Aelin strutted out the apartment, her smirk was gone. She felt nothing, as she watched her crystallized breath float away. She just hoped none of them were stupid enough to follow her.

Who was she kidding? They were stupid enough to follow her. Aelin sighed, why did they have to exist? No, she thought. She was glad they existed, all of them. Just why couldn't she work alone, like she did in the old days. That was why she stormed out, to get one last nostalgic taste of freedom. She rolled her neck and started into the slums.

Rowan waited a minute before following Aelin out the door. He wasn't sure what had happened, he knew she was stressed, and that Chaol and Aedion hadn't helped. But there was more. There always was. Rowan wasn't going to stop Aelin, just protect her in case. He trusted her enough to not to anything that stupid.

He stopped as heard the thud of feet behind him, they were following him. No, her. She swiveled to see Aedion and Chaol.

"What are you doing?"he demanded, she was running from them. Well, probably him as well, but mostly them.

"We're going to watch her" Aedion said taking a step towards Rowan.

Rowan narrowed his eyes, no wonder she went insane.

The sound of a door opening and a smooth seductive voice drifted from the alley, "Celaena Sardothien, never thought I would see you again. Or if word in the street is correct, that's not your name is it?"

"Yes well, today is your lucky day." Aelin replied in the same tone.

Rowan growled quietly, what was she doing?

"Agreed, please, come in, love."

Rowan snarled and started down the alley, he reached the alley's opening just in time to catch a glimpse gold hair through the closing door.

He turned to Chaol and Aedion, who were lingering behind.

"I'll go in to watch her. You stay here." He said, eager to go.

"Why should you go in?" Aedion demanded. Rowan snarled, "Because I can protect her best and because I'm her carranam!"

Aedion almost chocked "You're her what!?"

"Yeah, you're her what?" Chaol said, confused.

Rowan rolled his eyes, and turned towards the door. He hadn't meant to let that slip. He would talk to Aelin about it later. He strode to the door. It was a bar, well... more of a burlesque house. Wouldn't be his first time, he gently opened the door and slid in.

No one noticed.

He spotted Aelin immediately, so had some other men and women. Resisting the urge to rip their heads out he pulled down his hood and stayed in the shadows, a behavior that seemed very common in this bar.

Aelin was sitting at the bar, a man was leaning very close to her, whispering in her ear. Rowan snarled. The man's hand snaked up her thigh, and Rowan growled. If he made one more move on her Rowan would rip his head off.

Then the man slipped a folded piece parchment from his sleeve, and slid it into the band around her waist, his hand lingering. The man pulled away, briefly brushing his lips against her cheek. Rowan thought about making good on his promise.

Aelin stood and turned towards Rowan. Her eyes gazed right over him, to the door. She stalked to the door, her hips swaying. For a moment Rowan was entranced, then he glanced towards the man. Who was looking at the same hips. The man's eyes drifted up and met Rowan's. He turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Aelin slid out the door of the bar, it was a hot spot for this kinda thing. She was aware of many eyes watching her, only half of them because of her suit. Word would spread quickly that she was here. Even now she could feel someone watching here. What could you do? She waltzed down the alley, and began to unfold the parchment.

Rowan walked out the door, still fighting down the urge to punch the man in the face. He grabbed Chaol and Aedion by the collar and pulled them out of the shadows.

"What happened?" Chaol said, as the both yanked away from him. Aedion was still scowling.

"She didn't see you, did she?" Rowan growled.

"No. She didn't see us." Rowan nodded. And started after Aelin.