Chapter Two

Chapter Two:

“You promise we will find him?” Ariana asked for what seemed like the hundredth time in an hour as they walked in the shadows of the buildings.

“Yes. I believe I have already said that, unless you were thinking I was going to change my mind since the last time you asked me. Which was when? Oh yes, three minutes ago,” Falon said, frustrated with this whole thing. “Stupid man. Side bleeding. Always getting hurt because of her visions. Doesn't believe me,” she mumbled to herself as they continued to walk down the street. Ariana had patched up Falon a little, but they really did not have the supplies they needed to do a good job.

Ariana listened as her friend mumbled and she couldn't help but chuckle. “I thought everything went quite well. Also the Fae you were with was quite attractive, was he not?”

Falon stopped suddenly and turned to face Ariana. “He bloody stabbed me! I saved his life and he stabbed me. How's that for gratitude?” She then turned back around and started walking again. “Stupid man. Bloody visions. I Couldn't have a normal best friend, oh no. Fate and its sense of humor.”

Ariana chuckled again. “I should be offended, but I cannot be. When you mumble like that you sound like a little child. If it helps, I will not ask you again.”

Falon looked over her shoulder, but she did not say anything else as they continued through the shadows to their destination. Finally they made it to the house the council had told her about. Falon was getting ready to climb up the tree that was next to the house when Ariana placed her hand on her shoulder.

“Are you sure you are up to this?” Ariana asked as she watched her friend getting ready to climb up the tree onto the second story roof. It had only been an hour since Falon had gotten hurt and Ariana was afraid that she would be too weak.

Falon looked over her shoulder at Ariana and narrowed her eyes. “What do you think?” Falon asked snapped, and Ariana raised her hands in surrender. “Just keep a look out.” She began to climb the tree. Ariana shook her head at her friend's stubbornness, but did what she was told.

After climbing up the tree and making her way across the second story roof to the open window, she slowly and quietly crawled in. As she came into the office she quickly looked around. She knew what she was after, but she didn't know where it was. “If I was a stack of papers where would I be?” Falon mumbled to herself. After a few more minutes of searching, she smirked as she pushed aside a bookcase to reveal a hidden nook behind it. In the nook were the papers she was looking for. “No one is creative with their hiding places anymore.” She quickly put them in her bag and pushed the bookcase back.

As Falon was getting ready to climb out the window, her eye caught sight of something on the desk. She smiled to herself and headed back into the room, grabbing up the bag of gold with a chuckle. What kind of thief would she be if she didn't take something a little more valuable than papers?

Falon smiled as she thought about how many mouths this gold would feed. After putting the gold in her bag she quickly left the room through the window. As she made her way across the roof and down the tree, she remembered the pain in her side. She gritted her teeth as she hit a limb and pain shot through her. Finally, after what seemed like forever, her feet touched the ground. Once she had regained her balance, she and Ariana hurried away from the house and headed out of town.

They were about half way out of the town when Fate decided to interfere with their lives yet again. Falon swore under her breath as she saw James, the bartender, being dragged toward the prison by the Witch guards.

“Great,” Falon muttered as she stared after them.

“Falon, why do they have James?” Ariana asked in confusion. It wasn't like James to get into trouble. Actually, most Humans stayed out of trouble because of how harsh the Witches and Fae were to them.

“Probably because of the fight. They will want information, especially the names of us and the Fae that fought the Witches. Once they realize that he doesn't know they will kill him because it happened in his bar.” Falon put her back to the wall that she was standing beside and took a deep breath. “Go get his family and meet me in Thief's Cave. I will meet you there as soon as I have James,” Falon said, knowing that if she left James with the Witches then his blood would be on her hands. She also knew that when he didn't-or rather, couldn't-give up any names, they would use his family against him. James would die, but not before watching his entire family tortured and killed.

Falon shook her head knowing that she just could not let that happen. She did not want to have anymore blood on her hands, she had enough already.

“Good luck, my friend,” Ariana said as she clasped Falon's arm. “And be careful.”

“You as well.” Falon went to leave, but then she stopped. Without turning around she spoke to Ariana. “If I am not there by dawn, go home.”

“I do not think so,” Ariana replied before she disappeared.

Falon sighed deeply, knowing that her friend would come after her if she didn't show up to the caves by dawn. She shook her head again and hurried toward the prison. She needed to focus on retrieving James and getting out safely. It seemed to take a lifetime for Falon to arrive at the prison but finally she made her way into an office window. Slowly, she made her way through the halls. This was not the first time she had been in a prison, nor was it the first time she had broken into one, with each time she wished it was her last. With ever step she felt like the walls were closing in on her, trying to keep her a prisoner. A shiver went down her spine as memories slowly and painfully went through her mind from a time when she wasn't someone breaking into the prison, but a prisoner herself. Falon shook her head trying to clear it of the dread and fear that always accompanied those memories. She needed to stay focused. Staying focused was the difference between success and failure. As she hid in the shadows and waited for a guard to pass, she took control of the fear trying to take root in her mind and continued on through the dark hallways that reminded her of a never ending abyss.

Falon swore under her breath as she looked around the corner that lead to the prison cells. Her eyes fell on two guards hitting James the last of the blows sending him to the hard ground, gasping for breath. Falon leaned back and put her head against the wall. This is going to be fun, she thought sarcastically as she pulled out two throwing knives. She hated to kill, but she had no choice. If she left these two guards alive they would raise the alarm before she even had a chance to get James to safety. Falon quietly came around the corner and threw her knives at the two Witch guards. They stuck in their chests before they even had a chance to react.

“Good throw,” James rasped out as he looked up and saw the hooded figure coming towards him. He didn't know who it was and he really didn't care. If it wasn't for this stranger he would be in a lot worse condition.

Falon came over to James and helped him to his feet. When James saw her face, he was in complete shock, “Red?” This could not be the woman he had seen at his bar for the past three years. She was a Human. Humans did not go around killing Witches. Humans kept their heads down and hoped that they avoided trouble. There was just no reason to fight against a group of beings that had power when you didn't.

“Were you expecting someone else?” Falon asked giving him a small smile. “Come on, let's get out of here.”

“My family. They will go after them,” James said, his face and voice showing his pain.

“Goldy is getting them. They are going to meet us somewhere safe.” Falon looped his arm around her neck and put her's around his waist, “They really hurt you didn't they?” James was a good man and a Human. He had no power to fight against the Witches or their abuse. Falon shook her head as she thought about the fact that so many Humans had lost their lives just because a Witch or Fae hadn't liked them. It had gotten to the point that there were very few Humans left at all.

“I will be fine,” James said, “Let's get out of here. I have spent enough time in this place to last me a life time.” As they neared the door, two more Witches appeared blocking their path. “This is not good.”

“This is just not my day.” Falon said under her breath. She slowly moved her hand to her bag hoping that she had something left after the bar, but she knew she it was a false hope. Falon rolled her eyes as she wished that Fate would give her a break just once.

“Remove your hand from that bag,” one of the Witches said in a booming voice.

Falon did as he asked, thinking of a way to buy more time. If she had been alone she would not worry about it, but she could not risk James getting hurt.

“Now remove that hood,” the Witch ordered.

Falon closed her eyes, knowing that if this particular guard saw her face she would be in big trouble. “I think not,” she said, trying to disguise her voice. Really, Fate, can you not give me a break just this once? Falon asked in her head as she tried to figure a way out of this situation.

As the two guards started to draw their power, Falon could see it building in their hands. “Now!” The Witch yelled at Falon as he sent a burst of power flying past Falon and James' head. She saw James flinch out of the corner of her eye, but she didn't move. “Or do you want to be responsible for his death?” he asked pointing at James.

Falon sighed deeply, knowing that she was out of options. Slowly she moved her hand to her hood and pulled it back. Her dark red hair spilled around her shoulders.

“Well, well. I haven't seen you in a long time, Falon,” the Witch said with disgust.

“Amos.” This was one Witch she could have gone her entire life without ever seeing again. Fate, you suck. Falon thought as she stared the Witch down. If she didn't figure a way out of this then her life was going to end very shortly, especially if Amos handed her over to Damien as he had done before.

“It has been a long time. I believe the price on your head has gone up since last we met.” Amos said as he sauntered toward Falon and James.

Falon raised an eyebrow at him and tried to not laugh. Though Amos was aiming for a menacing swagger, his walk was more of a priss. Falon couldn't help it when a laugh escaped from her. It was hard for her to take this man seriously. “So I see you still haven't mastered how to walk like a man. Is that why you always use so much power? Are you trying to compensate for something?” Falon asked, her voice dripping with disdain. She knew she shouldn't have said it, but sometimes she just couldn't stop what came out of her mouth. She knew she had pushed him too far when he threw a bolt of power at her. “Move!” she yelled as she shoved James out of the way trying to dodge the blow. She closed her eyes, knowing that there was not enough time. She said an incantation to put up a shield, but she did know if it was enough.

---

Aidan looked down at the bartender and the mysterious woman from the bar. He had come to rescue the man, but it looked like the woman had beat him to it. She was really doing a number on his ego, saving him and beating him to the rescue. However, Aidan couldn't help but smirk at her courage. He had never met a Human as brave as her before. Aidan stilled as he saw the two guards approach the woman. As he watched the first blast go past her head, he felt something in him start to build. It felt like his insides were all tied up and he really wasn't sure he liked it.

Aidan looked at the woman and felt a protectiveness come over him like nothing he had ever felt before. Actually, if he were honest with himself, he would admit that he had never felt a protectiveness for anyone. He heard the guard tell her to take off her hood for the second time, and he felt his chest grow tight as the woman pulled her hood back to reveal beautiful, dark red hair. As he looked at her hair he was reminded of the embers of a fire. He shook his head, pulled his eyes away from the woman, and listened as the Witch called the woman Falon. Aidan lalmost laughed as Falon unmanned the Witch with her sharp wit. It had been a long time since he had enjoyed a conversation as much as he was enjoying this one. Aidan had to admit she had a quick mind and her courage knew no bounds. Of course, the woman probably could use a bit of fear in her to keep her alive longer.

As Aidan watched he knew his time was up. He quickly jumped down and put a shield up as a blast came towards Falon. He held the shield with everything in him, knowing that he had to protect this woman even if it was just to yell at her later about her own stupidity.

---

Falon looked in shock at the Fae standing in front of her. What was he doing? Was he trying to protect her? “What are you doing here?” she demanded. It had been a long time since someone had tried to protect her and she wasn't for sure if she liked it.

“Saving your life,” Aidan said as he pushed the power back toward the Witch, knocking him down. He was about to do the same thing to the other when a knife flew past his shoulder and stuck in the Witch's chest. Aidan turned around and raised an eyebrow at the woman. A ghost of a smile appeared on his face as she shrugged her shoulders and turned away from him.

“I do not need saving,” Falon said as she hurried over to James. She was about to help him up when the Fae grabbed her by the waist, picked her up, and set her back on her feet away from James. “What are you doing?

“That was not what it looked like from where I was, and I was moving you so I could help this man,” Aidan said as he helped the man up and headed for the door.

“Maybe you should have moved so you could have gotten a better view,” Falon said, her voice showing her annoyance. She hadn't needed saving in a long time. How could she have been so off today? She didn't even realize those two Witches were near until it was too late.

Aidan chuckled. “You are annoyed that I saved you.” Most women would be falling at his feet thanking him. Aidan imagined that she was the type of woman who would fall at his feet to thank him, but then he shook his head. This woman in front of him would never be that type, and he was glad of it he had enough of those kind around him to last a lifetime.

Falon stopped and looked at the Fae. “Yes. I...” She ran her hand through her hair in frustration. “Sorry. I should have said thank you. Besides, I am not the only one who has trouble being saved,” she said, her voice tinged with anger.

“I do not understand,” Aidan said with confusion as they came to the door that lead to the outside. He did not know what she was talking about. When had he not handled being saved by her well? Although his ego had taken a beating, he thought he had handled it very well.

“Did you forget that when I saved you, you stabbed me? Listen, not that I'm not enjoying this conversation, but we need to focus.” Falon saw two more Witch guards a little further ahead. Normally she would avoid them, but they were near the gate that she needed to go through to get to Thief's Cave. They could go through another gate, but it would take them several hours out of their way. Falon sighed, knowing that if they did not get to the caves by dawn then Ariana would be coming after them. She had to make it to the caves. She would not risk Ariana getting caught because of two measly guards.

“We will continue this conversation later,” Aidan said. He did not enjoy being reminded of the grave mistake he had made earlier. It wasn't as if she was wounded too bad, considering she was out running about rescuing people. If he had hurt her too bad she wouldn't have been able to do the things she was doing. Aidan frowned as he thought about the effect this woman was having on him. He didn't like it one bit. He also did not enjoy the way she spoke to him. Aidan was determined to have a word with her later about the patronizing tone she was using towards him. He was definitely going to have to put her in her place. No woman had ever talked to him in such a manner and he wasn't going to let this one.

Aidan narrowed his eyes at her, but he noticed that she wasn't paying him any attention. He looked out the door to see what she was looking at and saw two Witch guards standing near the gate. “We need to go that way.” Aidan said point to the left. He needed to get Falon and the man as far away from the guards as possible. It was only logical that they go through another gate, one that wasn't guarded.

“You do that,” Falon said as she dug in her bag. She sighed knowing that if she wasn't being physically drawn to him she wouldn't be so annoyed. What was wrong with her? She had never noticed the color of a man's eyes before, but she noticed this Fae's-green with flecks of gray in them. As she looked into them, she felt drawn to him. She felt her heart skip a beat every time he stood near and she swore he was the best-smelling man she had ever smelled before. Falon cursed in her head. Maybe the injury was causing brain damage. She shook her head to get the silly thoughts out of her mind. She did not have time for all of this nonsense. She needed to get to Thief's Cave before it was too late. The effects of losing too much blood was starting to get to her.

Aidan grabbed Falon by the arm and jerked her so she was looking at him. Anger filled him as he thought about her going toward those two guards. The only reason she had done so well in the bar was because of those devices. He knew that some Witches made devices that Humans could use with just a few words. It wasn't the Human that held the power, but the device itself. He also knew that she could throw a knife, but he was positive that it was only timing and luck that had given her victory on both accounts. Aidan knew that if he hadn't intervened in the prison, she would now be captured or dead. With her sassy mouth he would lean more towards dead.

“I do not have time for your insolence. We are going the way I said. I will not have you die because you do not know how to use your head.”

Falon felt her eyes turn red as his grip on her tightened. She tried to let the anger go so that her eyes would not change, but she could not. She didn't know if it was because he dared to touch her, or that the idea of him being angry at her was upsetting to her. She had never cared if someone was angry at her, and she wasn't going to start now... no matter how beautiful his eyes were or how much she longed to feel his arms around her. Oh, where the hell did that come from?! Falon thought her anger rising to another level. She forgot all about control as she spoke to Aidan. “Get your hand off me.”

Aidan had never seen eyes like Falon's before. They intrigued him. All the Humans he had known in the past had one set eye color. Even Witches' and Fae's eyes did not change. “Your eyes are turning red.”

“That means I am angry. Now. Let. Me. Go.” Falon said, speaking to him through clenched teeth.

Aidan let go of Falon's arm and stared at her. He tilted his head, trying to figure out exactly what had happened. As he watched her take deep breaths, he saw her eyes turn back to their normal deep brown. Although Aidan like the warm brown color of her eyes, he had really like the red, though he didn't understand why.

Aidan cleared his throat and cleared his mind. “You need to come with me. I will get you safely out of the city.”

“No, my friend is going to meet us with James' family in Thief's Cave.” Falon pointed to the gates. “I need to go that way to get to the caves. If we go out any other gates it will take too long. I only have until dawn before my friend comes after me.”

“Listen, my friend went to help James' family as well. He will take her to the most logical choice. He will also make sure she does not leave until I get there.” If he let her go at all Aidan thought. He pictured Cale's face when he had noticed that the women had disappeared. When Cale got the woman back he was not going to be letting her out of his sight. “Besides, there are two guards that way. How do you suggest we get rid of them? Do you have any more tricks in that bag? If I use my magic we will have more guards on top of us before we can even finish off those two. Plus, I am the only one here with magic, and I am not risking over-taxing myself because you want to have a shorter walk.”

Falon raised an eyebrow at him, taking off her cloak and bag. Aidan felt his mouth fall open as he took in her tight black leather pants, and black corset that she wore over white shirt. He eyed the laces that held her shirt closed at her chest. He had never seen a woman dressed the way she was. If a woman did not wear a dress then she wore men's clothing, but not in this manner. Aidan licked his lips as he noticed her figure. She really was a beautiful woman. As he looked her up and down, he wondered how many other men had seen her dressed in such attire. For some reason the thought made his blood boil.

Aidan's anger-and for lack of a better word, desire turned into pure shock as he watched her begin to untie the laces to the top of her shirt. “What...what are you doing?” He felt his mouth go dry as the laces gave way and most of her chest was exposed for him to see. What the hell was she thinking showing that much of herself?! “You...You...” Aidan stumbled over his words not knowing what to say. It was as if his tongue had forgotten how to work. That, or his brain. He quickly grabbed her cloak and tried to wrap it around her shoulders to cover her up. He realized that he was not the only one seeing her chest. He gave a quick glare at James, who actually didn't look too interested before turning back to Falon, who was looking at him with an annoyed look on her face.

“I took my cloak off for a reason. Now will you hold on to this for me?” she asked, handing him her bag and then taking off the cloak again.

Aidan growled as he saw her exposed flesh again. It wasn't as if he wasn't enjoying the view, but he did not like the idea of other men enjoying the view. He shook his head. He had never been a possessive man and he wasn't going to start with some Human woman. He needed to figure out what was wrong with himself and get over it. He had things to do and they did not involve getting tangled up with this stubborn, annoying woman. “Put that back on. You are not decent,” he snapped as he once again tried to cover her up.

“Just hold it, will you? Listen, I will put it back on in a moment. Just wait here. I will be right back.” Falon gave him a sassy smile then walked off.

“Get back here!” he hissed. He felt his gut tighten as he watched her walk towards the two Witches. What was she doing? She was going to get herself killed. Aidan didn't know what to do. If he called out to her any louder he would be heard and if he went after her they would be caught.

Falon walked towards the Witches, her hips swaying as she did. She needed to make herself look drunk and easy. With her tight leather pants and unlaced top she was definitely pulling it off. All she had to do now was be convincing. Of course that was going to be difficult because the idea of getting anywhere close enough to pull off what she had to do was already making her sick to her stomach. “You can do this,” she said under her breath as she continued towards the Witches. It would only take a moment and then she would re-lace her shirt and put her cloak back on. She tried to look as confident as possible. Well, as confident as a drunk woman could look.

“Lookie what we have here,” one of the men said as Falon stumbled into him. She smiled up at him sweetly.

“I seem to be lost,” she said slurring her words together. “Can you take me home?” She looked at him coyly batting her eyelashes. She had seen some women do these things at home, but she had never tried them herself. To be honest, she really did not understand the whole process of getting a man. She had not bothered with it, considering no man would ever want to be with her full time anyway. Of course, there were always those looking for a one night stand, but she wasn't interested in that.

“I can do better than that. I'll take you home with me,” the other Witch said as he pulled her by the waist into his arms.

Falon felt like she was going to be sick as he leaned down, kissed her neck, and cupped her butt with his hands. “I think you should sleep,” Falon said fighting panic as she felt his hand inch up her body. She said a quick incantation and watched as both Witches fell asleep at her feet. She hoped that hurt like hell.

Aidan felt an anger and jealousy rise in him like he had never felt before as he watched that Witch put his hands on Falon's butt. He was thinking about heading over there and ripping the man's hands off when James grabbed his arm.

“She said to stay here.” He could tell by the look on his face that he was not happy with what Falon was doing. He wasn't happy about it much either, but he also knew that the girl could take care of herself. He had seen plenty of proof of that.

Aidan glared at James and was about to use his power to push him away when he saw the Witches drop to the ground, unconscious. He turned his head to see Falon re-lacing her shirt and walking towards him. “What were you thinking?!”

“I was thinking that the guards needed to be taken care of, so I took care of them. Listen, I am on a time frame.” Falon grabbed her cloak that had fallen to the ground and put it back on. She then grabbed her bag from the Fae. “Are we just going to stand here or are we going to go?”

“Do you know what they could have done to you?” He took her by the shoulders giving a small shake. Why was it that this Human took so many risks? Did she not think about her own safety?

Falon shrugged his hands off and looked up into his eyes. “I can take care of myself. I have been doing it for some time now.” She turned and headed the direction of the gates. It was still going to be a couple of hours before they arrived at Thief's Cave and she wasn't for sure if she had the energy to make it. She closed her eyes as she tried to block out the pain.

Aidan watched her leave in annoyance. He wondered if she was worth looking after, but in the end he just sighed and started walking.

“Cale, I'm going to kill you when I see you again.” His mood lightened as he thought about all the different ways he could kill Cale once they were back together.