A/N: Second chapter!

Hope it's okay, this one took me longer to write than the first, so I hope its as good :D

Thank you very much to those people who reviewed, please please please keep it up!

I don't own Beka Cooper, the original characters, the setting etc!

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I gasped for air as my eyes flew open, the scream caught in my throat died as the images of the nightmare slowly faded away. Sweat laced my forehead and I was panting heavily.

Looking around my room I sighed in relief, I was home, there was no one present and most importantly there was no blood.

The sunlight was just starting to seep through my shutters. I groaned lightly and rolled over onto my other side, which I found somewhat hard to do as Achoo had laid across my legs.

Pounce had left my bed and was curled up on my desk fast asleep, I can't have been talking or thrashing much as I hadn't waken them.

I sighed and carefully slipped out of bed, not disturbing my companions and set about getting dressed.

As I pulled my tunic over my head I opened the door and slipped out, Achoo would not need to go outside anytime soon as we had only gone to bed a few hours before at the most. So I had no worries about leaving them there for a while.

The streets of the Lower City were only just starting to wake, some people still making their way home.

I walked briskly in the crisp morning air, my nightmare has put me on edge, it was more memories I suppose, but that was what scared me so.

If father knew enough to have Diona killed I'd bet my whole life's wages that he knew where I lived, what I did and all the people I knew.

That's just how he was.

Before I knew it I'd reached the edge of the Olorun River, its waters flowing at a steady pace past my feet.

I turned to my left and jogged up the edge of the river.

The sun was over the horizon by the time I found the place I was headed for, a kind of rocky outcrop not far from the north bridge.

The rocks at the waters edge were slippery and glimmered in the sun, but the ones further up the bank were dry. Not many people come here as it is very difficult to get to, the bank was steep here and the way narrow and slippery.

I'd been here before though, when I was still with my father.

It was a training session, I had to chase a target over these rocks, it had been raining and…I shall not write what happened that night. It is to painful a memory.

I found an almost flat rock and sat myself down, the light warming my chilled mind.

I am unsure exactly how long I was there, an hour or more probably, when I heard someone's approach.

My hand flew to the dagger tied to my belt and I sprang to my feet.

Upon seeing Rosto several rocks to my right however I sighed removing my fingers from the blade and sat back down.

He raised his eyebrows but came and sat next to me.

"What do you want?" I mumbled watching the water.

"Lookin' for you." He replied, I could hear the smirk in his voice. "Pounce came to us at breakfast and ordered us off our bums to come and search for you."

Darn that cat! I thought huffily. And of cause it'd be Rosto to find me, why not Aniki or Kora?

"How did you find me?" I asked quietly still not looking at him.

"I was walking above and happened to look down. I saw your head." He was smirking, I knew it.

I looked up and realised that if one stood right on the edge they'd be able to see me. I should have went back further.

We were quiet for a while then I felt Rosto shift beside me.

"You could have told your cat at least, where you were off to." He stated suddenly. "I was worried you'd went and done sommat stupid."

I did look at him now. He was leaning back on his elbows, placing his head and body lower than mine.

"Why would you be worried? And why do you think I'd do something stupid?" I huffed.

His black eyes locked with mine, and they were nothing but serious.

"Because I care about you Beka! And Ersken told us what happened at the kennel last night, grief makes people do odd things." He replied.

Suddenly his eyes were to intense and I looked away. "Did he? What did he say?" I muttered slowly.

"That your sister was murdered, and apparently you knew the cove who ordered it. That the Lord Provost ordered you to stay away from this cove, and you ignored Goodwin."

I cringed at the last part, she would be mad at me for sure.

"So who is this cove?"

I froze. Every part of me stopped moving.

"It doesn't matter, forget about it." I said.

Rosto sat up and put his hand under my chin, forcing me to look at him.

"It does matter Beka, who is he?" His eyes sparkled with something I wasn't quite expecting, concern.

"And what if I told you Rosto? What would you do?" I mumbled trying to move my head but his hand kept it there.

He grinned then, mischief written all over his face. "Why Beka, do you think I do sommat against the law to this cove for killen' one of your sisters an' hurtin' you?"

I finally pulled out of his grasp and frowned at him. "Yes."

I knew he would, and even if he is the Rogue, he'd be killed trying.

He laughed. "What if I gave you my word that I wouldn't?"

"No."

"And that I wouldn't send any of my people after him?"

"No."

"Why not!"

He was frustrated now and I allowed myself a slight smile.

"You don't need to know who he is, knowing would put you in danger and I don't want your death on my hands." I retorted.

It was his turn to frown now, and I realised I might've said to much.

"Who is he Beka?" He almost whispered it. "Surely he wouldn't be game enough to kill me, and if he is I'd like to know."

I scoffed. "You think ye'self to untouchable Rosto The Piper, he'd have no problems with killin' you, and he'd succeed in doin' it to."

Now he studied me carefully, no doubt tryin' to figure out if what I was saying might be true, he's vain, Rosto.

"Your serious." He finally concluded. "If this cove is so good, what is he a mage?"

I shook my head. "No Rosto, he's no mage. I've already said far to much, please just forget it? He won't touch you unless you give him a reason to."

After several moments he nodded and stood, extending his hand out to me.

"Alright Beka, I won't push you any longer. But I'll be here when your ready to tell me." He smiled as I took his hand and he pulled me to my feet.

"I told you Rosto, I'm not tellin' anyone who he is cause it's to dangerous to even know!"

He gave me a sideways glance and I clamped my mouth shut.

We didn't talk for the rest of the way back to the dove, when we got there we were greeted by Kora, Aniki, Ersken and Phelan. Who all pulled me into a hug and had lots of questions.

I again repeated that I wasn't going to tell them who 'he' was.

Being rushers and dogs we had enough enemies without extras that we could avoid.

Ersken asked me how we would catch the person who killed Diona if I wouldn't tell the dogs who they worked for.

Even as he asked the questions the instinctive fires in my stomach burst to life and I finally replied that I would bring in the one responsible when the time was right.

And that was exactly what I planned on doing.

Not so much for the one who had wielded my dagger into my sister's heart. For him I had other plans, but the one who had given the order, he will pay for all the pain and death he has inflicted, and be charged by the Magistrate if it's the last thing I ever do.

If I can stop myself from killing him the first second I lay my eyes on him that is.

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Well there it is 2nd chapter! What did you think? As I said I'm not sure if its as good as the first one…..

I hope to have more conversation in the next one though.

I don't know how good I am at writing action scenes…..because I have a fair few of them planned.

Please review and let me know your thoughts on it!

xXAngelStormXx