Chapter One

"They're back. They're back." Jezebel muttered frantically, pacing in a circle as her jet black air swung across the back of her shoulders with the movement.

"Is-"

"Not now!" The agitated order barked out of her mouth at once, a reflexive response.

"No, no, it's your husband." The same voice said, and Jezebel turned to see Aurora standing there, nervously fidgeting as her fingers twirled around the hem of her sleeve.

A male figure appeared behind her, and she stepped wordlessly to the side as he entered.

"Jezebel, darling, I heard you were in distress." He purred, flicking a few careless strands of blonde over his shoulder.

She could care none why his arrogant personality perfectly contrasted hers, or how annoying he was being. The Inflictor rushed forward and gripped his forearms.

"They're back, Gethen. They're back."

"Slow down, nobody's back." He soothed, voice water-like in quality the way it slid out of his mouth.

"They are! Listen to me, they are. I have made a huge mistake, I need to leave. Immediately." Jezebel was rushed in her speech and actions through stress.

"Listen to me, Jezebel." He crooked her chin in his hand and waited for their eyes to meet before speaking.

"You're in our protection. Everything is too perfectly constructed to even think about being able to go awry."

"It's the Black Swan, Gethen! You have to listen to me!" The Inflictor was quick to protest.

"Hush, darling. I'll take care of everything." He smiled at her, but it was a forlorn smile, like the oen someone wears when in a memory of something missing.

"I trust you." She responded, holding his gaze as he said, "Never ever shall we break."

The Telepath looked at her reassuringly, and she gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Hurry, your damsel is in distress."

Gethen winked and tucked a few lines of straight hair behind his ear before turning and hurrying out per her request.

"You two are so adorable." Aurora grinned.

"And vomit-inducing." Ruy added dryly, appearing behind his girlfriend in the doorway.

"Watch it." Jez warned teasingly, pointing to her best friend.

"Didn't mean it like that, sweetheart." He lightly bopped the tip of Aurora's nose, and she giggled prettily.

Jez shot him a triumphant smirk, and he rolled his eyes at her in turn.

"What did I say?" She cooed mockingly, giving the Psionipath a bigger smirk.

"Forget it." Ruy heaved a sigh and kissed his girlfriend on the forehead, slipping an arm around her slender waist.

"You are so lucky." Jez sighed in mild sadness.

"You have more prominence and power, though." Aurora put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"And more responsibility and danger." She added.

"And I have to put up with your husband constantly beating my ass in drills and combat." Ruy groaned, running a hand through his shoulder-length red hair.

"All part of the fun." Jezebel grinned at him.

"So, you good?" The Mesmer/Beguiler patted Jez on the knee, and she gave her friend a hug.

"Yeah, thankfully, you're here."

"Keep the cutesy stuff with your husband." Ruy advised, still attached to Aurora's hip.

"You're one to talk." His girlfriend teased him.

"I know, and it's fine."

"Is it, though?" Jezebel wondered slyly.

"Ruy!" He husband's cold voice echoed down the hall.

"I still wonder how you managed to crack and marry that wall of ice." Ruy muttered to Jez, bidding farewell to them both with a wave and jogging off to where Gethen was waiting impatiently.

"Gotta go, I need to meet Ombret for training."

"See you." Jezebel traded a wave with the elf, and began pacing as soon as her friend was gone.

"They'll hunt you down." She told herself in a hushed tone.

"Never run forever."