Rachel shivered in fear. "That woman is terrifying." She was glad that she was only grazed by Headmistress Weatherly, but Statson received a dozen bullets to the c.h.e.s.t, and he was lucky to get out of there alive.

The headmistress was like a hound who kept digging and digging until she found the pile of bones, and once found, she started all over again at a different location, repeating the process needlessly.

"Now, Girly," Statson said, "I don't know what your deal is, and I don't rightly care. I might be asking a lot from you, but from the way things are going, I need to know that you have my back if things got dicey."

Rachel squared her shoulders. Even with her issues, the answer was immediate. "Yes, Sergeant."

"Good." Statson nodded his head. "You may be green, but you have a good head on your shoulders…plus, I highly doubt we have a place to go back to."

"Are you going to accept her offer?" she asked Statson.

"We don't have much of choice, do we?" he answered with anger, but his voice had an undertone of defeat. He took off his hat and dusted off the imaginary dust.

"That woman knew too much."Rachel clenched her fist. 'She knows, she knows the real reason I am here. That's why she kept focusing on Statson; she knows that I am no challenge. I am where I want to be.'

"Yeah, she's a sneaky bitch that one."

Rachel almost smiled at Statson's remark."

Even though she found herself here, it was like a dream. It didn't seem real. There were still things that baffled her, and she still had so many unanswered questions. 'Like Lilia being a Lumeye of all things. How had that happened?'

Talking to Lilia was no help at all. When she was living with the Spencer family, Lilia seemed withdrawn, and who wouldn't be after what had happened to her? But she still could smile. The current Lilia, it was like speaking with a different person.

'Lilia said that Stella was here, but where was Melanie, their mother?'

The woman smiled. "I get that a lot. If you aren't aware, my name is Andres, Headmistress Weatherly's assistant." Andres didn't offer her hand.

Rachel glanced at Statson, waiting for the lecture on situational awareness, but it didn't come. He looked just as startled. Then his gray eyes turned to wariness. Someone who even got the drop on Statson must be very dangerous.

He reached for his non-existent weapon and cursed. Andres's eyes followed his every movement.

"If you wish for a weapon. I am more than happy to provide you with one." Andre's voice was professional, but there was steel in her eyes.

'Those Lumeye and this woman? What is Headmistress Weatherly preparing for?'

Statson responded, gruffly, "What do you want, anyhow?"

"Since the Headmistress pulled your guards, it would be impolite to leave you without a guide, especially since the young lady needs medical treatment." Pausing, looking at the clock, she added, "She should be here momentarily."

"Who?" Rachel asked.

Suddenly a blur of movement slammed into her. Instinctively, Rachel wrapped her arms around the person and bracing herself. Before realizing that the person was too small to be a threat. A child?

Rachel smiled at the brown-haired little girl who was settling in her arms, looking up at her through her big frames.

"I missed you so much."

Rachel bends over to return the hug. "I missed you too, Stella."

She got lost in the moment until she heard the Sergeant clearing his throat.

They both looked up.

"And who is this?" He looked calmer but was still hot under the collar though there were questions in his eyes, questions that needed answers. Eventually.

"This is Stella, the youngest daughter I used to stay with while I had a…falling out with my family," While standing a little straighter with her eyes forward. He was still her direct superior and deserved respect.

"And the oldest is one of those Lumeye girls," Statson stated.

She didn't need to confirm. Statson already knew the answer.

"Alrighty, then?" His gaze still held hers before letting it go. It made her relieved that even with all that information, he still didn't want to pry.

"Where's your mother?" She turned her attention towards the twelve-year-old, but she didn't want to know the answer when she saw the pained look in Stella's eyes.

"Dead?"

"Don't know," she said with such sorrow that it was almost palpable.

Rachel just stood there, and those same feelings that had taken over her that day, four years ago. When all she could do was look at that damn red-tape, overtook her again.

Fear and sadness, yes.

But the most pronounced was... uncertainly.

'Will this ever be over?'

***

'This human is my competition?'

'This messed up human, really?'

'So full of contradiction.'

'So full of flaws.'

'No matter how little of a threat she was.'

'The emotion that Lilia felt for this human is more than enough to sign her death warrant.'

'Soon she will be nothing but dust.'

'But first, there is a more pressing issue that needs dealing with.'

'It's time to teach the others a lesson they well deserve.'

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