Verena couldn't help but feel horrible about how she had freaked out about him asking her name. It was a simple question but made her feel as if she was trapped. He had been nice to her. Koen could have easily sent the guards into his room without her knowing when he had left. But he didn't. Instead, he brought her food. No one had ever thought about getting her something as small as food before, so why had she freaked out when it came to him knowing her name.

She wrapped her arms around herself as she hid against a blackened part of the roof across from the prince's room. Verena watched as Koen leaned against the balcony, his head swiveling left and right as he looked for where she might be.

He wasn't going to find her. Verena made sure of that this time. He might know her scent and that she had been near him, but he would never see her.

Verena had grown to be careless in her watching him. She had grown too confident in her abilities and underestimated the young prince. Now, she was going to take extra precaution to ensure that he wouldn't see her again. He couldn't see her again. Eventually, she would have to return to her own kingdom where the shadows were her only companion.

Verena chuckled as she shook her head, looking down at her feet. She knew that she led a sad and lonely life, but it was all she knew. The shadows had always been her companion. She didn't need anyone else.

Although, as she looked at Koen, she couldn't help but feel the strong urge to get closer to him. But she had ruined whatever could have been between them by running away. She wouldn't blame him if he was angry at her. Hell, she would have been angry at him if the roles had been reversed.

Verena watched as Koen's shoulders slumped before shaking his head and walking back into his room. She waited until the windows were closed before leaping off of the roof, keeping her movements light as she moved across the many roofs of the city. Eventually, she reached the far side of the city as her feet hit the solid ground in front of the inn that she was staying in. She had decided when she moved into the kingdom to stay at one of the brothels. On this side of the city, there were more criminals and low lives than your everyday person. Verena felt more at home here than she did anywhere else in the kingdom. She also knew that with all the different criminal activity surrounding the area that she would be able to blend in and, once again, hide in the shadows.

Everything that she owned and traveled with fit on her body. She never had to worry about anyone stealing from her or her room being torn to pieces by someone who was wanting something from her.

Verena took a deep breath before stepping through the wide oak doors and into the brothel. One of the maids recognized her and waved, her smile friendly. Verena only inclined her head as she continued her way around the bustle of activity. Her feet led her straight to her room, wanting this night to be over.

As her hand reached the doorknob, she heard someone clear their throat close by her. Her eyes locked on one of the men that worked in the brothel, Zastan. Her body relaxed a hair as she saw the familiar face. He was leaning casually against his door, his arms crossed over her chest. A warmth of friendliness shined in his eyes. Zastan never acted as if he was disturbed by her presence. Many nights since she had entered this kingdom, they had shared dinner and tea together. Most of the time, it would just be Zastan talking with her listening, but he never seemed to mind or complain.

"Where do you go every night, Red?" Zastan asked her calmly.

Verena took a deep breath and shrugged one shoulder, her hand still on the doorknob.

Zastan gave her a hard look as he held out his hand. His hip pushed against his door, causing it to open slightly. "Come on, Red. Have a drink with me."

Verena's heart began to beat harder in her chest. She shook her head as she began to turn the doorknob, wanting to escape into her room.

"You know as well as I do that I am not hitting on you," Zastan quickly told her. "You look like you've had a rough night and I'm just offering a drink." He paused for a moment. "You look like you need a friend, Red."

Verena's eyes snapped closed for a moment before she slowly nodded. She did need a friend. After the night she had, she needed a friend. A drink or two with Zastan wasn't going to hurt her. Verena let go of the doorknob and placed her hand in his. A soft smile spread across Zastan's face as he gently lead her into his room. He was always gentle with her as if she would dart at any sudden movements.

A small smile spread across her lips from behind her mask. She knew that she would dart at any sudden movements. She always had.

Zastan led her over to the terrace where two chairs sat next to a small circle table. He held out one of the chairs and motioned for her to sit.

Verena began to look around the room, making sure she knew every area of escape.

"You know you are safe here with me, Red," Zastan told her gently. "No one comes into my room without my permission."

Verena's eyes moved back to his face, searching for any kind of deception. She couldn't find anything in his eyes that would make her feel unsafe. She gave him a small nod as she sat down in the chair he held out for her. She watched him as he took a seat in the chair opposite of her, leaning back, spreading his long legs out in front of him.

A small pitcher of red wine sat in the middle of the table as well as two glasses. Zastan began to poor a glass halfway with wine and offered it to her. Verena took it out of his hand and held it in her lap. Her eyes moved out to look at the dark city in front of them. Small dances of firelight shone through the streets as people continued to mingle through the night.

"Can I make the right guess and say that you're having male trouble?" Zastan asked her with a smirk on his face.

Verena snapped her eyes over to him and shrugged her shoulders. "I guess you could say that."

Zathan brought his glass to his lips and took a drink of his wine. "I've got a gift."

Verena couldn't help the small smile that spread across her lips. "It's also part of your job."

Zathan nodded. "That is true," he chuckled. "Who hurt who?"

Verena thought back to how she left Keon. The image of his disappointed face appeared in her mind. She sighed as she answered him, "I guess it was me who hurt him."

Zathan nodded as he took another sip of his wine. "It usually is the women the hurt men's hearts."

Verena could help but roll her eyes and his statement.

"Anyways," Zathan continued. "How'd you hurt him. Did he ask for your name and you ran?"

Verena nodded.

"I remember when we first met. You did the same to me." He swirled his wine around in his cup. "That's why I gave you your nickname. At least I have a name for you." He gave her a soft look. "You'll be alright, Red. You'll figure out how to make another friend."