Ashika flashed out of the room, leaving the man leaning against his swift sword tiredly. Upon materializing in the marble chamber, the smirk on her face vanished, leaving only a residue of confusion, followed by sadness. Feeling the man’s eyes trained on her, she stepped forward, bowing her head as she did so.

"That’s right, Ashika, always let me see you," the man said calmly, sitting at the head of an elegant dining table, fingers wrapped so delicately around a goblet of wine.

Oh, how Ashika wanted to shatter it, piercing it deeply into his aged skin. Keeping her face as emotionless as she could, she stood there waiting for him to speak or command.

The man’s eyes bore deep into hers as he sipped the crimson drink. He seemed to sense her displeasure and said a few Gaelic words to himself before sitting up straighter in the chair. He smiled as she winced and she shut her eyes. "Does it hurt? I’m sorry about that. But we really can’t have you disobeying your Master now, can we?" he smirked.

Ashika’s spirit fought with the binding that was placed on her. It didn’t make sense; she’d tried to place it together. Raven was supposed to be the one who could control her. He had had the necklace. He’d also destroyed it. She was free now, wasn’t she? So why was she here, before this man, unable to disobey him? She’d never had a master she couldn’t overcome. She’d always been strong and-

"Do you pity them?" he asked as he cut off her thoughts. "Do you miss them, dear one?"

She didn’t answer him. She knew he knew the answer. He was playing with her and her loathing toward him doubled.

"What happened to you to make you so weak? I’m sure you’ve grown over the years… strong enough to defeat any potential mastermind who wanted you for their very own. So why haven’t you beaten me yet?"

Her black eyes seemed to flicker at his confrontation with her own thoughts. She didn’t know why she couldn’t fight, only that she wanted to see the blood pour from him like all the others, but when she tried, the binding on her grew ever more tense.

"Is it love? Is it concern for the little beings? Any other of those silly emotions you should have left behind with your dying body?" Emphasizing her death at the end, his mouth twisted into a small grin before taking another sip from his goblet.

Water. She needed water. Her mouth was so dry and it was hard to keep her form tangible as he so desired. She remained silent, however, and waited.

"No matter," he continued. "I’m here now, to help free you from those confining emotions."

Ashika could have laughed at the irony of that statement. She did nothing, could do nothing, as she stood motionlessly with her hands clenched tightly at her sides.

"You’ll continue to do as I say, watch as those silly beings slowly lose their way and go mad, and perhaps you’ll see what you should be like after years of isolation. Not the friendly, loving, little angel you pose to be." His eyes narrowed dangerously and his voice lowered with hatred. "I know you."

You know nothing, her mind screamed.

From the distance, her mind made out a soft melody. "The Lady of Shallot" echoed off the corners of her self and she could instantly bring to mind the soft hands strumming the harp. Raven… Shutting her eyes now, painfully, she focused on it and strained to keep it there before being rudely jarred away, eyes jerking back up to the man before her.

"Do not ignore me, slave." The voice rang out with menace.

Bowing her head again slightly, she spoke clearly. "Yes Mr. Dufrain."

Curling his lips into a smirk, she nodded and waved his hand at her. "Much better, dear one. Now go watch over our little guests and report to me any changes. Do not wander from your…"

Ashika didn’t catch the last few words as the music rang out again strongly in her consciousness. "Memories" this time.

Feeling herself being ripped in half, she let out a strangled cry and shot her eyes open as the pain tore through her.

Cold gray eyes met hers and in a snap, she was gone and in the field where she had dropped off Inomi.

Standing far back so the girl couldn’t see her, she trembled, wrapping her arms about her, and watching as the other girl screamed in her isolation.

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