Season Finale: You don't want me?

Song recommendation: And love said no (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnILuPX76sQ&list=RDGMEMJQXQAmqrnmK1SEjY_rKBGA&index=5)

The moment Ace closed the door behind him, he caught a tremor in his fist and gripped it tightly until the shaking stopped. His eyes came up slowly and desolately. He turned swiftly and started down the staircase of the tower.

It was late and there were no students around thankfully. He turned out into the cold night air with a sigh. The moon stared back at him unrepentantly bright. He hated it. The sight of the moon, hanging full against the stars made him even more restless.

"Yona," he said quietly.

"You called for me?"Yona appeared at his side at once.

"Is it going as expected?" Ace glanced at her.

"Yes," Yona replied, 'it's going as you said it would,"

"What did Silthus say?"Ace asked with a frown.

"He asked why you have not returned," Yona replied, "he said if you don't answer his summons, he's going to come here,"

"Good," Ace replied shortly.

"Is something the matter master?" Yona glanced down apprehensively.

"No," Ace looked ahead with intensity, "I'm just feeling tense,"

"Then why do this at all, master?" Yona implored, "Silthus is dangerous. The wizard is dangerous. Playing this game..."

"It's fine," Ace smiled and patted her warmly, "you know I'll be fine,"

"But why go so far?" Yona said in a low voice.

Ace looked up at her, "you've gotten more talkative lately," he commented, "I like it Yona,"

Yona's face reddened and she turned away, "because the master has gotten more reckless again, I have to speak up,"

"It's not reckless," Ace answered with a distant stare, "It's going exactly as I intended."

Just as he said the words, they were interrupted by a loud severe shout.

"Hey, you!"

Tomas suddenly emerged in front of them both. " It seems like you're playing some kind of game with Veretta and Errik, huh? Now Veretta's been hurt as well?!"

"Has she?" Ace looked up at him with a blank expression, "so what are you going to do about it?"

At that moment Tomas flew forward and launched a fist directly at him. Yona was about to step in but received a cold glance from her master. Tomas' punch connected and hit Ace across the face. Tomas expected him to return the blow but instead Ace just stared up at Tomas coolly before cracking his head to one side leisurely.

"I like you," Ace remarked but without a smile, "you're quite honest,"

Tomas flinched under the intensity of his black eyes but answered nonetheless, "Well, I don't like you. I don't know what game you're playing with my friends but I know a shit-stirrer when I see one,"

"Friends?" Ace blinked slowly, "you think Errik is your friend?"

"Well he's a bastard but he's a lot more trustworthy than you," Tomas returned.

On saying this Ace's face cracked into a wide grin and he threw his head back laughing.

"I'd be careful about placing your trust in him," he smiled, "didn't you ever wonder who it is you remind Errik of?"

"It doesn't matter," Tomas sniffed.

"I guess I can see a bit of a resemblance," Ace ignored him, " You're from the royal family in Ascar right?"

Tomas' brow furrowed, "How'd you know that?"

"Just a guess," Ace glanced at Tomas' arm. Even though it was covered Tomas felt his eyes were somehow able to see it and he instinctively crossed his arms with a frown.

"A lucky guess," Tomas stated with distaste.

"Not really. The kid you remind him of was from the same place," Ace inhaled deeply, "though it was more a tribe than a dynasty back then. His name was Bird. He was my best friend, you know,"

Tomas looked at him suspiciously, "Another student of the black wizard?"

"Correct," Ace gave a smile that didn't reach the eyes. He stepped perilously close to Tomas. Still, Tomas held his ground meeting those black consuming eyes with a chill. "A dead student that is and trust me, he didn't die of old age,"

Tomas' jaw clenched and he remained rigidly still until Ace passed. Yona watched quietly standing across from Tomas.

"You shouldn't provoke my master like that," she said once Ace had gone.

"I think he's the one provoking us," Tomas returned coldly.

"If my master had hit you back," Yona stared at him with forlorn red eyes, "he could have killed you,"

"How generous of him not to kill me," Tomas scoffed. He ran a hand through his blonde hair and chuckled but his expression was dark. "You really like him, don't you Yona? Even though you know he's wrong, you're protecting him,"

Yona's fist clenched but her expression did not change, "That's right. I will protect him."

"Got it," Tomas replied briskly, "that's fine, then I'm going to protect my friends as well," he turned swiftly away from her and took off.

He stepped out of college into the forest. It was dark and gloomy compared to the campus. The forest howled with the wind even though it was not strong. It seemed to be possessed with a mind of its own. Tomas hurried along as fast as he could manage. The whole place gave him flashbacks of the night Errik had almost turned him to ice. He kept going on praying he wouldn't lose his way in the dark. Luckily the moon was bright and within a short while, he found the way to the abandoned old shack.

It was an ancient-looking holdover from a time long passed. It was four brittle looking wooden walls and a slate roof. Tomas wondered how Errik could even survive there, but since he had insisted upon it, there was no arguing with him. Tomas knocked anxiously at the door. He wondered how Errik would react if he found out Veretta had been hurt.

Errik answered the door almost at once. When it opened there was a blade in his hand as he surveyed Tomas wearily.

"I told you, you don't need to bring me any food," Errik turned swiftly inside, " I can manage on my own,"

"It's about Veretta," Tomas said reluctantly, "she's been hurt,"

Errik pivoted abruptly, "Where is she?"

He followed Tomas back out through the woods and they started back towards the college.

"How did this happen?" Errik demanded impatiently as he walked briskly ahead.

"I don't know," Tomas confessed, "She won't tell me but...I think that demon was involved somehow,"

An exceedingly vicious expression came across Errik's face. He said nothing more till they reached the college gates.

"She's in the infirmary," Tomas gestured.

Errik flew up the stairs with more energy than Tomas had ever seen him use. He rushed into the room and reached her bedside breathlessly. Veretta was lying with her eyes closed. However, upon hearing Errik coming crashing into the room, she opened them startled.

"Errik," she said slowly, "what are you doing here?"

"What do you mean, what am I doing here.." he shook his head grievously, "I came because you were hurt!"

"I'm okay," Veretta answered quietly, "I wasn't hurt badly. You didn't need to come all the way here,"

Errik stared down at her with a pained expression, "Why are you acting like this? I don't understand it,"

"Errik," Veretta sighed, "I'm tired. Can we talk tomorrow instead?"

"No!" Errik snapped, "I want to talk now. Tell me what happened,"

"I..." Veretta opened her lips to speak but stopped, "it doesn't matter. Just go back for now. I don't want to talk about it,"

Errik's jaw clenched as if another outburst was fit to take over, but he seemed to compose himself. He took a seat beside Veretta's bedside with a solemn expression.

"I know why you're angry at me," he said flatly. "You saw us kiss, didn't you?"

"I don't know what..." Veretta stammered.

"Why didn't you just say so?" Errik went on ignoring her.

Veretta let out a sigh, "Who you kiss and what you do has nothing to do with me."

"Then why are you so upset?" Errik turned to her.

"I'm not...upset," Veretta averted her gaze.

"Really? I would be," Errik sniffed, "if you kissed someone else,"

Veretta's eyes widened. She stared at him surprised.

"I'm only human after all," Errik met her gaze unwavering.

Veretta's fist clenched, "Fine! Yes, I'm upset! But Errik, what am I supposed to say? That you can't kiss someone else? That I'm jealous? What would that achieve?"

Errik raised an eyebrow with a smile. "I thought you said you didn't like me after all?"

"I do," Veretta said flatly, "but that doesn't mean you can make a fool out of me,"

"How am I making a fool out of you?" Errik asked, bemused.

"Don't kiss me if you're not interested in me," Veretta said quietly. " I would have given you whatever you wanted, Errik. That was our deal. You don't need to use such tricks to have your way. You don't need to pretend you care about me if you don't."

"You think my kisses are so cheap?" Errik held Veretta's hand to his lips, "They're not. At least not anymore," he kissed her fingers gently.

Veretta's face reddened, "You know I like you and you're just playing around with me,"

"Do you really want me to stop?" Errik grinned. His kisses trailed up her neck tenderly.

Veretta was momentarily subdued by her senses. However, the moment his lips met her, she pulled away.

"I'm serious Errik," Veretta frowned, "I don't want to play games,"

"It's not a game," Errik returned adamantly.

"Then why did you kiss him? " Veretta exhaled angrily. "Did he have something you wanted? Or is he just what you prefer?"

Erriks hazel eyes glared at her with an expression Veretta had never seen before. His guarded expression showed a flicker of discomfort. "Even if he was, he's the one who kissed me. What should I do? Apologize for it? I'm sorry that some else forced themselves on me...is that what you want me to say?"

Veretta shook head at once, "No, of course not..."

"Then why are you angry at me for that?" Errik frowned and he stood up, " I came here because...it's you that I want. Instead, you just throw it in my face like I'm some kind of nuisance, but weren't you the one that started all this? If you saw the kiss, then you ought to be able to tell. That demon isn't interested in me like that in the slightest! It's so obvious I don't know why I have to tell you. He's playing games with us, Veretta. Him, not me!"

"Errik, wait!" Veretta called after him.

He turned back but his expression was uncharacteristically strained, "You don't want me? That's fine, I'll go. I don't want to see you for a while anyway,"