Hi readers! Ice again and this really isn't an exciting chapter but its necessary. Next chapter will be better, I promise. Well enjoy ~

Disclaimer: As always.

Chapter 15: Shame

Their feet shuffled against the floor as monster and human proceed through the stone edifice. Green eyes gazed down at the dusty stone and watched in shame as her feet take the girl home. The metal cuffs on her wrists dug into her sensitive skin chafing every spot it could find. Jet held her tongue on the matter. Ruler would do nothing for her, especially now.

Every few steps a staff would dig itself into her back or side and she would cringe. Those monsters of his were brutal and violent. If they had any other form of attack, she was thankful that they did not use that. As they pass through the lobby Jet looks up after feeling a familiar presence.

Aviela stood in the same corner as before gawking at the procession. The two women made eye contact for a moment before Jet looked back down in shame. One of the other dark girls spoke up.

"That's her Aviela…it's Jet…" Aviela nodded closing her mouth.

"You're right. Now I understand why she wore that mask. I wish I would…HEY!" Jet jerked her head up at the call only to find that it was not to her. All the bandits in the lobby turned on them and a few other fighters. Even as one of the best fighters Aviela found herself in binds and being led off into a different direction.

Jet looked away closing her eyes. She prayed that her new friends would be alright. To keep herself occupied, Jet examined the ancient man before her. His red cloak swayed softly with his stride and the dark metal around his hands and feet complimented the cloth perfectly.

Something about his form though frightened her though. He stood straight, confident in himself even though he had a traitor trailing behind him. Not only that but he held his hands behind his back like the bad guys in all those books she happened to read before leaving Oakvale. Everything about him terrified her.

'Maybe even be alluring…wait…what?' She shook her head clearing her thoughts. A man…if he was one, like himself would have an easy time getting women Jet was sure of that. Probably even has experience in bed. Jet looked at herself in confusion. What was she thinking? Did turning into a woman do this to her?

They turned down a hallway and ended up in a bedroom. This one was far more luxurious than the one she slept in the night before. The bed that sat in the middle of the far wall was fitted with red silk sheets and a tapestry to finish off the furniture. A dark wood dresser sat to its right with gold handles and ornaments. On top was some rare stones and foreign made ceramics. A mirror was on the far end of the room and candles lit the room giving it a soft but ominous mood. The rugs were basic wool with rectangular patterns.

It felt wrong to her…to be in the bedroom of her enemy. Ruler continued on and stopped before a window. It overlooked the woods surrounding the arena probably something calming for him. One of those beasts gave the chain to the red cloaked man who nonchalantly held it in his hand. They stood off to the side and nothing was said.

After about five minutes of complete silence Ruler finally killed the quiet.

"I must say, I'm rather amused to see you here girl. Tell me, what made you risk your neck coming all the way out here only to be killed?" Jet said nothing but lightly glared at him. He doubted her skill. She could have killed off whatever the Arena threw her way! At least Jet assured herself weakly.

His head turned slightly almost in a threat and Jet felt every ounce of courage and resolve shriveling to nothing. She hoped he could not see it.

"Well? I hear no answer." Ruler's tone was light but she knew better. Those words hid venom and death. He wanted an answer and an answer he will get.

Ruler's hand jerked in a swift motion and Jet found herself stumble forward. When she finally caught herself a cold hand found her chin. Her face met with Ruler's and their eyes locked. No matter how much she tried to fight it, those gold eyes of his kept her in place.

Jet chided at herself. She was weak. Utterly and hopelessly weak. A strong woman could have broken her eyes away from his but her…she was just a kid.

The man before her stared straight into her…it was unnerving. Jet had a hard time breathing. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest and her mind raced with so many thoughts they were incoherent. He only made it worse by chuckling.

"You're terrified. I wonder how many times that's run through your head. Do you realize now what you've done?" His thumb strokes against her cheek and she flinches. Again the man chuckles and leans in closer. Jet's eyes widened. He was so close…

"What's wrong? I'm not going to hurt you…much." Finally Jet closed her eyes and forced her face away from Ruler. One last chuckle escapes his throat as his hand slowly slides off her face. The feeling was enticing to her…she wanted more. Her eyes tightened in frustration. She was not supposed to feel that. Never, not once. Especially from him.

His metal shoes clinked against the stone floor as he walks away from her. The wooden door closes behind him leaving Jet alone. There was a clenching in her chest and she tried to fight it off. It was too much. Jet crumbled to her knees and sobbed into her hands.

Everything that she worked for was for nothing. Every cut, scar, bruise…all for nothing. And now she was in the hands of the person she was trying so hard to go against. Jet did everything she could to stay under radar. How stupid of her…how stupid, how stupid, how stupid.

For the next few hours, her sobs softly echoed through the chamber.