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Hope you enjoy the chapter, and so so so sorry it's late…

~I nodded sharply, I couldn't very well back out now, and released the breath as he turned the knob and pushed it open…~

The noise from inside became louder and flooded my ears. The light and warmth seemed to push their way through my clothes and touch my skin. The familiar smells invaded my nose and filled my lungs. Even though the Dove was crowed and busy my eyes quickly found Rosto as he lounged comfortably on his throne.

He was talking idly with Tunstall, Birch and Ersken. All three dogs appeared at ease but I saw their eyes continually sweeping the inn. I tore my eyes away from them quickly and did my own sweep of the crowd before striding confidently inside. Our target was leaning against the wall behind Ulsa, still oblivious to our presence.

His leaving had made him careless it seemed.

The rest of the crowd were quick to notice us and I felt my commanders' slide into place beside me as the noise slowly died and many curious gazes fell on us. Rosto had sat up straight, rushers had placed hands on their weapons, Aniki and Kora appeared at Rosto's side and the dogs eyed us cautiously.

"State your name and your business here." Rosto ordered casually, but you could here the tense undertone to it.

I could not speak here, for surely someone would recognise my voice so Tyron cleared his throat. My eyes stayed trained on the target, who was now staring at us, as his face twisted in fear and he shrank backwards. I resisted the urge to hurl sommat sharp at him.

"We aren't here to cause trouble, Majesty," Tryon spoke, his voice slightly muffled by the cloth. Out of the corner of my eye I saw realisation flicker across my friend's faces. "It seems something of ours has come into your court, we're just here to take it back."

The target slipped sideways and started creeping towards the doors to the kitchen.

I sighed irritably, they always run. Although…a chase could be fun. I hushed the little voice in my head.

"And what would that something be?" Tunstall asked, blinking his big eyes at us.

I started fidgeting as the target got closer to the door, my hand found the hilt of a dagger and clenched around it. Not yet.

"Well," Tryon says slowly, and I can almost see the amused smirk on his face. He held up a hand mayhap a few inches above his head. "It's about this tall, an' looks like a cross between a rat and a mangy, underfed, flee-bitten mutt."

The dogs raised their eyebrows and my commander amended the relation. "Got nothing to do with you fine people, it's that one, the one who thinks it's getting away." He waved a hand towards 'it' just as he put a hand on the kitchen door.

The doors swung open and he let out a female like yelp and stumbled backwards as Kurt stood in the threshold with his arms crossed and the other black-clad warriors assembled behind him. The other groups must have heard the commotion and slipped silently through the other exits, forming an intimidating human block.

I shook my head in pure amazement. How had he ever been one of us? How had something so cowardly stood with us, lived with us, fought with us! It surprised me he even had the stomach to kill. It, the prey. I reminded myself sharply. And it could kill.

As if he knew I was about to deposit one, if not several blades, into it afore we'd even gotten it outside, Dom wrapped a firm hand around my forearm and gave me a slight tug.

Taking someone with its position in the Rogue's court while the Rogue himself, along with his entire court and a few dogs, were watching was one thing. Killing and blooding the court while it was filled with folk, along with the mentioned, was something else entirely.

Rosto couldn't really allow that to happen, least his people loose faith in him and there be an upset. I was probably walking on thin ice as it was.

So I sighed again and Dom loosened his hand slowly, as if he thought I was still likely to rearrange its face at any moment, before he let go of me.

Rosto settled his eyes on me and I looked back at him steadily as he thought about his next reply. I still didn't know how he knew which one I was no matter how well I hid my face, or how well I hid in the crowd. His eyes always managed to rest on me. Mayhap it's a Rogue thing?

The rest of the large room watched the pair of us stare at each other, though my face was well hidden. Even the bar tender had paused in the middle of filling a mug to watch, and accidentally overfilled it. While we were having our silent conversation my prey was tip toeing back alone the wall.

I pulled my eyes from Rosto and flung a dagger into the wall, mere centimetres from its head, the hilt and blade wobbling with the force of the throw. It gave another undignified squeak and froze. There was another blade in my hand instantly, balancing evenly on my index finger.

"I don't think the boss said you could leave," Tryon called, sounding smug. "I wouldn't move, if I were you, the next one ain't likely to miss. Now Majesty, we'll just take it and be out of your hair, if you don't mind."

Rosto heaved a sigh and frowned a little. "Why should I just give you…it? When I don't know what he's done to vex you?"

I heard my commander mutter unhappily under his breath and would've smirked at his anxiousness if I hadn't been feeling it to.

"I didn't think you'd want filthy, traitorous, murderous scum in your court," He said, annoyance creeping into his voice. "I'm sure you can figure out what he's done from that. He's got a debt to pay," He declared loudly. "And it's high time he paid what he owes."

I nodded my head towards Kurt and he in turn gestured to two of the fighters behind him. They moved like cats stalking a mouse, except starving ones that didn't bother with the stealth. They grabbed him roughly, an arm each and dragged him forwards away from the tables. The rushes and folk scattered out of the way as the pair dropped him halfway between Rosto and I.

He'd given up. I wasn't quite expecting him to give up so soon. I'd expected fights and yelling and pleading. But no, he just kneeled, slumped forwards with his head bowed. I tilted my head to the side. Was he planning something else? If he was it would be pointless. We had him surrounded and I wasn't leaving until he was either coming with us, or dead.

Another slight movement of my head and his new guards stepped forward again and started relieving him of his weapons. One of them pulled a short dagger from the back of his tunic and threw it at me. I caught it, blade between my fingers and inspected the design carefully carved into the hilt.

I handed it to Dom and heard him scoff disgustedly. Returning my eyes to meet Rosto's gaze, I nodded towards the prey and folded my arms over my chest firmly. I was not leaving empty handed.

'Don't make me drag him out of here afore you've said sommat, you white haired looby.' I thought silently, the room was getting tenser. The silence was starting to get to the members of the Rogue. We were an imposing sight, and obviously not here for friendly reasons. They were starting to shift slightly in their seats, mayhap waiting for a brawl to break out, or Rosto to tell us no.

"Majesty, we'd like to leave if you don't mind," Dom spoke up, his hand coming to a rest on the hilt of his sword. He didn't sound like his usual playful, happy, half cracked self. His voice was full of authority and held a sharp, meaningful edge to it. "And we're not leaving without him. He's a traitor, cost our comrades their lives, our brothers. He's dealt us great insult, betrayed our trust and murdered our leader's own blood. I ask you, would you have something like that in your home?"

Rosto lounged back in his throne and looked thoughtful, seemingly pondering over what was said. Next time I see him I'll break his nose for keeping me waiting for so long. Finally he spoke. "And what does your leader have to say about this?" He had the accursed smirk on his face again, and I'm sure he winked at me. Sarden looby.

I raised both eyebrows, though he couldn't see that and nodded to the groups again. Reading my signal perfectly the sound of steel being drawn slowly from sheaths filled the room, the light from the fire and lanterns danced along the many blades.

Dom chuckled and tapped his own sword's hilt. "I'd say that, is what our leader has to say to it," He made a waving gesture towards the fidgeting rushers unconcernedly. "Steady lads, we're not here to skin you."

I nearly laughed, nearly. I was to busy trying to relay a message to Rosto with my eyes saying that if he didn't hurry up his nose would be the least of his problems.

Finally, finally, he nodded his consent. "Very well then, you may have him. I'm sure you'll find another cove Ulsa. I'll take the gentlemen's warning and not have traitorous minded coves in my court."

His guards latched hold of his arms again and hauled him to his feet, marching him towards me. The rest of my people seemed to peal off the walls and slip out into the darkness the way they had come. As if they had never been there at all. I took the astounded and stunned faces of the court as a compliment and allowed a soft chuckle to pass my lips.

They stopped before me, the guards bowing their heads respectfully and nudged it to stand straighter. I gasped his chin in my gloved hand and tilted his head up, urging his emotionless, downcast eyes up to meet mine. I gave him a cruel smile and dropped my hand yet his head and eyes remained still, he looked almost defiant.

I stepped out of the way and gestured for them to pass. They led the way out of The Dove, my commanders following smugly, a triumphant bounce to their steps. I nodded my head to Rosto, in both thanks and respect and he smiled and nodded back. I could've sworn he winked again, but I was to pleased to think over it.

I turned and walked out after them, a grin covering my face and getting wider with every step I took. Not long now, Diona. I thought wistfully as I entered the crisp night air. Revenge would taste sweet this time, but I would not allow a monster to rise within me.

"Let's go home shall we?" I asked lowly, taking in the numerous people standing in the dull light. Pounce made his appearance at my feet and rubbed himself against my legs comfortingly.

A chuckle flowed through them and we moved off, the prey getting a rather harsh shove in the direction we were going.

"Easy," I reprimanded half heartedly. "I don't want a blood trail right to our doorstep."

"Yes Mistress." One of them replied, snickering softly. I could even hear my cat's soft mrt's of amusement.

An eye for an eye.

Aaaand there you go, chapter 15 finally finished and up. I apologise again for taking so long! Things got hectic for me again and coupled with all these other story ideas bouncing around in my head…this got pushed to the way side.

Anyways I really hoped you enjoyed this, it's not quite as long as I'd hoped but I'm reasonably happy with it. Pretty please with sugar and cream and cherries on top review and let me know what you think! =).

Also, I'd like to hear what you guys would like to happen, now that I'm getting closer to the end. So feel free to voice (or type, as the case may be lol) your thoughts, I'd love to hear them =).

On another note we're approaching 100 reviews! I'm super excited about it so I'd thought I'd mention it to haha. Thank you x a million, you guys are awesome!

Til next time,

~Angel xo