Raden went out to the barn and helped the boy with his morning chores. Samuel was more than happy to show Raden around the band and how he did everything. As the morning went on, Raden found himself enjoying the company of the little boy. They finished most of the chores in record time and Samuel decided to get the horses ready for going to market.

"Papa doesn't let me go into the market with him often," Samuel said while walking one of the horses to the crossties.

"Why's that?"

Samuel poked his head over the horse's back. "He always says that Asra is dangerous for a kid. Too much could go wrong with magic folk."

Raden just stared at the kid and nodded. He hadn't heard much of Asra but was learning little bits from this kid.

Samuel showed Raden where the tack was for the other horse. While Samuel finished up with the one, Raden started with the other. By the time he had finished, the boy's father had headed out to meet them in the barn.

"Samuel go inside and stay there till I get back," The man demanded. Samuel's face fell and Raden caught a glimpse.

"If I may..."

"No." The man narrowed his eyes at Raden. "He is far too young to be dealing with those kinds of folk."

Raden paused for a second very careful not to let his temper rise. "Sir I would be very careful how you speak about magic users. If you've forgotten, I'm considered part of that community."

"My apologies," the man answered, "I don't want to lose my son the same way I lost my wife is all."

"Then why leave him here alone? Isn't that what happened with your wife?"

The man stood silent for a minute. He glanced between his son and Raden before settling on his answer. "You promise me that you'll protect my son and he can come."

"With my life," Raden swore. He glanced over and gave a wink and smirk to Samuel. Samuel was beaming as he rushed inside one more time for a small bag.

The man and his son rode on the back of the chestnut while Raden rode the white mare. Asra was about half a day's journey so there would be no stopping along the way for meals. Raden just hoped he would keep some clues as to where Azrael was.

~~~*~~~

Azrael had visited several shops and decided that the florist would be her last stop of the day since it was becoming clear it would be a large order. She had purchased a book on the herbal treatment of wounds but that was about it.

As Azrael wandered around, she could see that many were beginning to decorate for this festival. Something in the back of her mind told her that the excitement could be dangerous because of her abilities, but another part of her wanted to celebrate. Azrael hadn't been able to enjoy herself in a long time and thought this would be a good time to start.

The day progressed and it was noon. A grumble came from Azrael's stomach as she was strolling through the farmer’s market. The bread filled her senses only making her hungrier. So she decided to stop for a quick bite to eat. Nothing much but she thought of trying one of the taverns. At this time of day, it shouldn't be too crowded.

She walked into a fairly empty place. A few sat at the bar but for the most part, the rest of the place was dead. Azrael walked in a sat at a small table that was against the front of the tavern that looked out at the bustling street. It was a bit difficult looking out because of the years of neglect on the window cleaning, but it would do for now. The barmaid tossed over an annoyed look before disappearing.

A lady walked over. Her iridescent wings hung resting behind her. "What can I get you?"

Azrael looked up and gave a smile. It was not reciprocated. "Oh... I'll just take a water and your stew."

"Anything else?"

Azrael shook her head and the waitress left without another word. Azrael pulled out her book and began to read in silence as she ignored the eyes on her from the bar. The hum of the muffled city outside kept enough silence out that it didn't drive Azrael crazy. That was until her reading was interrupted by another figure sitting at her table.

She looked up and was met by a gentleman. He seemed a little older but only by a few years. His hair was tied back in a braid. The first thing Azrael noticed about this man was his eyes. They were as black as a new moon night. His long slender finger wrapped around the book she had laid down and pulled it over to inspect it.

"Can I help you," Azrael asked.

"I was just intrigued that a pretty little thing like yourself was brave enough to walk in here alone." He looked up from the book and gave a smile. Azrael squirmed uncomfortably in her seat. "So tell me, what's something like you doing here?"

"Just thought I would stop for lunch."

He nodded, "Why don't you join me at the bar? I'll buy you a nice drink."

Azrael smiled softly. "I'm happy right here thank you." She reached for her book and began to read it again in hopes the man would leave. Boy was she wrong.

He left for a second and relief washed through her but it was soon replaced with anxiety once again. The man came back with his drink and made himself comfortable across from her. She tried ignoring him, but he wouldn't stop staring at her.

She snapped her book close and glared at him. "What is this?"

"What?"

"I was enjoying a quiet lunch and you interrupted it," Azrael answered in a matter-of-fact tone.

The man shifted in his sit and something passed over his eyes but it was long gone before Azrael could figure out what it was. "Can I not be nice and say hello?"

"Hello," Azrael answers with sarcasm, "Now please leave me alone."

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"Oh come on don't be like that." He reached across to take Azrael's hand. "Why don't we start over and get to know each other," he paused waiting for any sign from Azrael to keep going, but she sat there with fear and disgust plastered across her face. "Alright well, beautiful my name is Lucas. Who might you be?"

Azrael pulled her hand back quickly. "None of your concern."

Lucas didn't seem to like this reply and his demeanor shifted. "When someone shows you kindness, you're supposed to show some back."

"Well, when you get cornered by a strange man being nice isn't the first thing that comes to mind." Azrael stood slammed a few coins on the table and left without her meal.

She raced out of the tavern into the bustling street. She looked behind her and saw that Lucas was standing at the doorway of the tavern looking around for her. Azrael looked around trying to find a store to pop into before he could spot her, but it was too late. He caught her gaze and gave an evil smirk before hopping into the sea of people. A cold chill ran through Azrael as panic soon set in. She looked around and just began walking. The sea of people seemed to grow and grow around her making it harder to move. She pushed through with some unkind words from bystanders, but at this point, she didn't care. She turned back and didn't see Lucas which should have put her at ease but it made her stomach turn. As she blindly moved forward, Azrael ran into something soft a warm.

"Young lady watch where are you walking," an older man said.

She turned and was face to face with a snout of a horse. Azrael peered around the horse's head to see the rider and saw a young boy poke his head out from behind the older man. "I'm sorry." Before she could move again, a hand wrapped around her upper left arm.

"There you are." His voice sent a shiver down Azrael's spine. "Thank you, kind sir. I lost her in the crowd and was trying to track her down." Azrael looked up at the man trying to send pleas for help.

The man kept a straight face looking between Lucas and Azrael. "Just tell her to watch out for other riders, will you? She could've gotten seriously injured or spooked my horse."

"Of course." Lucas had a fake smile plastered on his face. He tightened his grip on Azrael's arm and she grimaced. "Have a good rest of your day." Lucas pulled her away before the man could say anything else. He pulled her close and in front of him as he continued pushing through the crowd. "You were quite rude leaving like that."

"Let me go," Azrael squirmed but between Lucas' tight grip and the crowd she was stuck with nowhere to go.

"Hey now. Just calm down would you." He struggled against Azrael but soon overpowered her. She soon realized that he was heading in another direction.

"Where are we going," Azrael asked her voice shaking just a bit.

Lucas peered down and smiled. "Seeing how you weren't enjoying yourself in the tavern, I thought taking you back to my room would be... a better place to get to know each other."

Azrael's eyes went wide and she started pulling back from Lucas. "No no no. Let me go now..." She kept struggling as he dragged her along trying to keep eyes off of them. Azrael's stomach dropped to the ground as she realized that this could be the end.

~~~*~~~

Raden maneuvered his way through the crowded streets which wasn't easy. Many were stopping in his way trying to get a better view of him. Even though many odd characters made their way in and out of Asra, seeing a celestial wasn't an everyday occurrence. So he pushed through and found his way through and eventually caught up to the father-son duo.

Samuel turned back at the sound of hooves against cobblestone and smiled. "You found us!"

"Finally yeah." The man turned at the sound of Raden and nodded. Raden could tell he was in a perturbed mood. "You okay?"

"He's just upset that a girl ran into Lily here," Samuel explained. His father seems to glance back and give a warning glance.

It would be too much of a coincidence it's her. Raden thought to himself.

Raden nodded pushing the thought to the back of his mind. "Well thank you for getting me here." He went to dismount when the man stopped him.

"Keep her."

"What?" Raden asked

"It was my wife's horse. I want you to keep her for your travels. Gods know I have a debt to repay to your kind," the man explained. Raden placed a hand on his shoulder in a silent thank you.

"Tell me your name then."

"Theodore," he answered.

"Well, Theodore and Samuel thank you for helping me. I'll give a good word to my master for you both." Raden smiled and nodded. Samuel waved a sad goodbye and Raden went to turn, but something stopped him. He turned his head back still having that thought tugging on him. "Theodore? That girl that ran into your horse, what did she look like?"

Theodore thought for a moment. "She had long reddish hair and wide eyes like an owl. She wasn't looking where she was going so I didn't get a great look at her."

Could be her.

"Which way did she go?"

Samuel pointed and Raden nodded and thanked them again before heading off. Samuel yelled out one last goodbye before Theodore headed in the opposite direction towards the farmer’s market. Raden headed off in the direction Samuel had pointed towards hoping his conscious was right. It was seldom wrong. He trotted along with his horse it was coming easier as the crowd started to ease out a bit. Raden kept his head on a swivel trying to catch any redheads.

Up ahead, there seemed to be a man walking swiftly holding onto another person. Raden looked closer and saw a glimpse of red hair almost ignite in the sunlight. He couldn't be sure it was her but needed to get a better look. He rode around to get ahead of the couple. Then his blood ran cold. The girl had swung around frantically trying to get away from the man and moved enough for Raden to see her face.

"Azrael!"

~~~*~~~

Azrael turned to find who called her name and saw him. "Raden," she said to herself. She was then yanked again towards a building and she snapped back to reality. "Raden! Help me!"

Lucas clapped a hand over her mouth before she could scream again and practically dragged her into a small in. No one seemed to be on the main floor and Lucas easily made his way up to the second floor even with Azrael kicking. He managed to open the door to his room and slung her in.

"God, you're a lot more trouble than I thought." Lucas entered and slammed the door behind him. "Now, how about you be a good girl and cooperate." He walked over to Azrael and picked her up only to slam her against the wall. He held tight around each wrist and Azrael cried out in pain. Lucas buried his face in her hair taking a deep breath. "You smell so sweet. I wonder how you taste?"

Azrael froze with fear as Lucas pressed into her more.

Okay okay, calm down Azrael. Just think. What can we do to get away? Azrael looked around as much as she could without moving her head. There's no moving our hands and we can't get to the bag. Shovel your feet.

"Excited, are we?" Lucas smiled into Azrael's neck.

Azrael thought quickly and raised her left knee up to meet that sweet spot. "Nope now neither are you." Lucas fell with moans of pain and Azrael went for her bag. She turned around and saw Lucas trying to get up and went and kicked him hard in the ribs for good measure before running out.

"YOU BITCH! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"

Azrael didn't look back this time. She could hear Lucas continue to yell and curse as she made her way down and stared into the lobby. Tears in her eyes blurred her vision. A figure appeared in the doorway and Azrael couldn't make out who it was.

"Are you okay?"

Azrael was in a storm of emotions and couldn't quite think straight. "Wha… what?"

"Azrael, look at me." Gentle hands were placed on her shoulders and she saw him through the blur of her tears.

"Raden." She reached out to touch his cheek making sure he wasn't just a figment of her imagination.

"Where is he?" Azrael didn't say a word but let out a sob. Raden sat her down next to the wall. "I'll be back don't move okay."

He turned and headed upstairs. Worry soon turned to rage once he realized what had happened to Azrael. His eyes flashed red and his fist clenched tighter. Hitting the second floor he saw Lucas now standing but looking hurt.

"Who the hell are you," Lucas asked.

Raden's eyes flashed red again and he stepped forward with all the anger in the world crashing down with each step. With a deep calm voice, Raden spoke, "Death's son collecting a sinner's soul for judgment."