Chapter: 7

"If you don't want to deal with the devil, don't go into his shop. Stay on the Lord's side of the fence." Anonymous.

Elide couldn't remember much. Only a thud. And heat. She only knew that there was chaos, and the anticipated didn't go as planned. She rubbed her bandaged ankle tenderly. It throbbed and the pain shot up her leg at random moments. It made her wince and grunt. And sometimes, thrash altogether. On her right shoulder were the scratches from the witches rough handling.

Eventually, she caught on to the bigger problem. She was supposed to act as a spy - she just did the complete opposite. She was supposed to be a figure for Terrassan, an image of the other nobles and the princess and the people of Terrassen. An image of her parents. Oh lord, her parents. What would they think when they heard of the disgrace she brought to her kingdom. What would they do when they heard she failed? Had they learned of what happened already? Elide couldn't tell, time passed by in a blur in the hospital wing.

A man tall and brooding strolled in. His tanned skin and dark hair were enough to make her shrink. Then she remembered something: the man just was walking in, was one of the people that were on the stage during the orientation. Lorcan Salvaterre, she recalled. It seemed the knowledge she learned the night after the orientation came to good use. If she was to be a spy, she should at least know the basics. A man of authority was in front of her. So she straightened.

The man growled, "Are you Elide Lochan?"

Elide's eyes glazed over, "It depends. Why are you here?" Although she was a failure, she wasn't about to give herself to one of Maeve's evildoers.

"I thought you'd like to know who saved you," The man - Lorcan said with a grunt. "But if you're too busy defending your pride…" he trailed off.

"No! Please tell me who protected me."

The man rolled his eyes. Everyone knew the princess. The fiery and Untamed horse of a princess. "Aelin Ashryver Galathynius."

It felt as if he threw a punch to her gut. At first, she couldn't believe it. The fact that her princess that she was assigned to protect was now protecting her was utterly unacceptable. Not only had she failed, but she failed utterly in all ways. What would the king and queen say when they found out their daughter - the future of Terrassan was brutally bashed by those witches. And it was all Elide's fault.

The reality dawned on her; they would order her back to the royal castle. And as much as she loved Terrasan. She grew to love the school more because of the freedom and the opportunity it gave her.

And suddenly Elide was on her feet. Ignoring the barking that rang through her entire body as she begged, "Please don't tell the king and queen."

Salvaterre just looked at her with a blank expression.

"Such an idiotic statement." He looked at her with ridicule in his eyes, "of course I have to tell the king and queen. Or perhaps I should just tell them that their beloved Aelin went through such ravage because of a pathetic Half-Blood. It would be quite fun to torture you and watch that little body break. You deserve it - your helplessness and your uselessness would be no room in a Terrassen court."

He stared at her up and down - analyzing if she was worth his time. Then he turned to the door and muttered about Elide being all bark and no bite.

In a desperate cry, Elide reached out "What would it take for your silence? I will do anything. Anything to remain at the school. I come from royal Heritage with many riches I could shower you in jewels and gold and you would never have to labor through another torture session of teaching students ever again."

Salvettere sneered, "I don't want your luxuries they're not as fulfilling as working under my beloved."

Something went off in Elide's head and she remembered something she'd learned about Lorcan salvaterre while she was studying those in power in the school. Rumors said that he was the only member of the Cadre that never serviced Queen Maeve inside her bedroom. Perhaps it made this man mad because the others had an advantage he had not been granted.

In a final attempt, she prompted, "I could try and help you service Maeve and ways that are inappropriate for discussion."

Lorcan's head turned and gazed at Elide's figure.

Then he turned to face her more fully, he teased, "Perhaps you should just service me." His voice went up an octave mockingly, "In ways that are inappropriate for discussion."

Elide's face lit up. If she ever brought up such lewd topics in Court her mother would have shut her down. But she wasn't in court anymore. She was someplace new and different. Talking about such things reminded her of the freedom that she had here but wouldn't have if she was caught up in meetings and balls in court.

Lorcan rolled his eyes, "Please, I don't desire you - or anyone really for that matter. Perhaps you could try to figure out what she wants though. In ways that are inappropriate for discussion."

Elide made a face, "I got it. No need to mock me about it."

The man shrugged, "You only need to scourge information for an hour every week. If you get caught, you will not say anything. I will just kill you."

Elide swallowed "An hour a week - without getting caught. After the encounter with the witches, Elide didn't think anything could get worse. If anything, it would teach her a thing or two on how to spy on the newcomers from Adarlan. And it was more thrilling than being locked up all day and all night packed with meetings and deadlines.

It's offered something new, and for the short time she was there, she quite enjoyed it.

"Yes."

"Blood swear it."

So they did. 1 hour every week, in exchange for her freedom.

AU: Don't make deals with the devil! They always collect.