"The Kinlings are here." Cato says, and I swear that for a moment his eyes dart up to meet mine. "And they're demanding to see you."

My heart stops for a split second, before starting back up again in a tandem. I glance over at Max and Becky to see them tense up, Becky's hands clenching into fists.

"Do you know the purpose behind their sudden visit?" Malia asks, tapping one of her fingers thoughtfully on the arm of the lounge chair.

"No details have been received." Cato responds formally, and I almost want to roll my eyes at how over-the-top he's acting.

There's a moment of silence, a contemplative look on Malia's face.

"I will hold a meeting with them in ten minutes, but only with the High Commander and his council. The others may wait in the Reception Hall."

My head immediately jerks around to stare at Malia my jaw dropping at her words.

She's letting him in?

At that moment Malia's gaze meets mine and her expression turns sympathetic.

"I may not know the story between you two, "Malia says, referring to Zero and I, "But I know some details. News travels fast when you're living on an island. Don't worry. As long as you're in Lightling territory you have my full protection, but you might consider leaving soon before they get here."

"Thank you." I say, relieved to at least have some kind of head start, although some part of me actually wants to stay and see what the Kinlings want. Then an image of Zero's enraged face the last time I saw him and escaped from him flashes behind my eyes and I find myself quickly striding out the door, Max falling into step behind me while also dragging Becky behind him.

"Hey, let go of me." Becky growls, yanking her wrist from Max's when we get out into the hallway. "I wanted to stay and sucker punch that loser." She pouts.

"That's exactly why I wouldn't let you stay. We may be under the Lightlings protection, but if you engage in physical violence against one of the Kinlings, there's nothing they can do if the Kinlings want retribution." Max counters, for once being the reasonable person. Becky seems to have the same thought process as me, because she doesn't reply for a while, before finally speaking.

"Is that the only reason?" She asks.

"Well yeah.....that and the fact that I'm the only one you should punch." Max almost whines at the end, and I'm in shock at the whole new level of masochistic Max has turned at the hands of Becky.

"There's the Max I know and hate." Becky sighs, but she stays quiet for a few seconds after that, seeming almost content in a way.

"Say, Ashley. Do you know where we're going?" Max suddenly speaks up after a minute or two of more walking down hallways, taking random turns here and there.

"Not at all. I just thought that some distance is key in a situation like this." I reply in a light tone, trying to come off as calm and relaxed when really I was a storm on the inside.

"Not gonna argue with that." Max chuckles, seeming to take this all in stride. No wonder, since he's generally the laid back character out of all of us.

I look behind me and give Max a small smile that feels ore like a grimace, before turning back to face the front, just in time to see a glimpse of a shadow as it disappears around the corner ahead.

I freeze in my tracks, causing Max to bump into me, and then Becky to bump into Max like dominoes, Becky cursing as she stumbles back.

"What's the hold up?" Max asks, peering over my shoulder.

I don't answer, instead taking a few steps forward, before breaking out into a speed walk, approaching the corner and rounding it just in time to see the dark figure disappear around the next corner.

"Hey, wait up!" Becky yells behind me as Max and her hurry to catch up, but I'm already moving again, dashing down the hallway.

End. It has to be him. He's here again.

A pair of orange eyes flashes inside my mind, and I start to wonder if maybe pursuing him like this is really such a good idea, but it's too late for that now, because after turning the next corner I see the shadow of the figure down the hall, the person just one more corner away.

I break out into a fast run, turning the last corner.

"End-umph!" I burst out, knocking into a solid figure. Did End turn his body solid?

I look up, peering into the face of.........not End.

Yeah, definitely not End, I think to myself as I look at the middle-aged man before me, a scowl decorating his features.I take a few steps back, feeling more self-conscious every second as his eyes glare daggers at me.

His face has many wrinkles, most of them looking like the affects of heavy worrying and stress, a trimmed beard residing on his chin. His hair is brown, but there's a glimpse of grey in the roots, which only make him seem older than he really is. His build is tall, with broad shoulder and quite threatening to say the least as he stands there staring down at me. But like any other Lightling, it isn't these traits that call my attention, but his eyes.

His are a dark navy blue, seeming to balance on the border with violet purple, the color very dark and almost like a curtain that shields his thoughts and keeps his secrets.

"Who are you?" He asks in a gruff voice, eyebrows furrowing ins distaste as he looks at me.

I open my mouth to respond, only to be interrupted.

"Ashley!" Max calls as he and Becky come rounding the corner, panting and slightly out of breath.

They stop as soon as they see who I'm with, straightening and fixing a cautious look on the new man.

"Ashley....."The man says, the name seeming to be familiar to him, before his eyes slightly widen and his gaze becomes incredulous. "You're the human?" He asks roughly, the word 'human' coming from his mouth the same way I would say 'alien'.

"Erm.....yes?" I answer, apparently not knowing my own species since the response comes out like a question.

I hear a small slap as Becky face-palms herself, before she speaks up. "Yes, this girl is human. Got a problem with it?"

The man looks at Becky for a second, before looking away like she's nothing but a pesky fly, and Becky is not happy. I rest a hand on her arm to hold her at bay, her face turning slightly pink in anger.

We both watch as the man's gaze now goes to Max, recognition crossing his expression.

"Is that you, Maximus?"

Max bows his head, seeming almost sheepish. "Yes, sir."

"How many times have I told you to call me Uncle Andre?" He reprimands.

"But you're not my uncle..." Max mutters, and the man either doesn't hear or decides to wave it off.

"I was just having a chat with your father in one of the lounges. He's eager to see you." This Mr. Andre person says, and Max seems freezes for a second, before raising his head.

"I'll go meet with him right away then." Max says, starting to take a few steps down the hall.

"Wait Max, let us come with you." I say, taking a step forward to follow him, wanting to support him in his first time seeing his father in a long time.

"No need." He says seriously, before turning and flashing a classic, goofy Max smile. "I'll be back before you know it."

I watch his back as he strides down the hallway and out of view around a corner, feeling a bit of worry and wondering if that smile he flashes us just now was fake.

"As for you two." The man addresses us, calling our attention back to him. "Cease causing trouble. Running through these halls like a bunch of wild animals. Malia should have never let you in here."

"Who do you think you are, calling her High Commander by her name with no honorifics?"Becky blurts, already on a short fuse from a minute ago.

"I am Andre, Lightling Military General, and Brother of your beloved High Commander, Malia, and father of Cato." He says flatly in an introduction, and immediately bells go off in my head at the name 'brother'.

Here stands another person I am supposed to be keeping my eye on, my caution around him multiplying by ten in that one moment. Could he be the one sabotaging Malia? Would he do that to his own sister? I can't know for sure, so better safe and be suspicious than sorry.

Seeming finished with this conversation, the man brushes past us, but not before leaning down and saying lowly to where only I can hear, "I would be very careful if I was you."

I pause, before whirling around and watching him go, even his strides even and firm, like a true general.

"What did that jerkwad say to you?" Becky demands when he's out of hearing distance.

"To be careful, whatever that means..." I trail off, feeling really uncomfortable, and tensed from that whole meeting.

Becky sighs, shaking her head. "That's to be expected. Whoever spawned Cato has to be some kind of douche like him. I would have been surprised if he wasn't. Don't take it personally, it's most likely just some empty threat."

"And what if it isn't?" I ask.

Becky thinks for a minute, before shrugging.

"That makes me feel soooooo safe." I say dryly, which actually makes a corner of Becky's mouth turn up.

"Oh, thank Dalton." We suddenly hear a voice down the hallway and we turn to see Iris hurrying towards us, her robe garment flapping behind her. "I finally found you guys." She says in relief, stopping in front.

"What's wrong, Iris?" I ask, wondering if something happened and the Kinlings attacked.

"That's the problem. I have no idea if anything is wrong. High Commander Malia kicked us all out of the room expect for her and The Kinling High Commander and his council. I'm really worried, what if they do something to her?"

Becky curses under her breath, and I feel really conflicted. Iris is worried, and I know the right thing to do would be to help, but there's a part of me that doesn't want me going anywhere near there.

One look into Iris's violet, worried puppy-dog eyes has me giving in though.

"We should make sure Malia is safe, just to be careful, but it's not like we can barge in, there's no doubt guards stationed and I would like to not be seen by the Kinling High Commander."

Iris nods in understanding, thinking for a moment, before suddenly jumping in excitement and startling me.

"I have an idea. Follow me." Iris turns and starts hurriedly walking back the way she had come. Becky and I look at each other, worry reflected in both our eyes, before we start to follow her.

"So what's this big idea?" I ask as I catch up to her, Becky on Iris's other side. "You aren't planning on going inside, are you?"

"Nope, not inside, but outside." Iris smirks.

"Oh outside......wait that doesn't make any sense. For one, we're on a mountain, and two, wouldn't they be able to notice us there?"

"Not necessarily. Malia's lounge and greeting room is elevated, since the Villa is on the very peak of the mountain, but there's a little section underneath the room, where we can listen in and be hidden at the same time. I used to go underneath the room all the time and lay on the slanted grass and listen to her work." Iris says, a sparkle of admiration in her eyes which I've noticed has always been there whenever she's talking about Malia.

Iris approaches a large window in the hall, turns her head left and right, checking for any people, before pushing open the window.

Becky and I watch in slight surprise as she gathers her robe into her arms, before climbing out the window and onto the ground beneath.

"Come on, we have to hurry." She says, turning to face us.

I look at Becky, and she shrugs, signalling me with her hands to go first. Sighing, I awkwardly approach the window, swinging one leg over and expecting to touch the ground outside with my foot, but I hadn't expected my legs to be shorter than I thought because I don't make any contact with the ground, which is only inches away. I stretch my foot, leaning sideways and trying to touch the ground, hearing Becky's laughter as I make a fool out of myself.

Suddenly, my hands, which had been grasping the frame of the window while I was leaning sideways, slip, causing me to fall over onto the ground with a loud 'thump'.

Becky's laughter gains volume and Iris gasps, making her way to my side but I wave her off, my face beat red.

"You try." I tell Becky who's the only one left in the hall, glaring at her as I dust myself off.

Becky smirks, before doing a quick dramatic stretch. She then takes a few steps back, before sprinting out the window and using the frame of it to vault herself out, landing in a smooth roll on the ground.

"And you said you weren't athletic." I huff, annoyed at her amazing display which puts me entirely to shame.

"I am, but people of Dalton are generally better than humans in every way. I'm not the most coordinated Halfling, but compared to a human I'm still the best." She grins victoriously.

"Oh whatever." I scowl, nodding at Iris to continue leading the way.

We make our trek along the semi-slanted ground, sticking close to walls and ducking when there's windows so we're not seen by any guards.

"We're getting really close." Iris finally says in a low voice over her shoulder, and she points up ahead, to where I can see the familiar room suspended over the side of the mountain, columns underneath it the only support holding it up. We have to approach from below, as to not let them see us, and we start to slowly make our way up, careful to not make any loud sounds.

My heartbeat picks up speed the closer we get, until we're right on top of the room, or better yet, underneath. I pick up the faint sounds of voices, but Iris gestures for us to keep moving up until the floor of the room above us brushes our heads and we can make out what they're saying.

".....is a very sudden demand to be making, and out of the blue nonetheless." Malia's voice says, and I tilt my head to the side, raising my ear to hear better.

"Yes well, we're running out of options, and this was the most reasonable to pursue." And old man's voice says, one I recognize from that time I met the Kinling council.

"And I suppose you have some sort of bargain to offer, for our help of course, if we decide to assist you." Malia inquires.

"Assist in what?" Becky whispers, and we shush her.

"But of course-"The old man is suddenly cut off, and ice floods my veins at the all-to-familiar voice.

Zero.

"Ally with us. Give us your military power when we need it and your aid, and with this alliance we will give the Lightlings all of our territory when the conclusion is decided."

"Why would you do such a thing as give away all your land?" Malia asks, and even I have to wonder. it seems pretty risky of an option, and what exactly is Zero planning to use the Lightling military power for? Don't tell me.....It can't be.

"We won't be needing our land anymore, because if all goes to plan we'll have our own permanent territory, and the Darkling clan will no longer exist."

A silent whoosh of air escapes me, and I'm frozen to my spot, Zero's words echoing in my head.

Permanent territory.....Darkling clan.....no longer exist.

"And you're resolute on this? There's no other option but to go to..." Malia trails off.

"War." Zero finishes for her, his voice grave. "For too long we've let everything slide, but it's time that Kinlings get what they deserve. Something has been brewing for decades now, and taking the first action is the only way to riase our chance of winning. If only you knew the horrible things they've done to my people-" Zero breaks off, his tone of voice darker than it's ever been.

Malia sighs, and there's a long moment of silence.

"This is a lot to think about. It is war after all, the first war Dalton has experienced in centuries, and while you seem to have an idea as to what you're doing, I can't lend my soldiers to you without knowing that it won't be a bloodbath thanks to poor planning on your part.......let me think about it, go back to your territory, and if I call for you, my decision will be made." Malia finally says, and I let out a huge breath of relief. She didn't join forces, thank God.

There's a pause, and I can just tell that Zero wants to push more to get her to just agree, but he finally sighs. "Of course, thank you for your time. I'll be waiting for your reply." He says earnestly.

There's the sound of the heavy doors opening, and shuffling footsteps, then silence. I think it's over, but then voices speak up again.

"Why do you remain here, High Commander?" Malia asks.

"There was something I wanted to ask you." Zero responds, and my ears perk up, focused entirely on their conversation. "Have you run into a human girl? She has brown hair and eyes......and her name's Ashley Cartwright."

There's a long pause, and I hold my breath.

"No, I'm afraid I've never personally met her, but I've heard many stories revolving around the human girl."

Another long pause. I wonder if Zero doubts her words. Malia doesn't seem like the type of person who likes to lie, and her face may be giving it away right now.

"I see....." Zero trails off, and I ignore with all my might the disappointment in his voice and the hint of wistfulness. I hope he thinks that I returned to Highclere, and doesn't continue a search, but my hopes fall flat when he continues to speak "If you could keep any eye out for her, and inform me immediately if you come across her, I would be in your debt."

"And why is this human girl so important to find?" Malia questions.

"I......She.....I just need to find her, but if she isn't here, then I have no more reason to stay. Goodbye, High Commander, and please think on what we've discussed."

Heavy footsteps, the door opening again then shutting, and silence.

Iris puts her finger to her lips and gestures for us to go back the way we came, emerging from out underneath the room.

When we're out of view and hearing distance from the room, Becky starts to go off in a ranting tangent, talking too quickly to keep up with with a few curse words here and there.

"We should talk to High Commander Malia and ask if she'll ally the Lightlings with the Kinlings right away." Iris speaks up over Becky, her gaze locked on me, no doubt also wondering why the Kinling High Commander had needed to find me.

"And let her know we were spying?" I ask.

"She won't mind." Iris waves it off. "Not when there are more important matters to deal with at the moment."

"You're right. Let's go then." I eventually agree,and we begin making our way towards the nearest window.

My minds a wild roar of thoughts, but the one thing at the center of my mind is the fear that Lager could have run into Zero while the Kinlings were leaving, or knows about them coming. I haven't seen Lager all morning, so who knows where he is, or what he's up to, or even if he's just sleeping the day away.

We reach a window and Iris pulls it open, before sticking her head in and checking for guards. What is up with these Lightling guards and not being in the right place at the right moment like they should be?

Iris pulls herself up into the hallway like it's nothing, and I give Becky a boost, before Iris and Becky help pull me up and through the window.

We break into a speed walk down the hall, heading for Malia's lounge room, when a figure comes darting around the corner, and for the second time of the day I'm bumping into someone else.

"Sorry." I reflexively apologize even though it wasn't my fault as the person wearing a Lightling robe with a hood up and covering their face falls back a step.

And it's that one step that causes the hood to fall back,and a familiar dirty blonde head of hair to come spilling out along with a face I instantly recognize, though it takes a second to remember her name in my shocked state.

It's Aella, otherwise known as, Zero's fiance.



Dear readers, I'm back, and I've brought my shield along again. (Smiles sheepishly) I am soooooooooooooo sorry for abandoning this book for a few months and not updating, but hopefully this really long chapter makes up for it. I know there wasn't really any Lager in it, stick around if you are Team Lager cause he'll definitely be in the next chapter, but for all you Team Zero fans out there, I hope you enjoyed the fact that Zero has not by any means given up his pursuit of Ashley. So in this chapter we met Andre, the big, call-the-shots-guy who's also Cato's father. Does anyone smell another douche? Also why the ehcking heck is Aella there? This chapter was mainly a plot kind of chapter, so not much humor and romance and all the other good stuff that I think mainly keeps you readers reading, cause let's be honest, the plot certainly isn't keeping you here (This is me referencing all the plot holes in Book One and the feeble attempt to patch them up in book two). This chapter is unedited, so sorry, but I wanted to publish it ASAP. As always, vote, comment, and watch the U.S. Open (or don't, cause I'm still pretty upset over Djokavic's and Federer's loss, but they had a good run).

Lots of Love,

Dangeroustoken