Sipher was jealous.

“I didn't think the two of you knew each other.” I thought about resisting. I knew how Sipher thought other Adventurers were just experience, so I didn't want to be alone with him while my limiter was on. Except, I couldn't pull away. I looked at the golden arm over my shoulder and saw that the bandit wasn't wearing his limiter.

“Never met her.” Sipher grabbed my right hand as I reached for the CB’s strap. “Let's not do that.” He glanced around. “No need to fight.” He twisted me around and pinned my left arm against the ship. “We’re just having a friendly conversation…” He must have seen where my mind was going because he added. “You’re not worth anything with that thing on your wrist, so no reason to kill you unless there might be some hard feelings after this…” He shrugged. “But that's up to you.”

That didn't help assure me, but it did mean that I at least had time.

“What do you want to know?” I tried to relax, but my body didn't want to comply.

“You. Her.” He eyed me. “Doesn't add up. She's the daughter of one of my captains and no one has heard of you until a few days ago.” Sipher smirked. “No one gets to the top end of Tier Four without getting noticed somewhere and last I heard, she wasn't looking for a spouse. So either, you won a very bad bet that they should never have made, or you have something on them and are using it to get close to me.”

I swallowed. We hadn't had a chance to go over how we’d modified our story. This was their operation and I was being included because… I started going over why they needed me and realized that they didn't. The only reason to bring me in was because I was heading this way and if I was close, then they could make sure I didn't do something stupid and accidentally blow their cover. Like I was about to do if I couldn’t come up with something believable.

“I don’t know.” I tried to shrug, but the way I was pinned didn’t give me much leeway. “I met up with them a little while ago and we kind of just hit it off.” I looked into his red eyes. “With this immortality thing, Gall wanted to make sure that Nyssa could take over for him and having me at her side makes her stronger.”

“Hmm…” Sipher didn’t let me go as he thought. “Maybe…”

“Wouldn’t you jump at the chance if she showed interest in you?” I smiled. “She’s kind of awesome.”

“And be a beta?” Sipher shook his head.

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“What’s going on?” Nyssa walked into the room and had one of her daggers against Sipher’s neck before either of us could move. I could see that she also wasn’t wearing her limiter.

“Just checking your boytoy’s story.” Sipher released me as a thin trail of white blood trickled down his neck.

As soon as my hands were free, I pulled off the limiter and shoved it in my pocket. I welcomed the warmth back into my body as my mantle regained its strength.

“Next time you have a problem with one of mine.” Nyssa leaned in close to his ear. “Talk to me.”

“You plan on picking up more of them?” Sipher smirked.

Nyssa removed her knife, but kept it in her hand as she moved in between the two of us. She nodded at the door. “Just get out of here Sipher.”

The golden bandit clicked his tongue. “Not a very respectful way…”

“OUT!” She pointed her dagger at the door.

“Okay!” Sipher held up his hands and started to back up. He looked over at me. “No hard feelings?”

I sighed as he left without waiting for an answer.

“What did you tell him?” Nyssa slid the door closed and latched it. I was very aware that she hadn’t put the weapon away.

“He wanted to know why the two of us were together because he didn’t see it. I told him that I didn’t know what you see in me, but guessed that you wanted someone at your side to help strengthen your position.” I sat down on an empty metal crate. “We really should have come up with a story.”

“No, that works.” She put the dagger onto a sheathe on her belt. “You being a lost puppy also fits your personality.”

“A puppy?” I tried to look hurt. “Is that how I’m supposed to describe your feelings towards me to my aunt?”

“Someone who tears up everything and pees on my leg?” She smirked. “How is that not you?”

“When did I pee on you?” I tapped my chin. “I feel like I’d remember something like that.”

“I’m sure you’ll find a way.” She nodded at my wrist. “Once you get through the gate, it’s best to take the limiter off so it can be charged if you need it and you won’t get bullied.” She nodded at the door. “Dad was talking with the captain on the bridge. We should be leaving soon. Once we’re underway, it’ll be safe to put your CBs back on.”

I nodded. “What do we do until then?’

“You’re going to stay out of trouble.” The golden woman sat down and put her CB on. “I’m going to see if I can have vehicles waiting for us when we get to Haux.”

I watched her start typing on her CB that she’d told me wasn’t safe to wear and smirked. This was definitely her show. My orders were simply to learn what Sipher knew about immortality, so I was content to let her direct what we were doing. I leaned against the side of the ship and closed my eyes. Nothing to do but wait, so I might as well nap. It’d be evening by the time we reached Haux and something told me that they were going to want to drive through the night to get back to the bunker.