Sean had barely left the room when the watch on Aidan's wrist began vibrating against his skin. He lifted his hand to his ear, and the sound of female voices conversing became apparent.

"How are you going to get out of it?" This voice was slightly higher-pitched, and unfamiliar; Francesca. "Hasn't he made it clear that he wants you as queen?"

Aidan's brows twitched together at that, but Raven's voice, imbued with a  lazy superiority and a hint of amusement, was already responding.

"Oh, he's been making it clear ever since I've known him. It is not me that he has business with, this time." She paused for a moment. "What I do not understand is why you are here, attempting to speak on matters that you know nothing about."

Aidan winced imperceptibly on Francesca's behalf, but the girl didn't miss a beat in replying.

"Ismael is no friend of mine. The only reason I'm still here is because Sean won't leave."

"And how do I know that this is not a bluff, a double cross of some kind?" Raven's voice countered.

"You don't. But your only option, if you and Aidan want to get out of here, is to trust me. He's not going to let you leave this time, no matter who his business is with." Francesca's return made Aidan's respect for her rise marginally.

"And why would I want to leave? Ismael does not treat me badly."

It had been evident from the moment that Raven and Ismael had looked at each other that they were previously acquainted, but the trenchant honesty underlying Raven's words gave Aidan another glimpse into their relationship.

A low, scraping noise filtered through the tiny speaker of the watch, and it took Aidan a moment to realize that the sound was Francesca's laughter. "You can't seriously pretend that you want to stay."

"Can't I? It's less of a gamble than trusting you." Aidan could practically see Raven's arched eyebrow, the supercilious tilt of her head.

"What do I need to do to make you trust me?"

Raven ignored Francesca's question. "Another thing that I don't understand is why you desire so greatly to help me, in the first place. What is in it for you?"

"Isn't it disillusioning, how no one can do something for another without being accused of having an ulterior motive?" Aidan almost smiled at Francesca's return.

"This is not someone doing something for another. This is a girl, risking her life for two people whom she barely knows, with nonexistent reasons to do so." The almost-smile on Aidan's lips turned thoughtful at Raven's caustic answer.

"I want out." Francesca's voice cooled, hardening into fire-forged steel. "I want out, and I want Ismael Samar dead."

"No." Raven's answer was instantaneous and dispassionate.

There was a disbelieving pause that Aidan sympathized with.

"It is nonnegotiable," Raven added. "I will get you and your boyfriend-" the word was spoken with an unmistakable amount of disparagement, "-out, and ensure that no unwarranted harm comes to you, but Ismael Samar lives."

"You certainly drive a hard bargain, Raven." Francesca's voice bled contempt and admiration in equal measure, and her next two words were bit out, as though she was reluctant to allow them to leave her mouth. "Very well."

"What, exactly, is going on here?" A new voice cut in, and it took Aidan a moment to realize that it wasn't coming from the watch. He looked up, tapping a button on the watch as soon as he saw who was standing at the door.

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A/N:

*Cue singsong voice* Aidan's in troubleeee! Well it's his fault for not shutting the door... and Raven, darling, you are such a hypocrite. You sneer at Francesca for having a boyfriend, and yet you risk your life to save the very man who is currently holding you captive. Emotional attachments are a tricky thing, no? But we all have flaws, and Raven is no exception. Granted, there are some people who do not consider emotional attachments 'flaws', so perhaps Raven is still a Mary Sue to some of you. Well, vote if you liked it, and if you didn't, let me know why; I'm always open to constructive criticism (: although, if you got this far, I'm guessing that you like the story? Either way, I'm open to feedback ^^