THE WARD

Out of all things, we are civil if anything. By nature I avoid conflict if possible. Unless is absolutely necessary. And in this case is not.

Mason is being perfectly cordial, while he diligently slides the coffee cup in front of me, and walks around the oval table until he reaches the opposite side of the table. It wasn't my intention to be awkward, or difficult, but I realise that I took the seat dead in the middle of the table.

He folds himself into the chair, takes a few moments to properly settle himself in, fidgeting left and right as if he is uncomfortable.

Once he'd managed to find a comfortable position, he places his arms onto the table and wraps his long fingers around the coffee cup. Mind you all the posturing has my pulse rocketing like mad and I reach a point where I can't stand it anymore.

" Can we just get on with it?" I speak first, and I know the silence treatment is more of a power move than anything.

He nods, and leans back in his chair, and sprawls like a lazy cat in front me but keeps one hand on the coffee cup.

" I'd like you to join Zareen, as a member of the order," Somehow I saw that coming, can't say that I'm surprised.

The answer is obviously "No," Because I don't want to spend the next four years or so of my life doing Eric's and Mason's dirty work. Another one of their minions. No thank you siree.

" I sort of expected that answer, so I'll sweeten the deal for you. Once you become a member of the order, you'll have unlimited access to Zareen, and the knowledge this place holds. On top of that, you will be working under me," He smirks at that, thinking he it's a very clever with his play on words. I say nothing, and content myself with enjoying a nice cup of coffee. They should put that on the benefits list.

We make a mean cup of coffee. That will definitely make me consider his offer.

When I remain silent he take it as his cue to continue," The courses you are attended will be waived-" He stops himself there," Some of them, since you are ahead in your studies. There will be some other benefits but those are mostly regarding attendance and exams. If you decide to take my offer you'll be finishing your studies here in Zareen under my supervision," I scoff. Of course.

" I'm offering you an apprenticeship as of next year at my company," Again no thank you. I have plans of my own, and I'll be no one's underling, even if it kills me.

" Now it would be great time to say something, Lily," He takes a sip of his coffee and watches me with intense interest.

" The answer is still no. Your offer doesn't interest me. The prospect of becoming just another disposable asset makes me rather queasy. I have other plans and I have every intention on following through. Thank you for your consideration," I drain the last of my coffee and stand," And the coffee. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have places to be," That is not a lie. I do have places to be.

Meeting the estate agent to finalise some details before plunging into the maze of bureaucracy.

" Lily," Mason stands with me and leans over the table with his plams flat on the table, " You'll have completed autonomy. I would never allow anyone to strap a leash on you. You know that," He heaves a deflated sigh, and I see the internal battle," Not even myself. All of this to set you free. Please tell you got rid of the seals," I have. Well, sort of, depending of his definition of disposed of. Mine might be slightly different than his.

" Don't worry about it," That is all I have to say, before I turn on my heels and walk towards the door. He hasn't bothered to shut it, so I shut the door and grip the knob while I focus on where I want to go. Somewhere quiet where no one will disturb me. For some reason the cave in Baltran Range sounds rather appealing.

With one last glance over my shoulder at Mason, I pull open the door and step inside the chilly cave, yanking the door shut behind me as fast as I can so he can't follow. It vanishes as soon as I step through it, the walls warping as it does. It's nothing spectacular, but it does the trick.

It beats anything I've tried before in terms of travelling. There are still things I need to figure out but that is a problem for another day. For the time being, I relish the solitude and peacefulness surrounding me. Everything is still there, the bed, the charred rock where fire once blazed, a few empty bowls and cups lay strewn in on the floor in a corner. Graham's clothes lie in a pile in the corner of the cave and I kind of miss our time together.

But he also betrayed me, just like Mason did, and it cuts deep. I haven't seen him or Shay since that fatidic day in the temple.

He hasn't come to visit, or try to explain himself to me, but I'm not sure if he did wether I would have listened or believed him.

With a heavy sigh I plop myself on the bed, and realise that the silence is pressing down on me. I suppose it is my destiny to wander to the four corners of the world alone for as long as I live.

Even if we could mend things, eventually he will die while I live on. We are doomed even if we do, even if we don't. It's one of those things, where there are no winners.

In some absurd way having a long life span kind of takes the wind out of my sails and I become even more dejected than I was when I left Zareen.

Solitude provides a fertile ground for reflection. It is a double edged sword whilst I realise certain undeniable truths about myself, I also realise that maybe being a hermit isn't the answer to everything. Especially, when you come with an imminent expiration date.