~~ Savannah ~~
In outside looks, the Los Angeles Institute certainly didn't compare to the New York Institute. The New York Institute looked grander and more imposing, like an old gothic cathedral. The Los Angeles Institute in comparison, looked like more of a modern church building, made of wood and stone. Savannah had seen plenty of other more impressive Institutes as well, but perhaps she was just biased.
Her arrival had been late the night before, so she'd only been able to see a glimpse of the inside, before she was shown to her room. Now that a new day had arrived however, she was keen to get to work. Getting dressed into some more comfortable Shadowhunter gear, she slipped on her engagement ring, knowing it would be noticed if she wasn't wearing it. She still hadn't gotten used to the feel of it, the large diamond a little ridiculous and less than practical. She rarely wore it around the Towns or the New York Institute, but in Alicante and other places, she was careful to wear it. Of course, it was important to wear at Los Angeles as the new Heads of the Institute were an engaged couple, soon to be married in a month or so. She and her fiancée had already been invited to the wedding, even if she had only met the couple briefly on a few occasions in Alicante.
Savannah had been keen to slip out and explore the Institute herself, but it was no surprise when her efforts were stopped by Miranda, one of the Institute Heads. Likely, they'd prefer to supervise her as much as possible, to control what she might see and therefore take back to the Clave. While she was tasked with delivering messages to them, so too was she to report back on the Institutes that she visited. "Savannah," Miranda greeted with a slightly unnatural smile. It was only expected that she might be nervous, she supposed, and that only increased her own confidence. "I'm so glad you could spare the time to come and visit. How about I give you a tour of the Institute?"
"That would be great," Savannah replied, inclining her head. "I'm keen to see how things are coming along."
Miranda moved ahead to lead the way, and she followed close behind, glancing in the rooms that they passed which had open doors. "We've only been the Head for just over a few months now, so there's still plenty to fix up," she sighed. "The previous Head hasn't exactly made it easy, considering how many things need to be altered. It's a wonder that he was Head for so long, considering his condition."
"Mmm," she agreed, feigning some sympathy. Things would be easier if she thought Savannah was inclined to go easy on her. "The Clave has seemed to neglect this Institute a little, hasn't it?"
"Definitely. And I mean, well…" Miranda lowered her voice, "It's disgraceful really, everything that has come out. That a Shadowhunter representative to the Seelie would have such relations with the Seelie Queen. It's just not… natural. If only these things had been discovered earlier. Then maybe this whole mess would have been avoided."
"It's certainly been surprising," Savannah remarked, wondering how the Springfeather family was coping now. It was almost a little amusing to hear the obvious disdain in Miranda's voice when she talked of faeries. She could only imagine what she'd think if she knew what Savannah herself had done with a faerie. Still, those thoughts were better left unvoiced. "Especially that he managed to keep it a secret for so long."
"It's no wonder that he was driven mad," Miranda remarked, pointing out the kitchen and dining room as they passed them. "The Seelie would do that to someone." At a sudden thought, she glanced over at her sheepishly. "Oh, that's right, I forgot that you've actually been there. Is it as… difficult as one might imagine?"
Savannah eyed the rooms they passed, avoiding having to meet her gaze. "It is certainly very different. Although I found I was able to communicate with them without too much trouble. It certainly wasn't beyond my abilities."
"Of course, I imagine you would have handled it. You're a talented Shadowhunter, after all."
Savannah hid a subtle amused smile. Her attempt at flattery to get in her good books was noticeable. "Yes well, the Clave wants me other places now, so I am happy to follow their wishes," she said, playing off the fact that she now had a new job.
"Well, I bet you're glad to not have to deal with those faeries anymore. They'd drive me crazy," she laughed, as they passed the main room.
"Oh, you have no idea," Savannah replied with a quick laugh in reply, thinking of her more frustrating dealings with Blake. "Still, I've never found faeries the worst to deal with. But maybe that's just me."
"Well, better you than me." Miranda paused to point out a few things of interest on display, from the history of the Institute, before they moved on.
"I'll be glad to see you at our wedding next month," Miranda said, her expression growing lighter as she thought about it. "Any idea of when yours will be?"
"Oh, we're both busy with our duties," she said, the lies coming easily to her lips, and she gave her a careful smile in reply. "We'll get there when things calm down. I'm looking forward to seeing your wedding, though. It might give us some ideas."
"Oh, I'm sure," Miranda replied, starting to chat away happily on the subject of her own wedding and where it would be held. Savannah only half listened, a little more interested in observing the training and weapons rooms that they stopped at briefly.
Finally, they made their way to the greenhouse – the only place they hadn't yet seen. "The other crazy thing is," Miranda said, lowering her voice, "That the previous Head had a walk-in aviary with birds here. How weird is that? We've removed the birds that remained, and the structure will be taken down in a couple of weeks or so."
Savannah walked over to view it, a little impressed by its sheer size. It looked empty without any birds in it, a lonely structure without any use. It had obviously been well taken care of, looking rather sturdy and clean. "It's certainly different."
"How long do you expect to be staying here?" Miranda asked, looking at her expectantly when Savannah finally glanced back at her.
"It depends how long I need," Savannah replied, not giving a straight answer. "A couple of weeks at least. I'd like to help out a bit and make sure things are running smoothly. I'd like to assist with some Hunts while I'm here too. Plus I have some messages to relay."
"That's kind of you, to stay and help," Miranda said, although Savannah doubted that she wanted the outside supervision.
"I just do what I can," Savannah said with a casual shrug, turning to look at the aviary again, the faint smell of bird seed remaining. She was a little curious, she had to admit, to see the rooms where the Springfeathers used to live, wondering if there was anything of interest left behind. They were certainly a curious family. "I'll just hang around the Institute today, but I'll be sure to ask you if I have any questions."
"Okay well… I'll leave you to it," Miranda replied, hesitating for a moment.
"Thank you for the tour," Savannah added, hoping to speed up her departure. "I know you must be busy with the Institute and the wedding to attend to."
"Yes… I am. But it's no worries at all. You know where to find me," Miranda replied, before Savannah listened to her footsteps as she left.
Savannah ran a finger along the enclosure, growing quiet at her thoughts now that she was undisturbed. It was a good thing that she was away from New York. There were distractions there that her thoughts spent too long lingering on.
Blake's words were still at the back of her mind, his tone easy to replicate. "Respite for the entirety of New York, then. If only for a month," he commented, growing a little sarcastic with his words. "How will you manage, letting us troublesome Downworlders out of your sight?"
She would manage, certainly, although it was better if she cleared her mind of his admission the last time she'd seen him and the strange uncertainty that it provoked. The feeling of surprise still remained, and avoidance for now seemed like the best strategy.
Her fingers went to the ring, twisting it around her finger. It felt annoying, already.
~~ Alinta ~~
She had no idea how long it had been. Time and day had faded into nothing.
All she knew was the iron cuffs that burned her wrists and her neck, and the cage that they kept her in like an animal.
That was what she had been reduced to, really.
Still, the cage was better than the brothel she'd been taken to first. Where she'd been poked and prodded at.
When she hadn't complied, she'd been berated.
"Think you're so smart, trying to bite someone's fingers off, girl?" He'd sneered. "There's some who will still pay good money for that. Especially for your golden skin."
Finally, they'd decided she was too much to handle, selling her off to whatever this place was instead. She still wasn't entirely sure. All she could hear was the screams and applause of the crowds in the distance, and the grunts and cries of pain from whoever was being hurt.
She'd thought coming to the mundane world would be a respite from the Unseelie Court. That she'd finally find some freedom. Yet all she'd found was pure misery. Maybe that was what she deserved for deserting a place that had taken her in.
"Please," she murmured through cracked lips, although it wasn't to her captors, her gaze raised to the ceiling. It was a prayer to the Angels, her ancestors, who were somewhere out there. "Please free me from this place."
She received no answer, however, except for the sound of something solid hitting the bars of her cage. She flinched at the echoing sound, drawing back. She couldn't make anything out in the darkness she was kept in.
"Shut up," the man barked out. "Your fight will be up soon enough."
She didn't have to ponder for long on what that meant, when a sudden light appeared, a warlock with an overgrown beard coming into view. She blinked a few times, trying to watch as he opened the cage. Her heartbeat quickened in anticipation when he strode over to her and grabbed the cuffs at her wrists and a key, undoing them. She hissed when the iron burned into her wrists more at the jerking movement. Now was her chance.
Once he removed the cuffs, letting them fall to the ground, she lunged for him, scrambling to get the upper hand. If she aimed to jab her fingers into his eyes then he wouldn't be able to see and-…
Before she knew it, he pressed something in his hand, and she cried out at an explosion of pain, falling to the ground. Her neck ached and she clutched at the metal there, her breaths a ragged gasp.
"Try anything again, and I'll do it harder," the man threatened. "I'll shock you as much as is needed. You'll soon learn how we do things around here. Got it?"
Now that her senses were finally returning, she could see the little contraption in his hand. It was something that seemed to turn on the ring around her neck, shooting out the shock.
"I said, have you got it?"
Swallowing, she made a whimper of agreement, not daring to move her neck too much.
"Good, now get up. You're up next," he said, gesturing for her to move out of the cage.
Slowly and shakily, she got to her feet, before she finally followed his direction. He followed close behind, holding the cursed contraption in his hand. They walked down multiple walkways, and it was then that she finally realised they were underground. There was no sun or sky to take comfort in, like a painting without any colour. Her wrists were red and raw and blistered, and she hugged them to her chest, glad for the brief respite from the iron.
They passed many other cages, and she glanced at some of them briefly. There were all sorts of creatures. Wolves and bears and all kinds of demons that she'd never seen before. She shied away from the latter, knowing of their evil power.
But then, she noticed some fae creatures, also far from their homeland. There were goblins and brownies and djinn, and her gaze caught on a Cat-sìth in another cage. Despite its surroundings, it was still majestic, its eyes glinting in the dark as it met her gaze.
"Hurry up," the man said, pushing her forwards when she started to lag.
She stumbled, continuing onwards. Her eyes burned, a tear rolling down her cheek. They didn't belong there. Fae creatures shouldn't be restrained. How her heart ached for them all, stuck in a place that had to be hell.
Quickly, she wiped the tear away, not wanting to show any signs of weakness, as the sound of the crowd grew louder the closer they got to it.
Once they reached the main room, her gaze quickly skirted it, trying to take it all in. There were three large cages set up, with different creatures fighting inside them. Crowds of people had come to watch – all different species, from what she could tell.
"These are fights to the death," the man stated, watching her to make sure she didn't deviate from the path. "Don't forget that."
"I won't fight," she said, her voice quiet, but firm. She certainly wouldn't let them make her kill against her wishes.
"Then you'll die," he replied simply. "My bet's on the vampire, anyway. Not like a little faerie girl like you would win. But best if you put on a show."
She shuddered inwardly at his words. He didn't know how many people she'd already killed.
Before she knew it, she was ushered into one of the fighting rings, the cage door slamming shut behind him as he left.
The crowd called out insults, calling her things like, "Golden girl," because of the gold tint to her skin, and other faerie slurs. But she blocked it all out, staring at the vampire who'd been put in the other side of the cage. He looked… dreadfully pale and hungry as if he hadn't eaten in days.
But she held her resolve. If she could just talk to him and convince him not to fight…
All the good intentions were blown from her mind when he lunged for her, grabbing her and tossing her to the ground when she put up little resistance. Her head hit the ground hard, and she felt blood when she reached up a hand to it. The smell of her blood seemed to invigorate him, and he leapt for her, grabbing her hair and banging her head against the ground again. She could see stars, her vision growing dizzy, although she still caught sight of his fangs as they came out, before he plunged them into a vein at her neck.
She cried out, feeling the blood being drained from her body and the crowd went wild. It only served to make her light-headedness increase. "Stop!" she cried out. "We don't have to fight."
She struggled against him, trying to push him away, but he was only growing stronger, and she was only growing weaker.
Her fingers grasped at his chest, and she felt a release of magic leave them. The vampire cried out in pain as if he'd been shocked, scrambling back from her. She stared down at her fingers in surprise. She'd never had the ability to hurt someone with her magic before then. Was it a gift from the Angels, perhaps?
Slowly, she got to her feet, feeling her head spin. The vampire looked likely to lunge at her again. She tried to think… how did one kill a vampire? She had only heard of them in legends. Scanning the cage floor, she saw some weapons left at the side for them. A knife and a… wooden stake. The knife was more what she was used to fighting with, but that wasn't going to kill it. Running, she scrambled over to pick them both up, clutching them one in each hand.
"Don't come any closer," she threatened, hoping he could understand her.
But the vampire licked his lips slowly, before dashing forward again, his gaze on the blood still dripping from the bite marks at her neck. She slashed out with the knife to cut him, but it did little to stop him. She slashed deeper this time, drawing his blood as well. He stepped backwards, continuing back as she kept swiping at him. He stumbled, unused to the uneven ground, while she kept her footsteps light and agile. He fell back into the metal wall of the cage, and she dashed forwards to hold him there, raising the stake and driving it into his heart. She could see the life leave him instantly, his eyes growing dull and lifeless, where he remained pinned to the wall of the cage.
Shakily, she drew her hands back, to find they were covered in blood. His blood or hers, she wasn't sure. The crowd was so loud that it nearly drowned out her thoughts.
Sinking to her knees, all she could do was stare at her bloodied hands.
"Forgive me, Raziel," she murmured, her eyes burning again. She had never seen taking someone's life as a light thing, knowing the weight that it carried.
The only thing she could think was that she was an animal.
To an old acquaintance,
It is always an unexpected surprise when your letters show up. When some time has passed, sometimes I think that perhaps you've forgotten about me and fully moved on. But then I hear from you again. Maybe you in turn, don't want to be forgotten about.
I'm sure you can understand the irony of your thoughts of my warlock friend, when you have intruded on my privacy ever since you first met me. And perhaps you still do appear to keep tabs on me, since you often seem informed on things, like my book, for instance. In any case, it is surprising to have you admit yourself that parts of me that still stay with you. I can only hope that it makes for a positive influence. I won't lie and say that I don't think of you from time to time. But that doesn't mean that I am still drawn to dark and broken things. Hopefully by now I have learnt that they can't always be changed.
The thing is, that you don't fully know me now, not since I have changed myself. There are many parts to my life that you don't know about, and you'll have to live with that. I have no issues with living a safe life. My friends are important to me, and someday I would like to have a family. Maybe my wishes seem boring and mundane to you, but they're not to me. It may surprise you even, to know that you are not the only one who writes to me, now. Although your letters and writing style are both very different.
I was awfully tempted not to reply to your letter and to leave you guessing. Too often have you sent me a letter with no way to reply, which is entirely frustrating, which you must realise. Perhaps it is intentional. But I am not that cruel.
I have also sent you a copy of my book – it has just been printed and released, which I still can't quite believe. It's all a little surreal. It's being stocked in a bookshop in Alicante, which I feel honoured about, really. I've had a number of friends read over it, but of course, they have all been rather positive and given few pointers. I'm sure as a fellow reader you'll likely have your own critiques. Regardless of how harsh you can be, I'd still like to know them.
Please send my regards to Amalia as well – I'd like to meet with her sometime if she'd let me. If perhaps, she's ever passing through New York again. I hope you are treating her nicely – she seems sweet, and I do worry about her sometimes.
Until I hear from you again,
Steff
~~ Alinta and Lex ~~
Lex was silent as he made his way to the underground fighting ring in the Towns. It wasn't the first time that he'd been there. He'd made it to the last location, and had stayed long enough to see all he needed to. They were ghastly places that reeked of blood and death. It wasn't that he hadn't seen his fair share of dead bodies before. But these were captured people and creatures made to fight against their will, and it left a sour taste in his mouth. It reminded him of his past, when he and his brother had been young and poor, forced to fight for their lives.
But his thoughts were still stuck on something from the last one. Or perhaps someone. One of the fighters had been a faerie girl, her skin bronze with a golden hue. She'd been pitted against a hungry wolf, and she'd brought it down with just a knife. He'd never seen anything quite like her.
Not only was she obviously skilled at fighting and killing, but he'd watched her expression, and she hated it. Such a thing had strangely fascinated him. Her hair was knotted and in disarray, and she looked too thin and half starved. Their eyes had locked together for the briefest of seconds, and he knew that he couldn't leave her. There was something in him that couldn't look away. It was more than simple sympathy – there was an understanding there. She was a survivor, just like him.
He'd found her owner afterwards, and had asked how much to buy her. He despised the thought of buying someone, but buying her freedom was the only way to ensure it. He couldn't let the warlock get away with her and disappear when the Shadowhunters came. Then he'd never be able to track her down again.
The warlock had laughed in his face, and he had asked again, calmly, how much.
Finally, the warlock realised he was being serious, naming a predictably ridiculous figure.
"I'll be back with it, at the next fight," he stated, firmly. The warlock had just stared at him, obviously wondering where he'd get such money from.
But money wasn't an issue if he stole the right item and sold it on the black market for the right price.
He was drawn out of his thoughts, when his accomplice, Max, spoke up. "We're gonna be in and out, right? You know it won't be long before the Shadowhunters come."
"We get her and go," Lex agreed, inhaling slowly. He'd sent another of his group to tip off the Shadowhunters about the event, hopefully giving him enough time to get her out first. Once the attendees all realised the Shadowhunters were coming, it would be chaos, with the owners doing their best to get as many of the creatures out with them as possible. It wasn't like the Shadowhunters could save them all in time, and he wouldn't take that risk.
Everything about the underground fighting events was top secret. Even the location was only announced ten minutes before the first fight started. And it was only announced to those where were either part of the club, or who had the money to pay to be.
Making his way into the underground, he walked as briskly as he could, through the passageways. It was times like this that he cursed the limp to his leg, using his cane to help him move quicker, his gloved grip tightening against the raven handle. They stopped only to ask the way to the warlock that he was after, before continuing on.
Muffled shouts became louder, and he swore under his breath, realising that the crowd had already been tipped off that Shadowhunters were coming.
"Shit. It'll be chaos down here," Max muttered. "We can't be here when the Shadowhunters come."
It was true – whoever was caught down here would be considered part of the fighting ring, and be apprehended. Those that the Shadowhunters could catch, anyway.
"I know," he snapped, a little more sharply than he'd meant to. He hated it when things didn't go precisely to plan.
The next room opened up to the crowds, and the noise raised in volume, covered in panic shouts. Good, he thought darkly, now they knew what it was like to run for their lives.
As everyone tried to run towards any kind of exit, he was battered, everyone scrambling to toss each other aside to get out first. Raising his cane, he used it to push and bat way anyone who came too close, not caring if it hurt any of them.
Turning down another passageway, he heard Max groan behind him. "I'm not getting paid enough for this. We should just go."
He was, in fact, being paid a small fortune to help. Lex always paid more for the riskier jobs. But those he had encountered in New York so far had been fickle and couldn't be relied on. "Either you shut up and help, or you try and get out of here without my help. You can kiss the money goodbye, too."
Max did shut up, and he nearly breathed a sigh of relief when they reached one of the inner chambers, a few of the owners directing their staff to load up as many of their captives as possible. They had an escape route nearby, and a truck at the ready. In such underground businesses, one must always be prepared.
Lex was quick to find the warlock he was after. "I'm here to buy the golden girl," he stated. He didn't know her name, not knowing what else to call her.
The warlock frowned, trying to push past him. "I'm busy. The Shadowhunters will be on us any minute now."
Lex held out his cane, stopping him. "I've got the money. It won't take long," he insisted gruffly, gesturing for Max to toss the duffel bags filled with cash to the ground. "Now take the money, or you'll have a fight on your hands. Which I also doubt you'll have time for."
The warlock eyed him for a moment in frustration, before gesturing to one of his workers to open the bags. The cash was immediately evident, starting to topple out of the bags. "Fine. You can have her," he said, pushing a key into Lex's hand and jerking his head towards one of the cages.
Lex only hesitated for a split second, before he hurried over to the cage, his gaze catching on a figure huddled in the corner. The faerie girl was even skinnier than the last time he'd seen her, her ribs evident through her thin shirt. Unlocking the door, he started forward slowly. "We have to go," he said, urgently.
Realising her hands were cuffed, he bent down, carefully navigating the keys to unlock them. She shivered, the red marks evident on her wrists where the skin had been rubbed raw. There was something around her neck as well, and seeing a keyhole, he unlocked it as well, letting it fall to the ground. She lunged forward with her nails, raking his cheek.
He hissed in pain, before trying to control his reaction. She was scared, he reminded himself. "I'm getting you out of here," he murmured, wondering if she even understood English. "I'm not here to hurt you." Getting to his feet, he moved backwards, to give her some space. "Please, just come with me. I'll help you."
She finally seemed to listen, and he didn't try and touch her again, starting out of the cage and hoping she'd follow. She did, and he and Max started towards the exit the smugglers were using, knowing it would be the quickest way out. She stopped however, staring at the other cages with creatures that still remained. The smugglers had packed up what they could, leaving some of the less desirable creatures there as they fled.
"I need to… help them," she said finally, her accent thick. His mind went to the possibilities, thinking it reminded him of an Unseelie lilt. "They need to be free."
"We don't have time to-…" He tried to say, before cursing under his breath again when she stubbornly rushed over to one of the cages, gripping the bars and rattling them.
Reluctantly, he straightened. "Max, here," he said, throwing Max the key. Max went to work trying to open the cages on one side, while Lex went to the other side, pulling out his lock picking kit. He was well practiced with using it by now, and they made short work of the cages that remained. Different creatures ran out – some that he didn't even recognise.
Finally, she seemed satisfied. "Come now," he said, beckoning for her to follow him through the opening.
She blinked up at the sky when they made their way out, looking half dazed, and murmuring something in a fae language that he didn't understand. Her posture seemed to slump in exhaustion, and he rushed over to catch her, helping to support her. It was times like that that he was glad for his black leather gloves, hating the feeling of any kind of physical contact.
Their car was parked nearby, as he'd ordered it to be, and he urged Max to help him lift her into the car. The driver took off once they were inside, and he watched her intently as they hurried back to the tavern. She was half delirious, in and out of consciousness.
When they reached the tavern, he ordered two of his men to help lift her out, carrying her to one of the overnight rooms. They set her down on the bed, and he ordered for the healer to be sent, having already prepared a warlock with healing abilities. The warlock was quick to come in, sitting down beside her and closing her eyes as she hovered a hand over her, putting her to sleep and examining her internally for injuries.
Lex waited anxiously, not even daring to sit down. It reminded him of his last moments with his brother and how helpless he'd felt.
She looked so small and frail, the red rings visible around her neck and wrists, and other scars visible as well, around her tattered clothes. She seemed to shiver, tossing and turning every so often, as if caught in a bad dream.
"She's severely starved and dehydrated, and she's lost a lot of blood," the warlock said, sympathy in her voice. "There's a lot of injuries I need to work on. But she'll survive."
Finally, he allowed himself to breathe a sigh of relief. "Get to it, then. I'll stay here."
He watched for the whole time that she poured healing magic into her. It was amazing really, what the warlock could do. What he was paying her to do.
Finally, the faerie girl awoke, although she was quiet as she stared, her gaze darting around the room nervously. "I've worked on some of your injuries," the warlock said, kindly, urging her to drink small amounts of water. "You're safe now. I'd like to help you to the bath, if that's okay. I want to clean out some of your injuries, and a bath will be good for you."
Still, the girl said nothing, although she shifted to her feet when prompted. The bathroom adjourned the room, and Lex cleared his throat. "I'll give you some privacy," he said, turning away.
"Wait." She spoke for the first time, and he froze. "Don't leave me… Please." The desperation in her voice was even to even make his cold heart pause.
He gave a brief nod, finally looking back at her. "As you wish."
The warlock helped her to strip from her tattered clothes, and he caught a glimpse of some more scars, before he quickly averted his gaze awkwardly to afford her some privacy. It was strange, having someone rely on him in such a way.
As she eased herself into the bath, she gave a soft cry, and he winced inwardly, knowing how much the skin that had been rubbed raw from the iron must hurt. The warlock stayed by the bath, still using her healing magic. "These marks from the iron I won't be able to fade completely," she said. "The damage is too bad."
"Just do the best you can," Lex replied, still staring at the wall.
Finally, the warlock helped her out of the bath, drying her and helping her to change into some fresh clothes that he'd ordered for her, helping her back into the bed. Turning to her again, he couldn't help but stare. Now that the dirt was washed off, her skin was shinier than ever, bathed in a golden glow.
The warlock straightened. "I need some time to recoup my energy. I've used a sleeping spell, so she should go to sleep shortly."
Lex nodded. "Good. Get some rest and come back when you're ready." He shifted to sit on the seat beside her bed, instead, listening as the warlock healer left.
"What's your name?" he asked the faerie girl, keeping his voice quiet, so as to not startle her.
"My name?" she repeated, almost as if she didn't know herself. "I've been called many things."
It wasn't often that he was unsure of what to say, but this was one of those times. "What name do you prefer? I need something to call you."
Finally, she shifted, rolling on her side to face him. "… Alinta. That's what my parents called me."
"Alinta," he repeated, tasting the unusual name on his tongue. "If you like, I can leave you to rest. You'll go to sleep soon."
Reaching out, she grabbed his arm, and he was surprised at her strength, considering her state. "Don't… Don't leave," she pleaded.
"… I won't," he said, flinching subtly at the contact, and she drew her hand back.
Soon, her eyes closed, and she drifted into a deep sleep. He couldn't help but watch her. Her long black hair was damp, and it fell around her face, at times obscuring it. "I promise that I will make those that did this to you suffer," he whispered under his breath. He had been too concerned with getting her out safely earlier, but that didn't mean he was satisfied with the fact that most of those responsible had managed to get away before the Shadowhunters had arrived. Revenge was something he thrived in; it was often a comforting thought. That they might get what was coming to them.
As soon as she'd recovered, he told himself, she would be free to leave. She'd been costly for someone who wasn't an investment, but he couldn't find it in himself to care about the price. He was no slaver, and he certainly didn't plan to keep her.
One time during the night, she seemed to wake up, murmuring something to him in the same fae language as earlier.
"Sorry?" he said, wondering if she'd repeat it again.
"Are you… an angel?" she asked, watching him sleepily.
He gave a quick laugh. "Certainly not," he answered after a long pause, watching as her eyes fell shut again.
"…I'm far from it."