The fugitives. What happened?"

"Oh," her voice trailed off, as did her eyes. "My father agreed for me to see Egypt, since it has been a dream of mine forever. I was sent there with my servant, Lisa. I realized that traveling through the desert alone is a bad idea."

I laughed, loudly. "No duh. Anyone would know that."

Her eyes flickered toward me, and I really wish they didn't.

"What happened to Lisa?"

"Lisa was attacked. She was bleeding, profoundly, as they dragged me away," I heard her voice crack a little. "I hope someone came across her quickly."

I looked her dead in the eyes. "Did they hurt you?"

"Nope. I bit one of them when they tried to tie me up. I think I frightened them of those thoughts with me," she grinned.

I shook my head, chuckling. "You are really something, Arissa."

"Arissa Holden."

"Zachary Stark," I greeted in return. "But call me Zach."

"Well, Zach, there is something about you that makes me curious."

I smiled. "And what could that special something be?"

"I'm not sure. I'm still searching," she returned a smile.

Suddenly, she stood up, beckoning out of the door. I watched her, puzzled.

"Did I say something?"

Arissa peered at me over her shoulder, resting a hand on her hip. "Oh no. I'm just going to freshen up before I see my father. I would recommend that to you as well."

"Why?"

The glint her eyes were cunning. "You'll see."

Arissa was right, I should have fixed myself up a bit better than I did. Andy Holden was a world-known officer that controlled agencies for The Ligancy. The Ligancy is much higher than us, but we do most of the dirty work. The Ligancy are consisted of many different agencies that circle the world, hunting down much worse men, help out in wars, or go around searching for things that may possibly save us. The Ligancy is concentrated on keeping the Internal War to not be disturbed, but also to help end the battles that we all face. I knew of Andy Holden, but I didn't put Arissa and him together. Arissa was practically a princess in our world, probably receiving many men's hand in marriages. I didn't spot a ring on her finger when I turned to glance at her. She must have known I was looking because a smirk rested on her face, her eyes staring at her mansion.

We were greeted by a worried Andy Holden, his thin face filled with so much emotion that I didn't think it was possible. A man of such high class filled with worry and fear? I couldn't put the pieces together. I craned my head to see Brady, whose face was expressionless. My mind wanted to find an answer to all of these little things, but I couldn't figure it out. I took a deep breath, allowing it to relax me. I think too much.

"My little Arissa. Are you all right?" Andy's face was thin, old, and tan. His eyes were weary, a pale brown that seemed tired. His hair was a dark brown, surprisingly. Arissa must have gotten her looks from her mother.

"I'm fine father," she entered his embrace. "These people saved me."

"The Company I see," Andy's face was warm, and welcoming. "Let me guess. The Forgotten Souls?"

"How did you know?" Brady's mouth twitched into a grin, his voice kind. I had to shake my head to believe that this was really happening.

"I recognize your picture as the Captain. Thank you for saving my daughter," everything about him became solemn in less than a second. "I wish I could say the same for my other daughter."

Arissa's head snapped up to look at her father, and we all gazed at him. What was he trying to tell us?

"My youngest daughter has gone missing, kidnapped."

Arissa crashed to her knees. I held myself back from rushing to her side. I could tell by Brady's eyes. He wanted to know more about this.

"What's her name?" Brady asked, his normal tone returning.

"Tiffany. Tiffany Holden. Men appeared to snatch her off the streets, carelessly. They were all wearing dark clothes with hoods. We have no clue who they are." Andy's eyes fell to the ground, close to Arissa.

Brady and I met eyes. We have heard of these guys. I immediately made the connection.

"These men may be working for the illusionist," Brady announced.

All eyes fell on him, except for Arissa's. Hers continued to lie on the floor.

"Who is this?"

Brady shook his head, his hands still tucked behind his back. "We don't know who this person is. That's what we call him, the illusionist. He has been told to stalk the streets and make many plans without any clues leading back to him. He has powerful control, Mr. Holden. More powerful than you."

Andy only stared, horrified. I caught the sight of movement beside us. Arissa stood up, walking quickly toward Brady, growling in his face. "And you all can watch me kill him with my bare hands."

Brady laughed. "You really think you can kill him, let alone find him? Sweetheart, not even the best in the country can find out who this man is. I doubt a girl like you could solve the puzzle."

Arissa sneered before going back to her place beside her father. My eyes followed her. She was something, wasn't she?

"Do you think you will be able to find her?" Andy asked.

Brady didn't laugh this time, but I could tell he had to hold it in. "Mr. Holden, the only way we could find her would be if we found the illusionist. Who knows how long that will be?"

"It could be years," Charles responded, his eyes staring at the ground.

Andy's eyes flickered over to him. "And you are?"

"Charles Calloway."

Andy clicked his tongue, but looked away. I could see tension between the two of them. Which was odd, truly.

"This is my team," Brady started, naming us off down the row. "Stanton Calloway, Charles Calloway, Lydia Park, Zelia Yale, and Zachary Stark."

I was watching everyone as he named us. When I did bring my eyes back to Andy and Arissa, Andy was studying me. I only locked eyes with him, wondering why he was doing that.

"My daughter seems to give you an admiring look," he replied.

Arissa froze and I chuckled. "I highly doubt that, sir."

"Hmm," Andy hummed, patting Arissa's shoulder. "I'm glad this Company found you. They all seem very trustworthy."

Brady stepped forward, puffing his chest. "Sir, I'm sorry to say, but I'm sure you of all people know the rules of what comes next."

Andy's face fell. "I know."

Arissa's longing face peered up at her father. "I really do have to join them, huh?"

Andy rubbed her shoulder, caringly. "I'm afraid so." He met eyes with Brady, but sometimes his eyes would take a quick look at me. "Please keep her safe."

Brady smiled. "Of course."

Andy kissed her on top of the head, and made her face him. "Write to me as much as possible."

"I will father," Arissa proudly stood taller, kissing him on the cheek. "I'll keep myself safe and search for Tiffany at all cost."

He gave her a pat on the back before she glided over to us, moving in between Charles and Stanton. Brady said a few last words to Andy Holden, but I tuned it out. My eyes were focusing on the reaction Arissa was having, which seemed like grief. Was it the missing of her sister and now the loss of her father? It may be all of that in one. I wanted to help, but I didn't know how. I couldn't even figure out what to say. I have a past too, of course, but I couldn't comprehend in a girl's shoes. I decided to just give her a chance to breathe and relax. She'll find me later on.

My eyes glazed over to Charles, who seemed deep in thought. I saw that he was grimacing, an expression I rarely saw on him. His fingers were twitching uncontrollably, and his fists were clenched. Next, I looked at Stanton. And that's when I saw it. Stanton was giving off a slight smile to the ground, while Charles looked angry. Fearful, I whistled to catch either of their attention. Charles was the one to see me, and he glared. I gasped, silently, stunned at his reaction. But, Charles and Stanton met gazes, and soon enough, Stanton was glaring and Charles was smiling again. It was almost as if they switched personalities. I shook my head and let my feet take me up to the ship. Maybe it was just my imagination.