I don't expect them to.

Closing my eyes, I run a gloved hand through wispy, ruddy-colored bangs with the barest hints of a smile around the card clenched in between my teeth. The breezes up here are soothing for all their strength... soothing as the memory of her breath near my face when we held close...

My smile turns to a bitter smirk. That was a long, long time ago. I hold her close, yes... but as a prisoner now. In a pretty box in plain sight... but she is safely hidden from all who would take her and use her, kill her so that they can selfishly live. I only want to protect her. They'll never understand that.

Not even she does, I think.

Clamping the note between two fingers, I snap it from the grip of my teeth and strengthen my pose, crouched. Ready to spring, like an animal.

A hunter.

A Jewel Hunter.

The meddlesome helper is down below with the Lapis Knight. I can't help but sneer now, only for a moment for the sake of self-indulgence. I've always thought it right enough to give my pursuers a sporting chance to stop me.

I'm not cruel, you see.

At one time, robbing my own of their precious lives brought me great pain. But the greater pain came every time I dared think of giving up my personal quest to save her life in place of theirs. They would kill her, to save themselves, without a thought. Because it was a custom, because they were all foolish and weak, and dared not think outside the old boundaries.

Because they were foolish and weak, they had no reason to live. I decided I was doing them quite the favor.

And once I made that decision, the pain of what some would call murder-- what I choose to call liberation --was gone.

The Lapis Knight and his friend have re-emerged from the empty jewelry shop. I have to smile again, lips pressed firm in amusement, my sharp eyes glittering in the high noon sun. They certainly won't find Alex in there right now...

A flick of the wrist, a hiss on the wind, my warning note cuts through the air to land neatly at their feet. I stay only a moment, long enough to watch the Knight and his friend exclaim in alarm, and then I spring to action, taking a leap from one slick spire roof to another, and another, and another.

I must reach my next prey before they do if I'm to succeed. And I must not fail her.

Soon, Florina.

Soon, you will be free to live for yourself, my love....

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