Blake returned a few minutes later, after I had instructed that he'd scout the area. His dark hair was disheveled from the wind and his eyes glew softly under the fire's embers and his cloths seemed off, as though he had gotten into war with some type of animal but ad I sat on the sofa, checking and double checking to make certain that there was no errors in the map that I had hidden in my closet, was correct, his voice rumbled over my thoughts. "It is clear, Marcus. I made sure that nothing was on that route."

I took a breath and folded the map that had been resting lightly in my lap and placed it on the coffee table sitting before me. "Good." I said in all bit a whisper. "Now all we need to do I wait for the girls and head toward town to get everything else from the storage space."

"Are you certain you want to do this? Blake asked, a hint of concern rose in his voice. "Who knows how many men Gabriel has in store for us."

"I am. Gabriel has this grudge against me after I left him at the labs centuries ago. He feels as though he needs to make me suffer the way he had." I looked at Blake. "He won't stop until that need for revenge is satisfied."

"Alright," Blake said. "I want you to know that whatever decision that you make," he came over and patted my shoulder. "I have and will stand by you."

I gave Blake a small smile but before I could reply, the door the cabin opened and in walked Nora and Emery, holding a few bags, to which I could Hazzard, where supplies for what's to come. My eyes strayed to Emery and my heart did a small flip.

I gave her a soft smile and told myself that I was doing this entire situation to stop Gabriel so that way nothing could come between us but the bigger threat afterwards would soon be the Rogues and how they all came to be. My only guess would of been where I and my enemy where kept. The Labs that I had so desperately wanted to escape and I had once I advised a plan. I never knew that I'd be saving a beauty like Emery, given the circumstances, and for what it was worth I would of done it all over again. Emery returned my smile and a faint blush seemed to peek in her cheeks. "how was everything in town?" I asked breaking the silence between me and the girls.

"We weren't sure on what was needed so we grabbed pretty much anything that looked useful." Nora replied. Her gaze went to Blake and she blew him a small kiss as if welcoming her return back. Their gestures seemed loving but when the tension between us was tense, one could only take so much but between is all ot was calm and collected unless a situation took place giving us no other choice bit take measures into our own hands.

I hoped that we didn't have to but with Gabriel on the loose, we had to take things carefully or else, he would surely have the upper hand.

"What now?" Emery asked, her tone held so much concern that I got up and went to, wrapping my arms around her waist and kissing the top of her head. "Did Blake scout the area?" Emery's posture loosened and I smiled knowing that she felt safe.

"Yes," I said into her hair. "He confirmed that it was clear."

"That is good to hear," Emery replied. "At least we will be alright on our way through."

"I am hoping that as well," Blake said in return. "Our best option is to take extra caution when we head out."

"Which will be tomorrow night after all of us has rested and fed ourselves." I said. Blake and Nora nodded but Emry remained quiet. I looked down at her, my eyes shining with love. Are you alright?

Nervous is all. her reply came light, her voice sounded like music vibrating against the walls of my mind, and somehow caused my groin to bulge in my pants. My eyes widened in shock. Uh sorry don't mind uh...ya know. I stammered back to her in response.

Don't worry. I saw Emery smile at the corner of her mouth and I desperately wanted to kiss her but with what was going on right now, I needed to focus, and decided to do it later once we have wrapped things up for this evening. We have plenty of time. Her assurance made my heart flutter.

I hope so. I murmured back. Eternity is a long time to put up with just being with me.

I can handle it I think. Her response brought a smile to my lips and I couldn't help but give her a peck in the cheek.

Nora cleared her throat as if she was eavesdropping. "It's not my place to stay but I think it wise," she began as her face held a hidden blush. "But I believe the app if us should focus."

I cleared my throat andgave Nora aside smile. "Your right," I said as turned and gave Emry a kiss on the temple. "We all should."

"What now?" Emery asked as she stepped out from my embrace and going over to the bags that she and Nora had brought back from town. "Why did we need all this extra supplies when all we are doing is going to the castle to try to clear the air?"

I had sent the girls into town for medical supplies just in case things got out of hand and that in case we couldn't feed to heal right away. "I know how Gabriel is," I said in a calm tone that would of made everyone squrim but I was among the people that were casted out with so it didn't matter how scary I appeared nor sounded because they knew me, except Emery who knew some of me but not all. I silently promised myself that I would have to explain everything to her once this all was over. "He is relentless when it comes to clearing the air and we don't know for sure if he'll be there next to Sarene, controlling what she says but least to say, it's extra precautions." The other three only nodded and with that I continued to say, "Let's head out."