Jena had finished taking my measurements, picked out a design and what material she was going to use by the time we were done. Both she and Rose insisted that I get a custom dress to "wow the boys", whatever that meant. Nevertheless, Rose had a short conversation with Jena then we headed back out to the front of the store.

"It should be ready by tomorrow. Make sure to come get it, I can't wait to see my masterpiece come together!" Jena exclaimed as we got ready to leave.

"Neither can I" Rose squealed before heading out of the shop. I followed in her steps, still unsure of what was going on. We walked for I while before Rose spoke.

"I need to meet up with someone, we agreed to meet at the bar, care to come?" She asked.

I shrugged. I had heard of a bar before. A place where people went to get wasted and drunk, for whatever reason they felt necessary. Their unawareness often made for easy targets for me or any other shadows.

"okay then, that's settled" she said as she walked up to a building and reached to open the door.

"Oh and Irene? Try to stay out of any fights. I bet you could take them on, but lets not embarrass them, alight?" she told me, a smirk across her face. She then opened the door. I was hit with a wave of unpleasant noise and loud conversations. Rose walked right in with no hesitations, but I paused before entering. I took a deep breath then headed into the place. It seemed many men were there and a few woman as well. A specific group of five or so men laughed full-heartedly at each other, spilling beer on the floor. I instantly felt put of place.-they spilled more of their drinks- ...and a sudden sympathy for whoever had to clean this place up.

Rose walked off and sat down next to a man who looked like a traveler of some sort. He passed some gold to Rose and she passed off a small sack to him. They both ordered drinks, leaving me to only sit in the corner of the place all alone. I sat for a while, then the door opened up. Now this was someone I had not expected to see here. Hunter walked in and smiled to the barkeep and shared a joke with the group of rowdy men. Then he must've seen me because he walked right over and sat down across from me.

"well, didn't expect to see you here" he said.

"I could say the same to you" I responded.

"May I ask why you're here? You don't have a drink and you don't seem to be enjoying yourself."

I gestured to Rose who was still having a conversation with the man form earlier. Hunter opened his mouth to speak only to be cut off by a lady who walked over.

"Can I get you two anything?"

"Just the usual" Hunter said.

No way did he come here that often. I mean, surly he didn't jeopardize things like that. The fate of the town rested in his hands. How could he come here often enough to be recognized like that and still be part of the ShadowHunter's team?

"And you miss?' she asked.

"uh, nothing thank you, I'm good."

She looked at me suspiciously then walked away.

"You're not going to get anything? Beer, ale, nothing?" He asked.

I shook my head as the lady came back and placed a drink on the table, Hunter gave her some coins then took a gulp. Finally what had been on my mind came out.

"I really didn't expect you to drink so often." I said more critically than I meant. I covered my mouth instinctively.

"What?" he questioned setting down his drink. "Drunkard? what makes you say I am?"

"Well, its just you came in here and seemed to know a lot of the people. And when the waitress asked you what drink, you said 'the usual' which implies that you have been here often enough to be recognized and for your drink to be memorized." I stated, both proud and embarrassed at what I said.

He looked at me for a second then laughed, which only confused me.

"Well, you're smart and analytical, I'll give you that, but you jumped to conclusions there hun." he chuckled. "You see, I am part of the crown. And before you ask, that doesn't mean I'm royal, its just what we called it. So Adam, Maria, Greg and I are part of something that most towns don't have. Instead of the typical Lord rules the city, we work together to work through problems, Maria being named the lord even though she holds no more power then the rest of us. That's why I'm so well-known here. The civilians know each of us well. Make sense? And as for the drink, that's simple. That was my sister, Kenya. I was adopted into her family, that's why we don't look alike."

At hearing his explanation my face flushed and my cheeks got warm. How could I make such a big fool of myself in front of someone with such high authority. As I was caught up in my thoughts, he finished his drink and placed the mug down on the table. My thoughts started to bunch up and overwhelm me. It was hard for me to get my thoughts to flow at all with this constant noise.

"You don't like it here, do you?" Hunter asked, reading the look on my face with ease. I shook my head in response.

"No, no, not at all. Its to loud." I said quietly. He stood up.

"Then lets go elsewhere. It seems that Rose is still busy with her little friend over there and I'm done here. Come on," he beckoned, holding out a hand to me. I smiled and took his hand, allowing him to pull me up from the seat. We left the bar and walked out to evening sun. The door closed behind us, drowning out all the noise from inside. It was so much better. I sighed in relief and Hunter laughed quietly, almost to himself as he followed my gaze to the setting sun.

"Better?" He asked.
I nodded. We walked for a while and had little conversations about the geography of the town. Its name was Wolfgale. I was shown where the gates where located, along with the bakery, Hunter's gathering place, and docks before we headed to Hunter's place, it now dark. I was completely exhausted. A day like this on only a few hours of sleep was tiring. I crashed almost as soon as we got back to Hunter's house, falling asleep before he even got a chance to have me eat something. Not that it mattered, since human blood and flesh was the only thing that could fill me up and my only source of food.

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of a conversation. I walked out sleepily from my room to see Rose talking to Hunter. I froze where I was as they both turned towards me.

"Uhhhh.....hi?" I tried.

"Good morning Irene!" Rose exclaimed. "Ready for the Light Festival? She asked. I smiled and nodded then glanced over to Hunter.

"What about you two?" I questioned.
Rose squealed.

"Oh my Lana, I cant wait!" She yelled

"Neither can I" Hunter said. I smiled.

"Oh, Irene, your dress should be ready soon! Lets eat then we can head on our way." She said. I nodded as she got up and started to prepare some food.

After we ate, Rose and I quickly left to go to the tailor, where, sure enough, Jena awaited us. She looked ecstatic to see us. I was rushed to the back where we had been the other day where I was left to change. I took me longer than what was probably normal to put on the intricate piece of clothing. But when I did finally get it on, I was surprised by how weight-less it was. It went no further than my knees allowing me to move easily in it, but still look nice in it.

I walked out from behind the curtains and was hit with squeals from Rose and Jena. I winced at their sounds but quickly regained my posture. Jena had me look in the mirror. I was quite happy with the look. The color of the dress matched my blue eyes. Before I knew it, it was already past noon. I changed into my normal clothing. Jena and Rose said their goodbyes before Rose lead me to her house where she and I continued to get ready for the upcoming festival.

                           ~•~•~•~

(Hunter's POV)

I stalked through the forest, Celeste at my side. She had her bow drawn and I had my sword at the ready. In the clearing just ahead of us a shadow feasted on a corpse. Human or animal I could not tell. As I slowly approached, an un-seen figure, a twig snapped beneath my weight. As it wiped around I ducked and Celeste shot a well-aimed arrow.

The arrow made its mark in the creature's chest. It howled out in agony before transforming into a tiger and running away. I charged after it, ignoring the thorns from the Yiel trees. Eventually I caught up to the shadow and it bleed in a tight ring of trees. I saw me and yowled. The arrow was now gone and blood pored from its wounds.

Before I could make a move, it pounced at me, claws outstretched. I tried to dodge but the claws raked my right side. I hissed but quickly regained posture as it pivoted and launched at me again. I lost my footing and fell. I rolled onto my back and stabbed upward with my sword at the right time. My blade sliced right through the shadow's heart, spilling a sticky substance all over me. I couldn't see at first as the now life-less human figure covered me. But with the help of Celeste I was able to crawl out from underneath.

It was male, blue hair, black eyes. The colors were interesting and unnatural, but it was a shadow. Unnatural was what they were. Celeste offered to cary the beast, but I did despite the limping pain I had in my side.

As soon as we got back, I got my wounds cleaned and covered as Celeste told the others of our kill. But I still wasn't sure that one shadow could kill all the people that had been slain. Nevertheless, I got ready for the Light Festival, excited but nervous for a chance to dance with Irene- wait, did I really just think that?

~•~•~•~

(Irene's POV)
Rose had already dragged me to the party, festival, whatever this celebration thing was. Jena, who worryingly, was apparently one of two witches set up defensive shields. Ones that I could sense without even giving a thought to them. They were all I could think about as the people began to arrive. Candles, lanterns, whatever was lit to brighten the night. All the positive magic generated by the people and the witches made it hard to withstand without something distracting me.

Then, as if on cue, Hunter showed up. But there was a girl with him. I hadn't seen her around before. She had violet eyes and blonde hair. They separated as they entered the crowd. The girl started dancing as Hunter came over and sat down next to me.

"Enjoying yourself yet?" He asked over the commotion of the festival.
I shrugged. To be honest, not really, but I flashed him a smile as if to say I was. But he read right through my look.

He stood up and took an awkward bow. Then, acting as if I was of royal blood, he asked if I would dance with with him, hand outstretched. I laughed at his posture, causing him to grin. I took his hand and he dragged me into the crowd.

We danced for a while, ate, drank, and just let loose and have fun. In the middle of one of the more free style dances, I felt a searing pain. I couldn't hear anything, only a piercing ring. I placed my hands on my head and shook my head trying to clear it. I opened my eyes and saw Hunter's mouth moving as people turned towards us. Horror-struck, the people and Hunter watched as I collapsed. I shut my eyes tight and squirmed violently in the ground as whispers filled my head.

They were to indistinct to make out, but one stood out as pain shot around my body. The voice ordered me to kill. To kill everyone there. Hunter, Rose, Jena, the man to my left. The last thing I saw before passing out was Jena hovering over me.