I have to jog to catch up to Aella, she walks so fast, and I remain a few steps behind her, not taking my eyes off her back and the very deadly-looking weapon that's strapped there.

I'm really not sure how to feel about Aella....or how she feels about me.

Does she hold a grudge? I did reveal her identity back at the Villa after all. Or maybe she's not angry about that, but the fact that I stole her fiancee away.

Suddenly she stops and I freeze, inhaling sharply and on full alert.

She turns to me, waving a hand. "If a Lyncher appears, I can't move quickly enough to stop it if you're in back of me."

I exhale the breath I'd held, walking forward until I've passed her.

She starts walking again, her long legs allowing her to catch up until she's only half-a-step behind me, making me feel very awkward since we're basically walking side by side.

Up ahead I can see Zero's back, not once this whole time has he turned his head to look back at me.

I glance sideways at Aella, and find her entirely focused, not paying me a speck of attention.

This may be a valuable chance to get information, I can't possibly let this pass up....but then again looking at how things are right now I doubt it'll be easy getting details out of either of them.

"Why did you save me?" I finally speak up, deciding to slowly ease into the information-gathering.

Aella glances at me, before going back to look straight ahead. My shoulders slump, as I picture her not responding and just ignoring me the entire time, but I'm surprised when I hear her speak after another second.

"We were nearby." Is all she says, which isn't really an answer but I won't push. I'm just lucky they saved me.

"And.....Zero......was this his idea?" I ask, wincing at how conspicuous I made that sound.

She gives me another look, this one lingering with her brow furrowing, lips twitching down.

"I don't understand why you call him 'Zero'." She says his name forcefully, not hiding her thoughts about the name in the tone of her voice.

"Yeah well....it's a long story." Is the best answer I can up with at the moment.

And then something hits me.

Not literally, because thoughts and ideas can't cause damage, but the impact of this particular thought is so powerful i wouldn't be surprised if it actually knocked me off my feet.

"Um, Aella?" I ask, coughing to clear my hoarse throat which had suddenly dried up. "What is Zero's real name....just out of curiosity?"

I'm scared to look at Aella, already thinking of the judgmental glare she must have pinned on me, her eyes asking, 'you've known him for this long and still don't know his real name?'.

I couldn't agree with her more. It is super odd that I never even bothered to look into finding out his real name, but then again, Zero never complained about being Zero.

He went along with it happily enough, and I guess that just kind of made me want to go along with it.

Zero is Zero after all. I can't imagine him being anything else.

However, when I do finally muster up the courage to look at Aella, she doesn't have a judgmental expression or even the cool, calm, and collected one she always wears.

She seems genuinely confused.

"His real name?" She repeats, pondering the words.

"Erm, yes, his real name. You know? The one given to him at birth? The name you call him instead of 'Kinling High Commander' all the time?"

Aella's features smooth out, the confusion clearing from her face, and I brace myself, waiting for the awaited word that will reveal the name of Zero and finally unravel this mystery.

"He doesn't have one."

I blink.

"Come again?" I ask after a second.

Aella stops walking, making me pause too as she turns to face me head on.

"He doesn't have a name." She repeats, and now it's my turn to be confused.

"That doesn't make sense." I huff, wondering if Aella has some dry sense of humor or something and this is all just a joke.

"It doesn't have to make sense to you, but that's the way it's always been. The moment he was born he was recognized as the future Kinling High Commander, and because of that he remained nameless, only being addressed as High Commander in a sign of respect."

"That's horrible." I mutter, which makes Aella's eyes flare slightly and I quickly backtrack. "I mean, not horrible, just...have you ever wondered that maybe Zero....wants a name?" I ask cautiously, thinking back to how quickly he adapted to being called Zero and even seemed to enjoy it.

"In all honesty, no. I never once gave it any thought until the day Zero returned to Dalton after his mission, ordering that his first name be written down in texts and that he be addressed as 'Zero', which sounds tacky in my opinion, but then the news spread quickly until the whole island learned of his new name."

I recall when we had first met Lager, and how Lager had addressed him as Zero. Aella was not making an understatement when she said the news spread quickly. But how exactly did Zero spread that news?

I mean there were plenty of times when I didn't really have a sharp eye on him. Most likely he slipped away and to send the Kinlings a message and it must have spread from there....at least that's my best guess.

Then something else is dragged out from the depths of my mind, something that I don't want to admit bothers me, but I know for a fact it's been in the back of my conscious for a long time, lingering and waiting until this moment.

"Aella, how long have you been engaged to Zero?" I ask, looking up at Aella, who stares at me for a second, before sighing and leaning backwards against a nearby tree.

"Since I was born. It was another thing chosen for us before we could even speak. I couldn't care less about who I married, or even if I married at all, but High Commander has always been reluctant about this matter." She raises her left hand, a corner of her lip turning upwards. "I don't even have an engagement ring, as you can see."

I feel a twinge of guilt. Now that we've been talking, Aella really doesn't seem that bad.

Sure, at first I thought she was a bit on the cold side, willing to take down any person that stood in her way and not feel remorse for it, but now I can also see a different side of her. A side that cares for Zero and her people, and just wants to protect them.

Maybe she doesn't care about marrying Zero, but then again marrying Zero would give her a powerful position in the Kinling society, one in which she can use to defend her clan. Then here I come, waltzing in and stealing their High Commander away and siding with the Darklings, their enemy. No wonder Aella doesn't hold me in high regards. To her, I'm only a danger to their entire clan.

I know I shouldn't ask this, and I know the answer I get may not be a friendly one, but I can't stop myself from asking anyway.

"Do you know about the bond?" I ask in a low voice, and I can tell Aella immediately knows what I'm talking about.

The bond between Zero and I. The one that almost killed me. The one I had Core destroy.

"Yes." Aella answers after a short pause, and just that one word is like a kick to the stomach.

Kinlings only have one chance to bond with someone, and instead of making the bond with his fiancee, Zero made it with a human girl who soon ended up destroying the bond.

Are you regretting your decision? My subconscious whisper at me, and I open my mouth, I don't know whether to apologize to Aella, or maybe give and excuse, or maybe even ask another question, but before I can even enunciate one letter, we're interrupted by Zero who appears, his eyes taking in the two of us standing there with a skeptical look.

"I found a base." Zero finally says to Aella, who nods and pushes off the tree, walking past Zero.

Zero's eyes meet mine for a second, the silver in them glinting, before he turns and follows Aella.

I exhale, walking behind him and nearly suffocating at how awkward and tense the air around us is.

Remember Ashley, information gathering.

I open my mouth, pause, close it. Open my mouth again, stop, close it.

I think I've finally decided on what to say when Zero pushes aside a branch and the entrance of a cave comes into view, Aella standing in front of it.

"We're going in there?" I ask, thinking about the network of caves that leads to the Core, and how remembering how back when Zero had kidnapped me and taken me into Kinling territory I had escaped by using a cave.

Zero seems to have the same thought, because he glances over his shoulder at me with a hard stare. "This is a Kinling base, and while it's large, it's a dead end."

Basically he's saying there's no escaping to Core this time.

I swallow, but nod and follow them into the cave.

I feel an intense wave of deja vu as I'm enveloped in the darkness, the feeling similar to returning home after being away for years at college....not that I would know what that feels like, my dad kept me on Braun island to home-school.

I've been spending way too much time in caves lately. I shake my head, making my way down the slope and more into the inky-black until I think I'm on level ground.

I don't have to wait long before I hear clattering and rustling until suddenly there's a fire that's deeper inside the cave.

I continue farther into the cave while my eyes adjust to the sudden light, taking in the dug out pit the fire resides in the boulders around it that look like places to sit. Then I look up and gape at how vast the cave in. I didn't go much farther down, there must be a huge rock above land that the cave is beneath. Ledges adorn the cave walls along with different paths that lead to unknown destinations. Maybe Zero was lying and one of those paths really does lead to the Core....but if I'm wrong and the one I pick is a dead end....

I shiver as a gust blows through the cave, echoing against the walls and only making the setting seem more eerie.

I focus my attention back on Aella who is a few feet away from the fire, pushing away a rock that's against a wall to reveal a small alcove where a few bags are stored. Aella moves aside one of the bags and grabs the other like she knows exactly what's inside each bag without having to look and pushes the rock back into place before strolling back over to the fire.

I inch my way closer to the flame, wanting the warmth since it's much cooler in here than out in the jungle.

"Make yourself comfortable." Aella nods her head at one of the rocks around the fire, and I take a seat just a heavy footsteps approach, Zero emerging into the fire's light.

"Catch." Aella says, tossing Zero an item who catches it with ease.

I perk up when I see it's a loaf of bread, and question how often they change out the food. Must be every week since the bread's not moldy.

Aella meets my eyes and tosses me one as well, and I try and catch it, but end up missing and it falls into my lap.

Aella grabs one for herself before taking a seat across from me, Zero sitting on a rock next to her.

I can tell he's been trying to keep his distance this time around, maybe respecting my wishes. This is what I wanted, so why do I feel kind of guilty about it?

Back on track, Ashley. Information! Get the information!

"So what are you guys doing so far away from your main base?" I ask, clearing my throat when the words come out in an awkward croak.

"Sorry, but it's our turn for the questions." Aella says, seeming not too sorry about it at all. "What were you doing outside of the Mount Lux?"

I pause, wondering how I should answer and how much I should tell them.

"I was being chased," I finally respond.

Aella gives me a flat look, telling me I better follow up on that statement.

"By a person trying to kill me, I have an idea of who it was. Cato, the Lightling Queen's nephew." I say, remembering the flash of orange eyes.

"What?" Zero almost seems to growl, eyes flashing in the firelight.

"I know, right? Who would have thought Cato had the backbone to actually tryout to kill me?" I laugh with humor, tearing off a piece of bread and eating it.

"Forget about Cato." Zero says roughly, eyes not letting mine go and demanding answers. "Why was he trying to kill you?"

"Because I may or may not have found out that he is the one behind an evil scheme." I say carefully, not willing to give away what that scheme exactly is.

Zero looks like he wants to push for more, but I open my mouth before he can.

"Becky and Max have no idea what's going on. I didn't get the chance to tell them before I left." I continue, my thoughts drifting to them.

I wonder if they're alright. When Cato couldn't find me, did he go back and target them next? I bet one hundred percent they could hold their own against him, but then again, if he sets a trap or separates them.....no that won't happen, cause Lager will protect them.

Lager.

Golden eyes flash inside my head, his last instructions if I'm ever in trouble to touch a shadow and call his name. Would this count as trouble?

I survey Zero and Aella, both who are looking at me intently, wanting any information from me they can get, the same way I want information from them.

Glancing behind me, I see the shadow myself and the rock cast, and casually lean back, placing my hand in the shadow just in case anything happens.

"How did you guys know I was on Mount Lux?" The thought suddenly hits, and Zero and Aella share a look, before Zero answers.

"The moment I stepped into the Villa a few days ago I knew you were there. The bond may be gone," He says and I wince, "But I still get a strange feeling whenever you're around."

Wonderful, I think flatly.

"It wouldn't have been wise though to pursue you with the Lightlings on your side though at the moment." Zero continues, making me tense, fingers flexing in the shadows.

"And you were pursuing me because....?" I ask cautiously, watching his every movement as his gaze turns serious.

"You may know a lot about Dalton for a human, but you still don't know nearly enough." He says in a low tone of voice, which sparks irritation in me.

"So then tell me what I need to know. What information am I missing that is soooo important, you kidnapped me and kept pursing me just to tell me it?" I ask sarcastically, making Zero's nostrils flare slightly, but he keeps a firm grip on his control, which is surprising because the Zero I know would have usually snapped.

"I was getting to that." He responds, when Aella cuts in.

"Last chance to take it back, Zero. We can still keep this from her. Ignorance is bliss and all that." Aella drawls, popping a piece of bread into her mouth.

"Don't give me that, Aella." Zero grits out, some of his irritation leaking through. "If she doesn't know, she might make huge mistakes which could worsen the situation."

"And what situation is that?" I groan, wanting him to spit it out already. "Are you trying to convince me to help you ally with the Lightlings so you can take down the Darklings?"

Zero's eyes widen in shock, but I can't stop my mouth before it opens, continuing.

"Yes, I know about that whole shebam, and how you approached the Lightling High Commander with the purpose of allying against the Darklings. I'm sorry, but I won't have any part in that. The Darklings really aren't that bad, Zero. I know you may have a grudge with their High Commander, but he truly cares for his people and you can't wipe out their entire race just because of some grudge."

"You think this is because of a grudge?" Zero bursts in to my rant, his anger flaring. "You don't know anything about the truth."

"I'm sick of you treating me like I'm some frail ignorant human!" I exclaim, even though I am a weak, stupid human, but that doesn't matter right now. The hormones are on a roll and that means nothing is stopping them. "It's like this all those months ago too, when you thought it best to withhold the fact that I was dying because of you from me."

There's a flash of pain that's in Zero's eyes at the reminder of that time before it's enveloped in annoyance.

"I'm not acting like you're ignorant, Ashley, but maybe you would know a bit more about the danger you're in if you didn't trust the Darkling High Commander so much."

"Oh, so this whole thing is about jealousy."

"I'm not jealous." Zero states, and if I were anyone else I would be scared of the expression he's making right now, but I'm not.

"You are! You can't go accusing the Darkling High Commander of these things when I have more of a reason to trust him than you. In all this time I've been with him he's been considerate and calm towards me, even going so far as to protect and shelter my friends and I. That's more than I can say about you." I jab, starting to get really fed up with Zero.

"Zero." Aella calls, but it's too late.

Zero stands in a fit of rage, fists clenching and unclecnhing, silver eyes, furious.

"Enough about that damned Darkling High Commander." He growls, and I can literally hear his chest rumbling.

"It'll be enough when you agree to not attack their people. They don't deserve a violent war, and neither do your people." I sigh, inhaling a large breath of air and closing my eyes, calming down slightly.

"You may have your reasons for holding a grudge against the Darklings, and I'm sorry of calling you jealous, but I won't stand by and let you start a war that will only lead to death for both of your people. I'm sorry, but I won't help you."

There's silence, and I think that Zero may have calmed down like I have and decided to focus back on telling me what was so important. This tedious argument was definitely part of my fault, but when I picture Zero waging war against the Darklings I have lived with for a few months, getting to know them and their customs, seeing that they weren't that much different from humans in the way they had families and were actually very friendly towards my friends and I, I get very protective.

The Darklings helped me when I needed it, and like heck am I going to just let them be senselessly killed in a battle, whether it be because of jealously or some unknown information Zero is yet again withholding from me.

Zero opens his mouth, and I expect him to reveal the big secret he's been keeping, when I hear him mutter.

"What's so great about that bastard High Commander anyway?"

No. He. Didn't.

The rage is back and I can't control the next words that fall from my lips.

"What's great is Lager isn't some man-child who abandons his people to chase after a girl who he's so incompatible with, it literally kills her to be with him."

The 'her' I was talking about was me, back when the bond was still going, and in my head it sounded like a pretty good insult, but a second later I realize just how insulting it and wince, looking up at Zero, who's eyes have turned murderous.

He takes a step towards me and I shove up from the boulder, skidding away to the cave wall as Zero approaches, my throat closing at the sight of his fury.

"Zero, stop." Aella commands, but he's too far gone. I should know, I've seen him angry before,and this may just be the angriest he's ever been yet.

I close my eyes, putting my hands up as a feeble shield, when suddenly wind howls through the cave and I open my eyes to see the shadows all around morphing, moving and taking new shapes and forms.

There's only one person who has control over shadows like that, and that's the Darkling High Commander himself.

But why would he be here? I didn't call for him..........oh.

I think back to the last thing I had said, when my hand was still in the shadows and I had voiced Lager's name.

A shadow beside me melts from the wall, taking the form of a man that walks to stand in between Zero and I.

Slowly the feature start to fill in, starting with the boots, moving up to the cape, before finally unveiling the navy, dark blue hair as his back stays turned to me.

He's here.

Lager turns his head, glancing over me once to make sure I'm alright, before turning back to Zero, shoulders back and tense for a fight as he opens his mouth.

"What, exactly, have you been doing with my human?"







Dear readers, it's an update! And a pretty longish one at that. Lots of stuff went down in this chapter, and Ashley and Zero were both being ignorant as always, but hey, at least we found out that Zero knows some big secret that Ashley doesn't concerning the Darklings and why he wants to wage war on them. This chapter isn't edited, and there wasn't much humor, cause I didn't think it was the correct setting for that, but I hope you enjoyed nonetheless. Love the comments,so keep posting those and I will try to respond. I'll even have some characters respond once in a while, so that should be fun. Vote, comment, and say a word continuously until it loses it's meaning (waffles, waffles, waffles, waffles.....those will never lose their meaning XD). Lots of Love,

Dangeroustoken.



P.S. I apologize if some of the things in this chapter are kind of rough and don't connect. I don't know why, but I wasn't really in a good writing mindset when writing this, so I apologi for all the errors and unsmoothness (