A Revolution In Shadow And Blood

I Definitely Did Not Lie to the Police

Ben freezes for a moment, while I question everything, and then he moves. His arms around my waist, his lips move against mine and electric currents flow through my body, into his and back again. We part, breathing each other's air with our foreheads together.

"Thank you," I whisper, seeing no need for a higher volume when he's inches away.

He grins. "Anytime. Especially for that reward."

I laugh and touch my mouth. "I cannot believe that just happened."

Ben shrugs. I can.

My eyes widen, knowing that his lips didn't move, but I heard the words anyway, "Did you just..?"

He smirks, What? Did you forget the perks of being bonded?

Only for a second, I respond. My parents can do this too. Once you've bonded with your Fated, you can send each other thoughts and feelings when you're in close proximity. And I guess that's what we just did. What looks like a simple kiss, has now irrevocably changed our lives. Do I regret it? Not even a little. I pull him into me again, enjoying the feel of his arms around me. I close my eyes, and enjoy this moment, knowing that he'll always be there for me, and I'll try my best to do the same.

"Angel, as much as I don't want this moment to end, there's something else we need to talk about." Ben kisses the top of my head, and pulls away.

I nod, and sit back down at the bar, "What is it?"

Ben walks over to his backpack which sits by the front door, and rustles around for a bit before coming back. He sits down and meets my eyes for a moment, before setting a knife on the counter between us. As I look at it, I realize, it's not just a knife, but the knife that he pulled out of my leg yesterday. Complete with my dried blood on the blade. With surprisingly steady fingers, I pick up the weapon and rest it in my palm while I examine the handle. Before, in the midst of the whole almost-dying thing, I didn't notice that it had been carved. It's very simple, with only a raised bird shape close to the top of the handle. Its head is facing the top, with its body ending about an inch before the blade starts. It's a very simple design, so it's the tail that catches my eye. It doesn't end like a normal tail would, but instead it looks like the tail fades into flames.

"A phoenix," I say, and look back up at Ben, "What does that mean?"

"I don't know." Ben takes the knife from me. "But I'd like to find out."

A sudden thought occurs to me, and I attempt to jump off of the stool, and Ben is there to help me hobble over to the couch. "I think I might know where to start. When I realized one of the four guys stabbed me, I hurried to find you, and just left them there. They're probably not there, but-"

"They might have left something behind." Ben catches on quickly, and hurries over to help me look for my phone. A minute later, I dig the device out of between the couch cushions, and dial Guanyin's number. Thank goodness she thought to exchange numbers when I started the club.

"Wait, Freya, did you say four guys?" Ben asks, but Guanyin's just picked up, and I hold my finger to my lips.

"Freya?" Guanyin's voice is different through the phone, but it's definitely her.

"Yeah." I sit down on the couch while Ben gives up on getting me to answer his question and takes care of our abandoned plates. "How are things there?"

"It's a normal school morning, besides you not being here. Why? How are you feeling?" Guanyin asks.

"I'm doing better. Benjamin helped me through it. Listen, I need you to go check on something for me." I say, and glance over at Ben, washing the dishes.

"Yeah, umm." I can hear muffled talking in the background. "Sorry, Luke was wondering how you are. What do you need?"

I smile, grateful about how reliable Guanyin is. "I need you to find the hallway I was attacked in, and stop anyone from going through it."

"Any idea what hallway that was?" Guanyin asks.

I respond, "I was walking between my second hour and the gym."

"Alright. I'll do what I can. But get here soon."

"I'll be there in a few minutes," I hang up, and then turn to Ben, who has already grabbed my keys and is tugging on shoes.

When we pull into the parking lot a few minutes later than a few minutes, Luke is waiting for us. The extra time was spent over putting ointment on my lip and bandaging up my ear, which has scabbed over, but Ben wasn't taking any chances.

"This way." I lead Ben after he's locked my jeep. We hurry, well, as fast as I can go without Ben carrying me, to the building then through the hallways. We only seeing a few students along the way, due to the early hour. That's definitely a good thing, especially when we reach the correct hallway. There are cones surrounding the area, with police tape linking the cones together. The same Enhanced policemen who almost arrested me before are standing outside of the box with Guanyin, and it looks like they are questioning her. Ben and I walk up to them, and I can see Office Handson glance at me, double take, then sigh and rub his forehead. He really doesn't like me.

"That's a nasty bruise on your face there. Can I assume you had something to do with this-" He waves his hands toward the scene. "-incident?"

I wince. "Yeah, unfortunetly I can't seem to stay out of trouble. Four guys attacked me yesterday afternoon and-"

"Wait," Handson interrupts, "Let me get my partner." He waves his hand at Offiicer Maxwell, who steps over the police tape to reach us. Ben has snuck off, taking advantage of the two leading officers being distracted to take a look at the crime scene.

I continue, "I was walking to my next class when these four guys jumped me. I couldn't see their faces because they were wearing masks, and I didn't think to look after I knocked them out."

"Why not?"

"How?"

The two of them speak at the same time, and I glance between them before I answer. "I didn't look because one of them managed to stick me with a knife." I shiver despite how casual my words are. "And I've trained with my parents in self defense since I was ten years old."

Officer Maxwell flips open a notepad, and writes something down. "Are you alright?"

I nod and shrug. "I'm banged up a bit, but I'll live."

He nods. "What about the knife? Do you have it?"

I share a look with Ben. It's our only lead to who attacked me. And Diaz mentioned that Walter might have a hand in the Enhanced Police force. "No," I finally say, "It must've got lost in the fight."

"Ok, thank you Miss Blaz. We'll need you to come down to our local station at some point to give us a full statement. When you're...less frazzled."

I glance down, and notice that I'm wearing a set of matching poka dot pajamas. Well, there goes my dignity. I nod quickly, and grab Guanyin's arm as we walk away. "We need to figure out more about Walter Bolst," I whisper to her, "Does this place have a library?"

She laughs. "Don't you think you should change out of your PJ's first?"

I glance down. "Good point."