I opened my kit and opened an burn ointment -- my hand was definitely a first degree. Blisters formed on the palm, pussy and red. The burn's pain engulfed sensations of touch, stinging with every movement.

I opened the cap with my teeth and dipped my right hand in it. Taking the ointment, I rubbed it onto the wound.

I'll kill him!

I clenched my teeth, taking deep breaths while applying the medicine. When I got to Zolona, I was sure to talk about this.

After rubbing ointment in, I covered the wound with a bandage, still wincing from the palm's sensitivity.

I entered my room to rest for a few hours, wrapping my right hand with bandages using my left and bare teeth-- taking over an hour to do. I grew frustrated, and who wouldn't?

Maybe I could ask Mara to take both of those brats. No, I couldn't disappoint Zolona, but I would give her today's information. That was the best thing for me to do for my mission and, with it, my sanity.

Raven. What a ridiculous name!

Few phrases could be used to describe me, but I wasn't misunderstood. I was cruel, heartless, and expressed no need for happiness, love, or friendship. I was pain-free, stone cold, rock solid, unbreakable, trained to since I could remember.

But if I was all of those words, why was I cracking under the pressure?

I shook the feeling off and ran into Zolona's chamber, panting like a dog after slamming the door. I had to tell her everything I'd learned... yet alone what I had to endure to get it.

"So, how did it go?" Zolona held a notebook in her hands, amused by my entrance.

"Horrible on my part," I said.

Her red eyes gleamed into my silver ones. "Explain yourself."

"His disposition frightens me. I managed to get a lot of information, but his responses chipped away at your teachings," I said.

"Are they now, 635202?" Zolona's glare was grim, smile now a scowl of disapproval.

"You always said I was taught to have a stone heart, but he has a chisel."

"Fascinating," Zolona paused. "What about The Mark?"

I stared coldly at my mentor before I showed her my hand and said, "It's grew and surprised me."

"It's supposed to do that when there's danger." She examined the pus covering my hand. "Better keep it clean."

I raised an eyebrow. "What about the growing?"

"That's happens when something life-shaping occurs. Most cases finish growing by sixteen," Zolona said.

"He said it appeared after going through a cave," I said.

"Mara reported the group entered caves thirteen days before their capture." Zolona sighed. "Either he hasn't had a lot of influence, or The Mark appeared somehow."

"Is there any way to make it disappear?" I asked.

Zolona tilted her head. "Unusual response."

"It's a valid question. Is there any way someone could have made it disappear or delay when it would come?" I asked.

"Only a witch could do that, and they aren't abundant anymore. My sister killed those who weren't her allies to preserve her own magic. After my banishment, I sent Mara to kill the rest," Zolona said.

"So there are none left who support Isla?" I asked.

"Mara gave me a report saying she had slain them. Come." Zolona pressed a remote button, bringing down camera screens from the ceiling. "Let's see how they're doing, shall we?"

I nodded and stared into the screen for the dungeon.

Only Dusk and Ember remained. Arvin wasn't with them-- a sure sign Mara was interrogating him.

Tears ran down Ember's face, and she looked downward, clenching her fists together. She couldn't bring her eyes to meet Dusk's, and she shifted her gaze from the floor to the cell bars. Ember's hair was cut halfway between her ears and her shoulders.

"Mara cut it. This wasn't my choice," Ember felt the strokes of her new haircut with her hands.

Her hair wasn't designed in a specific cut. Its split ends were rugged, her left side a little longer than the right. Visible knots tangled in the short clump on her scalp.

"The nerve of that child... if I had a gun..." Dusk moaned.

"I feel violated," Ember said.

Mara hadn't gone easy on her; and Ember probably put a fight. Too bad Mara hadn't outdone me.

"I wonder how Arvin's doing with her," Dusk lowered his head.

"We all know you and Echo got lucky," Ember said, tears running down her face.

"I got lashes yesterday."

"You didn't get humiliated."

Dusk placed his arm on Ember's shoulder. "You'll be fine, Ember, even if we're not attractive by the time this is over.."

"Why did you take the beatings? You could've submitted," Ember said.

"Do you know why I wanted to come with you and Melinda?" Dusk asked.

"I don't care. Best not to bring up my maid, Dusk," Ember said.

"The story might make you feel better," Dusk blushed, "I'm fighting for a girl."

"Oh, a girl now. Bet she's a chef or something in the kitchen. Scandalous," Ember snorted.

Dusk laughed. "That's too far off."

A smile formed on Ember's lips. "Go on."

"We might be in the worst place, at the worst time, but I like you. You're the only light that's keeping me going." Dusk sighed, "I don't care if Echo or Arvin make it out of this. I don't care if we don't make it out of this as long as we're together."

"Oh don't screw this up, stupid. You're pretty cool for a guy who worked for The Imperial Guard. Don't push your luck," Ember said.

"I've hurt so many people because of that, and I've been broken many times, by many people," Dusk said.

Ember rolled her eyes. "I've hurt people too. I've been broken more times than once."

"You promise me you really care?" Dusk said.

"Let me show you, Dusky." Ember pulled him closer.

He gently placed his hands in her hair, taking a couple of the loose strands and easing them to the opposite side of her face.

Dusk smiled. "You look good with short hair."

Ember tilted her head and pressed her chapped lips against his. They closed their eyes and let the serenity of the gesture sit in. He wrapped his arms around her waist and they continued their display.

I glanced away from Zolona's screen, no longer able to bear any more romance. I didn't understand it. I couldn't understand it. Damn, if that was love, it needed to avoid me like the other crap I locked out of my life.

"How's your progress so far?" Zolona asked, turning the screen off.

"I can break Dusk. Hell, I can do that within a few days. If we do that, Ember will fall afterward. Echo might break if he sees Dusk and Ember broken. Arvin won't stand a chance on his own," I suggested.

Zolona produced a wide smile. "I agree with you, 635202. Dusk's the one we should target. If we break him, his negative attitude will bring everyone down. Who knows? Mara claims he has potential, but I can't pinpoint where."

I raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"

"You can never tell what she's after," Zolona said.

"I haven't run physical or mental tests on..."

"That won't be necessary. Mara's account tells me the answers those tests will give. Don't waste your time with him," Zolona said.

I gave a blank gaze. "Which would be?"

"He's a fighter without mental strength," Zolona said.

"No mental strengths?" I asked. "He resisted my ability."

"Yes, but that's his bad-boy attitude and emotions. It's easy to tell with someone from his status."

A pause lingered in the limelight, fire roaring in the room sizzling the only sounds to be heard. I swallowed the growing lump in my throat and gathered my courage. It was best never to cross Zolona, but I had to know.

"Do you mind answering a question?" I asked.

Zolona raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"

"Could I go to the surface world? I mean, I've never been."

Zolona's eyes widened. "Of course not, you petty girl."

"I'm seventeen."

"We have to shield you."

"Wouldn't it be more eye-opening?"

"Absolutely not!" Zolona yelled, posture firm.

"But..."

Zolona cut me off like a mother scolding her child. "You don't belong out there."

I silenced.

Zolona banged her hand on the table. "Am I understood?"

"Yes, Mistress," I said.

"You never asked to visit the surface world before."

"I've just been thinking..."

Zolona laughed, scared at the thought. "Thinking? You were abandoned! Mara found you on a scouting mission when you were two. The real world's done nothing but hurt you. I won't let you get hurt again."

"Zolona I..." I said.

"This is how you want to repay us? You want to leave us to go on an adventure? You're more devoted to your family than that," Zolona raised her voice, "I won't lose anyone again."

I overlooked the last part. "I'm sorry, Mistress."

Zolona regained her composure. "No need to apologize. Mara broke Ember a little, but this development has her spirits up again. This, and my nephew."

I nodded. "Yes, I agree."

"Speaking of breaking something, how's my nephew?" Zolona asked.

I clenched my teeth. "If I tell him his case is hopeless, he responds with a silver lining. It's hard to imagine how he does it."

"Interesting. He was able to respond back answers like these, for all of your questions?" Zolona's eyes widened from the curiosity I sparked.

"I recorded my findings in my notebook."

"4758 dropped it off to me a few minutes before you arrived. Echo's been placed back in the interrogation room, questioning under 4758's direction. A fine torture method, 635202. That one's my favorite," Zolona said, chuckling.

"Did they find anything interesting?"

"His belief system's interesting. Different from Isla's... but still a dangerous direction. After you injected him, he pleaded for someone to help him..."

"Who?"

"I'm not sure... but when it took full effect, the guards recorded a whole bunch of fantasies where the world was a perfect place, and he could help as many people as possible... Surprisingly enough, in this world he had to fix everything. Even wrote a song for them."

"Have you looked at that?"

"I'd prefer you to sing the lyrics."

"I haven't gotten vocal practice this week... I guess," I said.

"Then begin," Zolona gave me the paper.

Each note I sang stabbed like a stake plunged deeper into my chest. The way the notes sounded when I sang them felt right, even though every fiber in my body told me it was wrong.

Sweat dripped down my face. I could feel my hands shaking like an earthquake underneath the paper. It made the forces within me want to break out into a civil war. My head siding with my Mistress, and my feelings siding with the song.

That's why I had to keep my feelings in and make my heart as stony as it possibly could be. All kinds of crap would flood the room if I didn't like joy, love, and friendship. I couldn't let the enemy get to me.

"That song... it sounds as if it was meant to be sang only by your voice," Zolona cleared her throat.

"Must be a pure coincidence."

Music wasn't Zolona's problem. She loved music and books more than her own life sometimes -- but she never played herself, only listened. Not a note left her pipes, and I assumed it was from her past. She'd get furious if you brought it up. That goes beyond getting angry. When Zolona is mad enough to be furious, no one is safe.

"You didn't even make it to the chorus. The one vividly picturing a swan swimming under the moonlight? He says somewhere in your soul you're always free during tough moments. Fascinating, isn't it?" Zolona asked.

"What do you want me to do next?" I asked.

Zolona grinned, "I want to talk to all four of them to get more ideas of how to break them."

"Who's first?" I asked.

"I asked Mara to bring in Arvin once she was done," Zolona paused, "I told her she should spend more time with her great-nephew... There's a great reason he's here."

"Of course. What hour would I need to report back here?" I asked.

Someone knocked on the door.

"Now," Zolona said.