Welcome back to Albion's New 'Hero' ~ please enjoy the next chapter ~

Disclaimer: I do not own most characters, they belong to Lionhead Studios. Jet and her family do belong to me though.

Chapter 24: Awkward

Silence encased the two pressing down its iron hand on Jet's chest. She had her answer now only turning away from Jack of Blades. Not only did her parents use her but now the man who "saved" her had the same idea. Cold and feeling alone she left the desk and walked past Jack leaving him and his thoughts in their room.

Shade watched as Jet left the mansion a dark empty space in her eyes. He looked to the floor and sat in his own silence. The young man was proud of his sister's intelligence, she would've been great...as would he have.

Being outside felt good, the warm breeze on her skin and the sun shining brilliantly down but her mood had her in far other places. The young woman set off to the gates of Oakvale passing through them without a second thought and secluded herself next to the demon door in Barrow Fields.

Said door watched as the young woman hid herself amongst his rocky crevices. Jet slumped against the stone and grass lost in her thoughts. Mostly she was trying to figure out why she hurt so much. Jack of Blades was just her new master he did nothing for her benefit.

Except maybe save her from death. Her punishment would have come sooner or later for taking up a blade but now everything she was and is now belongs to the immortal. One after the other she couldn't get away from being used as a tool.

Jet hoped her mother was faring well now that no child or man occupied their home. Had the news of her husband's death reached her ears or was she pacing about the house in anticipation? She did not dare to go and look. Who knows what Jack would have planned for her in such a rebellious act…

Prying herself away from self-pity, Jet turned her attention to the rushing river to her left. The water was so pure so clean it brought her to a new place. She felt overwhelmed with a sense of calmness…it was uncanny. Even from her spot, Jet watched the fish dart this way and that both with and against the current. Those that fought against the current eventually gave up and followed their comrades down the river.

Perhaps that was a sign to Jet as she thought to herself. Maybe she should just follow how life is flowing and become the Queen of Blades. Her heart sunk at the thought. In essence, she wouldn't become the Queen of Blades but rather the Queen would overtake her. Jet's mind wandered into dark thoughts of the abyss…would she still be alive, just suppressed? Or would the Queen completely obliterate her soul? The girl leaned her head back against the cool stony wall, a mild frown sketching her lips.

Light footsteps sounded to her right and Jet turned her head to the left avoiding any eye contact with unwanted company. She could feel their essence just feet away as the person stopped to watch her. Minutes pass as the girl kept eye contact away from them.

"Come Jet, night descends." His deep echoic voice ran shivers through her spine. Why? What had she done to deserve this…moments of silence encased them as she sat in contemplation over what to do next. Jet wasn't ready to go home or at least back to his mansion. If anything she wanted to be away from him.

"I will return when I deem it…" her voice soft and tired. Jack caught distance in there too. His eyes narrowed in aggravation that she dared to defy him.

"You are coming with me now." She hesitated at his tone, wondering if she should push her limits.

"What for? So you can sleep with me again? I rea-" his voice made her flinch. It was so angry she nearly regretted talking back.

"You belong to me, you made that choice to come with me." Jack closed the gap between them, leveling himself to her and gripped her chin, "when I give you an order, it is to be followed." A staring contest ensued once again. Jet tying to give her best while Jack glares daggers. In the end Ruler won out as she looked down and away in defeat.

"Come." Jack of Blades took a few steps back and waited for her. Jet rose to her feet and began with her master leading. She couldn't help but look to the ground depressed and humiliated.

Traders stood by watching the two pass by, ladies whispering and starting their gossip. Skorm knows what they would be conjuring for her humiliation. The village transitioned into their surroundings as they head uphill to the mansion. It loomed over Jet making her feel less and less safe with each passing minute.

Dark wood greeted them and Jet went straight for their room. She relaxed on her side, feeling the soft silky sheets and watching her pitch black hair fall in front of her. Jet felt tired and hadn't realized that a full day had passed. In all honesty she did not think that Jack of Blades would have let her stay out of his sight for so long or even her brother. For a second she hoped Jack hadn't done anything to him for her rebellious behavior.

Jack of Blades came in watching Jet twiddle with her hair. Everything about her screamed tired and exhausted. Her shoulders were slumped, back arched, and her arms were lazily stroking black locks.

"Why are you upset?" Jet paused for a moment contemplating herself why she was upset. The answer came shortly.

"I have been nothing but a tool for people my whole life. My dad to start off with and then you come along to 'rescue' me only to find I'll lose myself in the end. There is absolutely nothing to be upset about."

Jack stood there watching her. She absolutely refused to look up at him but the way her body held itself said everything. His gaze turned to the window as he glided across the room. Standing in front of a near set sun, Jack of Blades illuminated his god-like status.

"You are training right now. There is reason for that." Jet glared up at his back.

"So that I don't embarrass your precious Queen?"

"No," he turned to lock her eyes with his, "it is so your body will be strong enough to accept her power." Her eyes kept hard on him trying to figure out whether he was pulling her leg or oddly being truthful.

"You act like I'll still have my own will."

"You will."

"How is that possible? You yourself use your mask to take over bodies." He tsk'd her at her ignorance.

"Listen to my words little jewel. Once you're strong enough, her power will run through your veins and your spirit will conquer hers."

She sat there confused and mildly relieved. Her gaze cast down as silence once again encased them. Cold metal met her warm skin as Jack of Blades lifted her eyes to his. Goosebumps erupted on her skin as his touch was welcomed. His hand dropped once more and turned to the door.

"I will be back. When I get back, I expect you to be at least in bed." She quirked an eyebrow.

"Really? It's hardly late."

"We have training early in the morning." She sighed and that is when he took his leave.

Jet rose from the bed and made her way through the wardrobe changing into a soft long sleeved top and pants, both being pure black. She left the room and entered the washroom just down the hall. Warm water splashed against her face; the feeling relaxed her muscles and eased any tension that built up over the day. Drying off her face, Jet left the washroom and headed back to her bedroom. She turned the corner and stopped mid step.

"Shade? What are you doing here?" The metal clad man sat on Jack's red silk bed staring at the grey stoned wall. When he heard her voice his pale green eyes met hers.

He said nothing but motioned her over to him. A feeling of unease washed her as she took a few steps forward, stopping a few feet from him. He held out a hand to her, obviously to grab onto and for him to pull her close. She gave him a questioning glare.

"Shade, what are you doing here?" The level of creepiness grew so much that Jet took a step back and the pain on his face wrenched her heart. "What's wrong Shade?" In a flash he had closed the gap. One fell swoop and he had her in his arms on the bed.

Jet could hear his heartbeat, rapid, nervous. What was going on with him? A hand found her back as he stroked her and now Jet was thoroughly freaked out. She struggled in his arms but he held tight. The young woman realized that now she had no way to escape. His years of training would keep her in place.

"I missed you Jet…more than you could possibly realize." He stroked her a couple more times. "I want to pro-" that deep melodious voice of Ruler penetrated the room.

"Shade." The man sat up with Jet pressed to his chest in mild fear. "Retire to your room. I will speak to you in the morning." The grip around her waist tightened for a moment until Shade finally let go and left her side. His gaze turned to the side for one last glance at his sister before disappearing.

Jet looked to Jack of Blades for answers.

"Is he…?"

"I have kept him locked up here in the mansion for longer than I should have. I forget that you morals have desires at such a young age and he has not been properly introduced to other women." She sighed.

"Will his infatuation subside after?" Jack of Blades nodded.

"He will naturally deviate from you in search for a better mate." Jet glared at him.

"Don't make us sound like such animals. You in fact fell to such pleasures, have you not?" Jack of Blades locked his eyes with hers and remained silent.

Jet smirked in triumph for a moment before relaxing into bed. Her head hit the pillow and let out a sigh of content. The bed behind her shifted to adjust to her master's weight and an arm found her waist. Ruler's warmth greeted her backside as she was pulled up to him. Tense for a moment, Jet waited until she realized that he was not in the mood for anything tonight. Thankful she closed her eyes and drifted off.