Han only had one name, given to her by her mother, separate from the name given to her by her master. Those days had left an impact on her, and she didn't think she would ever forget that time, though it was becoming less and less of a burden. It made her realize just how much she had now and how lucky she was to be in the Prime. To have her own business, and friends to care about her.

To have someone to hold her, and look at her with genuine affection, the type you gave to someone you had feelings for, unlike the affection you’d give a pet. She was all too used to that sort, unfortunately.

Han had been lucky, very lucky to escape her old life, and even luckier to have managed to make the life she and now. Though, it was just as much hard work and dedication to alchemy on her part. The first few years had been the hardest, but things had gotten better and easier.

She'd met friends like Zara and Brooke, and even had a boyfriend now. Or at least, she hoped that’s what Rick thought of them as. She was always too nervous to ask and didn’t want to risk anything.

It was becoming harder and harder, however, as the last week she had seen little of him and when he did come or speak to her, he felt distant. She had asked Brooke and Zara, but neither knew. She hoped it would pass, and that he would open up. Han knew it was hard to talk sometimes. When she had talked with Zara, it had been slow, but afterward, she had always felt better.

She was in the middle of mixing some very important ingredients when there was a beep. When she was in her lab, she couldn't hear the ring of the door opening, so she had set up a simple alarm. She wasn’t worried about someone stealing anything, since nothing upstairs was really of any value, and she had more security now than ever after the event with the devil.

She smiled as she thought of how Rick and Brooke had been there for her. How many times had she prayed for such things when she had worn a collar? She placed her tools down, and took off her gloves, before heading upstairs.

She found a young man waiting at the front, dressed in a lab coat, work pants, and shirt. He turned his gaze to her and through his round glasses she saw brown eyes that matched the mess of brown curls atop his head. He was tall, and he bowed when he caught sight of her.

“How can I help you?”

“Firstly, am I talking to the famous Han, herself?”

She nodded, and he bowed again, reaching out to take one of her hands, and place a kiss on it. She frowned, and pulled it back, blushing. He smiled. “I’ve heard all about you.”

“You have?”

“Of course, your online business has been, how to say it… booming?” He laughed at his own joke, and hand found herself smiling at the sound. “I’m in town for the action, and I thought I’d drop in and meet the woman herself.”

“And you are?”

“Of course, how stupid, I should have introduced myself first. I am Glenn, pleasure to meet you, fellow alchemist Han.”

“Fellow? You… you’re an alchemist?” She asked, intrigued. She had plenty of online friends and was part of a few forums, but she wasn’t particularly close to any of them. The past few weeks and attention had sent an influx of attention her way, but most of it was business related, even those veiled underneath false friendship as Zara put it. Han had asked Zara for help on that front. The half-elf was far better with people than she was.

“Of course, and a rather talented one, if I do say so myself. I’ve come to ask if you would be interested in some collaborations?”

“Collaborations? You want to make potions together?”

“And pills, and more. You see, I'm thinking of starting my own alchemy business, and who better to learn from, than someone who had succeeded? Of course, I can pay.”

“I don't know. I… I have a friend who I might be helping soon.” She said it more quietly than she wanted to because every time she asked Rick, he refused and said some other time. She didn't want to think he was lying, but she was worried he was, and simply did not want to learn with her. She shook the thought away. “Maybe, but I don't know.”

“Well, is it ok if I leave my number with you then?”

Han opened her mouth, then hesitated. It was just for business, nothing else. She had Rick, and wanted no one else, but should she tell Rick first, or accept and tell him later? “I’ll take your number.”

“Wonderful. Well, Han, it has been a pleasure.” he wrote down his number on some paper she pulled out, then bowed one last time, and gave her a smile before turning and leaving.

****

I passed a young man as I walked into Han’s store. I found her at the front, and she smiled when she saw me. “Who was that?”

“An alchemist,” she said. “He came from out of town. He… he wanted to do alchemy together, and… gave me his number?”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Ok.”

Why does she sound so nervous?

“Is that ok?” She asked.

“Of course, why wouldn't it be?” I asked, but then it clicked. He had given her his number. Oh. I felt a surge of jealousy, and Han fidgeted as I stared at him. I shook my head. “Han, you don’t need my permission to speak to other men. I trust you, and well…” Were we boyfriend and girlfriend? What the hell even was our relationship? Best friends with benefits? “We’re… together, and I… I trust that you know what’s ok and not.”

She smiled at that. “Ok. I just… I’m not used to this.”

“Neither am I.”

She walked over and pressed a kiss to my lips. “I don't like him like that, I like you. I just don't want to ruin things.”

I wrapped my arms around her, and pulled her close. “I know, and as I said, I trust you, and I’m really sorry I can't spend more time with you, or do the alchemy, but I promise, it's not forever.”

Hopefully, it doesn’t come to fleeing. I don't want to leave them. I don't want to leave Han.

“Can you stay for a bit?”

I nodded slowly. “Half an hour. We’ll do anything you want.”

“Not enough time for alchemy, but maybe some… mixing?”

I grinned. “You won’t hear a no from me.”

****

Half an hour later with a smile on my face, and a skip in my step I was about to leave Han’s store when the door opened and someone entered. I paused as the platinum blonde woman turned her eyes to me. Golden eyes, and with a DOSA mask. She was a were, and I could have sworn I saw her before.

“Is Han in?”

I turned to the counter just as Han walked in. Her eyes locked onto the were. “Anna?”

“Han, thank gods.” She rushed to the counter. “I need Zara’s number.”

“Zara? Why do need her?”

“I just do,” she said, her fingernails scrapping the counter as she leaned forward.

I walked closer, forming a force wall to put in between her and Han, and getting ready to throw a restrain spell at her. “Han, who’s this.”

“An old customer,” she said. “I can’t just give you Zara’s personal number, Anna.”

“But the gym is shut and she won’t reply to any messages online. Please, Han.” She sounded desperate.

Han glanced at me for help, and I stopped closer. “Why do you need Zara?”

She spun. “None of your damn business!”

I blinked while Han said, “He’s her boyfriend.”

“What?” Both I and Anna said. The were met my eyes. “What’s her number?” I felt palpable tension build as we stared at each other, but this time I didn’t look away. I stared unblinking into her eyes, hard and full of danger, but nothing compared to Yolana’s or the chiefs or even Litra’s for that matter.

“Ricky?”

“Relax, Han, I’ve got this.” We stared at each other for what must have been a minute before she finally glanced away. She looked back at me, not meeting my eyes. “I need her number.”

“And I need to know why before I give it to you. Is it for a session?”

“Sort of.”

I stared at her for a long moment. “Look, give me your number, and I’ll give it to Zara, and ask her to call you.”

“Really?” She asked, voice full of hope.

“Yes, but don’t come back here, demanding anything again.”

She grimaced, glancing at Han. “Sorry, I won’t.” She gave me her number before quickly leaving. I shook my head while Han muttered, “Two in one day.”

“Huh?”

“I usually never get more than one customer a day, some days I don’t get any. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten two.”

“She wasn’t really a customer,” I said.

“Neither was he…” She trailed off, meeting my gaze. “Are you leaving then?”

“I guess so.” I glanced at the door, then at Han. “You gonna be ok? If she had tried to attack you, then… Han do you have any kind of protection? A gun? A weapon?”

“I have potions and pills.”

“Then keep them close, and your phone. Ring me or Brooke if anything comes up, ok?”

“Yes, Ricky. Thank you.”

I walked over and gave her a deep kiss. “No need to thank me. I wouldn’t let you get hurt. Now, I’ll be seeing you, Han. Thanks for the ingredients.”

“No problems. The rest should be in later this week.

“I’ll be there, Bye Han.”

“Bye, Ricky.”