It had been a week since Javed's meeting with the Dragonlord. Since then, he had been studying magic with his Ainok teacher, Sanaz, every day, in addition to his military training. They had been focusing on meditation and, as Sanaz put it, getting in touch with the magic.

Javed inhaled, held it for a moment, then let it out. He was sitting crosslegged on the ground, facing his teacher. He was wearing his new scale mail, made from the scale of Dragonlord Dromoka. They were in one of the training grounds, which had been cordoned off for this purpose. His eyes were closed, allowing his other senses to take on heightened sensitivity. He could feel a light breeze. He could hear workouts going on in the next training ground.

Javed took another deep, measured breath. This was actually really nice. It was next to impossible to find time to just...be…like this. Most scaleguards were kept busy all day with training and orders, with just enough time to eat and sleep. It was fulfilling, but left little time for reflection. I guess that's one of the perks of being a magic user, he thought. There aren't as many, so more care is taken with their training.

"Think on the concepts of justice… Dwell on the ideals of honor…" Sanaz chanted. They had already gone over this, but Sanaz would occasionally bring up old concepts to reinforce them. The goal was to get in the proper state of mind to give the spell power. Eventually it would become second nature. Right now, Javed was struggling to connect his meditation to anything outside of himself.

How's the training going?

"Huh?" Javed's eyes shot open and he looked around wildly.

Sanaz opened one eye and glared at him. "I don't hear meditating," she warned.

"Sorry," Javed replied, chagrined, and closed his eyes again. That voice had given him a start. It had sounded like it had been right next to him. Could it have been one of his stray thoughts?

Nervous much? The voice came again. He almost jumped again, but caught himself mid fidget. Sanaz opened an eye and glared again, then returned to meditation. But Javed recognized the voice now. And if Sanaz couldn't hear it, then that meant…

Anafenza? he thought to himself.

In the flesh. Or rather… Then he heard her melodious laugh.

Are you...in my head? He asked, wondering if he was going crazy.

Actually, I'm right behind you. Don't turn around! She ordered as he almost did just that. Silly goose. I'm invisible, and I'm speaking to you through your mind. No one will know I'm here unless they use magic, which, if you keep cool, they won't feel the need to use.

At that, Javed calmed down, his body appearing to return to its meditative state. However, internally his mind was whirling. What do you want? He asked eagerly, and then realized how that sounded. I mean, not to be rude, I just would like to know, he finished lamely.

Anfenza laughed again. Don't worry about it, Javed. I'm in your head. I can feel what you're feeling. We can communicate more freely this way.

Javed thought about that. Do all spirits communicate this way?

We can only do this if we're invited in Anafenza said. You could force me out of your mind. I don't have any ties. I can only enter in as far as you let me.

Javed sighed internally. That's reassuring.

Right, because if I could I would turn you into my thrall! Anafenza laughed. Javed laughed uneasily, not really seeing the humor.

So...why are you here? Regardless of if people can see you or not, this is kind of a risk. Is there something you need to tell me? Javed asked.

Yes, as a matter of fact, Anafenza assured him. Look, you've been in this magic training for a while, right? Do you feel like you're getting the hang of it yet?

Javed felt his aura go down. …No. We've been meditating for days, and yet I don't feel any more able to cast these spells.

He could sense, rather than see, Anafenza roll her eyes. That's because they're teaching it all wrong. While it's true that there is some talent involved with magic, the Dromoka should have more magic users than they do. The ones they have learn magic in spite of the training, not because of it.

Javed started. How can that be?

The spells we Dromoka use are based off of the Scalelord's natural abilities. These "spells" come as naturally to our dragons as breathing. But that's a hinderance when trying to teach those that are not so naturally inclined. Some of the other clans withhold the greater secrets of magic from their humanoids, to keep them weak. In the Dromoka, where all are equal under the dragons, it's more of a teaching problem. Basically, they suck as teachers, and their ego prevents them from acknowledging that.

Javed cringed at Anafenza's casual blasphemy, even as it rang true. If that's true, then teach me the right way!

Ask and ye shall receive, Anafenza replied, and Javed could feel her grin. The first thing you need to understand, is the energy that powers our spells.

Energy? Javed asked. I thought magic was...well, magic.

Wow, real insightful, Anafenza dead panned. Magic has rules and principles, just like anything else in life. If you learn those rules, you will be that much further ahead. The most basic rule is about the energy of spells, or mana.

Mana? Javed reiterated.

Yes. Mana is found all around us. It is in nature, it is in the land. Mana is the energy of our world. When we use magic and cast spells, we call on that energy, mana, to give power to them. Without mana, nothing can be done.

Hmm, that sounds like it could be true. Ok, continue.

Thanks for your permission, she snarked. But not just anyone can call on the mana of the world. The land requires something of the user. It requires a connection. Spending time in a place, and/or understanding and embodying the nature of that place and it's mana.

The nature of...Nature?

Anafenza chuckled. I'm not surprised you don't know. Most people don't, which is why magic users are so rare. It doesn't take much dedication to pick up a sword. But just as you've trained your body as a warrior, so must you train your mind and spirit to utilize magic.

Javed pondered her words. I'm ready.

Anafenza's aura brightened. Ok, let's start simple. This land you've been living in. The deserts of Arashin. There's a reason the Dromoka live here. Or rather, there's a reason that the people who live here have become the Dromoka clan.

Huh?

The people who live here are either drawn to, or molded by, the mana of this place. Those who don't embody the traits of that mana, will feel out of place, and move on.

Anafenza continued. Sanaz has it half right. Justice, honor, peace, order. These are indeed important things. Not because the spell requires it, but because the mana that powers the spell does. These lands embody the ideals of law, structure, order, justice, and cooperation. For our clan to even exist here, we must follow those ideals. And to call on its power for our spells, it is no different.

Do you understand, Javed? You, who are a son of the Dromoka, have embodied these ideals your whole life. There is no one more qualified to call on the power of this land. The only thing stopping you is your ignorance and unbelief. Now that you know...do you believe?

Javed did not respond. But Anafenza could feel his spirit gathering. Then, Javed rose to his feet. Sanaz opened her eyes. "What are you doing? If you're not going to take this seriously, then maybe you-" But her words were cut off at the serious expression on his face.

Javed took a breath, and concentrated. He visualized the land, the land he loved so much. He thought of the principles that he valued so much. Now he knew they were independent of clan, or individuals. They were eternal. Justice, order, helping others. Suddenly, he felt great power flow into him. Raw energy. Yet it soothed him. It reinforced everything that he already believed. At that moment, he felt in touch with Arashin like never before.

As Sanaz watched, an aura of white light began to glow around Javed. Even his eyes shone. Then Javed looked at the dusty ground around them, and stretched forth his hand. The spell that had been so hard to fathom before, now effortlessly went into effect. The sand exploded from the ground, whirling and rising with great force. Sanaz was forced to cover her face with her shawl to keep out the raging sands. "Enough!" she cried out, and Javed, startled, allowed the connection to the mana to subside.

The spell, with no further energy being given by Javed, peetered out. The sand settled back to the ground. Yet there were sand drifts piled up against the walls, and smaller piles of sand on every surface in the training ground. In the ensuing silence, they could hear other soldiers commenting on the sudden sandstorm. A few even peeked in to see what was going on.

Sanaz stared up at Javed, who was looking at his hands in wonder. Finally, she got up and marched over to him. "What is the meaning of this? Were you holding out to make me look like a fool?"
Javed looked at her. "What? N-no, nothing like that! It just...came to me."

Sanaz watched his expression, looking for any hint of untruth. "Hmph, well, anyway, thus ends our training for the day. And remember, just because you can summon a huge sandstorm, doesn't make you a master. Subtlety is just as important, and much more difficult. Remember that when you're patting yourself on the back." She gave him a stern look, then turned and walked away, brushing sand out of her robes.

Well done, he heard Anafenza in his mind. Now that you understand how mana works, you should be able to easily use Sand and Sun magics. But Sanaz had a point. Just because you can use this magic, doesn't mean you can use it well. Don't get complacent. You've just opened a whole new world. If you don't keep getting better, then it will all be a waste.

Javed just stared at his hand, remembering the power he had just wielded. It had been so easy. It had felt so right. He concentrated again, and the warm golden glow of sun magic encompassed his body. He could feel strength and healing pour into his body. "No chance," he replied. "This is only the beginning." He once again felt Anafenza's smile.


As Javed left the training ground, he heard someone call his name.

"Javed!" He turned to the sound, and saw Ester approaching. He smiled to see her. So far their breeding assignment had been...unconventional, but the time they had been spending together left him
ever more enamored of her.

"Javed!" she called again as she reached him.

"Ester, how are you doing today?" Javed asked.

Ester gave a schooled smile. It had become part of her persona of late, and it troubled Javed. It was openly welcoming, but belied the presence of something deeper. He found himself wondering if she regretted this breeding assignment. In the end, they were just doing their duty, but Javed wanted this to be a good experience for Ester. He felt guilty that he was beyond thrilled at his match. He had never been in this situation before, and being paired with a good friend was a comforting experience. Although, as time went by, he found himself regretting that it was only to be temporary. And in the future, she might even be assigned with someone else.

Javed flinched at the thought, and Ester, of course, noticed. "I'm well, but how are you?" she probed.

"Great, actually," he smiled, trying to put his faux pas behind him. "I just had a breakthrough in my magic training."

"Oh?" Ester was looking at him, yet her tone seemed as if she were preoccupied. Javed bristled a little, but then smiled as he thought of something. He put his his hand on Ester's shoulder and met her eyes, which broke her out of her reverie. She watched as he leaned in for a kiss. For a moment, it was just like that evening in the grove, her lips soft and yielding against his, her eyes closed, and her hand even cupping his cheek. Then she pulled back with a look of shock.

Javed worked to make sure that the hurt didn't show in his eyes. It had been like that almost immediately. There was a distance between them. If it had been anyone else, he could have attributed it to nerves or awkwardness. But they had shared a moment, and he knew it. Yet now that was gone, and the lack was noticeable. Though there were times he could tease it out of her.

Ester played off her shock by grabbing his arm to lead him to the barracks. He couldn't help but wonder what was holding her back? Were breeding assignments always like this? And more importantly, how was he going to deal with the end of the assignment? Though it was troublesome, he wanted to please her. He wanted to be what she wanted.

They were greeted by a few of their fellow soldiers as they entered the mess hall. After they exchanged pleasantries, Javed could swear he saw them smirking as they walked away. Come now, he thought, no need to make sport!

They found a place to sit, and began eating. Javed watched Ester subtly, trying to discern her mood. She was looking off into space.

"A dromok for your thoughts," he asked, deciding to just be upfront. If she reacted badly, he could just be silent then.

To his surprise, she just smiled. "I was just thinking. You've only been training this whole time, correct?" Now her eyes were focused on him, and he could feel himself getting lost in them.
"Yes, much training," Javed laughed. "Physical training in the morning, and magic training in the afternoon. Short breaks for water and meals, and then bed time. Same old, minus the magic training." He briefly thought of showing her what he had learned in the magical arts, then wondered where that prideful thought had come from.

But Ester was already moving onto her next thought. "Hmm, your instructors would easily be able to vouch for you. So what…" She trailed off. "I don't know…" she mumbled under her breath.

Javed didn't speak, but slid his hand over to hers, taking her smaller hand in his. She stared down mutely at their shared hands, as he rubbed her skin with his thumb. It felt warm. It felt tough from training. It was Ester, part of her. Without noticing, their eyes rose to meet. Javed smiled, but Ester appeared more conflicted than ever.

"I'm tired…" Ester said quietly. "Can we...go back?"

"Of course," Javed replied. They left their dishes at the table and exited, still holding hands. In all the bustle of getting up, he hadn't wanted to let go, and he had felt her clutching at him as well.

They walked past the usual barracks housing to a special section set aside for those on "assignment". Javed had been worried initially about what they would find, but most of those on assignment were either inexperienced and insecure like they were, or experienced and desensitized to the whole ordeal. Having said that, he could occasionally hear noises coming from their neighbors' dwellings.

They entered their sparse accommodations. The regular barracks were shared, long rooms with lines of bunks. It was designed to take away the sense of personal space and individuality. That wasn't ideal for breeding assignments, for obvious reasons. But that was no reason to splurge. They had a front room with a table and some chairs. The designers had probably felt they had to put something in this room, even though it mainly served as a anteroom so that the bedroom could be separate, and private.
It was a strange thing, having a space to themselves. If being able to be…close in such a way was a new experience, being alone together definitely fueled the desire to enjoy that new experience.

Javed led her to the bedroom, thinking she would lie down. But once they were alone, Ester turned to him and snaked her arms around his waist, pulling him close. He looked down at her, but she was avoiding his gaze.

"Javed?" she murmured.

"Yes, Ester?" he replied.

"...What do you think of me?"

Javed paused, thinking how best to answer that. The mood helped him to know. Moonlight was shining in through the window, leaving shadows on the bed. He raised his hand to her face, tucking it under her chin and gently, gently, lifting her gaze until she was looking into his eyes. Her eyes sparkled in the dim light, a tear just beginning to run down her cheek. His mind whirled, wondering what was wrong, but his instincts were guiding him. He leaned in and kissed her.

This kiss was different from before. Ester had seen this coming all the way, and hadn't shied away. As he kissed her, he could feel her body pressing against his, her hands trailing up his back and pulling him closer. Their kisses, awkward to begin with, had gotten better, or perhaps they had merely adjusted to each other.

Almost by accident, their lips parted, and one of them, though they could not remember which, slipped their tongue across that barrier. Suddenly there was a new urgency to the proceedings. Electricity surged through their bodies, as their hands went everywhere, trying to feel and touch anything they could.

Javed's brain was scrambled. He couldn't even ponder on what was happening, but a part of him was so happy. He could feel Ester's energy! It felt right, it felt great! When they finally came up for air, Ester backed up to the bed and threw herself back onto it, never breaking eye contact. "Come," was her command, and Javed obeyed.

Now horizontal, there was a new meaning to everything. At first they resumed kissing, but then he felt to move to her neck, and the bared portion of her shoulder. Ester moaned, curling her fingers in his hair, holding him close. His hands roved of their own accord, fanning the flames in her body unknowingly, as she wriggled beneath him.

After a time, Javed desired to go lower, but Ester's armor was in the way. He actually growled in frustration, which got a laugh out of her. For her part, she leaned up and began untying the straps. Javed tried to help, prying at the offending fasteners. Partway through, he left off helping her and quickly began untying his own armor, even standing up off the bed to more quickly finish the task. He carefully placed his scale mail down by the wall, traditional regard for it holding even through his heightened desires.

He returned to the bed and gathered Ester into his arms. He could feel her hard muscles, as well as her softer parts, but compared to her armor, she was soft and warm. He leaned in for another kiss, but then he noticed that Ester wasn't responding anymore. He glanced at her face, and saw her eyes wide in horror.

"Ester? W-what is it?" Javed leaned back, still holding her in his arms.

Ester extricated herself from his grasp and sat facing away from him on the other edge of the bed. "I...I can't."

Javed hung his head. "Why? What have I done wrong?" His voice had a pleading undertone. Just tell me!

"It's...it's not you. I just need some more time," Ester sighed, putting her face in her hands.

Javed involuntarily reached out his hand to comfort her, but stopped before he could touch her. "When? We don't have much time before I ship out! I don't want to get in any trouble with the Dragonlord, and I don't want you to get in trouble either-"

"DON'T YOU THINK I KNOW THAT?!" Ester screamed. She had shot to her feet, still facing away from him, now breathing heavily.

Javed rose to his feet as well, stepping away from the bed, and the door as well, in case she was going to make for the exit. He could feel adrenaline pumping through his veins, readying him for a fight. But Ester wasn't going to attack him...was she? Well, he would never have guessed such strange behavior from her, so he had to be open to anything.

Ester peeked over her shoulder, and saw Javed watching her in silence. Then she turned and rushed out of the room, out of their hut, and into the night. Javed boggled to think of how things had shifted so much, so quickly. He sat down on the edge of the bed, sighing heavily.


Ester hurried through the night streets. She had never had much reason to visit the officers' section of the aerie, but she knew her current destination. As she approached the door, she looked back and forth to see if anyone was watching. She couldn't believe she was doing this, but things couldn't continue as they were. She knocked on the door.

Mirza opened the door, and stuck out his long thin neck, his avian eyes peering at her in surprise. "Ester? What are you doing here?"

"Mirza," she began, and she hated how her voice cracked. "I can't do this anymore. I can't spy on Javed! Either take me off this assignment, or make a decision!" Once she began, a tide of emotion rose up, threatening her steadied composure with hiccupping sobs.

Mirza's expression was a mixture of shock, discomfort, and a little guilt. "Well, I say, this is highly irregular." Ester choked and shuddered at his deflection, and Mirza had to stop again and stare. It was an understatement to say he was uncomfortable with this situation. "Ester, this isn't like you," he admonished.

"Not like me?!" she retorted, drawing herself up and fixing him in the eye. "You tell me to spy on one of my closest friends, that he might be a traitor to the clan," Mirza frantically tried to shush her, "and in the same breath put me on a breeding assignment with him, telling me to flip a coin! Am I to fulfill my breeding assignment with a trusted clanmate?! Or am I to spy on a traitor?! And I pay the price either way!"

In the course of her rant, Mirza realized that it was expedient to get Ester off the street and into some semblance of privacy. He ushered her into his fore room. His quarters were much like the ones she was currently sharing with Javed. Functional, yet luxurious compared to the shared barracks that the scaleguards used.

Mirza gestured Ester to take a seat at the table, while he himself stood. Now that Ester had gotten that off her chest, she was surprised that Mirza hadn't called the guard on her. She was breaking several rules, and he would have been justified to let her spend a night in the brig. Instead, he seemed…guilty.

"W-well," he began, "as you've said, this was a bit of a tough proposition. We appreciate the work and diligence you've put in." Ester looked at him expectantly. "Unfortunately, or rather, fortunately, we have not found anything to contravert Javed's status as a faithful clan member. No secret meetings, no apostate rethoric. He continues to excel in his training and is a shining example of everything our clan stands for." He ducked his head, as if he expected to be yelled at

Ester couldn't believe it. After all of the stress and doubt… She leapt at Mirza and embraced him. The aven let out a squawk.

"I'm so glad," she whispered tearfully. Mirza patted her shoulder awkwardly.

"Yes, yes. I take it you are feeling better?" Mirza ventured.

Ester pulled away and met his eyes, a bright smile on her face. "I feel as if a huge weight has been lifted off of my soul. Thank you! Praise Dromoka!"

Mirza coughed to hide his perplexity at human emotions. "Ahem, yes, Praise Dromoka. Now, in recognition of the tough position we put you in, we are going to give you the choice whether to continue on your remaining assignment. I understand completely if you don't feel up to it. We'll still promote you either way."

Ester looked up quizzically at Mirza. "Huh, oh yes. Oh! Yes, that shouldn't be a problem. I'll get right to it. As Dromoka wills it, so shall it be." She reached out and clasped his shoulders again, and Mirza was too surprised to tell her that she was being overly familiar. She let him go, and darted towards the door, before spinning on the spot, bowing abruptly. "Thank you," she said again, and then was out the door.

Mirza finally let out a mirthful expression. "Ah, youth."


"Well, are you decent?"

Javed groaned. He sat on the edge of the bed, hunched in dejected thought. He didn't react as Anafenza stepped through the wall.

"Am I interrupting anything?" Anafenza asked, trying to imply that she hadn't been aware of what had been going on in the room.

"Not anymore," Javed sighed.

Anafenza eyed Javed over his dejected tone. "…" She didn't really know what to say. Part of her wanted to brush it off and focus on more important matters. But deep down she knew that this situation required some tact. "How are you feeling?" It wasn't really a fix, but hopefully he might give her a clue as to how to proceed.

Javed sighed again. He mumbled something under his breath.

"What? I didn't hear you," Anafenza said.

"Why do I always fuck everything up?" he sighed. Anafenza froze. She had thought he would be mad or sad that the girl (whose name Anafenza had made a point never to learn) had caused a fuss and run off. What was he referring to?

Javed sniffed. "I just wanted…to be good enough. For her. For my clan. For Dromoka. For you." Anafenza listened in awkward silence. "But I'm not. I'm not good enough. For anyone. For anything. I killed my scalelord. I repulse Ester! I'm a traitor to my clan and I can't even do that right!" As his voice rose, Anafenza shushed him. She had made sure that there were no potential eavesdroppers around when she had appeared, but force of habit reared its head.

Javed turned to face her, and Anafenza was shocked to see tears in his eyes. "Why did you pick me? What did you see in me? Was there really anything special? Or did you just find the first loser who would listen to you?"

Anafenza didn't know what to say. There was so much wrong with what he was saying. But she knew that just saying he was wrong wasn't an answer. He needed to hear something nice. Something uplifting. "Javed…" The fact was-

"Javed!" Both of them were stunned to hear Ester's voice, coming from the front room. Anafenza quickly slipped through the wall as Ester entered the room. She pulled up just as she entered the room, gazing at Javed. Javed turned in his seat, gawking at her reappearance. There was a wide smile on her face.

She walked over to where he sat, while he rose to his feet. She continued well into his personal space, almost nose to nose, if she weren't a few inches shorter than him. There was a moment of discomfort, almost like pushing through a bubble's membrane, that soon passed. They stood in silence for a moment. This close, they could feel each other's breathing.

"Ester…" Javed began. Ester put her hand on his mouth.

"Please wait," she said. "I know I've been acting strange. And you've borne the brunt of it, Javed. You didn't deserve it."

Javed opened his mouth again.

"Wait," Ester insisted. "Javed, what you don't know…I'm so sorry for this." Tears welled up in her eyes as she realized what she was confessing to. Javed gazed at her, taken off guard, and yet it didn't matter. He wanted to make her happy. He raised his finger and caught some of her tears as they trailed down her face.

Ester accepted his touch, and met his eyes again. "Javed, I was asked to watch you." Javed nodded, not comprehending. "By Mirza, on order from Dragonlord Dromoka," Ester continued. Javed flinched.

Ester stepped back. "I know. I know how you must feel." Javed hadn't moved since her revelation. "They were suspicious of you after…after what happened in the battle…with Katar." She took a deep breath. "They gave me the breeding assignment to be close to you in order to spy on you." She closed her eyes and waited for Javed's righteous anger at her duplicity

Javed tried to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat, but he couldn't. Fear gripped him in its iron grasp. He barely noticed Ester anymore. He had thought he had been in the clear, but now he realized how close to ruin he had been all this time! And all because of Anafenza! She was going to get him killed!

"Wait a minute," Javed suddenly thought of something. "Why are you telling me this?" He gasped. "Are they coming for me?!" Javed could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins, and the primal desire to just run away, but he forced himself to abide.

Ester looked at him and giggled. "No, silly man. I've come to tell you that you been fully cleared. The investigation revealed nothing to condemn you. I know it must feel bad knowing this, but you have come out clean on the other side." She smiled, then her eyelids lowered. "What's more…we're still technically on a breeding assignment together…"

Javed eyes widened and he stared at her. A whirlwind of thoughts and emotions swirled through him. He had been cleared, but in truth, he was exactly what they had suspected. A traitor. Traitor in thought, and potentially soon, a traitor in deed. If she could know the truth, what would she say? He couldn't fool himself to think that she would accept him then.

Yet he did yearn for her. Base impulses combined with his admiration and longing for her. Could he justify this? Outside of clan loyalty, was this something he was capable of? To keep the lie, and take advantage of her, his friend?

Ester bit her lip, her eyes trailing down his body and back up. "Javed…" she whined sensually. Javed's second to last thought was that he had never seen Ester act like this before. He rushed to her, and as they fell to the bed, the part of his brain that still cared ran this thought through like a mantra, 'I'll make it up to her. I'll become worthy of her. I'll become what she deserves.'


Later, as they lay in each others' arms, Javed reflected on what had happened. He had always felt a sense of comradeship with his clan members. He had thought that there was no stronger feeling than that of clan unity. But this…this was different. He felt a rush of different feelings. Desire, possessiveness, insecurity, fear. It frightening and powerful, and yet, he didn't want it to end. If anything, he wanted to make sure that he could always be with Ester.

Yet the very thing that had brought him and Ester together would soon be separating them again. This was a dream, soon to end. And there was no guarantee that they would be like this again. Even the thought that someone else might know his Ester-

He had to stop that line of thinking as a wave of anger caused him to flinch. Ester started in her sleep, and he held his breath, wondering if he had woken her. Then she mumbled blearily and continued her steady, restful slumber.

Javed sighed out the breath he had been holding. Be in the moment, he reminded himself. Enjoy this moment. Then he heard a voice in his head.

Javed, you've been called, he heard Anafenza voice drone in a monotone. You need to head out first thing in the morning. We'll set up an excuse for you, and you'll finally be initiated.

Tomorrow? But- Ester, Javed thought.

So what? Anafenza spat into his mind. He could feel the emotion coming off of her words, though her essence remained distant and unreadable. I was wondering if some open legs would cause you to doubt our mission!

Javed was shocked by the vitriol in her words. He couldn't think of a way to respond.

Be ready to leave tomorrow, she dictated. This is your only chance. Then any trace of her was gone.