Lemon Eyes

[Adele Holst]

Adele smiled as Shamir spoke; it was a relief to see he was well. And the way he spoke, it sounded like the rest of their friends were alright, too. It pleased her to hear they'd reached out to Xhel; with his aid, their friends were almost guaranteed to be safe. Although, a part of her was surprised the hunter hadn't just blasted through the warehouse in Oslo to free his cousin; but things had worked out, she supposed. Still, with the hospitality Renn had shown them, she didn't think she'd feel any remorse if Xhel had come and put another bullet through the jerk.

The young woman's attention turned to Okello as he spoke up; he seemed a little tense, anxious. Her gaze fell to the floor when her friend asked if she knew how Pablo had been hurt, and guilt rose from the pit of her stomach. "I..." Self-consciously, Adele brought a hand up to rub the muscle of her right shoulder, attempting to avoid touching the wound, itself. "I-It's my fault." Finding him, alive, in Oslo, had been one of the most relieving moments in recent memory for her. But seeing him, deep red wounds covering his body, his skin pale as death, like his life had literally been drained from him; that was nightmarish.

Reluctantly looking up to meet Okello's eyes, the blonde forced herself to explain. "When the den was attacked, Catherine... She said she had Pablo; that she wanted to take me with her. A-And for every second I continued to fight... She would hurt Pablo for that many minutes." Tears formed quickly in the corners of her eyes, and she brought an arm up to wipe them away with a sleeve. "I wish we could have stopped her when she was here..." But that vampire was so damn fast; and Adele had been drained of no small amount of blood, herself. The wounds from that leech's silver blades still hadn't healed. Adele had collapsed almost the same moment Catherine had retreated into the night; she didn't stand a chance against the vampiress.

Ashamed, Adele looked away. "If... If we're going to see Pablo, we should bring him some things from his room. Clothes, at least..." She wasn't sure how long their friend would have to stay so isolated, but maybe it would cheer him up a little to have some of his possessions to pass the time.

She didn't spend much time in Pablo's room; just enough to grab a few pairs of shirts and pants, and one of his pillows. After waiting to see if Okello would grab something for his sire, she led her friends down to the basement where Pablo was being kept.

Adele knocked on the door before having Evelyn open it for them. Holding her friend's clothes tight as she entered the room, Perrin's heir offered Pablo a small smile, holding out his belongings after the door had closed, leaving Adele, Okello and Shamir inside with the young lycan lord.

[Pablo]

For a moment Okello’s eyes widen at the sight of a tear streaming down Adele’s face. He was not accustomed to watching so much emotion from his friend. She was usually so quiet, perhaps a bit anxious, but she had not worn her emotions so visibly. However, for all the sympathy he felt, much of what she said was foolishness. How could she blame herself for her inability to defeat that thing? The way it moved far too fast, and how it matched Addy blow for blow, he shuddered at the thought of facing such a vampire, he did not want to entertain the notion of what would have happened if Adele was not present. It would have torn through the entire mansion, with all their elders fighting by the door. Okello opened his mouth to speak as Adele mentioned bringing Pablo something from his room. It seemed like deflection; however, Shamir spoke first.

“Why would a vampire want you?!” Shamir asked incredulously, glancing at Okello as he shot him a glare. It was not a bad question, simply not an important one at the moment. “Regardless, Addy, you saved Pablo. If you had gone with her who would have saved you?” The lycan said, as they began to follow the girl. “The rest of us were ah too cowardly to be here, and Okello could barely stand. You’ve made all of us look foolish.” When the young woman wasn’t looking, Shamir glanced once again at Okello. Apparently relieved to not be staring into a pair of disapproving eyes. Although looking at Shamir, it was quite obvious he was contemplating his previous question. It didn’t seem so complicated. Adele was Perrin’s heir, despite her trepidations she was among their strongest. Seeing her removed from the picture was basic strategy.

His sire’s room had always felt rather bare. For someone who at times was rather sentimental there were few material possessions he found of value. Okello scratched his chin, as Shamir peered through some drawers, casually speaking. “When you two were taken, we came her first, before leaving. Caden said Pablo had once said to search his room if we were ever in trouble.” He pointed to one of the wooden tiles. “There was a map, with a x marked on it. We found the spot, there was a box with a glass cover. It said only to break in case of emergencies. Ha” The lycan pulled out a combat knife from what was his sires underwear drawer. “I do not think this would be appropriate. Anyway, the box had a paper with a phone number written, his cousin’s.”

Okello smiled, that was much like his sire to send them on a convoluted hunt in the face of an emergency. Likely to distract them from what ever the true issue was on hand. Anything that threatened their sire was likely a death sentence for any of them save Adele. Unlike Shamir, Okello did not waste his time searching for something to bring Pablo. It if it was not clothing it was likely not appropriate, a weapon or a tool for escape.

They remained little longer in the room before departing. Shamir the entire time continued explaining what had happened to them after Okello and Adele were detained. Xhel had insisted they all learned to shoot a gun. Not all of them could shift, and even if they did it was likely they would be facing down a more powerful lycan. Some of them had refused guns, Okello could not even picture Amara with one, it was apparently a point of contention. Xhel it seemed was a quite angry individual, but it seemed much of his frustration stemmed from his missing cousin, and the fact that none of them could quite say where he was.

They were by the door when Shamir had ended his recounting. Nodding at Evelyn at the door, Okello could not stand to level a glance at her. She had allowed them to be imprisoned. Yes Evelynn would blame Renn, but she had been in charge, not him.

Pablo felt an ache in his chest. He could practically see Lucia in his mind, curled up in a ball crying, locked away alone. No friends, her only family hated her, and he her lover locked away. After the show Alena had put on, it was likely every soul here hated her. Pablo found himself clenching her fist. Be strong Lucia. It’s only a little time. He sent her an image, or rather images of him running into her arms with an embrace, the moment they were free. Tackling her to the ground, laughing as they kissed and rolled across the forest floor. A sound at the door brought his thoughts to an end. Who was coming to see him and why?

The answer should have been obvious. As Adele leading Okello and Shamir stepped into the room. His frustration rose and faded in a moment. While he was locked away like Lucia, he was not hated like her. He had friends, that cared for him deeply, and he cared for them. They could be Lucia’s friends too. Isn’t that what he had promised her if they’d returned? She and he would not be alone, they had a pack. A smile creased his lips. “Good evening.”

Shamir was through the door and by Pablo’s side in a moment. “Pablo.” He said, “It lifts my hear to see you again, and in good spirits.” Shamir glanced back at Okello, it was just a matter of seconds but his sire did not seem to different.

“Likewise, Shamir. Does this mean the others are here?” Pablo glanced at the door. Maybe he wasn’t quite ready for that. Many of them wouldn’t take too well at the sight below the sheets.

“No, I came alone, well, Khaleel says hello. We were told you were not well, and needed time to recover.”

Pablo let out a sigh of relief. “Hey Khaleel.” He said staring at Shamir, who muttered something quietly to himself. “I am as well as I can be.” That was not true, if he got to see Lucia then it would be the case, that was just a matter of time. She had it bad. Alone and hated. Likely dying of thirst. What would they feed her? Animal blood likely. “They must have been talking about this.” Pablo said lifting his sheets and revealing the many scars and wounds across his torso. It hurt to move, and the lack of reaction on Shamir’s face was a bit disappointed. “You already saw.”

“We came earlier, hoping you would be awake.” Okello spoke, moving to sit on the edge of Pablo’s bed. He seemed in much better spirits today. Gesturing towards Adele he continued. “We went to room, to see if there was anything you wanted.”

Pablo’s eyes lit up. “Yes, I mean, there is something I do want, that you can help me with.” He said, glancing at his three friends. “If you can visit Lucia, maybe just to say hello and exchange a few kind words? She’s alone, I know she can use a friend.”

[Alena Wulf]

Carefully pushing the door open enough to slip inside, Alena simply watched as her daughter attempted to crawl away from her, letting the bedroom door close. The girl was getting nowhere fast; it really was a pathetic sight to behold, and the wolf queen found herself having to suppress quiet laughter from gaining a voice, despite herself. There was no reason for this to be as funny as she found it; but with the recent events, Alena almost couldn't help herself.

Stooping beside the hybrid, the mother of lycanthropy pulled Lucia carefully into her arms, ignoring the girl's pained whimpers and weak attempts to push her away. Her icy gaze scanned the nearby floor as she lifted her daughter off the ground, setting her gently in bed. The vial of blood did not appear to be on the ground, nor had it been in Lucia's hands. Reaching over the girl, Alena sifted through her daughter's silk sheets and embroidered quilts until she found the vial.

Lucia brought a hand up, trying weakly to scratch at the queen of werewolves, who slapped the girl's arm easily away. "Lucia. My dear child." Her voice carried a hint of impatience. Batting aside another attempt by the girl to strike at her, Alena gazed down at her daughter.

Sobbing, the hybrid could barely even meet her mother's eyes, "Why do you hate me!?" At least the werewolf queen had dressed before coming down here; that was one small consolation.

A smile crossed the lycan queen's face, pointed teeth poking out from her grin. -Oh, silly misguided fool.- Alena thought. If she hated the girl, she would have left her in Oslo to meet whatever fate Dane and the rest of the vampires would have given her; a fate, she imagined, that wouldn't have been as cut and dry as a simple death. Things were rarely that simple with vampire-kind. "Drink." Alena held the vial of blood toward her daughter. "But ration it." Pulling the stopper off, the queen of lycanthropy helped guide the vial to her daughter's mouth. "This vial is the only one I will procure for you; but this blood will never grow cold. So cherish each drop, and worry not for the taste's deterioration."

The hybrid seemed keen to take more after a small sip, but Alena pulled the glass back, plugging it once more. "Ration it." She repeated firmly.

The girl's bottom lip quivered, and she lay back in the bed. Though she'd sampled only a small amount, Lucia could feel a strange warmth slowly spread throughout her body, marginally easing her pain. "Why won't you let me see Pablo?" Her voice was quiet, almost shaky, and she cast her crimson gaze to her sheets.

Alena sighed inwardly, adjusting the shirt she was wearing; of course the boy had reached out to her daughter. She'd expected as much, but it was still an annoyance. "He needs time to heal, and regain Himself."

Looking up, tears in her eyes, Lucia begged, "Can't we do that together!"

"Lucia, hybrid bites have a way of influencing their prey; enthralling them. I noticed you've had your teeth in Pablo since London; and he has fought your battles so very well on your behalf. But, my dear princess, you are home now. Your 'pet' needs time away from your teeth, to clear his head, to remember himself. Only then, will I allow you to see him again." Alena kept a steady gaze on the girl as she spoke, trying to soften the edge in her voice, if only slightly.

[Adele Holst]

Biting her lip nervously when Shamir asked why a vampire would want her, Adele looked away. It wasn't something she wanted to contemplate; but both Catherine and Marcus had acknowledged that she was Perrin's heir. Though she didn't relish it, the fact those vampires had that knowledge didn't necessarily surprise the young woman. Gold eyes were uncommon, even among members of a race that the majority of people on earth would consider mythical. Of all the changes she expected to be brought on by becoming a werewolf and inheriting Perrin's power, gold eyes was not one of them. Still, she found it curious that the blood-suckers had made a point of mentioning her inheritance, aloud; something about that suggested that Perrin was more significant to those two than simply being a leader among the lycans. Adele shivered slightly, trying to push the thought away, as she checked her hoodie was zipped up.

Color rose to her cheeks as they walked toward Pablo's room, and Shamir asserted that she'd saved their friend. She almost laughed a little, embarrassed; but that fact had actually slipped her mind. She'd been so concerned with the difference in her best friend's mood, and horrified about the physical state in which she'd found him, that Adele had completely forgotten that she had, in fact, gotten him out of Oslo. If that didn't constitute as saving him, what the hell did? No, things weren't perfect, and they were far from being what they were say, a month ago. But he was home; and he would heal. She would heal. And life would go on.

"Ah," the young woman shook her head when Shamir said she'd made them look foolish. "No. I'm glad you guys got out. You were safer away; with Xhel."

As she led her friends downstairs, Adele smiled quietly as Shamir regaled her and Okello on their time spent with Xhel. It'd been a while since she'd seen Pablo's cousin, but it didn't sound like he'd changed much in that time.

Pablo's smile as they entered the room was encouraging, and seemed to relieve some of the tension in her shoulders; yet she hung back at first, to let Shamir see his sire. They were all together again. Well, almost all. Still, it felt good to be among friends.

After stepping closer to the bed, Adele looked away when Pablo pulled the sheet away to reveal the injuries he'd sustained. It seemed he was healing; but the amount of guilt the blonde felt threatened to suffocate her. Her ears perked as Okello spoke, and she looked up to the man as he addressed Pablo. Holding out the clothes she'd grabbed for Pablo, Adele handed them to her best friend, listening silently when as he made his request. The request sounded so earnest and hopeful, and the young woman found herself looking away again, not responding at first. She did not want to be in that girl's presence again; not so soon after everything that had happened. But something in her chest hurt when she looked upon Pablo, and saw the concern in his eyes. Was she being unreasonable about the hybrid? She grit her teeth momentarily. Reluctantly, Adele nodded, meeting her friend's eyes, "I will see how she is. For you."

[Pablo]

Okello watched Pablo blankly, they had more than enough reason to distrust that girl. Even if she was not responsible for the wounds his sire held. He was still not certain of that manner, Adele was assuming it was this vampire Catherine. The connection was there, but it was all speculation, only Pablo truly knew. However, he would wait for when he was alone with Pablo to ask. His intention was not to second guess Adele and make his friend doubt herself. Addy, perhaps take company when you do see her. It was not loss upon him, that Lucia had bitten Pablo, fed off him, and that had somehow poisoned his mind. Certainly, Alena would not allow such a thing, but that could happen to any one of them.

Pablo was practically grinning. “Addy I can just hug you. Wait, come here, I will.” He said trying to sit up. Shamir answered Pablo’s smile with one of his own, extending an arm to lightly hold down Pablo, who without much effort sunk back into the bed. Shamir laughed. “Ha, I don’t think she’d want that.” Despite the pain he still smiled, Lucia would be okay. With some company, friendship maybe, hopefully, Lucia would be fine. It was only a matter of time. I know she’ll be happy to meet you Addy. She knows how important you are to me. He would have spoken aloud if he knew that would not embarrass her. He tried to sit back up, but the pain discouraged him. Staring up at the ceiling he spoke. “I know you, and the pack all have reasons to hate her, but whatever’s been said, they’re not her fault, not even close. The vampires were using her as a figurehead, she had no control over them. It was Dane. Everything Alena blamed her for. He led them.” He said, hints of anger in his voice. Heat rose in his chest, but he sighed quietly. “I’m sorry.” Pablo spoke realizing his slight outburst. “Try to befriend her, and if you can’t maybe another can try?” Pablo glanced to his side, Okello and Shamir staring at him, their eyes thoughtful.

Shamir suddenly nodded. “I can accompany Adele, if she would like.” He said, glancing between both of his friends.

[Adele Holst]

Adele kept her golden gaze steady on Pablo, even as Okello spoke to her mentally, giving no hint that her attention was divided. "Will you come with me, then? I... I would rather not have to be in her presence alone." She'd been edgy since returning from the ordeal in Rome; her outburst toward Renn was perhaps proof of that. But that bastard deserved everything he got, and more. And maybe Lucia deserved it to. She knew Pablo would disagree; but that's why it might be better to take Okello with her. He always carried a level head on his shoulders, perhaps he'd be able to help keep her a little more centered if the hybrid tried anything untoward.

Adele smiled quietly as Pablo tried sitting up to hug her, only to be restrained with the slightest of effort. The blonde wouldn't have minded a hug from her best friend, after everything they'd each been through; but Pablo's current lack of attire, also lent some hesitation from the young woman. Still, Adele found herself looking down, letting blonde hair fall over her face as slight color rose to her cheeks when Pablo spoke to her mind. She was somewhat conflicted by what he said. On the one hand, it felt a little strange having been spoken about to, what she'd considered to be, the enemy. On the other hand, she was happy and somewhat relieved to hear that things were ok between them; she worried she might have upset Pablo in some way during the rescue, and that thought had eaten at her most of the night.

Gazing back at Pablo when he began speaking aloud, Adele bit her lip. She wanted to believe him, but there was a significant amount of trepidation in her mind. As happy as the hybrid girl appeared to make Pablo, it was still largely her actions that'd gotten them all here. From what Damien had mentioned, as well, Lucia had played no small role in the attack on the den the other night. And, though she hated even considering listening to or believing a vampire, she could still hear Marcus' words: the slightest amount of exasperation and disbelief as Catherine ran off in a panic upon hearing that Lucia had been shot. The vampiress seemed to hold the hybrid in some amount of esteem. Maybe it didn't mean she took orders from Lucia; but Adele wasn't entirely convinced the girl was just being used if there were certain members that responded the way Catherine (and Marcus in response to Catherine) did upon hearing news of Lucia taking fire.

That brief interaction with Catherine and Marcus was something she hoped to speak with Pablo about. But now, amongst others, was perhaps not the time to do so.

Adele kept quiet when her best friend asked her to befriend Lucia. That was a thought she wasn't terribly keen about at the moment. Perhaps Pablo was getting ahead of himself.

"Yes." The young woman spoke before Shamir had finished his offer, meeting his eyes before looking back to Pablo. "Though, I don't know where she is staying."

[Pablo]

It was difficult not to smile at the sight of Adele’s cheeks turning a slight red as she looked at the floor. Pablo had made sure not to speak the words aloud and she was still embarrassed. Maybe it should be expected. Teasing her was enjoyable, she was an easy target, and though he had never quite noticed before the way her cheeks flushed made her look pretty or rather prettier. Momentarily he cocked his head to the sided. Why had he never noticed? That was not important, he lay back into the bed, mentally reaching out. Even with all the lycan roaming the mansion, it was only her presence, Lucia’s, that he felt immediately. Hello Lucia, He said, happily at first, though the thought that he would not see her today slightly dowered his tone. I wish I could see you tonight. They still won’t let me leave. That she was probably aware of. He added more cheerfully again. I’m sending you company. His eyes flickered between Shamir and Adele, as Shamir offered to go as well. Pablo bit his tongue, that should not be a problem, three was not a crowd. It shouldn’t overwhelm Lucia, was that why he felt on insisting else wise.

Adele was quick to accept the offer. Too quickly, Pablo could have groaned. If she was going to visit Lucia with such trepidation, maybe it was best for her not to go at all? Be patient with them. They’ll try to be friendly, but there so many rumors and lies spreading about you, I don’t think they know what to believe. Him, that’s at least who they should believe in. Pablo flashed a smile at Adele. “She’s somewhere in the basements. I think that way?” He said, pointing where he felt Lucia’s mental presence most strongly. The basements could be quite the labyrinth, he would put it past Alena to keep Lucia somewhere inaccessible or hidden.

Of course. Okello replied promptly to Adele. There was not even a second of hesitation. Though as Shamir offered the same, Okello reconsidered. Certainly, they did not all have to go. If that's the case I’ll stay with our... friend. It may not be what Pablo wanted to discuss, but he needed to know some of what Pablo had endured under these trying circumstances. Helping him would be much easier that way. Taking a seat by the end of the bed, Okello sighed at Pablo’s quick answer. Always quick to speak of this Lucia, knowing where she may be was not so strange. Not when you were linked to one’s mind. Still Adele’s words still rang in his head. It could be love. Okello had never loved, he would not recognize it another. And yet, the marks among his neck. It could be a forced love.

[Lucia Drusa Severa]

"You're lying." A few more tears fell down the hybrid's cheeks, and she shook her head adamantly. "Pablo loves me." Carefully, Lucia tried sitting up in bed; yet her muscles and bones hurt, her very being felt broken. "You're just mad he chose me! You're jealous he chose me over you!" Pushing against Alena weakly with her forearms, the girl tried again to sit up.

Alena's expression did not change as Lucia denied her words, attempting to use force against her. The girl was weak; beaten down physically and emotionally. It was a pity she needed to add insult to the injury. But the child would heal quicker knowing the truth, processing everything that'd happened and seeing how certain actions had led them all to this outcome. "Lucia." The queen of lycanthropy grabbed her daughter's wrists, holding them firm, and leaning closer to make the hybrid meet her eyes.

Squeezing her eyes shut, the hybrid shook her head vigorously, before stopping completely when she felt a familiar, welcome presence. Pablo. Something in her chest ached; how she wished to see him, as well. Her longing, however, quickly turned to anger, and she glared up at her mother. "Why have you caged him! Let Pablo out! I need to see him; I need to be with him!" She shrieked, her voice desperate.

Leaning forward, Alena pressed her elbow into her daughter's chest, pinning the girl's arms with one of hers, and covering her mouth forcefully. You'd think Lucia was getting beaten again with all the noise she was making. The hybrid whined loudly, struggling beneath the lycan queen; tears once more filling her scarlet eyes.

Alena held her face mere inches above Lucia's, staring into her daughter's teary eyes, keeping her voice steady. "You may not recall, but after slaughtering my den in Rome, your former lover made off with you and Pablo, and together, the two of you fucked with my pup's head. Quite successfully, I would add; in case that small detail had also somehow been forgotten. I've only vague clues, but it's enough that I believe I know how, or rather Who helped that damn leech, but your dear pet will be kept safe and sound until I am certain I will not suffer another betrayal at his hands."

Lucia sobbed quietly, her struggling slowing to a halt.

Sighing inwardly, the queen of werewolves continued, "And while we're on the subject of your former lover." Clenching her jaw, Alena paused for only the slightest moment, "Dane, the generous host that he was, left me with a parting gift. His child." Holding the hybrid's gaze, Alena made sure the girl understood, before pulling away, allowing Lucia to move and speak again.

"You..." Her bottom lip quivered and Lucia shook her head; she felt like she was going to be ill. Something cold and sickly seemed to turn in her stomach. Simply the thought of Dane taking her mother and then climbing into bed with her left a foul taste in the girl's mouth. "Just go away!"

[Adele Holst]

Turning to look at Okello briefly when he offered to stay with Pablo, the young woman furrowed her brows. Was he; were they expecting her to go now to speak with Lucia? An immediate departure was not what Adele wanted; she'd just gotten here, she wanted to be around her friends. Still, she nodded slightly, accepting Okello's offer before turning her attention back to her best friend.

She hid it well, but something in Adele's stomach curdled when Pablo happily replied that the hybrid would be somewhere in the basements. The distaste soured further when he pointed in a general direction. During her time at the den, she'd never really explored much of the basements; never spent much time down there at all. Until this week. It was still a bit of a shock to think that the stark, cold holding cells she and Okello had been kept in, were located within the den she'd called home. Could that be where Lucia was being kept? Nothing in Adele wanted to go back down there; but she wasn't sure she'd be able to find her way back to that area anyway.

Still, the blonde offered a small smile to Pablo in response, "We'll try and find her."

Meeting Shamir's gaze as she turned toward the door, Adele reached out for someone to let them out. This time, it was Reece who opened the door for them, from the other side.

Wiping her hands on her jeans, Adele stared blankly ahead, trying to control her breathing as they walked through the main level. Something like dread weighed on her chest; it was a moment before she could gather herself. "R-Reece. Is Renn still, ehm... Is he still down there?"

"Yes, he is." Gazing down at the small woman and her companion, Reece kept his response short. Alena had been informed, but there had been no efforts to retrieve Renn yet.

Adele seemed to nod absently, saying nothing in return; so Reece parted ways.

Leading Shamir to one of the other basement entrances, the young woman gazed back at her friend, before opening the door and descending the concrete stairs.

[Pablo]

Pablo and Okello watched the pair depart the room. Momentarily, Pablo felt glad, Lucia would not be alone for long, but that feeling was quickly replaced, anger, and anguish, frustration. He bit his lip, withholding from screaming at Okello. Wanting to tell him to just leave, but his friend had done nothing wrong, and had hardly said a word. What was wrong with him?
“Does something trouble you?” Okello asked. Pablo shook his head. Apparently, he was wearing his emotions on his sleeve. Why did he feel so utterly betrayed, and why was he disgusted? Pablo opened his mouth to speak but found no words. Okello crossed his arms, before sitting at the edge of Pablo’s bed. “I know this may not be easy, but I think it may be helpful if you spoke about what occurred with the vampires.” It went without saying that he was not himself then.
What had happened? It was not all bad, Pablo had been with Lucia then most of the time. When she was around, he struggled to conjure any poor memories. But it had been difficult, and even he could not deny his own irritation. He had snapped at his friends a night ago, and they hadn’t blamed him. He gazed down, there were his wounds, of course. Okello seemed to be eyeing them as well. He met his friend eye’s, he could practically hear the thoughts running through his head. That was as good as a place to start as any, but Lucia had done this to him. His friends would hate her for this .Memories flashed through his head, chain tight to the floor as his love assaulted him with a silver flail, it had been for his own good though, Lucia had said so. And he didn’t blame her, couldn’t, as much as he hated to admit, Lucia had loved Dane, and Pablo had tried to kill. What if one of his friends had tried to kill Lucia? They would never dare, but he’d leave them a bloody pulp, so they learned never to dare think of ill intent towards her again.

“It was Dane.” The words came easily. “I made an attempt on his life.” He smiled at Okello. “An unsuccessful one.” Pablo held back a slight chuckle. “If it was up to him, Dane would have killed me, he wanted to, but Lucia convinced him otherwise. She saved me.” These scars were a sign of her love if anything. Okello seemed to grimace before turning his head away. Trying and failing to hide his anger. One of his hands was balled into a fist. “Okello, he was in charge, and he always got what he wanted. This was better.”

Okello stood by the bed, quickly pacing back and forth. Pablo frowned, was he deciding whether to believe him? The signs of doubt in Okello were clear, what was there not to believe, it was the truth, maybe partially misleading, it had been Lucia’s hands that carried the flail. “I don’t want you to tell anyone.” That stopped his friend in his tracks, frowning suspiciously at Pablo. “Why not?” Okello replied. It was Pablo’s turn to frown. “They’ll hate her for it, but I know I can trust you to think logically. If it was not for her I’d be dead, she’d be back, and none of you would be the wiser, I would be gone. You understand that don’t you?” Okello nodded. Thank the gods, Pablo thought with a sigh.