You loved me 'cause I'm fragile

When I thought that I was strong

But you touch me for a little while

And all my fragile strength is gone  

29 - The Rules

The masters went to Cairo's room for a family meeting while we waited. Archie was left in charge of the monitors. Dad was sleeping and Mei had taken over the available bed.

"So, you've been telling my dad stories," I told Amyr.

I sat on the floor beside him.

Amyr smirked, resting his arms on his knees. "Don't worry, Noob. I made it sound like you were so awesome. You're welcome, by the way."

"He wouldn't believe it anyway," I laughed.

Falling silent, he began to fiddle with one of Alex's Rubic's cube. "Don't worry too much. It's not even twenty-four hours since your old man's been immortalized and he's already bugging me to train him."

"Why am I not relieved?" I jeered.

"Come on," he nudged me gently. "He ain't as incapable as you think. S'not so bad being like us."

"Maybe... if the situation was different," I sighed. "Right now, I just... can't imagine him surviving all this."

"It's really bad, ain't it?"

I couldn't answer. All I could do was stare as he disassembled the cube, its pieces scattered on the floor.

"The bosses ain't tellin' us nothin'. I know I ain't smart. But my guts, Noob. It keeps tellin' me, maybe this is it. Shit's gunna go down and fast. We won't even see it comin'."

"We'll find a way. We always do."

My voice sounded hollow, but he didn't seem to notice. He just started laughing softly.

"You wanna hear somethin' funny, Noob?" he asked, lifting his gaze to me. "I'm immortal and I'm still gunna die at forty-one. And you; what're you, sixteen?"

With an irritated groan, I punched his arm. He fake-winced, forcing back a smile.

"You're not going to die, Amyr," I said, leaning my head on his shoulder. "None of us are."

This time, I meant it.

Piece by piece, Amyr put the cube back together with the same color for each side.

"That's cheating," I said.

"It ain't cheating," he grinned. "It's called improvisation."

I could feel my forehead creasing as I watched him.

The door creaked open.

Amyr and I jumped to our feet. Momentarily, Archie lifted his eyes from the monitors to look at the door. The lack of interest on his face told me it was alright.

"Master," he acknowledged the newcomer. "Might you be in need of something?"

Hector stepped into view, his eyes downcast. Without his lab coat, he looked like any average boy, but I knew better.

"I'll be quick," he said to me, his gaze still roaming the floor. "Open your hand."

Raising a brow, I crossed my arms in front of me. "Why?"

"Just open your bloody hand then, I'll be on my way," he demanded, keeping his voice as quiet as possible.

Glancing at Amyr, I moved my arm close to him with an open hand. He dropped something and I caught it. It was my Helcium pendant.

Without wasting a single second, he marched out of room.

I followed him when I thought I heard Vincent's voice from the hallway. He was barring Hector's way, straightening up to his full height for a more intimidating effect.

"How was it, Hector?" Vincent's voice was quiet but menacing. "Did you remember the rules?"

"Yes," Hector answered through his teeth. The tension in his arms told me how he was struggling for restraint.

Vincent stepped forward, making Hector flinch a bit.

"Good. Get a pen and write this ten thousand times on your precious little notebooks: Aramis. Is. Mine. You don't get near her. You never ever touch her. Don't even look at her. Because if I catch you, I'll carve the rules ten thousand times on the back of your eyelids."

Averting his gaze, the Eleventh nodded.

Only then did Vincent step aside to let him pass. Once Hector was out of sight, I slipped out of the door, closed it behind me and cleared my throat loud enough to announce my presence.

Vincent narrowed his eyes at me. "Did you hear that?"

"I uh--" I fixed my eyes on the ceiling. "Y-yes."

"Any objections?"

"N-no?"

"Good."

He grabbed my hand and towed me to Cairo's room. I stopped him before he could open the door.

Clenching his jaws, he closed his eyes and exhaled aloud. "You wanted to see him, right?"

"Y-yeah but--"

He opened the door and cocked his head toward it.

Slowly, I stepped into the room, only to realize that Vincent was still holding my hand. I glanced back at him, gesturing for him to let me go. Abruptly, he pulled me into an embrace.

The trapdoor opened again. I was dangling into a bottomless pit and he was the only thing that kept me from falling down. My chest ached, reminding me to breathe.

"Go," he whispered. "Before I change my mind."

As he stepped back, he touched his knuckles onto my forehead. I stood there, dumbfounded, wondering, watching him disappear after Hector.

I caught my forehead and grunted. "What are you doing, Aramis?!"

I had to calm myself before entering and I was glad I did once I was face to face with Cairo. He had this sorry look on his face that made me even angrier than I was supposed to be.

Thankfully, Vlad and Kyoshiro were there. Otherwise, it would be more uncomfortable than it already was.

Vladimir rested his chin on the back of his hand, waving me forward.

"Go on," Kyoshiro urged. "He knows what he's done."

Immediately, Cairo dropped his stare on the floor. It looked like Vincent had given him a rundown of "the rules", too.

"I didn't have a choice," was the first thing he said.

"Really, Cai? That's the best you can come up with?" I scoffed. "Of course, you had a choice. You always have a choice. Weren't you the one who told me that?"

He gave me a fleeting look, before withdrawing all too quickly.

"You lied," he murmured, standing up. "You remember."

"I do... And I owe you. But don't do it again."

I clutched on the hem of my jacket to keep my hands from shaking. I chewed on the inside of my cheek. The pain was distracting enough. There was no way I was going to cry three times in one day and especially, not in front of him.

"You did it for me. Why can't I do it for you?" For once, he sounded like a boy who's being scolded.

"Because, I'm not Alessandra," I managed to keep my voice even. "I'm just me. I'm sick and tired of getting treated like someone's replacement. Now, here's my rule: never take a hit for me. Ever."

He stayed silent.

As much as I wanted to get mad at him, I couldn't. I headed for the door while I still had my composure, but before I knew it, I had already twisted on my heels.

"And one more thing," I said once I was in front of him. I caught him by the shoulders and gave him a hug. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For bringing my dad back... And for coming back."

"I said I will make things right, didn't I?"

I smiled, nodding. Then, I took a step back and kicked him on the shin.

He made an effort to not make a sound, but it was strong enough, random enough to throw him out of balance.

"That's... for everything else."

I straightened my jacket, ignoring the laughter from Vlad and Kyoshiro. I stormed out of the room before Cairo could get over the momentary daze and get even.

As I closed the door, I heard Vladimir say, "That's Aramis for you."

To my surprise, the door across from me swung in. Amyr and Mei came out with these pressing expressions on their faces. Not a second later and the masters were out in the hallway.

"What is it?" I asked.

Archie emerged from behind Mei.

"I shall stay to man the monitors," he told Vladimir. "And I implore of you, Master, to avoid overusing your healing ability as it takes a great toll on your health."

Vladimir waved the thought away. "I know what I'm doing, Archie."

"Can anyone please tell me what's going on?!" I demanded.

Everyone exchanged meaningful looks.

In the end, Vladimir unwillingly answered, "Vincent wants you to stay here with your father and Archie, so you'll be safe," with his soothing voice.

Incredulously, I looked at everyone. When no one dared to explain, I rolled my eyes. "Yeah. Not going to happen."

"Am I supposed to get the ropes now, Boss?" Amyr had the lopsided grin on.

I flashed him my fiercest scowl.

He raised his arms in retreat. "What?! It's Vincent's idea!"

Slowly, I backed away, touching the Bind mark on the side of my neck. It started to glow and accumulate energy for when I summon my scythe.

"Whoa!" Kyoshiro interfered. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves here."

All of a sudden, I saw Dad peeking over Archie's shoulder. He looked confused and scared at the same time.

Tapping his boots on the floor, Kyoshiro let an impatient groan. "Just let her come already! We really don't have time for this."

Vladimir removed his glasses and wiped the lenses on the hem of his shirt. "I suppose we have no choice. We have to take possession of the Grimoire as soon as possible."

Grudgingly, I let my hand fall down my side. "Do we actually know where to find Irvine and Sharifa?"

"We don't have to," the boy answered. "They found us."