Lorsan stopped abruptly causing Cassie to stumble. He stepped back from her and she had to lean forward with her arms out to keep from falling on her face. She stood up once her balance was restored and looked up into a face filled with mistrust and disbelief.

“What are you saying Chosen of Triktapic?” His voice was a menacing whisper.

Cassie’s eyes shifted around the room as people began to stop and stare.

“Didn’t Trik tell you that he was quitting?” She asked slowly.

Lorsan’s frame began to shake with anger. “Quitting?” He growled.

Suddenly Trik was at her side pulling her behind him. Lorsan’s eyes met Trik’s and Cassie was sure that if looks could kill then Trik would be a dead dark assassin.

“What lies does she spew, Trik?”

Trik looked back at Cassie and it was then that she saw it. Guilt. She took a step back as her mouth dropped open. Her eyes widened and when he took a step towards her she held a hand up to stop him from coming any closer.

“You didn’t tell him,” Cassie’s voice was hoarse as her throat threatened to close off. She tried to take in gasps of air but her lungs seemed to be constricting, not allowing any life giving air to pass through.

“Cassie,” her name was a plea on his lips.

“Why? Why did you lie to me?” Cassie continued to back away from the man she loved, the man who had now broken her heart.

“You never intended to leave him did you? You were just going to keep on doing what you do best, killing and lying.”

“Cassie you don’t understand,” Trik tried again to move towards her.

“NO! YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND,” she yelled. “I trusted you, I believed in you, I gave my heart to you and what did you do? You lied to me.”

Cassie didn’t see him move and he was standing directly in front of her.

“Cassie I lo….” Cassie slapped him across the face before he could finish his sentence.

“Don’t you dare say those words to me. You have no right. I told you what I could handle and I told you what was a deal breaker.” Tears began to form in her eyes as the anger began to turn into pain.

“I just wanted you to choose me, to choose us, Trik.” She looked up into his silver eyes one last time. She took in the beautiful dark hair and full red lips. This would be the last time she saw him and she wanted to remember. Trik must have seen the intent in her eyes because as she turned and ran for the mirrors along the walls he lunged for her calling out her name. She didn’t look back and didn’t stop to think that she might just crash into the mirror instead of going through it. But she needn’t have worried. She reached the mirror and her foot slipped right through. She felt a hand on her arm but ripped it out of the grasp. She emerged in the store room ofEnigma and crumpled to the cold ground. Sobs ripped from her chest as she curled into a ball and let the pain of their separation sweep over her and drag her under.

~

“GRAB HIM,” Lorsan bellowed as he watched Trik reach for his Chosen as she disappeared through the mirror.

Trik felt hands grasp his arms and pull him away from the mirror where his love had vanished.

Trik fought their hold as he roared into the great hall. The pain in his chest ripped through his body and he flung those who attempted to hold him away , their bodies crashing into mirrors and walls. He knew that he needed to get control of himself. He would need to fool Lorsan now or he would be locked up and never be able to get to Cassie. His body shook as he tried to regain his composure. His head slowly rose as he looked at his King.

“You were going to leave me?” Lorsan’s face was shrouded in darkness as his eyes bore into Trik.

“Did you not just hear my Chosen yelling that I had lied to her? I obviously had no intention of leaving you. I had hoped that she wouldn’t find out,” Trik lied smoothly. He needed Lorsan to believe that he was loyal, that he had no intention of defecting. Lorsan continued to stare at him, searching for any deceit in his words.

The room was still and everyone held their breath as the Dark King deliberated over his dark assassin.

Finally Lorsan spoke.

“You are not to see her again.” He paused waiting to see Trik’s response.

“She is my Chosen,” Trik growled.

“And she has made her choice. She cannot accept you as you are. What more is there to discuss with her.?”

Trik glared at his King but did not say anything more about it.

“Are we done?” He asked.

“Do you have somewhere to be?” Lorsan asked.

“If I remember correctly, there is a crop of Rapture being bottled tonight. Am I not still in charge of this venture?”

“Yes, you are. Fine go and take care of it.” Lorsan motioned. “Trik I meant what I said. Stay away from the human.”

Trik turned and walked to the mirrors. Without looking back or acknowledging the King’s words, he stepped through.

Lorsan turned and caught Alok’s eye. “Keep an eye on him.”

Alok nodded and headed to a mirror to follow Trik to California where the crops and labs were.

Ilyrana walked over to her mate and lifted her hand to his face. He closed his eyes at her touch.

“Leave us,” he announced to the hall and a few moments later they were alone.

“Do you believe him?” He asked her.

“No,” Ilyrana answered. “She is his Chosen, and I saw the way he looked at her. He was going to leave you, but it was going to be in his time, not hers.”