Jaspen

Sweede and I had agreed to leave out in the morning and I was grateful for I felt for the last two hours a growing migraine meaning a Nephilium was here. I wasnt sure if they were with the Phoenix Guard or not and I honestly didnt want to find out. Though killing one of them wouldn't bother me, I was afraid of the blow back. From what Sweede had gathered, they were all high born men and were gaining respect daily. So far our presence had went unnoticed and I wanted to keep it that way.

The pain intensified and a knock came on our door not too long after. I kept my hand on Rensue as I cracked the door slightly to see the small form of Sasha's nosy Nephilium Guardian friend.

"So it is you," she said.

I let out a sigh of relief. I was glad it was her and not the Phoenix Guard. I opened the door allowing her in and locking it.

"Why are you so far from the capital? I hadn't expected to see you here."

"Quinn sent us when we hadn't received word from the shambles. Why are you here? I thought you trained the new Guardians these days."

"I'm here for a new candidate, but that's beside the point. It isn't safe for you here. You should be home telling the court of this news."

"What about you? Surely a dark blood sympathizer isn't safe either."

She flushed her eyes falling on her left arm.

"I need to talk to him."

She was known to be as stubborn as Sasha. Probably why they were such good friends.

"No offense, Eveline, but you should probably have some backup before walking into his manner. If he's willing to raise his own guard and go against law chasing out dark bloods, how safe are you?"

Her grey green eyes met mine with a determination and stubborn look I had never seen her with. How did Alistor deal with her?

"This is my mission, Jaspen."

So she did remember my name after all this time.

"I'm sure that was before the rise of this little problem. Title wont always be enough to protect you. Im not saying you're not capable, Eveline… I'm just saying think before you act alone. Your kind usually go on dangerous missions in pairs do you not?"

I really didnt want to explain to Sasha or answer to Alistor how she had gotten hurt.

She bit her lip weighing what I had said.

"Perhaps you are right," she said after a moment carefully.

"Oh thank the gods," I said under my breath.

Sweede chuckled and she seemed to notice him for the first time.

"Sorry… I didn't realize-" she stumbled.

"We were getting ready to lie down, but I'll sleep better knowing you are the Nephelium here and not the Phoenix Guard."

She looked perplexed for a moment.

"You… you don't sense another?"

I shook my head. "Nay… there's a weak sense of one, but none as powerful as the ones in the capital or you."

She seemed lost in thought for a moment. A look of dispiritedness crossed her features.

"Why?"

"As I said, I'm here for a candidate for the Nephilium classes, but you may have already made it easier to not test her."

That was the reason she seemed downtrodden. This possible Nephelium was a girl. I'm sure she had high hopes for this one.

"I could be wrong," I said quickly before I could catch myself.

Why was I trying to raise her spirits? All that could do was make her want to go to the manor on her own.

"Her family hasn't produced a Nephilium in three generations… its typically a dormant gene by this point."

"She just doesn't give me as big of a migraine as you do," I said. "I mean- I don't mean that to sound rude-"

She smiled faintly. "But you can sense her."

"If I focus enough… yes."

She let out a sigh of relief.

"Eveline…"

"Don't worry- I won't go there alone. Alistor would have grey hair if he knew I went there without him with what is happening here."

I couldn't help but chuckle. At least the thought of worrying her beloved was enough to keep her from doing something foolish.

"That and I can't have you rescuing me again. What would that look like to the people if the Swordsmaster couldn't hold her own? I have to think logically even if it does bother me to retreat.."

"Think of it as the calm before the storm."

She nodded. "Goodnight, Jaspen."