PA50

She blinked, and when her eyes opened, they were now pink and brown.

He didn't fail to note how her right hand hovered beneath her left elbow, fingers brushing against a brown handle. She stood before him, challenging and prepared.

Unlike the human, he knew she would not quail at the thought of murder, no matter how many surrounded them.

"So, this is to be your choice?" Adam asked. "You will side with him? I'm sure Cinder would love to know."

The girl flicked her hair back, eyes never leaving him. She seemed unconcerned, amused even. Did she not recognise the danger, or was it that she simply didn't care?

Cinder needs her co-operation for now. She's irreplaceable, but that won't be forever. Surely, she knows that, but if so, why does she risk herself for him? His hand strayed to the sword on his hip. It wasn't his, but he felt it close enough to kill her if needed.

There was a near-silent click from the girl too, the sound of a weapon being loosened in its sheathe.

Adam's breath evened. The noise about him became muted, dulled. All that existed was the threat before him, and those mismatched eyes, locked onto his. His left foot inched forward, and she tensed in return.

Her dangerous smirk didn't waver, but it did become a little strained.

She remained in his way, however.

His fingers almost cracked when he pried them off his sword. So stiff were they that he kept them curled by his waist. The girl relaxed a little too, though not by much. She was still prepared, as she ought to be. We will come to blades one day, he realised, with a cold certainty that made him watch her with cautious eyes.

"Is that is your choice, then you had best be prepared for the consequences."

She grinned back, that dangerous smirk she so often wore, but now somewhat colder, forged with an edge that could cut through flesh. She knew too, it seemed. He wondered what the outcome of such a battle would be, but only for a moment.

The girl was slippery, but no match for him. She would die.

From the way her eyes watched him still, he felt she knew that too.