This chapter is super long lol. I didn't feel it should be separated.
She jerked away as she heard the laughter of the four teens from outside the room and couldn't bring herself to look back. Her cheeks were scarlet and she was staring at Eragon, waiting for him to explain it away. But his eyes were caught between gazing at her and glaring at the four kids. She heard a door open and Elva strutted in, her hands on her hips.
"What did I say, Arya?"
She caught Eragon's startled glance at her and putting up her mask she ignored it. She smirked at the girl.
"I can't quite remember to be honest. Something about him being worth the gamble?"
Arya knew she'd said nothing like that but her suggestive tone and use of the word gamble definitely got a reaction from the teen. Her eyes narrowed and she looked at both Eragon and Arya shrewdly before shrugging and tossing her stuff on a nearby table. She didn't know Eragon had swam up next to her until he spoke just next to her, causing her to startle slightly.
"What is she talking about?"
Giving her best ignorant look she shook her head.
"Don't really know."
She could tell he didn't believe her but he was interrupted in his next question as Jason did a cannon-ball into the pool. Jonathan was next, followed by Bethany. Elva tossed a pool ball to them and after giving Arya another curious look, she dropped into the water as well. Jonathan was grinning excitedly at Eragon and Arya had to wonder at the reason. Her thoughts were distracted as Eragon threw up his hands, calling for a pass. Jason wetted it and chucked the ball across the pool which Eragon caught with ease. He grinned and looked at her.
"Guys vs. girls?"
Her competitive side kicked in and she made herself get into the moment. She nodded.
"Sure."
Bethany laughed and both groups separated to either side of the pool. She crossed her arms.
"What's the game?"
Eragon narrowed his eyes at her mischievously.
"How about Ultimate Frisbee, just with a ball?"
The boys whooped and she shrugged.
"Why not? You throw it off to us."
He chuckled.
"Fine."
Eragon tossed the ball in the air, catching it again and looking at all three of his opponents before lobbing it their direction. Immediately Elva snatched it and Arya and Bethany went into action. She swam to the left, noting the fact that Eragon was coming her direction. Before he got there, Elva flung the ball to her and she caught it, diving under Eragon's outstretched arm and coming up behind him. Elva was closest to their goal but Jonathan was covering her like glue. Bethany was being guarded by Jason but she managed to spin around him and Arya passed it off before swimming towards the end. She could feel Eragon following and hoped Bethany was a good throw because she'd only have a couple seconds before the window of opportunity was closed.
To her surprise, the girl aimed a perfect shot to her and Arya grabbed it, touching the wall. Eragon laughed and looked at his teammates.
"We need to step up our game guys."
Arya grinned, appreciative of the fact that both Bethany and Elva were athletic because it put them on a more even playing field with the boys. Ten minutes later the score was four to three in the boys favor and Arya was making a be-line for her goal, Eragon just next to her. She pulled up suddenly and was open for the moment. Seeing it, Bethany pitched the ball to her and before anyone could react, was lunging towards the goal and reaching her hands up for the return pass. Arya pitched it into her hands and it tied the score. She grinned at Eragon's annoyed face and made her way back to her side.
"Next point wins?"
The boys nodded and readied themselves. Arya looked at Bethany and Elva.
"Do whatever you can to get them off their game. Men are so susceptible."
Both girls chuckled and nodded. With that, they tossed the ball to the other side and she noted that Eragon allowed Jason to get it, instead shooting straight towards her. A grin split her face as she realized he was going to try and use brute strength to win this. Big mistake. As he reached her, boxing her out with his body, she fluttered her fingertips down his side. She watched in amusement as he tensed and sucked in a breath. While he was distracted, she dove under the water and past him, grabbing his legs and yanking, causing him to go under. Just then the ball hit the surface next to her and she took it, looking up to find Elva and Bethany guarded heavily.
But just then Elva turned, kissing Jonathan, and Arya watched as his eyes widened in shock. While he was still somewhat dazed, Elva lunged towards the finish and Arya threw, watching as she scored and won them the game.
Bethany threw her hands up in victory and giggled as Jason picked her up, spinning her around. It wasn't until then that she remembered Eragon behind her. But it was too late and she felt his hands span her bare waist, scorching her skin and making her heart stutter. His lips were at her ear, his chest to her back, when he spoke.
"That was cheap, Arya."
She shivered at his touch and voice, having a hard time acting nonchalant. She nodded, closing her eyes so that she could compose herself.
"That was the point."
He trailed his nails up and down her ribs, the water hiding the movement from the others who were still distracted.
"It wasn't very nice."
She grinned, her eyes opening and her head turning slightly.
"You seemed to enjoy it."
He chuckled softly against her skin.
"That's not the point."
She found her mind fighting all her other senses and surprisingly, it was losing. This was wildly inappropriate for them to be doing right now, but his touch was captivating. She leaned her head back onto his shoulder and smiled, allowing the moment to take her.
"We had to win and we established no rules."
His hand squeezed her side and suddenly the trance they were in was broken as she jolted away, laughing. He looked at her with raised brows before a huge smile encompassed his face.
"Holy crap, you're ticklish!"
She shook her head, backing away from him slowly.
"Not at all."
He nodded, inching forward with the sneakiest of smiles.
"Yes you are. And I will definitely keep that in mind."
She narrowed her eyes.
"I don't think that's wise."
A rise and fall of his well built shoulders was his response and she continued to distance herself. And then the world around them exploded, glass pelting them and dropping into the water. The sound was deafening and she instinctively went under the water, swimming towards the direction it came from and pressing herself against the wall so she was out of sight to anybody walking in. When she was able to see clearly again, she noted Eragon had blood streaming down his face and into the pool. And he was floating lifelessly in the water. The horror that clawed its way through body was almost crippling and she fought herself to stay in place. She couldn't help him if she got killed as well.
And she would help him. He wasn't dead. She repeated that to herself as she listened to the scrape of feet over shattered windows and concrete. A voice rang out that she didn't recognize. Probably one of Galbatorix's lieutenants. She heard crying from across the pool and glanced through the smoke to find Bethany curled around Jason. What had they done. . . . . . It was her and Eragon's fault that they would be hurt.
"Holly!"
The voice was deep and menacing and Arya frowned, not knowing who he could possibly be speaking of. It wasn't one of the aliases she'd ever used. Maybe it was one of his men? Shock flitted through her when she heard Elva's voice ring out across the pool.
"I'm here. Leave the rest be."
The girl's voice had a hard edge to it but Arya could detect the fear. A laugh echoed through the room.
"Ah, my dear. You're the only one I need. The others though, I might give to my trigger happy friends. They haven't killed anyone in weeks."
The girl's response was chilling.
"Do what you must."
A dark chuckle.
"Goodness you are a heartless one. I might have use for you yet that doesn't involve a tragically painful death."
Arya watched the teen exit the pool and walk slowly past until she was out of sight. There were shouts as the group exited the room. A last command sent her into a sweat.
"Kill them. We can't have witnesses."
Agreement sounded and she waited as long as she could before lunging out of the pool and surprising the two men left. All they could muster was a kick to her shoulder before she was on them, stripping them of their weapons and putting five bullets in their bodies. As soon as she was positive they were dead, she dove back into the pool and dragged Eragon's body out of the water. Panic was all that she felt as she compressed his chest and gave him CPR. She'd never felt a fear like this and it was almost impossible to move as she waited for any sign of life. Finally, he spit water out of his lungs and gasped, seemingly dazed until he found her face.
Worry filled his eyes and he touched her cheek, obviously not remembering why she'd gotten all scraped up. It hit him moments later and he jolted upright.
"What happened?!"
She pulled him to his feet.
"They took Elva. We need to go after her as soon as we make sure those three are ok."
She turned back to the pool and her heart dropped as she saw Bethany and Jason leaning over the limp body of Jonathan. Eragon rushed to his side and felt for a pulse before standing up and gripping his head roughly and giving her a hopeless look. She closed her eyes, taking in the news that somebody so young had just lost their life. She saw the cause of his death and winced, a shard of glass at least an inch wide protruding from his chest. Sirens sounded and Eragon gripped her arm, his eyes serious. They had to get out of there before the cops came or Elva was toast. Although, her parting words had made Arya question whether they should save her at all. Ignoring that dark thought she looked one last time at the dead teen and his weeping friends before slipping on her overclothes, sprinting out the shattered glass, and following the retreating enemy.
She justified saving Elva by the fact that Jonathan's death should be avenged in the capture of the men responsible. Eragon was just behind her, face set in a deep frown and eyes searching their surroundings for trouble. People in the lobby, although few because of the late hour, were cowering behind chairs and tables. The manager was on the phone behind his customer service desk, talking rapidly while trying to calm down those around him. She and Eragon ignored them, sprinting outside to hear the squealing of tires. She watched as an SUV raced out of the parking lot. She swore, looking helplessly at Eragon as they had both left their keys in the room. They were at a loss of what to do when four matte black BMW M5s screeched to a stop around them. Arya's eyes widened as one of the windows rolled down and she recognized the man inside. His long blue hair gave him away immediately. She halted.
"Blödhgarm?" The man nodded and without asking for an explanation she whirled around to another car and yanked open the driver door. "Move over."
The agent complied without question and Eragon took her lead, taking over another of the BMWs. They sped out of the lot after the SUV and immediately began gaining on it. Her veins were flooded with relief and anger as she came up the the enemy vehicle's rear, bumping it slightly in warning. Of course they didn't stop. Idiots. Eragon drove up around them and pinned it to the right lane, continually tapping the SUVs side to keep them conscious of his position. Her friend from DuWeld sped around in front and the last BMW lined up on the other side so they were successfully surrounding the vehicle. Knowing there was no way to escape, the SUV slowed to a stop and the agent beside her handed her an extra firearm.
She opened her door and crouched behind it for cover, waiting for any action from the men inside the boxed in vehicle. A round of machine gun fire made her lower her head and wait it out while shouting from her own people ensued. When the gun stopped its useless barrage, she looked up to find Eragon's weapon, along with four other agent's, pointed at the car. Windows rolled open and hands were stuck out in surrender, causing the DuWeld agents to cautiously approach, weapons still at the ready. Arya watched while doors were flung open and burly men were dragged out by the scruffs of their collars and shoved into the ground. Her men held them there as she moved forward, arriving at the trunk just as Eragon did.
Without a word to him she popped it open and stood to the side, just in case there was a surprise waiting for them. All they found was the gagged and tied form of the teen, eyes wide with worry. But when she recognized Arya they went blank. Eragon cut her bonds and yanked the cloth from her mouth, allowing her to jump down to the ground herself. Looking coldly at the girl she spoke.
"Follow me."
She still couldn't believe the nonchalant attitude Elva had toward what was happening and just as they reached Arya's BMW, the girl chuckled.
"Didn't I know it. You two are cops."
Very bad move. Rage filtered violently through Arya's veins and she whirled on the teen, gripping her shirt and slamming her into the car with enough force to knock the wind out of her. Elva yelped and her violet irises were wiped of their passivity. Arya's were as well, taken over by fury.
"Don't you dare act like this meant nothing! Like you just knew everything that would happen! I bet you didn't think your friend would die! Am I right? Because he's lying in that pool still with a piece of glass jammed into his heart and his blood tinting the water! Your fucking carelessness is the reason for that!" All during her rant, Elva's pretty face had drained of all color and her eyes were wide with horror. But Arya didn't stop there, she let out everything. "Did you know that he was basically in love with you? That if given the chance to save you even if it meant his own death, he would've done it happily?! Well guess what, I think that's pretty much how it played out!" She felt familiar hands grip her shoulders and she shrugged them off, continuing. "Did you ever once think that their might be consequences that didn't just involve you? Stupid, selfish child."
Again a hand gripped her.
"Arya, stop it. I think she's gets it."
Glancing at the teen's face, she saw agonized tears flowing freely from her eyes. A sadistic sense of justice filled her and she instead turned on the man behind her, her anger doubled by his presence. She shoved him back forcefully.
"Don't you dare say anything, Eragon! This is just as much your fault!"
His eyes narrowed and he moved closer.
"What the hell do you mean this was my fault?"
Everything was hitting Arya so hard and she was having a troubled time getting control. The shame she felt for allowing this all to happen was overwhelming in the worst way imaginable. A kid with the rest of his life ahead of him was dead, gone, completely eradicated from life, because of her oversight. She shoved Eragon again and spoke, repeating his words back to him from the days before.
"'We're on vacation, can't we take a break for a bit? Arya, just leave it be, nothing bad will come of some innocent gambling. Stop fretting over something that's not our business.' And what now, Eragon? A kid is dead because we ignored what was right in front of us! And I allowed it! I just let it go because you said so!"
She tried to push him again but he caught her arms. In retaliation, she broke his hold and kicked at his legs, knocking him to the ground. Without waiting to see if she'd even hurt him, she made her way to an empty BMW and shut herself in, starting the engine and spinning the car back the way they'd come. When she arrived on the scene, she noted two fire trucks, four ambulances and over ten police cruisers. Tape was being put up and she pulled right next to one, ignoring the officer who tried to stop her from entering with an elbow to his side. He doubled over and another ran for her. She dodged him, snaking her way inside and jogging to the pool area. Two sets of hands restrained her suddenly but she fought them off, catching sight of a familiar face. She shouted to him and his eyes widened in recognition before he waved off the cops behind her. It was the officer who had pulled her and Eragon over.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
She looked over to the paramedics kneeling above Jonathan's body.
"I was staying here."
His expression became angry.
"And you let this happen!? My lord that boy is basically a child!"
She felt her heart clench and she couldn't tear her eyes from Jonathan.
"I know he was." He voice was a whisper, barely heard over the sirens and commands. "He was a wonderful kid, too." She didn't make any motion to defend herself. "My partner and I got the guys who did this. They're being transferred to the station as we speak and will be left there."
The man seemed to realize that she knew the victim and his eyes softened slightly.
"Who was he to you?"
Arya shrugged, finally pulling her gaze away.
"I didn't know him very well. We met all these kids up here and they were wonderful. So full of life. We were actually with them when this happened. He was the only one hit just right by the glass."
The officer took in her wet clothes that were splotched with blood in the places the windows had cut her. He looked to a paramedic.
"She needs these wounds addressed."
Arya shook her head, backing away from the oncoming help.
"I'm fine." One tried to stop her but she brought him to the ground with a counter-throw. "I said I'm fine!"
The officer frowned as she turned to leave.
"We need your statement, ma'am."
She didn't look back as she responded.
"I'll give you everything you need by tomorrow."
With that, she walked to the stairs and took them two at a time, heading for her room and walking in. She opened her suitcase and changed out of her swimsuit and wet clothes into jeans and a t-shirt. Almost immediately her blood colored the cloth and she swore, noticing that she had no jacket to speak of. She opened the connecting doors and went to Eragon's, finding his black jacket and sliding it over her shirt. It would hide the blood. She walked stiffly back into her own room and glanced at her helmet before deciding against it. Instead she grabbed her Ray Bans and keys, running back down the steps. She took the side entrance and made her way to her bike, sliding on and starting the engine.
Arya pulled her hair into a messy bun and jammed the sunglasses onto her head before wrenching the throttled and burning a path out of the parking lot. She almost hit one of the black BMWs pulling in and realized just as she passed it that it was Eragon. His eyes were worried more than angry, and that just fueled her own annoyance. She didn't stop, only sped out and down the road, away from him.
She'd gone about thirty minutes, flying past cars and other bikers, not stopping for stop signs or even a red light. Several close calls were the result and she was happy for every one of them. No helmet for protection if she crashed. Maybe it's what she deserved. To die, that is. She was musing over everything that had happened the past several days and each moment became clearer in her head. She'd been unfair with Eragon, yes. But not completely. It was her fault more than his own. She'd allowed her feelings for him sway her decision making. He'd clouded her better judgement because she'd wanted to just let herself go for once. And now a boy was dead. Angela had even asked her if she wanted her to dig into the men in the suits because nothing had come up on their names.
That was the kicker. One small search and they would've been able to figure out exactly who Elva had won against. By the violence of the men, she guessed it was an arms dealer of sorts who'd happened to be in town on vacation with a call girl or possibly a business deal. She could've stopped it all by a single fucking search. A shake of her head cleared the thoughts and she glared angrily at the road ahead as if it was an opponent she had to devour. She shifted to sixth gear and opened up, the wind crashing into her as if fighting her for every step. She relished the battle, leaning lower to the bike and letting out a shaky breath. She would forget it all, if only for the length of this ride.
-E-R-A-G-O-N-
He watched as she blew up at the teen and part of him believed Elva deserved it. She had been the reason all of this happened. But, as the girl began openly weeping, he found that Arya was almost going too far. Making his way over he gripped her arms to try and calm her down. But she shrugged him off and continued berating Elva. He frowned. That was enough.
"Arya, stop it. I think she gets it."
He was taken completely off guard when she turned on him as well, actually shoving him backwards. It was her words that affected him the most though, and he couldn't quite comprehend what she was saying.
"What the hell do you mean this was my fault?!"
And then, as she answered his question, he suddenly wished he wouldn't have asked. Holy shit. He'd . . . no. . . . what had he done? By the third time she tried to shove him, he'd stopped her. It was making it all so hard to process. In her anger she took him down, wiping him out on the pavement without regret. And he laid there in utter shock as she'd walked away from him, too paralyzed by the thought of what he'd helped cause. How could he . . . no thoughts would complete themselves and he finally pushed himself up, standing and ignoring the startled looks from the DuWeld agents as he climbed into another of the BMWs.
He needed to talk to her and figure this out because part of his brain wouldn't accept the fact that he was the reason a kid was dead. But, as he pulled into the parking lot, she was already leaving and he couldn't bring himself to follow as the sudden fear of knowing anything for certain weighed itself on his mind. Instead, he sat in the parking lot and watched the commotion happening inside and around the building. Looking to the left, he found two familiar faces being loaded slowly into an ambulance. Their faces were completely still and petrified, the look of somebody in shock.
Everything that he'd been trying to ignore for the past twenty minutes came roaring clearly at him then. He'd caused a boy to lose his life. He'd caused these two people to live through a tragedy that they would never truly get over. He'd done so many things wrong and part of him thought there was no way he could ever recover from it all. He'd been such a fool.
-R-O-R-A-N-
He frowned at the screen, trying to zoom in on the face before him. They'd acquired footage from a convenience store that day from a possible match for his target. But, as the woman turned, he noted with displeasure that it couldn't be her. She wasn't striking enough. And as much as he hated the green-eyed lady who'd most likely been the cause on not just Eragon's, but also Garrow's death, he couldn't argue the fact that she wasn't extraordinarily beautiful. He sighed in frustration and leaned forward on his desk when a shout went up across the room.
"Roran I might've gotten something."
He looked to find another agent, Wagner, assigned to the case waving him over. As he sat down in an empty chair by the desk, he saw a picture of a pool with six people in it. And there, looking to be enjoying herself, was his target. His blood boiled at the fact that she could possibly be happy. He glanced at the other faces, surprised to see that they were teenagers, probably around the age of seventeen or eighteen. And then there was another figure, but his face was blurred as if there was water on the camera. He looked back to the woman just as the agent moved his mouse to the corner, showing him it was a video.
"This happened four days ago down in Colorado. The report says that an arms dealer by the name of Roman Farr blew up the window and came in for the girl right there, Elva Lores." Roran glanced at the teen again and frowned. He would've expected the men to be after his target. The agent continued. "They took her out and a kid, Jonathan Blake, was killed almost instantly by a shard to the chest from the explosion." Roran winced. So young. . . He nodded.
"What happened after that?"
Motioning to the screen, the agent shrugged.
"Check this."
Roran watched intently as glass suddenly burst inwards and across the pool, smoke filling the room and momentarily shielding the people from view. He peered through and saw that his target had hidden herself expertly against the wall, while the blurred figure was floating in the water. Everything played out quickly and he saw mouths moving but no sound, making him wish that the hotel hadn't been so cheap as to install only picture security. To his surprise, as soon as the men were gone, leaving two, he saw the woman fling herself out of the pool and quickly dispatch of them. After, she immediately dove for the unconscious man, and to Roran's annoyance, he still couldn't see his face. Now it was blocked by her hair as she laid him out and preformed CPR.
He saw them both stand and something familiar irked him, yet now, the man's face was just completely blurred. So it wasn't an accident he was being hidden from sight. Interesting. He watched in curiosity and surprise as he saw a pained expression cross her target's face while the mystery man went to try and save the kid. It surprised him for some reason that she had any feelings at all. The two sprinted out after dressing in their clothes and the anger returned. So they couldn't even stay to help the people remaining. She was as much of a monster as he thought. The video ended and he tapped his fingers against the arm of his chair.
"So we need to figure out what the hell happened after that."
Wagner pulled up a report.
"You'll definitely want to see this."
ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2013 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:37 PM, I, OFFICER DEHER#455 RESPONDED TO A 213 AND FOUND JONATHAN BLAKE, 19, DOA, WHILE JASON TEKKER,18, AND BETHANY KELLER,18, WERE IN A STATE OF SHOCK. AS OF NOW, BOTH TEENS ARE BACK IN THEIR HOME STATE OF OKLAHOMA AND BOTH SEEM TO HAVE SUFFERED AMNESIA FROM WITNESSING SUCH A TRAUMATIC EVENT. I WAS NOT INFORMED OF ANYTHING SPECIFIC UNTIL THE RETURN OF SECRET SERVICE AGENT ARYA KENT TO THE SCENE. SHE DIDN'T SAY MUCH, ONLY STATED THAT THEY HAD BEEN GOOD KIDS, AND SHE SAID SHE HAD BEEN IN THE POOL WITH THEM WHEN THE EXPLOSION OCCURRED. SHE ALSO EXPLAINED THAT SHE AND HER PARTNER, , HAD BEEN STAYING AT THE HOTEL. WE RECEIVED NO FUTHER INFORMATION FROM HER THAT DAY BECAUSE SHE DISAPPEARED ON THE PROMISE OF HER STATEMENT AND FURTHER EVIDENCE. THE NEXT DAY, A VIDEO FEED THAT HAD BEEN MYSTERIOUSLY WIPED FROM HOTEL RECORDS WAS SENT TO THE STATION, ALONG WITH HER REPORT OF WHAT HAPPENED. AS RECEIVED, THIS IS HER EXPLANATION. "ROMAN FARR, WEAPONS DEALER, WAS STAYING IN BOULDER FOR WHAT I ASSUME WAS VACATION, FOR NO FURTHER INFORMATION OF ANY DEALINGS WAS AVAILABLE. FROM WHAT I CAN TELL, HE WANTED THE YOUNG GIRL, ELVA LORES. HIS REASONS I DO NOT KNOW. AFTER THE EXPLOSION, I HID MYSELF AGAINST THE WALL AND WAITED FOR AN OPPORTUNE MOMENT TO MAKE MY MOVE, FINDING IT AS SOON AS THE MAJORITY OF THE DEALER'S MEN LEFT. IT WAS AT THIS POINT THAT I TOOK THEM DOWN, USING THEIR OWN WEAPONS AND FIRING SEVERAL SHOTS IN AN EFFORT TO MAKE IT SOUND AS IF THEY'D FULFILLED THEIR DUTY AND KILLED THE WITNESSES. I REVIVED MY PARTNER AND WE INSTIGATED A PURSUIT OF THE FLEEING VEHICLE. EVENTUALLY WE WERE ABLE TO BRING THEM TO A STOP, BUT WE FOUND THAT THE GIRL WAS NOT INSIDE. IT IS MY ASSUMPTION THAT SHE WAS TAKEN IN A DIFFERENT VEHICLE TO LEAD ANY POSSIBLE WITNESSES ASTRAY. I CANNOT KNOW FOR SURE. THAT IS WHEN I RETURNED TO THE SCENE TO SEE IF I COULD BE OF ANY HELP. I NOW GIVE THIS TO THE CAPABLE HANDS OF THE BOULDER POLICE DEPARTMENT." AFTER READING THIS REPORT, WE HAVE BEEN CONSTANTLY SEARCHING FOR THE YOUNG GIRL, ELVA LORES, AGE UNKNOWN, YET WE'VE HAD NO SUCH LUCK IN LOCATING HER. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT AFTER LEARNING OF THE ARREST OF THEIR BOSS, HER CAPTORS MAY HAVE SEEN HER AS A LIABILITY AND DEALT WITH HER AS SUCH.
Roran stared in shock at the report. His target was Secret Service? She was on his side? Confusion flooded him and he re-read the report, growling at the fact that her partner's first name had been black out. Whoever this guy was, he needed to find out. Roran gripped Wagner's shoulder.
"Look for anything else on this Arya and her partner."
The agent nodded and searched further police reports, finding that they'd been pulled over four days before the explosion happened. Clicking on the file, Wagner found two recordings and a clip from the cruiser cam. He clicked the video and Roran swore as he saw that Arya's partner's face was blocked again. Why block his face and not hers? What was the reason for it? They learned nothing but he saw amusement in Arya's expression as the officer was busy doing something in his car. A pang of sadness flashed through him as he recognized the type of motorcycles the agents had. Triumphs. Eragon's favorite kind of bike. He forced himself to forget about it as Wagner switched to the first recording: "Are you kidding me, sir! You're saying we just let them go?" . . . . "My hands are tied here, Tommy, I have explicit instructions that they are to be let alone." . . . . "But, chief, they're going to end up killing somebody or themselves on these motorcycles." . . . . "I'm sorry, Deher, let them go." . . . "Fine! But I'm bringing a recorder out here and if they do anything that I could consider a criminal offense, I'm bringing them in!"
The call ended and Wagner brought up the last recording: "You disgust me. You can't even follow the laws put in place by the type of people you protect." The man who was always hidden responded, his voice somewhat garbled. "There is literally nobody on this road right now that would get hurt by our driving but us. And we know what we're doing. Have a nice day."
That was it. Aggravation and confusion filled him as he looked at Wagner.
"Who the hell are these people?"
The man beside him shrugged.
"Not a clue, but since those two are Secret Service, I doubt we'll be getting anything else on them."
Suddenly a voice behind them spoke, causing both men to startle.
"I don't think they're SS."
Roran looked back to find Katrina pondering away, her brow furrowed adorably. He forced himself to focus.
"Why is that?"
He didn't even bother wondering how she got behind them without either realizing it. The woman was brilliant at her job.
"Because there's such a false sense to it. I don't know why, but nothing adds up. I think this Arya woman knows a lot more than she shared. Why would Roman Farr, a big man in the crime world, go after a teenager? Why wasn't she in the car when Arya and her partner pulled them over? This seems like a cover up. I believe special agent Arya Kent and her partner are responsible for this."
He grinned at her.
"You up for a little road trip to Oklahoma? I think Bethany and Jason know more than they're telling as well."
-S-A-P-H-R-A-
Her fingers flew across the keys as she hacked easily into the hotel's security footage, collecting it all before wiping the storage device clean of any trace. She'd been informed moments after the situation had occurred via call, and it had taken her less than ten minutes to be driving to the airport for a chopper to pick her up. The flight had been quick, and they'd given her a laptop so she could interfere with any efforts to locate information people shouldn't have until she was able to get rid of it. Now, she was searching the police reports, finding a traffic stop for speeding and erasing any damning evidence that Eragon was indeed alive. This was too big a news story for them to leave open for speculation, because word of this event would reach far and wide, and too many people knew Eragon in the law enforcement world.
She'd even learned that the DuWeld agents, apparently put in the area by Islanzadi Drottingu herself, had made any officers or people who knew sign an agreement not to reveal Eragon's name at any cost under penalty of life in prison, using the excuse that it was a threat to national security. It was a bit much, yes, but necessary all the same. She looked to the woman sitting beside her, going about her own task to cover up all loose ends. Saphira's heart went out to the boy who'd died and to his friends, hoping that they would be able to get over such a terrible tragedy. The last thing she did was prepare Arya's statement to the cops, having been told by an Agent named Blödhgarm that it was needed. In it she purposefully sounded official, keeping Eragon's name under wraps and revealing nothing. She also sent a clip from the hotel security footage after editing. There, her job was done for now. Glancing at the woman beside her she frowned.
"Where are Eragon and Arya now?"
The techie looked over.
"On a plane back here."
Worry filled her as she knew they would be taking this hard. In truth, she had no idea just how much.
-E-R-A-G-O-N-
He stared at the back of her seat as the calming sound of the plane engines reached his ears. It did nothing to heal his heart or make him forget his failings. She'd been right and it killed him to know what he'd caused because he'd been so focused on just spending time with her. Jonathan's vacant eyes plagued his mind and he closed his own, trying to force the image away. How could he have been so stupid!? The sound of movement caught his attention and he opened his eyes to find Arya walking back towards him. Hope filled him but one look in her eyes crushed it. They were so blank, more so than he'd seen since he'd met her. There was no emotion even visible and he found that he obviously didn't know her as well as he'd come to believe. She stopped in front of him.
"I need to say something to you." He tried to apologize but she cut him off with a look. "I was wrong to accuse you earlier, Eragon. It was not your fault but my own."
He frowned.
"No. I was the one who suggested over and over that we back off. It was me."
She nodded.
"But I was the one who listened."
That struck him hard. She was basically saying that he had been wrong, but she took all the blame on herself by listening to him. It was so much worse than what he'd believed before. Because now, not only was he wrong, but she believed she could not trust his judgment, that she was unwise for doing as he proposed. He felt his throat burn and he barely was able to speak her name.
"Arya. . . ."
This was so different from earlier, when he'd said her name and she'd responded so openly. Now, her eyes hardened.
"Stop, Eragon. We were both confused and distracted by each other and that was the reason I failed. I am not usually one to give in to emotions but I did, allowing myself to be tainted by my own selfish desires. We can't afford such affections in our job and it has never been more clear to me than now, to see what can happen when we falter." His heart was shattering with every word she spoke and he looked away, feeling his eyes water slightly. It took him by surprise when he felt her fingertips on his cheek. Looking back, he found that her wall was gone and he could see everything she was feeling. The shame, the pain, the sadness, what she felt for him, and he saw a goodbye so blatant that it struck him numb. Her voice was soft as she spoke.
"I am sorry, Eragon."
With that, she turned away and walked back to her seat. He stood, not wanting to break down in plain view of her. As he locked himself in the bathroom, he dropped pitifully to the floor and leaned against the wall, tears falling softly now. He'd just lost the one thing that was more important to him than anything. He'd gotten a nineteen year old killed because he was selfish and had wanted to be alone with her for the time they had. It was the most painful realization he'd ever encountered and he almost couldn't breath as he held his head tightly in his hands. What had he done?
When the plane landed, he'd pulled himself together enough to not look like a wallowing mess when he exited. By the time he walked out, Arya was already almost inside the building and he wasn't about to chase after her. No. He'd come to the conclusion that she was right, even though it felt so wrong. They couldn't have a relationship with their job. It was too distracting. Part of his brain laughed at him. She would be distracting either way, even if she wasn't with him. Still, it was easier to accept her reality than to try and decipher it. He'd just gotten into the building when he was met with the same blue-haired agent he'd had a single interaction with back in Colorado. The man nodded towards a waiting car and he headed for it, not even questioning. He got in and for a moment, believed Arya to be next to him, looking out the window. That is, until the woman turned her head and he found her mother staring at him cooly. Her eyes searching.
His eyebrows raised in surprise but before he could question her, she spoke.
"You two have made quite a mess of things, Eragon."
He nodded, not making any excuses.
"I know."
The woman pursed her lips.
"You're too emotion driven." He wondered at her reason for speaking to him about this, but kept quiet. "You'd benefit from more rigorous training in my opinion."
He shrugged.
"I don't know. Maybe I'm just not cold enough for this job."
A small smile played at Islanzadi's lips.
"Oh that can be taught, Eragon. With ease."
He looked over with curiosity.
"How so?"
She glanced away.
"Come to DuWeld. I think it's time you received proper instruction from the man who taught us all."
He almost didn't question his answer as it left his lips. He couldn't stay at the Varden and deal with being so close to Arya every day. It would most definitely kill him.
"I'm in."
So. . . . I kind of warned you. I said 5 for ExA. And no, it's not five chapters, don't worry. Still, 5 nonetheless. But they can't be together so easily. Not yet. I know you all want me to die a painful death right now because I teased you with them getting together and then ruined it, but if you can just hold out a bit longer I promise it'll be worth it. Just so you all know, the chapter where they do finally give in is already written and has been for several months. But it's a process and I had to find a good way to lead in. So, now that I've said that, you will get to decide how I progress. Do you want me to spend several chapters on how they deal being apart? Or do you want it to be one chapter of flashbacks and then they meet up again. The second will get you to the ExA sooner, but it might be rushed a bit. Let me know.
Musicman2013: Now I feel really bad. Crap. They did get together and now I've disappointed you because they're kind of not anymore. But I hope this doesn't kill you and make you stop reading because they will get together, just not yet. But yeah, I'm a girl.
Ocadioan: Lol nice guessing especially since you didn't really have much to go on. But alas, no. As for Elva, you might be close to the mark ;D
shannynannon: Lol huh?
IIIMagic: It's all good! And thanks! I'm really glad you identify and feel for them because that is actually my biggest goal when I write. I want to make them come alive for the readers. When you say for once, do you mean other stories on FF or my other stories? Haha because if my other one's seem rushed, I'd like to fix that :D But I'm happy this one is to your liking! I've been trying to avoid any major time skips although, I must warn you, there is one coming. But I'll do flashbacks and the like. I would just write it all out but I think people would murder me if I spent another twenty chapters with Eragon and Arya apart. Thank you so much for this awesome confidence booster! I giggled happily while reading it lol.
Jkap: Thank you! :D Although I really disliked English class because I'm not a fan of being told what to read and write, even if it's interesting lol. Hehe I'm happy it makes your day better! That's an awesome thing to hear as a writer. And heck yes, I think Australian accents are sexy as hell on both guys and girls for different reasons. Like, guys, yeah they're just ten times more attractive with an accent. But I think girls just sound like fricken bad asses when they talk. Like, Yvonne Strahovski. She is gorgeous already and then she talks and I am like, dude, can I please just steal your epicness. Idk, I just love the accent :D But Jamaican accents are definitely up there in my list of favorites.
Rainxoxo: Thank you :) Haha it will be explained in two chapters, but you'll have to see if they're official by then. Maybe, maybe not haha. But it will be rather soon because everyone's waited long enough.
TheLoneVoyager: Hehe, I'm sure you think me sadistic now. But it will get better.
burning book: Lol she will take a slightly more subtle approach I think.
mr rophone: Not quite yet. I wish, but it wasn't the moment for them. It will be soon though. Don't hate me please! Thanks!
Elemental Dragon Slayer: Haha only for them to all get thrown back up. You and only you so sush your face. Well, maybe three people including you know, but still, shhhhh.
TheeRoyalJester: I know, that's why I used it! People think I'm giving them something but I'm not because I'm a terrible human being! Those were pretty good guesses though :P Lol yeah that's true. Especially seeing her estranged daughter with a dude she doesn't know or trust. Oh whatever, no you're not. Although I say that all the time as well. I'm in a club on FB called the Forever Aloners. Exactly. And we'd have permission to use deadly force. Hey, it's the only thing I got. Well, that, and my hair. Probs my best qualities.
Morzan's Elvish Daughter: She's a fun character to write :D
Gazamidori: No you're not. What makes you say that lol? Hahaha wow I'll keep that in mind. And TMI on the belches lmao but hilarious. And no Brom isn't dead. I just haven't found a way to put him back into the story just yet.
lightningwind: She wasn't really the one to destroy them so I sort of didn't. Still, they're apart now but I promise they'll return to each other soon!
A Dark Noon: I don't write many reviews so that doesn't happen to me (or hasn't yet). Lol how will you use Skype to figure it out? I'm curious :D Eh, I'm fine with that amount as well. It's rather enjoyable if done well lmao. Soooo, did I surprise you with this chapter. I thought I might've although I probably startled you into hating my guts for tearing them apart. Yeah it's not updates. I'll reveal it next chapter. I could. . . but that would ruin the surprise of it all. If you desperately need to know, PM me and maybe I'll share. I haven't decided though. I kind of like this ultimate control I have! Mwahahahahaha! Haha Angela is a sneaky one at that. And yes, Islanzadi was and now you know as well.
Flyflyaway: Hehe
Raz'ac Slayer: Thank you!
Walter Peterson: Thanks :D And you'll see next chapter.
Chittart: So I hope you can wait just a bit more cause' they haven't made it quite yet! But they will!
Guest: I hope this chapter didn't like, ruin your day or anything! They'll get completely together soon so there's that. I'm sorry you had a shit day before though and am glad I could make it better in some way :)
Hint: Thank you! Yeah he messed that up royally :) You kind of got it actually, although it's not to get Arya to return.