A/N: Okay I did say that I would station warning but I think it'll just get in the way of reading, so at this point from this point forth, I guess, it's just slightly more mature, if it will be really violent i will put warning but for now its just warnings in general, its not a big deal, but for the YOUNGER READERS ESPECIALLY BE WARNED!

3rd P.O.V.:

He was still on the run and it had caused Hugo to always be on edge, especially for the past two years. Recently he had intensified his training both at home and whenever he would go and train with Orion. He would train a lot with James as well. James was the only one who would stop him from completely destroying his body, and so for that he was thankful. Sometimes Hugo would notice strange things happening that clearly shouldn't be happening. He would address them in the meetings that the council of Protectors the Mystic Isles would hold. Typically they'd get a team to go and take a look at it.

But lately his worries had shifted. He had noticed that Sofia was becoming more and more unavailable. But due to what, he couldn't figure it out. He had already been used to her attending after school clubs, but on top of that there was something else he didn't know about. He just knew that something was definitely going on, something that Sofia wasn't telling him, something that her petty little excuses like, extra homework and studying weren't enough to fool him.

But he also didn't want to push it, it's not like he was exactly innocent either.

But he couldn't tell Sofia. Nor could Sofia tell him.

What he didn't realise, what neither of them had realised in fact, was that now not only was Hugo a protector, but so was Sofia. And with recent troubles with Alex, who had a hybrid mix of witches and memory manipulators coursing through his blood, everything lately had been heavily filled with tension.

Sofia had been told what had happened with Alex but no details were given. And so she was unaware of the fact that the unlucky mortal who had been caught in the crossfire, was Hugo's mother. In turn, Sofia's training was way more intense then it should've been, not that she was going to start complaining. But she couldn't tell Hugo either, it was dangerous and knew that he would do everything he could to stop her.

So on top of feeling guilty towards each other for keeping secrets they started questioning each other. And it would only get worse from there.

Hugo had actually been paying real close attention to Sofia for the past few weeks, he had figured out that she had been using her excuses mostly on Wednesdays.

So he was going to test her. Catch her.

In the early morning, he found her in the hallway reading a book, waiting for the bell to ring for class to start.

"Hey Sofia," Hugo greeted her from behind, snaking his arms around her waist.

"Hi Hugo," Sofia greeted back, placing one of her hands over his.

"We haven't hung out in a while, so I was thinking maybe you wanna go look at the stars tonight. I heard that there might be a meteor shower tonight," Hugo brought up.

"I can't," she said, turning to face him.

Hugo expected this answer, in fact he was counting on it.

"Oh, why not? Come on Sofia we haven't hung out in a while," he pleaded her, squeezing her hand.

Panic washed over Sofia's face, "I-uh, have to-to tutor some of the new students, uh in the library, you know, still getting used to the work load and all that mumbo-jumbo."

"Want help then? That way we can still hang out?"

"NO!"

Seeing Hugo's face Sofia tried to save herself.

"You see, uh, the-the new students are, uh, scared of you! Yep, yep, scared of you! Mr intimidating," she said in a weird voice, poking his chest, "so, you, uh can't come and what not, hehe," Sofia nervously giggled.

Hugo nodded, obviously not convinced but that was part of the plan. "Sure whatever you say Sofia, but let's hang out soon, I miss you, even though we see each other," he smiled lightly, taking her hand in his, giving it a quick squeeze.

"I-I missed you too Hugo. Another time, I promise." Sofia held out her pinky, waiting.

Hugo smiled, shaking his head. He took her pinky in his and locked their thumbs.

The day went by as usual. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. Breaks went by without too much drama. So when lessons had finally ended, Hugo bolted out of the classroom. He was on high alert.

He spotted a purple dress, with brown curls. A light bounce in her step.

Yep, that's definitely her. He thought.

Steadily, Hugo followed her making sure to be subtle. They near the library.

Huh maybe she really is going to tutor the students.

But just as she reaches the library doors, she keeps going taking a right at the next corner. But when Hugo turns the corner she's disappeared into thin air.

Hugo stops abruptly.

"What the ffffffff- Damn it!" Hugo grits, running his hand through his hair.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Sofia was doing her training as usual with Chrysta, but she was sighing every two seconds, and Chrysta noted that she was sloppy to top it off.

"Sofia, what's wrong?" Chyrsta pries.

Sofia sighs once more, "well, it's just, ugh."

Chrysta waited until Sofia was ready.

"It's just that well, my, uh boyfriend," Sofia paused blushing, still not used to the word, "my betrothed really, he's been worried about me and I know he's starting to catch on, and I feel so guilty for lying to him, but I don't have a choice, cause you know you guys told me how it's bad for humans to get involved, and I-I don't know what to do!"

Sofia dumps, pacing the entire time, her hands flinging all over the place.

"I don't know what to say. Mainly because I've never been in that situation, however I do know someone who would be able to help you!"

"Really?! Who?!" Sofia runs up to Chrysta desperately clasping her hands.

"Well, you're not the only human protector, there is another one, he might be able to help since he's probably lying to people too, which is not so nice now that I'm saying it out loud, okay now I understand you. But that's besides the point, he can probably console you and give you tips!"

"Oh my goodness, that would be the best!"

"Thank you, Chrysta!"Sofia exclaimed, hugging her.

"Wait, how and when will I meet him?"

"Oh don't worry about that I'll arrange something for you, okay?"

"Okay!"

After that Sofia brought back her A-game in the training session.

Back at home, a frustrated Hugo was pacing in her room.

He had come with the excuse that he had something to drop off for Sofia. He would've just waited with James to chase the time, but unfortunately, the whole royal family— except for Sofia of course —had left for an official emergency in another kingdom. Hugo was too fired up to be paying attention to the details.

He entered her room, noticing that her closet light was on and the door was locked. No one seemed to notice that she wasn't actually here.

"Pah, of course she's not here either!"

He paces.

"Bloody hell, where the F-hell is she?!"

Hugo tried waiting around but he couldn't. So he started moving around, playing with a ball he found. Playing catch with the wall. Even that couldn't keep him entertained. He started running laps, it worked, for a while.

Night had made its way to the sky, and still no sign of her. Angrily, Hugo stormed off to the shower, grabbing his towel; he was frequently over that staff had started placing necessities out for him without request. Running the water at room temperature, his entire body was on fire and he needed a way to cool down his anger, as he stood in the water, he would raise the temperature of the water to be cooler.

Sofia climbed back through her closet window, saying a quick thanks to Skye. She slightly opened her closet door making sure no one was there. Breathing out in relief, she walked out.

Hugo rushed out of the showers, half dressed as soon as he had heard her. He watched her in disbelief.

"So, how was tutoring with the newcomers?" Hugo speaks out of the darkness, making Sofia jump.

"Arrr, Hugo what are u doing in my room?!" Sofia asks, clutching her chest. "Half naked at that too." Sofia whisper yelled, making sure not to get caught, she didn't want to alarm the staff, she ran towards him, trying to forcibly get him out.

"That's not my main concern right now, is it?" he countered, pulling his arm out of her grasp.

"Hugo, you can't just invade my privacy like this!" Sofia attempts to turn it back to Hugo. It didn't work.

"Where have you been?!" Hugo blurted, arms flailing everywhere.

"You've been disappearing off and you've been super secretive lately!" Hugo heaved, crossing his arms.

Baffled, Sofia went into defensive mode, "oh, I'm the secretive one? Yeah?! What about you, huh? You've been secretive too!"

"This isn't about me!"

"How's that fair?!"

"Sofia." Hugo's tone was warning.

"No, Hugo, no." Sofia remarked.

"You're the one who stopped talking to me, you're the one who's been running off, far longer than me, you're the one who's, who's been acting off." Sofia ranted, her arms flinging around wildly.

Hugo was dumbfounded. The silence was heavy.

"So, how about it Hugo? Can you tell me why you've been super secretive? Why you've been keeping your distance?"

"I- I," Hugo heaved, running his hands through his hair. "It's complicated okay!"

"Oh, so I have to explain myself but you don't!"

"Sofia! That's not it!"

"Then what Hugo?!" Sofia pestered, inching closer in anger.

He wanted to tell her. But if he did he wouldn't be able to protect her. So he did something he knew he would feel guilty about, but it was the only way he could get off her radar. Please forgive me Sofia, but this is for you. He thought to himself before he said his next words.

"I've been keeping my distance because, because I've been visiting my mother's grave." He answered.

I'm sorry, he thought.

"Oh," Sofia mumbled. She stood there stumped.

"Hugo, I'm so sorry, I-I didn't mean to-," she stuttered, taking Hugo's hand in hers.

"I know Sofia," he told her, smiling softly. His heart clenched, yet again he had to lie.

They stood there in that awkward tension for a few minutes.

"You know you really should put on a shirt though," Sofia said.

Hugo chuckled, and went to grab a button up. As he was slipping it on, a knock from the window startled the two of them, stopping them both in their tracks.

Sofia scurried to the window and received whatever it was that she did, suspiciously at that too.

Sofia instantly recognised the seal of the letter, it was from Chrysta, she couldn't let Hugo see it. Panicking, she hid in her bra. Not smart, it was seriously uncomfortable, and half the thing was sticking out. She regretted it as soon as she had the thought.

"Uh, what was that?"

"Nothing!" Sofia said.

"Sofia?" Hugo questioned, slowly walking towards her.

"Uh, yes?" Sofia asked, craning her neck, trying her best to stuff the rest of the letter into her bra.

"Why are you talking like that? Why aren't you facing me?"

Silence.

"Sofia?" Hugo badgered sternly.

When she responded with more silence, he grabbed her and spun her around.

Sofia gasped, eyes wide.

"What are you hiding?"

"Nothing."

"Sofia, don't lie to me." Hugo warned harshly.

But she kept her silence. Eyes begging desperately, so he studied her and noticed something small sticking out of her dress bustline. Without hesitation Hugo grabbed the paper and yanked it out.

Sofia's reflexes unfortunately were top tier. She reached for the envelope and hid behind her back before Hugo could even get a glance at anything.

Shocked, Hugo gave her a bewildered look.

He stepped forward, she stepped back. He stepped forward, and yet again she stepped back. This repeated until she was cornered against the wall, hands still behind her back. Hugo stepped one more step closer, pressing themselves together. Chest to chest, faces in super closer proximity and for extra measures, he cornered her with his arms for extra measure.

If the circumstances had been different Sofia would have fainted just from being in such a position, not to mention that Hugo wasn't even dressed properly, however this situation all she could think about was making sure not to get caught.

"Sofia."

"Hugo."

"This isn't funny. Show me what you're hiding."

Sofia shook her head, her face pleading.

"Sofia! Show me!"

"I can't!"

"Why not!"

"I-I just can't," Sofia whispered carefully. Avoiding his eyes.

"Are you serious?!"

But she ignored him, her head turning away.

Scoffing angrily, Hugo stormed out of the room, slamming the door.

Tears filled Sofia's eyes, trying her best not to let them fall, wiping at the few that did.

Buttoning his shirt as Hugo stormed through the corridors, thankful that it was quite late and most of the servants had retired to their chambers.

As he reached the gates, Hugo clenched his fists as he sighed to himself, "this wasn't how this was supposed to go."

However, there were more pressing matters brewing that were more worrisome than petty lies.

In a dark and cold basement, with a stench of rotting corpses enough to burn nose hairs, a cackle echoed through the walls.

"This is only the beginning of troubles!" One celebrated.

Cheers erupted.

"But all of this is riding on Alex."

"Don't you worry he'll do it, I know he will."

"But won't Alex suffer?" A quiet voice spoke, breaking the excitement.

"So what?" The screechy voice cackled.

"He is nothing but a puppet. A fool."

"But-," another said.

"But nothing! Do not forget our goal," the voice hissed, sending shivers across the room.

"If we want the world in the palm of our hands then sacrifices must be made!" the voice bit, laced with venom it continued, "don't tell me you've gone soft?!"

"N-no of course not."

"Good," the voice breathed, "then don't forget, save all your energy and prepare yourself. For the Day of Revenge is nearing us!"