Béatrix smiled when the rogue girl feigned bravery in the face of death. Adelisa claimed she wouldn’t run, but she did just that in the end. Trixy tightened her muscles, prepping for a good chase as she took in a raspy breath. She felt her muscles literally recoil, much like a tape measure snapping back, when Alistair spoke up.

[i]“Béatrix. Watch yourself. We’re still not alone,”[/i]

His harshness tethered her back in this world, allowing her to push her manic urges aside for the moment. How foolish of her, to get so caught up in one stupid girl that she couldn’t keep her surroundings monitored. Trixy reached out with the tendrils of her mind, seeking out the thoughts of those around her. The newborn rogues that were retreating were easy to detect, as their minds were still so very close to human. Trixy could also easily read her family members, as proximity to a person helped with Trixy’s ability. But there [i]was[/i] someone else, the one Alistair detected.

Trixy pressed her eyes closed as she concentrated and pushed her mind out into the shadows by the docks. There was a dark presence there, blocked by power and age that Béatrix hadn’t seen the likeness of in years. She opened her eyes and looked to her leader, a dark foreboding swirled in them.

“He’s ancient.” She said in a breathy whisper. Maybe it was meant to be a warning to her family, but truth be told, Trixy was quite intrigued by his presence. Maybe he was old enough to know Francis. Her heart lifted in a flutter before crashing to her feet and through the docks she stood upon. Maybe he [i]knew[/i] Francis.

[i]Knew…[/i]