Chasing Shadows

Chapter 1

"The Council is not pleased with your recent work" a woman said to me when I arrived, and left just as quickly

"Yeah? Well, The Council can kiss my---"

"Member Alexia! Watch your mouth!" A female voice, slightly younger than the first, reprimanded

"It is not wise to speak that way of the council. You must remember the walls have ears" the same voice hissed.

"Do I care?!" I hissed back "The Council ruined my life! They took everything away from me" I spat not watching my volume, fist clenched.

"The Council did no such thing, member Alexia of Shadowmere. We merely took what belonged to us in the first place" a male voice said from behind.

Immediately I turned and got on my knees, involuntarily, unwillingly and just out of dreadful habit. "My apologies, Council member Alec. I spoke out of turn, my opinion is of no importance, neither is my hatred. I won't speak aloud another ill word about the Council" I mumbled "and don't ever call me that again" I thought.

"But that won't stop you from thinking it" he spoke in a voice that could've been misinterpreted for disinterest, if I had not known better. Everything about him just pissed me off, especially his personality. Alec was tall, he passed me by at least a foot; his skin was white and fair, but not enough to be called pale. With chin-length blonde hair that was a stark contrast to mine which is jet black. Honestly, he was quite handsome, until he opened his mouth and his character came through. That's where things go straight to hell.

"Damn right it won't" I mumbled under my breath

"Council member Alec, I beg of you to forgive my comrade. I fear she is angry since she was given a bad report from the Council. It seems that her recent job was not to their standards, if you wish to say it that way"

"Oh? This is news. The thought of Legion member Alexia to do a displeasing work was practically inconceivable to me. Her work has always been excellent, despite the collateral damage"

"Stop talking about me as if I was not in the room, albeit compliments, it is still rude" I said under my breath, much too quickly, without thinking about it.

The man called Alec made a small sound, a chuckle is what I guess it to be. "That's awfully comical, for a person such as you to say something like that."

"Something like what" I held back a glare as I stood. I've never liked the feeling of bowing down to someone who doesn't deserve it.

"To call us, me, of all people, rude. It's as if you've forgotten all you've said about the Council"

"Who said I forgot? I know what I've said and I honestly don't regret any of it" I tried to keep most of the venom out of my voice yet some of it came through even after I said it in a low voice

"My dear girl, you have such spirit" Alec took my chin in his hand and made me look directly at him. "Even if it's misplaced" he grinned. His eyes have always been like piercing gems, green as jade; I've always thought that if I looked at them too much I'd either be blinded or executed at the spot for daring to look a higher-up directly in the eyes.

"Please unhand me, Council member Alec" I said as respectfully as I could manage to be towards such a foul being; I also looked down to avoid more trouble. After a soft pull forward, he let go and turned around. "I'll be looking forward to your next job and our next meeting, Legion member Alexia" he said while he walked out the door.

"Well, I won't be, you damned bastard" I growled and turned to face my comrade. My friend, my companion, my sister. "I'm sorry for the outburst, Maryse. I wasn't thinking" I mumbled and looked to her, she sighed.

"It's fine, Lex. I know you resent the Council-"

I scoffed "resent? More like hate"

"You know what I mean. And I know that the Council are not exactly your favorite people but you have to watch what you say. It's dangerous to bad mouth them" she mumbled, and now I was the one sighing "I know. That's why I said sorry" I mumbled.

Maryse laughed slightly and I smiled. Her laugh always made me happy. Maryse is younger than me by two years yet she's so mature, wise I guess you could call her. With beautiful red hair that looks like flames, her skin is white and her cheeks have a few freckles on them. Her eyes as blue as the sea, face young by number but those eyes are heavy and seem almost old because of all she's seen. Maryse was the first person I met when I got stuck in this hell-hole, or 'Institute' as the Coucil call it, she became my first and only friend.

We've fought alongside each other for almost 3 years, but we've trained together more than that, at least eight. I really have no idea what I would do without her; she's the one person that can reason with me, talk me out of reckless situations (or to at least attempt to), she's helped me countless times and I have no idea how I will be able to pay her back for all she's done.

"By winning back her freedom for her, that's how" I thought. "Hers and my own. My family's too. If they're alive, that is"