"The black market," Saint begins, "is like any other business. There are people in charge of  finances, risk management, distribution and a bunch of other things. Aris happens to be in charge of the distribution, so he makes all the plans needed to transport every Gifted person. He makes sure the Gifted and people showing Gifted abilities arrive wherever they're needed."

I nod my head as Saint, who kneels on the floor and rests his arms on the armrest of my chair, explains the elements of the black market to me.

"Who own this building?" I ask.

"Aris. He has a lot of offices around Geode."

"No one ever wonders what's going on in here?"

"It's a front. Everyone else believes the business, although still in the transportation department, only helps deliver things like furniture or gifts. People who walk in here are dealt with on the opposite end of the building; the side where Aris' secrets aren't hiding. I mean, there are times when the police snoop around, but those issues are handled with bribes. Aris has some of them on his side too."

"Hmm. Aris seems rich," I say, considering the elegance of this office and thinking about how the other offices may look, "but we stayed in a crappy apartment."

Saint laughs. The drive from Saint's home on the lake took us to a rundown, dirty apartment. However, I'm not sure the size of that building even allows me to call it an apartment. That's the same venue I...lost control, but Saint said we never have to speak of that girl again.

As promised, Saint had someone treat her, and some hours after they left, Aris was able to organise transport to bring us to his office. I'm glad I'm out of there.

Now, I sit on the opposite side of Aris' desk. The bodyguards strapped me to this chair, but no one laid a hand on Saint.

Just as I begin to lose patience, Saint stands up and moves away from me. I watch as his eyes follow, what the footsteps I hear suggests, a person walking closer to me from behind me.

"Aris," Saint says, but he doesn't receive a reply.

The man I now know to be Aris stops in front of me, and he's closer than I feel comfortable with. Weirdly enough, he also seems uncomfortable, but he makes no movement to step away.

"Can I try something?" He asks.

This man is awkward. I ignore him and look at Saint, unsure of what to say.

"You're an Iron Rod. I'd like to have someone hit you in the face." Aris points to one of his bodyguards. I can't seem to find the right word to describe him; his personality, that is.

Saint sighs. "You know her body will get damaged even if she doesn't flinch, right?"

"Be quiet for a second, Frosty."

Saint rolls his eyes as Aris refers to him by the nickname I haven't heard before today.

"I'm untying her," Saint says.

"Wait," Aris awkwardly places one hand on Saint's shoulder, stopping Saint from walking towards me, "I can't let you untie a girl with her condition," he speaks as if he rehearses every word he says.

Saint can easily move past Aris. Aris is a skinny man and does not seem like the type of person to have any hidden skills when it comes to fighting. I suppose that's why he has bodyguards. He should hire more in case of a more serious threat than a girl with my condition.

"I don't mind," I say, referring to Aris' request that I remain tied up.

"Willow, they're not going to hit you."

"I don't mind if he keeps me tied up. I understand the worry. Let's forget about the hitting though."

I smile at Aris, knowing a smile can create a good first impression, but my smile falters with his continued interest in my gift.

"Does this mean it will hurt?" Aris asks as his eyes widen with excitement.

"No, but I'd rather not go to a doctor depending on the amount of damage you plan on having your bodyguard inflict on me. I don't think you'd like to find me a doctor either."

"I'm always happy to lend a helping hand. We have an infirmary here." Aris raises one hand as if to showcase this building. The movement looks stiff.

"When he says lend, he means he expects people to pay him back."

"I never expect that from you."

"You owe me," Saint says, and at this statement, I see the saddest smile appear on Aris' face.

"You own the black market," I say my thoughts aloud, and Aris seems to notice the disbelief in my voice.

"No, I don't own the market. I'm only in charge of distribution." He speaks fast, but not too fast that I am unable to make out what he says.

"Saint said his friend owns the market."

"Saint's friend does. However, I am not Saint's friend." I expect an awkward silence, but both the boys, and even one of the bodyguards, laugh at this statement.

"Then what are you to him?"

"I happen to be related to the boss, and we happen to owe Saint."

"What for?"

"I think we've spent enough time on the wrong conversations." Aris shakes his head then walks to his desk and takes a seat on the chair by it, placing one hand over the other as both arms are outstretched on the desk as if he is in a meeting. "I hardly get to meet Iron Rods. The Gifted Program seems to have you all cooped up."

"We're rare."

Nobody speaks for some time, and I start to feel uncomfortable with all eyes, except Saint's, on me. In the midst of silence, I look around Aris' office to see books neatly organised on a shelf to the left of me, but I cannot see the title of them. The walls of this office look white, but once further attention is paid to them, I believe they are an extremely light shade of pink.

There are also pictures on the walls; three paintings that all show people surrounded by some element of nature. There are no picture frames on Aris' desk; there is only a computer and a pile of neatly stacked files on one end of the desk, as well as a drink coaster on the opposite end.

I see multiple scars on Aris' hand and arms; one of them extends across his triceps and shoulders. He's an olive-skinned man with a pointy nose. He also has freckles on his face.

"I take it you've grown fond of this girl. Do you like her, Frosty?"

"What gave it away?" Saint sounds exhausted, and I can't blame him.

Our recent adventures must have taken up all his energy. I must remember to thank him for this later. I won't thank him for my escape from the Purus compound, though. He told me my father has already sent him the payment for that, and despite my disappearance, no effort has been made to reclaim the money.

"You know I have to sell her." Aris firstly looks serious as he says this, but he smiles, closed-mouthed, after some time.

"He's joking," Saint says to me when he sees the worried expression on my face.

"I'm sure there's someone desperate enough to buy a defect."

"Willow, don't listen to him."

"I'll just give her that cure, and she'll be on her way."

"Aris, I'm too tired for this. I'm going to see young Saga. I'll meet you in the bunker when you're done here."

Saint moves towards the door of the office and walks out without saying another word. The glass walls of the office allow me to see him waiting by an elevator.

"I owe Saint," Aris' voice draws my attention back to him, "but you may just be asking for a payment larger than my debt."

"I don't know the weight of your debt."

"It's a little less than taking care of you here, missing out on the money I can get from selling you, tracking your family and friend, and giving you the manpower to get them out."

"Well...I'm sure I can make up the difference."

Aris only stares at me. Perhaps witty responses aren't the best when needing help from a person. I stare back at Aris, thinking of some response that might rectify my previous remark and motivate him to help me. However, given Saint's confidence in Aris, I believe I will receive some help.

Saint already informed me that getting the manpower I need is unlikely, and I will probably leave this building with only information. I'm alright with that. It's a start to getting my family and Kane home. Once I have the information I need, I'll contact my father and ask him for help.

However, I'm not sure how that conversation will play out. I'm not even sure how to reach him at this point. During Saint and I's travel here, Saint was unable to reach my father. Saint suspects he's being closely monitored and, for a reason unknown to us, he doesn't want the program officials knowing my location. This adds to my list of problems, but there's nothing else I can do but take one step at a time.

"You're a funny girl," Aris says and bursts out laughing. "I can see why Saint likes you this much. You should be careful, though. Not everyone will understand your humour."

I watch as Aris wipes a tear from his cheek. It's best I keep a neutral face. A smile may show how odd I find his exaggerated reaction. He seems nice, though.

"I'll help you," Aris' serious expression returns, "but I wanted to speak to you about the specifics of my cure. I believe Saint told you that I can't have you stay here without you taking that."

"I know. I'll take it."

"You'll be able to use your gift like never before, but your life will get a timer. I can't tell you how long you'll live for, but none of the others lasted over a year."

"I was told. I'll take it."

"I'll give you a few more days to consider this. Saint told me you haven't been able to reach your dad. We'll help you contact him and see the other options before you take the cure. I'll make sure Saint gets a few more sedatives until then."

Aris smiles at me, and I'm sure he can see the surprise in my eyes. I never imagined receiving this much help from these sorts of people, and I begin to wonder what Saint has done for Aris to be in his debt.

"Thank you. I'll take the cure if we can't reach him or if he can't help."

"Okay," Aris says. "I have to finish some work. Take her to the bunker and try to keep Saga away from her," Aris addresses his bodyguards, and one of them moves towards me and begins untying my hands.

"Wait," Aris speaks to me while his eyes are fixed on the paperwork in front of him. "The extent of my help depends on the extent of yours. Frosty wants to talk to you about that, so make sure he does before he leaves."

I stand up to leave, but Aris' voice stops me, "Did Saint tell you that you'd have to leave the country when this is all over? I can't have you walking around knowing what you'll learn here and have already learnt." Aris uses his index finger to point to his face.

Saint told me this during our stay at the awful apartment. This is just what happens to people who are a safety risk to the business. I know too much, and I've seen too much.

"I know, but he promised I'll get to stay with my family for some time."

"Of course."

One bodyguard pulls my arm, and I follow him out of Aris' office and into the elevator I saw Saint use. I assume I'll be going to the bunker, and I am not sure if I should be worried about meeting the person or thing named Saga.