Chapter Twenty-Eight: Remnant's Warning

Yazoo hid in a shadowed corner, following Verian's path very closely and moving without so much as a whisper of leather. Verian was oblivious to his follower, and continued onward.

After a while, Yazoo began to tire of the ridiculously easy chase. Verian was pacing circles around the Seventh Heaven, shaking his head and sighing every so often. It was frightfully boring. Yazoo could follow the footsteps with his eyes closed; Verian wasn't even trying to be silent.

Sighing, he decided the game had gone on long enough, and he drew his gun-blade, letting the weak breath of metal against its sheathe ring unhindered. "If you're hoping to get a glimpse of her husband, you are looking in the wrong place," Yazoo taunted.

Verian turned, alarmed. "Who's there?" he demanded. "Show yourself!"

Yazoo smiled, enjoying the twist on the otherwise uneventful venture. "I don't mean you any harm," he said. "Yet, anyway."

Verian was taken aback by the stranger's audacity, but not to the point where he would not seek out the silver man's eyes with a scowl. "What are you doing here? The Seventh Heaven is closed."

"Yes," Yazoo agreed. "Yes, it is. Then what might you be doing here?"

Verian frowned.

Yazoo continued. "Not that you need to know, but I am simply following orders. It's nothing personal, really."

"What do you mean by 'orders'?"

Yazoo grinned. "It is really very simple, you see. I was given an errand, and I wisely chose to complete it."

"I know what an order is!" Verian hissed, not at all amused by Yazoo's dry humor. "Who sent you? What concern am I to you?"

"You are associating yourself with Aralyn, and therefore, you are every bit my concern."

"I have the right to pursue whom I will."

"The right, perhaps. However, your doing so displays a great lack of both intelligence and morality."

"Who sent you?" Verian demanded again.

Yazoo waited for several long moments, but then decided to give him an answer. "You know him…or have at least heard of him…as the man to which Aralyn is married."

To Yazoo's great amusement, Verian's eyes widened dramatically and he stumbled. The shock quickly turned to rage. "Give me a name."

"It would be unwise to give such information so freely. He wishes to remain in the shadows, and so I obey."

"Give me a name!" Verian cried, drawing a short knife and pointing it at his opponent, who only smiled.

"I was told to avoid unnecessary casualties, but know this, Verian: should you continue to seek Aralyn out, I will have no choice but to intervene."

"She and I are bound by laws that one such as you cannot comprehend. I will not relent until she is mine!"

"I have warned you," Yazoo said calmly, oblivious to the outburst. "You make it seem as if you care for Aralyn's safety, but I see through you. Even if it is your not your own best interests you are looking after, heed my advice: leave her to her fate."

Verian lunged, but his knife severed only thin air. Yazoo was gone.