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Throughout the meeting Jonathan stood smirking and smiling like a pup that got a new toy, which only grated on Arias nerves. Once apon a time Aria and Jonathan where very close, but Aria had to admit that it was Jace - Jonathan's older brother - who made the relationship.

Aria looked up to Jace, he was the best racer ever and was always there for her. In fact he took a beating from Al's guards for her, taking the blame for something she had stupidly done. All Jace wanted was to join The Royal Dragon Riders, the army, so he could fight and ride for a purpose, just like Aria. Jace had made her promise if she ever got the chance to leave, she would. She was going to keep that promise. Jace died in a race, his dragon was hit by another rider and was injured. He landed in the lake just by the border and was said to have drowned along with his dragon. Aria cried for days for the boy with the green eyes and black hair. When she stopped crying she swore she would never stop until she was away from the place, until she was free. The thing that made Aria hate Jonathan the most is that he didn't seem bothered by his brothers death, but neither did Silas. In fact Jonathan said he hated him on the very day they stood to mourn the loss. Aria could never forgive him, but Jonathan had always been cruel and heartless, she was just too busy seeing Jace in him to believe he would have such a large shadow over his heart.

After Al's and Silas's meet and greet, Al seemed to be in a good mood. Aria could tell from his relaxed posture and the absence of a cigar.

Al would always light a cigar when angry, that's how Aria knew when his shouts where deadly or put on. Aria had become accustomed to reading Al, it was the only thing that could tell her when to run or stay. Of course Al had punished Aria more than once, all of them for running away or disobeying an order. Aria had learnt that for her to keep her life she had to do what she was told, even if it means hurting someone. Aria had gotten cruel almost ruthless without even realising it, it's just how she coped with it. To be heartless was better than being dead, but Aria wondered if she could ever go back to being the kind little girl she once was. If forever she would be stuck as this monster she was now, the only thing that gave her hope was that little twitch in her stomach as Al gave her the order. Guilt.

"Aria!" Al's voice boomed in her direction, she jumped slightly being brought back from thought, she bowed slightly voicing an apology.

"I'm sorry Sir, what would you like me to do?" She said her head still bowed, Al chuckled and pushed her head up with his fingers gently under her chin.

"Ah you never cease to amaze me child. You know when Marcus, our dear doctor brought you here I knew you would be great, now look at you! Eighteen years of age and as beautiful as a precious gem. Anyway, your jobs today will only be fishing and going to the market. Get yourself a new weapon, the best there is and I will pay since it is your eighteenth, and you won me a whole lot of money last night." He said, although she knew the real reason for his 'kind gesture'. Since Aria was now eighteen she knew Al would ask her to teach the guards, which means she couldn't really say no. Teaching the guards would mean a job, which would also mean no freedom, which would lead to not getting away. If she was going to do it, she would have to do it now.

"As you wish," she said standing up straight, Al smiled showing his crocked teeth as he ran a hand over his bald head.

"Oh and take your gay friend with you. You know what you've to do boy don't you?" He said directing his gaze to Cas who was now looking very bored and irritated.

"Yes, to keep being gay and prevent men from touching your 'beautiful red rose' because all men are distractions and she cannot race to her proper standards if she is not totally focused. Yes I remember... How could I forget." Said Cas doing his best impression of Al and rolling his eyes bored, which made Aria hold back a laugh that threatened to escape at any moment. Cas never shows Al any respect, but he seems to get away with it as Al finds him very amusing. Not to mention the fact that Aria wouldn't fail to beat anyone to a pulp if they hurt him, and as Jonathan said... She's the best of them.

Al tipped his head back as a throaty laugh erupted from him. He turned to his side where Marcus was stood next to Silas looking very pale.

"Ah Marcus your son amuses me. I'm quite glad Aria stopped me from killing him when I found out he was gay." He said, Marcus cringed at the lightness of which he said he would kill his son, before nodding.

"I am too." He said his voice small but smooth as he smiled kindly at Aria. Marcus had thanked Aria so many times for what she had done, but Aria insisted that they where now even. Even though Al constantly says that he was Aria's father and that he brought her up, she still thinks of Marcus as her father, even when the memories of her biological one remained.

"Alright you are excused." Al said standing and going back through the door he came in. Aria motioned Cas to join her as the guards began to usher them out.

"Move your ass," said one of them, he was the youngest there maybe around nineteen. He was actually quite attractive for a guard and he's in good shape too, which is actually quite surprising. Even though guards are supposed to be fit after all the training they are told to do, nearly all of them are like Al: Fat, bald, slobs. He must be the only one who has kept up the training resume.

"Wouldn't you like that." Cas said with a wink, the guard just rolled his eyes and poked him in the back, Making Aria giggle.

"He's totally into me." Cas said smirking as he moved next to Aria.

"Oh, and what makes you think that?" She asked turning to her tall friend a smile on her face.

"Anyone else would have beaten me up for saying that, besides he was totally checking me out." He said smirking as they walked out the door, the guard still behind them.

"I was not." Said the guard as he poked his head in between them making Aria laugh.

"You where, I saw you, it's ok honey I won't tell a soul." Said Cas placing a hand on the opposite side of the guards face and kissing the cheek closest. Aria laughed hysterically as the guard stopped, his whole body frozen in place in shock, as they walked towards Serena.

"Call me!" Cas shouted back making Aria giggle even more. The guard could only slowly wave his goodbyes whilst his other hand touched the cheek Cas had kissed.

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