Ryan was looking at the stars in silence as they flew.
He was happy to spend that time with Bell.
He thought this would be a nice moment to share with her.
A moment where just the two of them can hold hands and be in each other's presence.
When he went below deck, he saw Bell had other ideas.
When he opened the door, she almost dove at him.
Her arms circled his neck as she kissed him.
He was pinned to the wall, and all he could see was a strange look in her blue eyes.
After a few moments, she manoeuvred him to the bed.
She gently laid him down and came up for air.
The look of desire caused Ryan's heart to move to his throat.
He tried his best to force the words from his mouth.
"Isabelle… Please wait…"
She froze for a moment, and he used that reprieve to continue.
"Please calm down. I can't handle it…"
Her look of desire morphed from confusion to shock to embarrassment.
"I'm sorry. I thought… You wanted…"
Her face became bright red, and she hid her face in his neck.
"I'm sorry."
With a smile, he whispered into her ear.
"It seems there was a misunderstanding. It isn't your fault."
His comforting words made her giggle against his neck.
"I'm so stupid."
He kissed her on the cheek.
"You never need to be sorry. Just talk to me before you attack me like that."
She shot up and punched him playfully in the shoulder.
She gave him a tender kiss on the lips.
She then stood up and unpacked the game station.
"It can play movies too. Is there anything you want to watch?"
He shook his head as she put on a movie.
He had no idea what the movie was about because he kept focusing on this girl in his arms.
Even though their trip started rocky, he had the feeling that he was going to enjoy it.
As the movie ended, he heard a faint snore come from her.
He smiled and kissed her on the cheek and fell asleep next to her.
Only Ryan was woken up by a knock on the door.
When Ryan opened the door, he saw Femur with a letter in his hand.
"What is it, Femur?"
The skeleton saluted.
"I have two pieces of news, Sir. First, we are roughly twelve hours out from the Amazon guild. Secondly, read this letter. It is from Aleksandar."
He held out his hand for the letter.
He opened it and read the very short contents.
'Dear Ryan
As I put thought into your plan, I realised that there was one flaw. Bell is a valued member of the guild, and you alone may not be enough to keep her safe. I have asked another member to prove her worth by assisting you.
Regards
Baron Aleksandar Drakonovich'
Ryan frowned and looked at Femur.
"Who is helping us?"
Femur hesitated for a moment before he spoke.
"Would you speak with me outside for a moment before she is introduced?"
Ryan nodded and followed the skeleton.
He closed the door and waited for Femur.
"Sir, this may come as a shock to you, but Baron Aleksandar chose Angelica to…"
"Where is she?"
Ryan felt at his belt for the dagger that wasn't there.
Femur placed a bony hand on his shoulder.
"Sir, please try to understand."
Ryan slapped his hand away.
"Understand what? She tried to kill me! She wanted to kill Isabelle!"
Femur waited for him to finish.
"Sir, I know what she did. I also understand how you feel, but the Baron and I believe that she could be an asset to your mission."
Ryan wanted to wrap his hands around Femur's neck, but he knew that was futile.
"How do you know that? She is unhinged and a liar. Even though she showed a reserved side, it could all be an act."
"The Baron helped her in a way only a Vampire can. She did reprehensible things, but she does have a need that was never met."
Ryan scowled, but he kept quiet.
"A Dhampir is still part Vampire, and therefore needs blood."
Ryan was stunned.
"Are you telling me that she was starving?"
Femur was quiet for a moment as he collected his thoughts.
"Not in the sense of nutrition. A Dhampir doesn't need blood, but their Vampire side craves it. The irony is she needed a very specific type of blood, and she was denied."
Ryan started pacing again.
There were so many questions floating in his mind.
"Does she realise what she did? What she was?"
Femur nodded.
"She knows almost too well. For many years, that craving and need were unmet. I do not ask you to forgive her. I ask that you try to understand her."
Ryan thought for a moment.
"I will wake up Isabelle. Bring Angelica here, and Isabelle will decide if she can stay."
Femur saluted.
"Thank you, Sir."
Ryan nodded and closed the door.
He sat on the side of the bed as he watched a sleeping Bell.
After a sigh, he placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Isabelle, wake up."
She opened her eyes and smiled at him.
"Is it morning already?"
He wanted to smile, but he couldn't.
"Not yet, but I need you to come with me. Aleksandar asked Angelica to assist in our mission. I need your help to decide if she can help."
She had a confused look in her eyes as she stood up and stretched.
He led her to the door and opened it.
On the other side stood Angelica and Femur.
Behind Ryan, Bell spoke.
"What is going on?"
Angelica sighed.
She didn't move from outside the doorway.
"We lied to you. Ryan and I go way back; we were a team in the Silver Tongues."
Bell was quiet for a moment.
"Why are you here?"
Ryan saw Angelica's jaw clench before she spoke.
"I was sent to kill Ryan. Eragon and Aleksandar stopped me… Instead of killing me, they gave me a second chance."
The tears rolled down her cheeks as she continued.
Her hands were balled into fists at her sides.
"I did bad things, and… and…"
She closed her eyes, and her face was tight, as if she was expecting a punch.
Bell walked around Ryan and gently hugged the crying woman.
This just made her cry more loudly.
Bell looked over Angelica's shoulder to Femur.
"Would you please get us some tea?"
"Certainly, Miss."
He clanked away as Bell led Angelica to the bed.
Bell gave Ryan a concerned look and spoke.
"Can you give us a few minutes? I'll call you when we're done."
Ryan gulped.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure, and I'll be fine."
Ryan wanted to stay, but he also wanted to trust Bell's judgement.
In a moment of weakness, Ryan's fear took over.
"I think I should stay; she is dangerous."
At his words, he saw Angelica tense up."
Bell let go of Angelica, and she stalked up to Ryan.
She jabbed her finger into his chest.
"So were you."
At her words, he felt intense guilt.
"I am sorry, Isabelle."
He turned around and left the room.
As Ryan left the room, Bell looked at this beautiful woman.
She sat in almost a slumped posture.
She was glad that Femur chose that moment to bring them tea.
It gave her the time she needed to collect her thoughts.
Femur poured each of them a cup and took his leave.
As she took a sip of her tea, she thought of where she should begin.
"Angelica? Why did you try to kill Ryan? From what I can tell, it wasn't just a contract."
She heard Angelica sobbing again.
She took the cup of tea and placed it in Angelica's hands.
Through the tears, Angelica managed a small smile in thanks.
"I… I wanted to hurt him. He left me for you. He…"
Bell put an arm around her back and squeezed her.
"It's ok, you don't have to say anything else."
Angelica put her tea down and hugged Bell so hard she struggled to breathe.
"No. I thought he was mine… and I hurt him a lot."
She fought hard against the sobs as she continued.
"After Aleksandar helped me… I knew what a monster I was."
Angelica didn't look up once while talking.
Bell gently rubbed her head.
"It's ok. I am glad that you're here. I was nervous about the Amazons. I am kinda out of my depth."
Angelica looked up at Bell.
"I understand."
To Bell's surprise, Angelica sat upright and wiped off her tears.
"If things get dangerous, I won't let them touch you."
Bell smiled at her.
"Thank you, Angelica. Is it ok if I call Ryan back in?"
Angelica nodded after she wiped her tears.
Bell got up and walked to the door.
When she opened the door, she saw a concerned Ryan.
He looked her up and down and let out a sigh of relief.
She smiled and hugged him.
He held her tightly and spoke.
"What have you decided?"
She swallowed hard.
"I want her to come with me. I think she really wants to help."
Ryan kept quiet and let her go.
He walked up to Angelica.
"We can discuss plans in the morning."
Angelica got up and left the room silently.
When the door closed, he fell back on the bed, and Bell took her place next to him.
He kissed her cheek.
"I am sorry."
She turned on her side so she could look at him.
"For what?"
"Lying to you. Aleksandar asked me to keep my past with Angelica secret."
She turned his head and kissed him on the lips.
"Don't worry about it."
She snuggled closer and fell asleep.
Ryan fell asleep with a smile on his face.