Greatwater Lake **** **

Her target emerged as if summoned. Bazi froze, feeling him draw up beside her, dangerously close, voice like poisoned butter. "You talk a lot for someone so single-minded," she commented drily, watching him prowl nearer out of the corner of her eye. Her limbs felt stiff and heavy beneath her, fastened to the ground by the latent desire for danger that now seemed to possess her.

And truly, it was possession. This is not me, she had thought in the hours she spent fleeing the flatlands, throwing glances over her shoulder lest Crescendo was still giving chase.

Once home, the guilt had flooded her. The same guilt played no small part in bringing her back - to continue what she had started, or right what was wrong.. if word of her near mistake reached back to those who loved and respected her, she would be finished.

Bazi couldn't let that happen.

With a guttural snarl, she turned toward him, head lowered and eyes ablaze.