The sun was high in the sky, creating a glowing effect to every smooth metal surface in the Brand central square. Hailee exited the Black Magic & Enchantment Centre (BMEC for shorts) and took a deep breath, admiring the view of the passer-by cars and the leisurely walking pedestrians, as well as the reflection of the two buildings behind her.

The twin skyscrapers were two identical copies in shape and size. Their only difference was their colour. One was dark gray, the other one white. Brand's twin universities were also the home of Trudeaux's magic and paranormal community. In the bowels of the buildings Hailee was privately trained to control her devilish attributes.

Black for black, white for white, how convenient, she thought as she descended the stairs.

She was on her way to meet her friends when she saw him.

Tall, well-built with light brown hair and honey eyes.

Antony Mailand. The vigilante.

Her first sighting of the cute human had been on the Metropolitan, while sitting in the VIP's seats with Meg and her friends. Hailee had always been one to easily adjust to a company, and the richest girl in Brand had taken an immediate liking to her. Being accidental roommates also added to the equation.

"You wait and see" Meg was chirping excited, holding her hand tight. "My brother has so many cute friends. We'll be sure to find a suitable suitor for you, love."

Hailee had indeed met a lot of Devon's friends in the course of the night, but no-one had managed to draw her interest.

Except this one. He had entered the club alone, looking at their way absend-mindedly, before Devon walked up to him and greeted him heartily.

"Who is he?" Hailee said, more to herself than the others. But Meg had already heard and let out an ironic laugh.

"Only the most wanted single in the whole Law Department."

"Most wanted? Why? There are others way more handsome than him, surely."

"Oh, no doubt about that. But you see Antony is sort of -how can you call it- a rescuer. He goes around at night, punching and kicking murders, rapists and drug dealers. And, although straight, he is hardly interested in any of us girls, therefore we're all kinda crushed with him. You are welcome to try your luck though."

Hailee did. And failed miserably with Antony wishing her good luck with her hunting, leaving her alone. But now he was here. And clearly waited for someone.

"Law is the other way around," she said, in an attempt to a witty remark.

Antony turned and smiled, looking as cute in the daylight as he did at the dark streets.

"I was actually looking for you."

"So, you are a stalker then?"

"Well, you know I am studying Law, so... maybe we're both stalkers?"

Fuck. Caught red-handed.

"Let's start over then, shall we? I am Hailee."

"I kn..."

He stopped midway, alarmed, as she laughed, amused.

"It's alright. I know your name, too. I don't know why you're looking for me though."

"I wanted to see if you are ok after last night. I felt really bad for leaving you and wanted to apologise. You just..."

"Surprised you with the attitude?"

Antony nodded, turning slightly red. Looking even cuter than before.

"So I am fine. Alive and kicking."

"I am glad."

"Is that all?"

"No. I was wondering if ... if you'd like us to grab a cup of coffee or something. We have some really weird diagrams at the Possibilities course and I was hoping if you could help me, being a mathematician and all."

Hailee stared at him for what it felt like hours, her heart racing. In the end, she was able to answer his question.

"I may find a little time for the saviour of the streets."

***

Hailee opened her eyes, a bright smile on her face. Her good spirits were gone after she realised it had been a dream. A memory, in fact. Of him. Antony Mailand, Theo's step-brother and former boyfriend.

Why can I still not forget you, you idiot?

She rubbed her temples and felt glad she had changed her hair and eye colour. Her relationship with Antony was another thing she wanted to keep a secret. There was a slight chance Theo had already seen a past picture of her, but it was unlike that he'd recognise her. She was a completely changed person.

The memories drowned her and Hailee had to subside the overwhelming will to cry. This was no time for tears.

She took a look at the watch standing on the bed next to her. Her intended nap had lasted more than three hours, but who could blame her? They were all dead tired from the whole ordeal.

The boat shook in a sudden gust of wind and Hailee felt her stomach give a strong retch, as she realised she hadn't eaten anything for a whole day. She used all her mental and physical strength to get up, and with two long strides, found herself on the deck.

Her means of transportation was a small steam boat, one they'd had taken first thing in the morning, in order to ascend Trel River.

After burying their victims and making sure nothing would trace back to them, she, along with Theo and Natalie agreed that travelling by train was not safe anymore. Too many guards, federal as well as paranormal. Someone who could recognise them and connected them to both scenes of the crimes, in the unlikely case someone discovered the bodies.

"We are taking the tourist boat."

Natalie had spoken with her newly found adult voice. And her new creepy leader resolve. But Hailee knew the girl was right. The train was faster, but the river was safer.

The tourist boat was, as the name suggested, an attraction mostly designed for Eastern tourists wanting to experience "the real Western adventure." It promised a magnificent ride through the Trel Desert, with its final destination the Trel sand-dunes. As cringe-worthy as it sounded, Hailee thought it wasn't that bad in the end. It had been way faster than she thought and the few tourists riding it were mostly unsuspecting, happy families. The perfect blending crown.

This endless shaking, though...

Hailee contained another wave of vomit coming straight out of her guts. She was born and raised in a mountain village and this whole river business was an ordeal for her. She loved to occasionally swim in the small lake nearby, but there the waters were quiet, peaceful.

I miss my home so much.

The thought took over suddenly, and she felt a longing so strong, it physically hurt. She knew her unstable mental state was due to sleep and food deprivation, but still...

I need to eat something. And fast.

Following her nose, Hailee found the place of salvation. The breakfast lounge was delightfully empty as she walked through its doors. Some couples and two or three lone travellers were seated on its tables, enjoying their late breakfast or early lunch. Natalie and Theo were sitting in the far right corner, concentrated in a game of chess, all the while sipping from their glasses and eating croissants.

"You could at least think of waking me up."

Her tone was more comical than anything. Theo turned his head and looked at her, amused. "I actually tried to shake you awake. You just smacked my hand and turned the other way."

Natalie laughed and her beautiful blue eyes turned to Hailee.

"We have saved you a whole plate with breakfast food, though."

She looked at the neatly arranged croissants, bread, marmalade and honey, still trying to digest the irony of the picturesque environment.

One small, happy family.

"So, this is how it's going to be from now on? You, me and him in a happy journey across Trudeau?"

"That's why we don't invite you over, Hailee. Let us at least finish this game and then..."

"That won't be necessary, Theodore. Check-mate. I win. 4-0."

"Oh, for the love of... How did you even get there this time?"

He slapped the chess set shut with a thumb, and fell back into his sit, cursing under his breath.

"Just learn to lose. Loser."

"Why you brat..."

"Who are you?" Hailee's voice stopped their heated discussion.

Theo remained silent, but the girl looked at her intensely.

"I've already told you my name."

"Oh is Natalie a real thing? Unlike the whole "helpless girl in desperate need for a saviour" act? Not to mention you "supposedly-evil" teddy-bear..."

"Hey, I am more evil than you can imagine..."

The teddy stood straight up from the table's edge and moved his fist in a threaten attempt. But after yesterday's events, his act was more adorable than anything.

"You are just a lullaby-singing nanny for the real monster."

"I am not a monster!" Natalie shouted, losing her cool for the first time in two days, her eyes shining dangerously. Her hands were holding the table and it shook from her rage.

"Now girls, will you please behave? Before everyone starts looking at us."

Theodore's voice was low, a warning threat. Some heads had indeed turned to look at them.

"You are not a human, either. What are you? Where have you gotten us into?" Hailee stared at the girl, feeling unexpectedly relaxed under all the pressure.

"I cannot disclose that information. I am sorry I involved you in this mess, but those vampires were hunting me and I had to save my ass. Panda here may look intimidating, but he is unfortunately, not much of a use when it comes to protection. He is a dear friend and companion, but totally useless when it comes to offensive strategies."

"Sorry, Natalie." The teddy bear lowered his head, sad.

"No worries, P. Like I said I had to save myself, and that's why I pulled this act."

"But apparently you have found a way to save yourself. Alone. You slaughtered that Vamp. Ripped him to pieces in fact. I don't know what stopped you attacking on that train, but you don't need us, kid. So why don't we end up this mess here, and everyone can go on its way..."

"I am afraid we can't do that, Hailee. There are some dead bodies in our wake. You killed, I killed, Theo killed. We've broken rule number four. In self-defence sure, but who can prove this at this point? How do I know you won't rat me out to the police or the Elders? We will be opponents at the tournament, after all."

Hailee felt her rage bursting in her chest, completely losing her cool.

"Is this supposed to be a joke? I never asked for this. For you, your Teddy or this angel. I will continue my journey alone, thank you very much."

She was ready to get up from the chair, when Natalie's small hand stopped her by holding her arm tightly.

"If you leave, I am informing the Elders about the Vamp incidents. Same goes for you, Theo."

"You fucking brat..."

"Oh really Nattie? Even me? I even saved the last bread for you, come on."

"I am sorry. You are adorable, but you are a liability. Either we continue together or you're going down."

"Harsh, sweetie."

Hailee couldn't believe Theo's calmed and composed attitude. It was almost like he had no objection going with the girl, complying with her will.

"There is no reason to be pissed, Hailee. I am not saying we have to complete the pilgrimage as a trio. We just stay together at the Dune villages for a few days. Enough for every single evidence of our presence in this damn train and Lindor to be erased. And when we are absolutely sure we haven't been discovered, then we part ways. Are you OK with it?"

"Do I have a fucking choice?"

Hailee turned around, passing by the now empty tables of the breakfast hall. This was all her fault. Her weakness. She should have minded her own damn business when hearing that scream. Now she was knee-deep in shit, having an eight year old unidentified being blackmailing her.

She got out of the lounge and walked straight to the boat's back side, against the wave of the tourists. The white wooden bench on the secluded back corner was inviting, and she sat down, trying to calm herself.

The scenery was now different than Trel desert's wasteland. In the rivers banks were bushes and beautiful flowers, along with the dwellers' picturesque houses. Fishes and eels were swimming in the river's waters, and the cool breeze helped Hailee think straight again.

At least until Theo chose to sit next to her in the confined space.

"Magnificent, isn't it? So close to the dessert and still green and beautiful. Life never stops its cycle, it seems."

"Did you come here to annoy me with your stupid philosophies? Because you were really silent as this whole charade was taking place. Didn't think of anything to say back then?"

"Hailee, there is no reason to be mad at me. I am as involved in this as you are."

"You created this shit! If you hadn't been there, everything would have been so easy! But no, you just had to intervene and KILL members of the opposing class. Taking the girl along, too. Surprise, surprise the girl is a killer!"

"It's not my fault I heard the scream. I was following you!"

Theo stopped talking and his face turned bright red immediately after ending his sentence. He tried to get up but Hailee was faster. She grabbed him by the T-shirt's collar and pushed him in the boat's wall, in a concluded spot hidden from prying eyes.

"What did you say?"

"Hailee, you misunderstood..."

"Why the hell were you following me? What do you know?"

"It's not what you think. I didn't know what you are. I was just ... lonely."

It took a while for the realisation to hit, but finally her brain gave a small click and everything fell into place.

Hailee let go of Theo at once, her feelings mixed between awe and disbelief. She had also thought of following him for the same reason, no use denying that. But he was the good guy. He was supposed to be holy and saint and whatnot. Not a guy who searched for random hook-ups on trains.

"You said I am not your type." She tried to sound serious, but she was half-amused with his resolve. And luckily, her identity was not at stake.

He looked at her and chuckled, relieved.

"Any girl is my type in a train full of old ladies."

"Shut up", she said but was already laughing. They both did and for a while, this warmth between them flared once more.

"I am sorry I involved you in this mess... Sometimes it's hard keeping the heroic side of me at bay, no matter how hard I try." Theo's expression was a sincere, sad one.

"It's ok. It was not right lashing out on you. I could have let the girl run away yesterday and be done with it. I found you and brought you into a mess worse than the first one. Guess we're both to blame."

"I know. I mean, I always try to be positive, not to overthink, go with the flow. I think I screwed up pretty hard this time around, though."

In a rare sight of affection, Hailee lightly put her hand on his arm.

"Tonight, we rest. And tomorrow morning, once we reach the Dune villages, we go straight for the damn tournament stones. No sightseeing, no fooling around. Once we have them, we part ways. Either Natalie wants it, or not. Understood?"

Theo raised a brow, momentarily confused. His frustration was only temporarily, however.

"I hear you, sister. Loud and clear."