Emerald eyes widened, although the movement wasn’t as noticeable as Adelmar rubbing her wrists. Mannik didn’t comment on that just yet. His hands hand instinctively raised slightly when the woman poised as if she was going to fling herself to him. While the situation wasn’t how he would like to see her, the simple fact that she felt better with him here made Mannik glad he’d come.

Mannik fought down disappointment and bitterness when it didn’t happen, though he couldn’t quite get rid of the strange tight sensation in his chest. The way she called him made him tremble and imagine what he could do to hear that again.

The soldier pushed the thoughts away: It wasn’t going to happen, and this wasn’t the time anyway. Not knowing her thoughts, Mannik answered her questions calmly. For him, it didn’t really matter who or why. He had, after all, killed in his job multiple times, and was no stranger to betrayal. In his mind, Adelmar wouldn’t have hurt someone else if she could have done anything else.
“Don’t stress or lose sleep over it. We have some people who are willing and prepared to take the blame. If we lose a soldier, it can ruin many future missions. Someone who can’t fight, isn’t stealthy, and doesn’t have family, well…people want to help any way they can. He’s willing. He doesn’t know details. He thinks I killed someone, and is helping clean up the mess.” As if to give credit to his words, soft buzzing came from the other room.

Cautiously, as if Adelmar was one of those graceful looking deer from the old books, Mannik moved towards her. He reached down and gently lifted her arm, examining the bruising on her wrist. It confirmed what Mannik had already believed. This man had attacked her. A surge of rage shot through Mannik. It was good the man was dead, otherwise he’d cart him back to Below, and make sure he had paid.

“What was he after? Something of your father’s?” His hands felt like they had been shocked, but he kept them steady, lifting her other hand and examining it as well, keeping his head slightly dipped so most of his face was covered by the unmanageable locks of hair. “I need to know if there are any other areas of the house where you two fought, and if you have any other injuries…”
Without thinking, Mannik lifted his head to look at her, and then inhaled sharply. While he’d been watching her, he’d also been in his old habit of tilting his head forward, so his shaggy hair dangled in his eyes, hiding most of his face while still letting him see. Lifting his head let him see better, but left him feeling exposed, baring his face to the woman. He felt too close to her. Why did this happen every time he was near her?

Mannik hesitated for a moment, holding his breath without realizing he was doing so, then shifted his hand slightly, interlocking his fingers with Adelmar’s. A nagging thought crept into his mind. She’d probably already called her fiancé. Had she seen Sarah there too? That could be messing with her mind as well. The man cleared his throat, and his hand flexed slightly, as if he’d pull away. For once Mannik didn’t, though. He forced himself to breath regularly, and finally spoke again. “Uhm. Zenon will probably be here soon, yes? I’ll need to know something else then, as well, why do you think he’s the one that bugged the house? Did he tell you he was working for the Hadars?” There was another hesitation, and Mannik lifted the hand interlocked with his fingers a bit more. He looked away from her, and gently pressed his lips to the new bruise. “Sarah…used to say that would make things feel better. Sounds stupid…but, it seemed to help… Do you want any medication for it?”

~</3~
Sarah waited patiently, shivering slightly as Zenon slipped the necklace around her neck. A soft sound left her when the Commander felt the man’s lips on her neck. It sounded almost like a moan, but was so quiet, it was hard to tell if the sound had actually happened.

When Zenon stepped back, though, there was a blush on Sarah’s cheeks, and the hair on her arms and neck was raised, goosebumps dotting her skin.

It was difficult for her, in this situation, to know what to do or how to act. Zenon was normally so egotistical, normally so sure of himself. Now, however, he was acting like an actual gentleman. In times like this, Sarah could understand why so many girls fell for him. She told herself, for the millionth time, that she wouldn’t be one of those women.

When Sarah faced him again, another shiver flew down her spine at his expression. It seemed so sincere. Honestly, it made Sarah want to fling herself at this man. She visibly struggled with her thoughts for a second, her forehead furrowing between her eyebrows, and frowning. Unable to think of the words to say what she was feeling, she finally sighed quietly, and shook her head. “I…I need to change.” Her voice was slightly wistful, and it was clear she didn’t want to. “So we can get to them…”

Sarah didn’t wait for an answer, instead turning and almost fleeing from the room. It was the first time she could remember that she couldn’t face someone. The thought she’d been trying to come to grips with a minute before stopped her cold in the doorway, and she gave Zenon a last thoughtful glance.

She had told herself she wouldn’t be one of those girls that would fall for him. But maybe she already had. And honestly, if he just wasn’t engaged, for once, Sarah would refuse to help with Mannik’s current situation, just so she could stay here with Zenon longer. She licked her lips thoughtfully, and then darted from the room. For the first time in a long time, the leader of Below fought back the pressure pushing against her eyes, refusing to let the tears actually fall. Thoughts of a companion had left her mind a long time ago, and Sarah had thought she had come to terms with it. So, why did Zenon bring all of this out in her?

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