Blood Ties

Chapter 11: Latent Looks

" You did what!" Exclaimed Aliyus excitedly. Trisa sat on the edge of Frenz's bed looking absentmindedly at the straps of her sandals. She couldn't get her mind off Goliath; it bothered her, to say the least, something about antagonized look on his face was so pure. It didn't make sense.

" So you stole an important looking vial of liquid while the synergists were passed out due to a tinkering device we didn't plant," Frenzick said this so matter of fact. Until his last three words were emphasized to the point where each syllable was stressed.

"So there's another player in the game, big deal," Aliyus said with the front of nonchalance. Leaning himself against the vanity, glancing over his shoulder at his face in the mirror.

"It is a big deal, and that means whatever this is, " Frenz held the vial higher, "It's something important enough to steal. The smoke bomb couldn't have been planted in the lab at random."

Trisa heard all this, though her thoughts were far removed from the conversation. The next thing she knew Aliyus was snapping his fingers in front of her face. "Off fantasying Trisa again? You know we can make it a reality whenever you desire. " Aliyus pushed her onto her back placing a hand beside either side of her face. Hanging over her, looking into his fracture frosty gray eyes Trisa knew he would not intrude upon her as he had before, Aliyus wanted to be invited. He wanted to be desired, so Trisa said as dryly as possible," In your dreams," she proceeded to rolled off the side of the bed, knocking Aliyus on his back in the process.

" Ouch, kitty my heart it hurts!" to which he clasped both his hands to his hearts theatrically.

" You're the kitty-cat not me." Oddly enjoying herself, Trisa smirked at Aliyus wickedly.

Frenzick rolled his eyes shaking his head more concerned with the real problem at hand. "It unlikely to be guardsmen, they'd never be able to make it into the city undetected. The Kingdom's Guard has been stationed here too long." Aliyus was still making pouty faces at Trisa, pawing at her attention with his flirtatious games, but her mind focused on what Frenzick was saying.

" Don't you mean it's unlikely to be a known guardsman? This happened a day after we got here. Doesn't that seem rather too convenient you?" said Trisa

" Could be an inside man, maybe not a guardsman at all," interjected Aliyus, who'd now was sitting on the bed rubbing the white blonde stubble on his chin.

Frenzick paced the length of the bedroom holding the vial in his hands. " So we have three likely possibilities one of us did it, unknown guardsmen, or an inside man." Just then there was loud banging on the door.

" Where is she!? Where is she?!?!" screeched the oh so familiar voice of Goliath. He sounded a little more than hysterical. The three diplomats stared at each other frozen for a moment. Before Trisa mouthed the words 'hide it' to Frenzick. Who quickly slipped the vial into his pocket.

Aliyus then casually walked to the door, opening it he said," Can I help you, Captain? How it is that I address you? Seeing how you're the leader of the city."

Goliath looked haggard like he'd had a day longer than he ever wanted. " Not now Aliyus. Where is she?" He asked a bit more calmly. Trisa came up behind Aliyus peeking over his shoulder.

" Trisa I need to talk to you about your....your room. May we take a walk?"

Not wanting to arouse his suspicion she readily complied, " Of course, let us walk." Slipping out the door, and in step with Goliath she looked back over her shoulder and said," See you guys later!" To which Aliyus and Frenz both nodded.

After they were down the hall and around the corner, Goliath grabbed her hand and began pulling Trisa is the direction that led outside the complex. Walking fast with purpose, but not frantically as if Goliath didn't want to catch the attention of anyone they might pass on their way outside. She realized he was taking her to the woods, where he found her last night.

Trisa should have been more worried about a big hulking man dragging her into the woods, but considering that it was her territory so to speak, it didn't worry her much. What worried her was Goliath's frantic behavior.

Once they were encircled by trees Goliath stopped, he turned around and looked at her. Looked at her, examining every pore of her skin, such a focus scanning of her face, as if it would tell him what kind of person she was.

" Can I trust you?" He said with such a quietness that Trisa almost couldn't lie to him.

" Yes you can," she said trying to imitate his quite tone, hoping her lie sounded more genuine than it could be. In that moment she wished he could trust her, though Trisa had no idea why.

Seemly satisfied with her answer Goliath turned around and examined the surround parameter, checking that no one was around. After his survey of the surrounding landscape, he turned back to Trisa. Giving her that same focused stare. His icy gray irises were intently piercing, the only thing breaking their solidarity were the black limbal rings that outlined them.

He spoke again," Given what I saw last night, and today's events, I think it's time for a bit of candor." Goliath ran his fingers through his jet black hair tugging the hairs at the nape of his neck.

Trisa just stood there unwilling to give up anything she wasn't sure he knew.

" Look I know you're a magical. I'm also sure you weren't the person who planted the bomb. There's no way that you'd have known about our research facility. So what I need to know is if you'll help me find out who it is that set off the smoke bomb and stole our serum." Goliath was waiting for her response.

Trisa thanked her stars that he'd mentioned the serum. He couldn't know they'd stolen one of the vials, or he'd immediately believe Frenzick and Aliyus had something to do with it.

" So you're not even mildly curious as to why a magical has been bunking with two barbarians?" She still could hide Aliyus and Frenz's identities if not her own.

"No," he said simply.

" What's the serum for? I need to know if I'm going to help you."

" I can't tell you that if you're not honest with me." Goliath gave her another icy stare.

"What...?" Fear held her like a python strangles its prey. Did he already catch her in a lie?

" Why are you here? To what end does it serve a magical to be in the land of Barbarous?" Trisa tried to gather her composure. She needed a good lie, and she needed it fast.

" I'm...I'm a runaway. It's complicated, but there was no way to get away unless I got entirely out of the kingdoms." She sighed deeply for emphasis. Trisa needed to make Goliath feel the whole ordeal exasperated her, that she was rather embarrassed to be in this position.

" If that is so, tell me Trisa what are you running away from exactly?" Goliath tilted his head inquisitively.

" I'm running from a future someone else planned for me. I was supposed to be the Seventh King's political toy, and I didn't want that for myself." A lie framed with a truth she realized as the words left her lips. Lips which she now pursed, waiting for Goliath's response.

" Then we share something in common Trisa of the Seventh, for all of the barbarians here have a fate they never planned. One forced upon them by the Kingdoms." Goliath gave her a sad smile as if he personally endured every misfortune of the Barbaric people. Perhaps he had, Goliath was after all their leader. A leader in a war against the Kingdoms, against her people.

Before she realized what was happening, Trisa's hands were once again glowing in anger. Her fists balled fiery with passion. Goliath looked at her hands, then at her face.