Finn pushed the door in and stood at attention while Sahara moved past him into the room. It was a fairly decent sized meeting room, with plain grey walls and a medium oval-sized walnut table in the center of the room. There were minimal decorations, like a large potted plant in one corner, and paintings of local scenery on the walls. When I followed closely behind, my eyes locked on the man sitting at the table. He was pretty average looking, wouldn’t stand out in a crowd. Like he ran a market stall or something in the street, one that you pass by and pay no mind to. He looked almost comical, sitting alone at a table clearly meant for a large group of people. As Sahara sat across from him, I moved to the far corner of the room and stood with my arms crossed. I was still in the man’s line of sight, but his gaze was on Finn as he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. He stood like a true soldier, blocking the door with his body while he stood completely rigid. I had to hand it to him, the man still had ‘royal guard’ burned into him.

  “Hello Barrett,” Sahara purred as she folded her hands neatly on the table. “Thank you so much for joining me again today. I know you must be very busy.” The man sneered at her.

  “What’d you bring me here for? I thought we’d settled this already.”

  “Oh, I would’ve agreed, had your minion not ratted you out today. You’re still supplying here, and while I’m out of town nonetheless?” Sahara tsked. “And here I thought I made myself very clear last time we met.”

  “Things change, princess. It was an untapped market, and I had product to move.” He scoffed as he looked between Finn and I. “And who the hell are these churls? Lemme guess. Arlo just wasn’t cutting it anymore, and you replaced him with two tightwads? Gods, Ray, you’re turning into quite the whore.”

  Before I could even think with reason, the knife from my belt was leaving my fingertips. The man jolted backwards as the knife wedged between his hands, deep into the table. Sahara raised her eyebrows and smiled innocently. “Anything else you’d like to add, Barrett?” When he didn’t respond, just stared at me, she continued her original interrogation. “As I was saying, I know someone sent you here with that luhix. The pushers at your level don’t just carry that shit around.”

  His eyes narrowed. “What do I get from telling you?”

  “I go after them, and not you, for pushing without permission in my town.”

  “And if I don’t tell you?”

  “I’ll dispose of you, and find out another way.”

  Barrett tensed a bit, trying to sense her bluff. “He’d kill you first before you get to him.”

  Sahara shrugged. “I enjoy the thrill of being underestimated. How do you think I earned this District working Underneath?”

  He abruptly stood up, shoving the chair behind him. “We’re done here. If you want him, find him yourself. I don’t work for you.” He started toward the door, which Finn was still blocking. Sahara stood too, and turned to watch. “I wouldn’t try that if I were you.”

  The man attempted to shove Finn, which resulted in a swift punch to his midsection. He staggered for a brief moment before throwing a punch aimed at Finn’s head. He ducked gracefully underneath the swing and shoved Barrett back with ease. When Barrett, now fuming and flustered, pulled a knife from his own waistband, the air suddenly thickened with tension.

  I moved quickly, stepping across the room and shoving Sahara behind me in one swift motion. Finn was still not engaging, just kept dodging every blow that he was dealt. My knife was still embedded in the table, but I didn’t need it. I knocked his knees out from under him with my boot and pounced as he went down. I pressed my full weight down on his back and shoulders, and Finn finally moved away from the door to step on the wrist that held the knife.

  “You witch,” Barrett snarled, straining underneath my weight. He stared daggers at Sahara when she crouched in front of his face. “When Roland hears about this, you’ll be sorry.”

  “Roland won’t hear about it. Thanks for the information, though.” She stood up and backed away from him, looking at Finn. “I got what I needed.” He nodded curtly, and stooped to grab the wrist he’d been standing on. When he removed the knife and pulled that arm towards me, I grabbed the other and twisted it behind his back.

  He started to panic, thrashing and struggling under my weight. Finn produced a leather rope from his belt and I wrapped our captive’s hands with quick precision. It wasn’t the first time I’d done something similar. When I was satisfied, I finally rose and stepped away from our captive, who was now sweaty and wide-eyed. Finn hauled the man to his feet easily, and gripped his shoulder so tight I thought he might dislocate it. When he looked at me with a question in his eyes, I simply nodded. It was time for this man to go, and I could handle things here.

  Finn nodded in return and pulled a purple travelling stone from his pocket. I watched Barrett’s anger and confidence shatter as the vortex opened, and Finn pulled him into the inky violet mass. It swirled shut as soon they stepped through, leaving nothing but a burst of wind behind. When she was satisfied that the vortex was closed, Sahara’s blue eyes locked onto mine.

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  “Alright, now what’s going on with you? You were fine this morning, now you’re acting like a complete ass.” The woman didn’t beat around the bush, I gave her that.

  “Nothing’s going on. I had a job to do, and I got it done.” I shrugged as I adjusted my shirt sleeves. “ What more do you want from me?”

  “Okay, wise guy. What about the knife in the table?” She gestured behind her. “Care to explain that fun little scene?”

  I looked past her, where the knife was still embedded deep into the table. “Are you a whore?” I asked plainly, and she scoffed.

  “No! Not that it matters to you. You certainly don’t have to defend me.”

  I shrugged. “Just take it with grace, it wouldn’t kill you to just say thank you.”

  Her face went bright red and her voice started to rise in pitch. “Okay seriously, WHAT is your PROBLEM?! I thought we were actually getting along today, and now you’re like this? You are sending some serious mixed signals.”

  I laughed, a loud bark that echoed in the empty room. “My problem? You really want to know?” I whipped a chair around and dropped down into it. “My problem, Sahara, is how you played me for a fool. I believed that you cared for the people in Ravenwood, and that you didn’t belong Underneath. I thought you got mixed up in something beyond your control, and I was ready to fight tooth and nail to drag you out.”

  “What are you talking about?” Sahara lowered herself into the chair next to mine. “I do care about everyone here, very much so. Why would you say that?”

  I crossed my arms and stared into her eyes. “If you care so much, why are you ruining these people? We saw you, Sahara. You and Arlo, I'm assuming? Finn and I saw you and that addict in the alley earlier today. You were dealing to him, and that man looked horrible. On the brink of death, I’d say. How could you knowingly let people you allegedly care about fall into misery like that?”

  Her face went through many emotions in the span of a few seconds. Hurt, sadness, frustration, before finally settling on understanding. “I didn’t deal luhix to him. It happened while I was gone. I despise the stuff, and I banned it from being sold in this town. I worked my way up through the ranks until I was able to claim this place as my own district. No one can sell here without my say-so.”

  She rested her elbow on the table, then lowered her head into her hand. “I left on the intel request from V. Arlo was supposed to uphold my standards, but some shady bastards like Barrett weaseled in. I was giving that man in the alley nightshade leaves.”

  My mouth fell open slightly as I stared at her, wide-eyed. “Nightshade…oh, Bloody Hells, Sahara.” A painkiller, I recalled from my books. She was helping him with the side effects. Now you’re an accusatory dumbass. I was suddenly the sheepish one, rubbing my face with both of my hands. “Speaking of the assignment…” I swallowed the unease away as I steeled myself for an answer I wasn’t ready for. “Does V… have control over you, too?” I touched my neck where the brand would be, but it didn’t show through my Persona.

  “Like how?” Sahara answered carefully, not looking up from the table. She’s avoiding it. I tried to remain calm, but the sound of blood rushing in my ears was proof my patience was wearing thin. This is ridiculous. I can’t work this closely with someone I can’t trust with my life. I growled in frustration and stripped my Persona in an instant. The rush of power startled her and she shuddered as it passed through the room. When she lifted her gaze, she found herself staring into my white eyes.

  “Like forcing you to do his bidding. Like burning your skin away if you piss him off. Like threatening everything you hold close because he somehow has intel on your darkest secrets. Be honest with me, Sahara. Did you bargain with him?” She remained still, staring at me with wide eyes. My chair scraped against the wooden floor as I slowly rose once more, now towering over her. I turned my head slightly so she could have a clear view of the brand on my own neck, and grabbed her chair on either side of her shoulders. I tried to hide the frustration and desperation in my voice, tried (and probably failed) to force it to soften. “Please. You don’t have to tell me what you bargained for. I just need to know if you did. Do you bear the viper?”

  I could almost feel Sahara shaking underneath me as I stared at her with the same ferocity that took down giants. She swallowed, silent for a heartbeat, then whispered, “Yes, I have the mark.” I backed off slightly and released my grip on the chair. She straightened her posture in her seat, then grabbed a handful of her tan dress in her lap. She tugged it upward, and positioned her left leg out from under the table. On her calf, barely visible from her tall boots, it was there. Unmistakable black and gold, coiling around her leg. “It was not my bargain, though. I’m merely a pawn in my family’s game. It was their bargain, and I was the price.”

  I crouched down and held the leg of the chair. I studied the mark in silence for a few seconds, then audibly sighed with relief. I was safe, which meant Gia would stay safe. “Thank you. I’m sorry to dredge up old wounds.” I breathed, and allowed my knees to hit the floor. I’ve really fucked this every possible way, I thought with regret. August snorted. You are still as rash and emotional as back then. I rested my forehead on the edge of her chair, my voice deep with shame as I spoke to Sahara, “Please, forgive me for being cruel. I was quick to think the worst of you, and caused unnecessary anguish.”

  I felt her hand fall gently onto my head and my entire body stiffened. She stroked my hair softly, the way Mother used to, the way she did almost every night all the way up until she died. I’d never been vulnerable like that in front of Gia afterwards, I always had to be strong and keep her safe, as I’d promised. I’d never expected to feel that small comfort again. I had to swallow back a sob, but silent tears filled my eyes and threatened to spill over.

  “You’re forgiven.” Sahara murmured, but I didn’t move from my spot on the floor. I remained kneeling on the floor, with her hand in my hair. Closing my eyes, I savored every bit of peace I had in that moment. The time that passed then was likely only a few seconds, but to me, it was an eternity.