The leader of the Guards held a knife against my neck and grinned slowly," What are you trying Shadow? " He jeered at me. 

More blood rolled down my clothes, but I honestly didn't care.

I stared at the men surrounding me, their cold eyes digging into mine.

I ripped the man off me, his disgusting dagger pointed at him. The men twisted to claw their fingers in my skin.

The leader of the Guard's limp body hung in my hands. Limp, trying to fake. To help me?

But what good had he done these years... What good had anyone here done? Hate coursed through my body, and he was on the hard floor. Everything blurred, I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think.

A loud slightly familiar voice rang through my defences.

Run.

For a millisecond everything just froze. Completely froze. I shoved back against the blackness of the people surrounding me.

The Guards. Monsters created not made.

Run.

I ran, blood and tears from the vented up hate, the screams of approval thudding like my heartbeat, the only thing keeping me together.

I didn't see where I went, I just strode, ran, straggled towards the Gate.

Then it all blacked out. Blank whiteness draped my sight.

---

I blinked continuously at the bright light spearing from above me, blinding my eyes.

Pain was numb. Everything was numb. I couldn't feel, or open my eyes.

The place smelt like strong disinfectant and sharp lemons. I couldn't move at all, could hardly breathe. I was clothed in Purple again and my tight black fit was gone.

Voices filled the cold air and I heard a male voice- Abigor Killian talk loudly, exasperated.

"I told you Father, she's Faranza Sunstar daughter of a Purple family, she got caught up in the slave empire coz of a ruthless Green having a problem against her family- "

" Then how about the whole Shadow issue, my spies say that you took the Shadow girl from the Guards and told them you would take her to me," a sharp calculating voice sneered- The President.

Abigor sighed, his voice going quiet and annoyed," She ran and joined the rebels. And you won't Tell me what happened to them- "

A hollow empty clang noise rang through the 'hospital.'

"Come with me son," said the President coldly," Or tell me the truth. Who is the girl? "

"She's the one I want to marry. "

He just saved my skin.

Silence.

"Wealthy Purple, days from her ring-sixteen with no recorded dangerous thoughts. A good match, and she's the one you go to see? "

I guessed Abigor nodded here.

I jerked open my eyes and glanced around at my position. I was in a large room, greens and blues flowing everywhere I looked but my vision was blurred and all I could see was the colours and feel a soft welcoming bed underneath me. I shut my eyes.

"I was with her," continued Abigor," And then the Green took her to attend to something ... " He paused as if it was too painful to talk about, he gulped," And then she was on the playing field. I dealt with him of course. "

More silence.

" Tell me the whole truth. "

" The Green had taken her to attend to something she said, but then she wasn't back and I found the Green. He is now a dead man. Then I used what he had told me and saw Faranza amongst the slaves. I had taken Faranza to safety, she had been savaged before a tad but the madwoman from Evergreen had taken the lead. Then I saw the Shadow and went to get her. The Shadow ran as I said and then I took Faranza here. "

More silence.

" I will check the truth with her soon. " There was a clip of shoes along a hallway. Then he was gone.

A swish of a curtain sounded and shoes clapped towards the room. Breathing sounded that wasn't my own. I took care to breathe evenly and stay in my position, a mask of calm shield my face.

The breathing got closer and it was definitely a male. It was Abigor.

I tried not to recoil, reminding myself he had just saved my life and everything for me.

Hands stroked the tips of my hair, clean now, maybe a shower. I wondered how I had gotten out of my Shadow and into the rags I had been seen in. To fit with Abigor's story.

It was then I really realised what he had done.

I was alive. I had not been killed.

The thought didn't thrill me as usual and all I could do was worry about the others and all the slaves we had 'saved.'

All my friends lives had been put in danger, everyone would be looking for two twins and a curly haired Green, they really would have to lie low.

Pain shuddered in my head.

He was still there, I could feel him watching me, stroking my hair like a prize goat.

Okay, he may have saved my life, but that was enough.

" Why?" I whispered, forcing my fluttering eyes open. The glare of white light screamed into my eyes but I did not miss Abigor's stunned reaction. But my eyes began to adjust, I was in an expensive room, light colours shrouded the room, it was a guess but I was in one of the Silver's medical suites. Machines with confusing numbers and buttons hung off a flowery blue wardrobe and blood streaked towels were draped here and there. Various salves were sat in little pots in feathery cupboards.

I then looked at the black haired, blacky-purple eyed boy standing inches away from me and tugged myself a little further away from him.

He then shrugged and quickly grabbed his hand from my hair as if realising I had been watching.

A small smile played on my lips but I said very quietly aware of the eager listening ears outside," Thank you. "

Abigor's pale features lit up with a pink blush. I fought the urge to grin. Finally I gave in.

He blushed even more then looked towards the golden hilted clock on the wall. Then he rearranged his face to neutral and whispered so gently," Tell Father what I said. "

He knew there was probably someone at the door and said louder," Please be alright. Please wake up Fara. "

I almost screamed, my eyes seemed to say, You may have saved me but you have no right to call me that.

I think I do, he grinned.

What happened to my friends?

I don't know, all amusement had flickered from his face.

How long do I have to play Silver's wife?

He grimaced, I save your life and that's how you repay me?

Couldn't you have thought of something less stupid?

Pink blush spread across his face and I really wanted to know. But my eyes were tired, heaviness fell over my body.

I glanced at the large open window and the sunlight glaring from it, Good morning.

Then a blanket of sleep fell over me and I shut my eyes.

The President had come to see me, fakely sympathetic and kind asking about what happened. I put on the young Purple in distress act and repeated what Abigor had said but with more airs and graces, adding more details and facts than he had. The pain of the attack. The happiness of the rescue. And of course I had to put in the kindness of his son for effect. Otherwise I wouldn't suit 'Silver's lady.' Then I asked him about the horrible attack of the villainous person Abigor had gone to catch.

He said it wasn't a matter for young ladies.

I had just put on some charm then asked after my parents and when I would go home.

Apparently Abigor had said I was to go when I was fully better and I would see my family soon.

I sighed, sitting up on the bed, I was now dressed in Purple loungewear for the hospital.

The sun had almost set and from here I could see I was in the Care building, my Grandma's ashes somewhere on the coated bricks.

Somehow it comforted me, she was always there. Loving me.

The brown-haired nurse rubbing herbs into my shoulder nodded at me," Your parents are to see you soon, then a friend is coming after. "

The blood had long stopped but I still wore bandages around my slowly scarring skin. I had discovered my shoulder had been brutally dislocated and my arm had been cut. They had also taken my hands as a result of that day.

I nodded, hoping that friend wasn't Alarie or one of the twins.