I woke up to the sound of laughter. I looked to my side and noticed Grace was gone. I had only wanted to lay down in bed with her while she slept, but I didn't realize how tired I was. Tossing the old comforter aside, I swung my legs off the bed and got up. In the backpack I brought was the last pair of clean shirts we had. I took it and put it on. As I slipped my arms through the sleeves of the t-shirt, I heard Grace laugh again.

"I ran for my life," Quentin said through chuckles.

"Did you get in trouble?" Grace asked. I exited the bedroom and walked down the hallway toward their voices.

"Hell yes, but it was worth it."

Grace giggled just as I rounded the corner and found them sitting on the sofa laughing. In front of them were bags filled with necessity and food. Quentin saw me first and Grace turned to look behind her as soon as she saw Quentin's eye shift to me.

"Good morning," Grace said with a smile.

She wore her hair down today and changed into a flared black legging and black knitted top. Hints of laughter lingered in her blue eyes and her cheeks were flushed from laughing so much. She smiled at me and I realized how long it's been awhile since she genuinely smiled with no worries.

"Morning," I walked over to the spare seat between them and sat down.

Leaning forward, I grabbed one of the bags to look through. Quentin was attentive to Grace's need. He bought her women's necessities. Although it filled the entire back. He probably bought one of every size in women's pads. I cleared my throat and pushed the bag back.

Grace jumped up from her seat and grabbed the bag before shoving it behind her back. I reached for the other bag and saw more shampoo and body wash. He also bought women scented ones too.

"I grabbed all that I could think of." Quentin pointed to the bags.

"Thanks, man. When did you get here?"

"It took a bit with all that is going on," Quentin admitted.

"I bet. What's going on?"

"It's fucking chaotic right now. The world is going to shit and everyone is breathing down my back." He was the only source of connection from the real world and us. I'm sure he was getting a lot of heat from everyone.

"Any news about Lucy and Kian?" Grace asked.

"Last I heard, they were safe," Quentin answered her.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Grace visibly relaxed into her seat. Quentin's calm demeanor changed and he leaned forward with his hands in front of him.

"What's the plan?" I asked.

"That's the thing. It's complicated. Grace hasn't harvested her powers..." Quentin's voice drifted off and even though he didn't say what he wanted to say, I knew what he meant.

Grace was a liability with no powers.

"And?" I asked.

My original duty assignment was to take care of Lucy. I grew closer to her because of the orders and left Grace behind. All my life, I was told to protect our princesses, but Lucy had a higher potential in gaining all her powers and becoming our queen. It was the most logical choice.

"I came with new orders for you too," Quentin announced. This pulled me back to reality.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion.

"The Elders need you back at the headquarters. I'll be taking over your duty here." I shot up from my seat.

"What the hell does that mean?"

"The attack a few days ago was unexpected. Your objective changed on the spot which didn't get you in trouble. But you still have a mission, Alec. You have to complete it."

"Why does it matter? Either way, they are both safe." Why was I arguing? The logical part of me understood this was the right choice. I was top of my class and have always been. I shouldn't spend my time here with Grace and be protecting Lucy instead.

But...

"You know the reason, Alec. You are to leave immediately." Quentin responded.

I shoved a hand through my hair and paced the floor.

"That's fucked up."

"It's okay," Grace's small voice chimed in.

I stopped in my footsteps to look at her. She gave me a small smile, but sadness lingered in her eyes. When she blinked, it disappeared as if it was never there.

"We don't have to do it."

Grace shook her head and stood up to walk over to me. She placed a hand on my left chest and my heart raced beneath her palm. My gaze swept her face and a sense of calmness settled on her features.

"I would feel better if you were there to protect Lucy. I wouldn't trust any other person."

For some reason, my heart clenched and a protest lodged in my throat. I wanted to say something, but what was I supposed to say? She was right. I should be protecting Lucy. I turned to Quentin.

"Protect her with your life."

"That's kind of the point. Here are some supplies for you. There's a satellite phone, IDs, rations, a few personal care items, and clothes to last you a few days until you reach the coordinates for Lucy and Kian," Quentin chuckled as he stood up. He grabbed another military backpack from the floor. He dug into the bag and found a piece of paper and handed it to me.

I took the backpack. Grace dropped her hand from my chest and the absence of her warmth felt chilling to my body. She took a step back as I reluctantly walked to the door.

At the door, I turned back to her.

"Continue your training," I urged her.

Grace nodded her head and Quentin moved to stand next to her. I opened the door and walked out onto the porch. If I leave now, I should make it back to headquarters before nightfall.

"Be safe out there," Grace said from behind.

I turned back to look at her and my heart clenched again. I found it harder to leave her with each passing second. There were so many things I worried about. Would she be safe? What if the Shadows found her? Quentin was a capable soldier, but would he do everything he can for her?

Quentin seemed to sense my reluctance because he spoke up again.

"I got her."

I nodded my head to him and with one last glance at Grace, I turned and left. I didn't use a vehicle. It was faster if I ran.

Before I knew it, I was out of sight. As I traveled, my heart grew heavier. I brushed it off to the fact that I have always been close to Grace. She was family and her safety means everything to me.

While running, I made sure to take precautions with my tracks. Shadows have snifters who are the deadliest trackers. Masking my scent would stop them from tracking, but I had to make sure I took detours through the slums of cities. It was the busiest and easiest place to stop them from looking.

I only stopped when I needed a slight break. Aside from that, I wanted to make it to Lucy and Kian as soon as possible. When I was near the coordinates, I stopped for the last time in an unknown and deserted area.

I sat down on the bed of grass and took off my backpack. Digging through the contents of the backpack, I took out the satellite phone and dialed Quentin's phone number. He picked up on the fourth ring.

"Hello. Alec?" Quentin recognized the number.

In the background, I heard Grace laughing and the water running and my heart skipped a beat. I didn't realize how much I wanted to hear her until I heard her.

"Yo, you there?" Quentin asked.

"Yeah, I'm here."

"What you called for?"

Why did I call? That was a very good question. One that I don't even have the answer for.

"You cheated, Quentin!" Grace shouted and I heard them struggling and laughing.

"I got nothing on me," Quentin half-laughed and shouted at her.

"The card is in your sleeve, you little liar. Give it to me."

I heard them struggle again and a loud crash.

"Hello? Are you two okay? What's going on?" I shouted in fear.

"It's nothing. Grace is a sore loser and pushed me off my chair," Quentin laughed.

"I'm not playing with you any longer. You're a cheater."

"What did you call for?" Quentin asked.

"Nothing. I just wanted to check in."

"Bro, she's fine."

"Is that Alec?" Grace asked from the other end. My hand gripped the phone.

"Alec?" Grace's voice came on the end of the phone.

"Yeah," I responded.

"Did you make it to Lucy and Kian yet?"

My heart felt heavy.

"No, I'm almost there. Just another hour."

"That's good to hear. Are you safe? Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine," I sounded bitter as fuck.

Why the fuck is Quentin so fucking close to Grace? Shouldn't be fucking teaching her like I told him?

"Don't slack off, Grace. I need you to focus on your training."

"I am." She sounded disheartened.

"I'm just saying. You got a lot to learn and can't lose focus. Our entire lives depends on you."

"I know," she responded. "Don't you think I am trying?"

"I'm not saying you aren't."

"Then what the fuck do you mean, Alec? Why are you calling me? Are you just making sure I don't disappoint you? What do you want?"

I shoved a hand through my hair in frustration and stared up at the starry sky.

Fuck!

"Here, give me the phone." I hear Quentin say.

A moment later, Quentin comes on the line.

"We trained all day and only just settled down to play a few card games before bed. She's doing great, Alec. Her fighting skills are progressing as well as her focus on her powers. I've never seen such determination since camp back in the day."

I know Grace's capability. She's amazing. I didn't mean to come off as pissed, but man, I was pissed. I hate the fact that Quentin is there and Grace was laughing so much. I hate how they are together.

"I gotta go." I hung up the phone and shoved it back into the backpack.

I got up and started running again.

An hour later, I arrived at a small hidden apartment building in a dark alley of the slums. I dug out the piece of paper and read the apartment number before heading up the stairs to the third floor.

When I knocked, there was silence before I heard Kian's voice.

"Whose there?" Kian asked.

"Me," I replied.

"Alec? Is that you?" Kian questioned.

"Yeah, it's me."

A minute later, the door swung open and Kian had my back up against the wall with a knife to my throat. His eyes met mine before he visibly relaxed.

"Alec?" Lucy said from behind Kian.

Kian pulled back and revealed Lucy. She looked just like Grace, except for the little mole on Grace's right eye—barely visible, but there. Lucy ran and jumped at me. Her arms wrapped around my neck and face buried in my neck.

"Oh, I'm so glad it's you."

I unraveled Lucy's arms around my neck and she dropped back onto the floor. She glanced behind me.

"Where's Grace?" She looked worried.

"She's fine. Quentin has her."

"Oh that's good. Quentin is good." Lucy nodded her head.

Quentin was good. I just didn't like the fact he was cozying up to Grace. Kian gestured for us to go inside. As soon as we sat down, we caught each other up on everything that had happened. Apparently, Lucy's power has stopped growing, but with her quick thinking, Kian and her have been able to make several narrow escapes from the Shadows.

"There's only two bedrooms," Kian indicated and looked between Lucy and me.

"I'll bunk with you," I responded.

Kian looked at Lucy before standing up.

"Ok, I'll get another bedding ready for you."

This left Lucy and me alone. Lucy stood up and walked over to sit next to me.

"How are you?" she asked.

I thought back to the days I had with Grace. Running through the woods together. When I was injured, how she did everything to save me. How braved and determined she was through all of this. Lastly, I thought about the nights, I slept with her wrapped in my arms and suddenly, I missed her. I missed her a lot.

My silence took place for a long time before Lucy touched my right hand. I jerked and pulled back. I used to be able to tolerate her touch. It didn't feel wrong, but now, it felt wrong in so many ways. Her eyes met mine and I could see that she knew. The distance between us was bigger than any ocean.

"I missed you," she said before standing up. "I'm going to bed. I'll talk to you in the morning."

I watched her run for the other bedroom. I dug into my backpack and pulled out the satellite phone again. Stepping to the nearest window, I glanced out at the dark streets. I hesitated, but at the end, I couldn't resist the temptation.

I dialed Quentin's phone number again.

This time, Grace picked up.

"Hello?"

"Grace."

Silence on the other end. She must still be angry with me and I felt guilty for being such an asshole to her.

"Grace, I'm sorry for being an asshole earlier."

"It's fine."

Silence again. I hated how she wasn't talking to me. I wanted to see her.

"Uh, are you asleep?" I asked.

"I'm about to." I remembered sleeping next to her and it made me think about Quentin.

"Where's Quentin?"

"In the other room." I relaxed visibly. I didn't realize how tense I was until I heard her confirm where Quentin was.

"You make it to Lucy and Kian safely?"

"I'm here."

"Ok, well, take care of them."

But what about you?

"Alec?" she asked.

"Yeah?" I responded.

"Good night."

"Good night."