Days blurred after the Prayer Room. Without Althea, I wouldn't have known how many had passed.

  Sleep deprivation was killing me.

  One time Pythia came when we were about to leave my claustrophobic cell. She didn't say a word about the scene I made in the prayer room. She and Evadne began to argue if I should take a sleep potion. Following their conversation at the doorstep was beyond me. Air was suffocating me with its warmth.

  *Just give me the new dose already, this fever is getting unbearable.*

  Pythia received some 'insight into reality' and claimed Pandora's command forbade administering sleep potion—mixing the potions meant instant death.

  *Pandora always listens but rarely answers, huh?*

  So I endured. Or tried. Depends how one looked at this.

  And there were many onlookers.

  Each day a small crowd waited outside my cell. Followed me to the training. Their whispers rustled in my ears. For the first few days they all had requests...

  "Saint Leonard bless me." Head low, hands clasped above.

  "Saint, grace me with your touch." Hand reaching to me, blocked by my guard.

  "My daughter here, she's unmarried, Saint Leonard." Woman pushes young girl toward me, guard pushes back.

  My silence made them change their tactic and they just prayed, chanting quietly. They weren't much of a bother then, just smelly - unpleasant cocktail of sweat and mint-like incense.

  *What a circus. Could they at least wash themselves more often?*

  Vespera was among them, lurking somewhere in the crowd. Watching me from the distance. Every day. Her petite frame seemed childish among others.

  ~ ? ? ~

  The second day, she stayed behind the massive pillar to the left of the door, weary. Next to the bulk of the stone support she looked small, almost as if it might swallow her. She watched from that partial cover, like she expected someone to chase her out.

  *Maybe she feels obliged or indebted?*

  "Hey, how are you?" I asked her.

  She passed what may have been like fifteen onlookers and jumped to the front row. Her bashful face beaming with irresistible excitement against the background of religious rapture of my 'believers'.

  "Saint Leonard." She bowed courteously, "thank you, all fine!" She stole a glance at me but lowered her eyes instantly. "Good luck in your training today, I hope you make it."

  "Thank you, and keep your head high, Vespera." I replied, and it made her cheeks burn.

  *How cute.*

  That was it. A few words between us before the torture began.

  Next day, a mix of guards, priests and who knows who else waited for me again near my cell's door. Corvus and Idas kept them in check, although not without a hassle.

  Vespera was waiting for me in the first row of my small cheerleading squad. This time she held my gaze long enough to feel not awkward.

  *She's getting more confident. Good for her!*

  Her simple "good luck" felt fresh and genuine. Something in her made me lower my guard. Made Evadne tense.

  During training, between one collapse and another, I tried to question Evadne.

  "Are there more people like her?"

  "Like who?" Evadne played dumb. She stood there, in the middle of the gym, suddenly checking the vials in her pouch and making sure not to look at me.

  I played with Leonidas - he pushed me to land on the floor with my fists. My head felt like it was about to fall off. Hands were the definition of 'broken bone pain.' Ants were busy rebuilding my skeleton.

  "Like Vespera," I managed to blurt out.

  "She's one of a kind." Evadne said but didn't continue. I continued with Leonidas - he pulled me up to stand, pushed me down to fall, my fists landed on the floor. Shockwave struck upper part of my body. Calves and surrounding soft tissue stretched like piano wire.

  "Explain."

  "When Pandora defeated Medea," mark on my wrist flared hot for one beat but was cooled by the seal, "then Pandora..."

  Words died in her mouth. I tried to play dead on the cold floor - stark contrast to the fire in my body. Leonidas just chuckled. "Ten beers today."

  "Defeated?" I asked.

  "She's one of the rebel gods," Evadne forced the words out. I had to force answers out of her.

  "Then Pandora what?"

  "Pandora tried to use Medea's..." mark burned and I hissed surprised, but then sensation faded under freezing-cold clench of the seal, "...witchcraft to bless us with a way to fight better. It was a failure. Vespera is the result."

  *Result.*

  *Like an experiment. A failed one.*

  *Didn't know you saw people that way, Evadne.*

  I measured her, she avoided my gaze.

  *Fine, keep your secrets. Not that I care.*

  Unfortunately it did bother me—on more levels than I was ready to admit.

  ~ ? ? ~

  The third day, Vespera did something which made even Brutus speechless.

  We were casually sitting in the guards quarters. It was a room that fitted four beds, each in different corner and with a large wardrobe. There was a simple, wooden table in the middle and four chairs, but there was still a lot of space around it to move freely in the room.

  Well, would be. All guards I knew except one, who had watch outside, were present. And a few more who I just got to know. So there were like twenty people maybe, it was really crowded and the air was thick with gossips, laughter and alcohol fumes.

  Leonidas delivered on the 'beers' promise and since I couldn't drink anything except water, I donated that to the guards.

  Vespera approached me, slipped between muscular men and came in front of me. Within arms reach.

  Boys that surrounded me reacted with... variety.

  Some, like Silvanus, devoured her feminine features. Some observed with growing curiosity. Others looked away—disgust, unease, something else?

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  Sigh left me.

  *I shouldn't expect things to change in an instant. But what was she doing here, actually?*

  "What is it, Vespera?"

  "I want to be your shadow, Saint Leonard."

  A stun grenade would have made less impact. Beers and my water cup froze mid-way, laughter died out. Everybody focused on her. I had to ask Silas if I heard correctly, not believing my own senses. Good that I already sat on the chair. Hard wood creaked when I leaned back surprised.

  *She?*

  *My shadow?*

  I scanned her from top to bottom.

  *You look like the one who needs protection, Vespera.*

  She was a head shorter than Silvanus, the shortest of the guards. She was generally thin, but rather plush in places that attracted attention.

  *No, try look past her woman side, Leonard. You can do this.*

  I measured her again.

  She fidgeted under my gaze and her cheeks went red. There was something graceful and calculated to the way she shifted her body balance. Like she was always ready to change her position. Muscles danced on thighs and stomach under the fabric of her clothes.

  *Abort, abort!*

  *Alright, she deserves a chance. She mustered her courage, so there's strength in her. Let's test her.*

  My entangled thoughts produced something even more interesting.

  "If you can get past my guards, you're hired."

  Silas on the other side of the table held his lips tight. When I raised my eyebrow at him, he gave me a defeated sigh. And approving nod.

  Vespera's reply was full of mischief, confidence and joy.

  "I'll do my best!" She exclaimed clapping her hands and jumping like a little girl.

  "You have... five days?"

  Silas shook his head in denial.

  "Two days?"

  Nod.

  "You have two days, Vespera."

  ~ ? ? ~

  Later that same day, Vespera tried to jump on me right when I finished my training. That is, that's what Corvus said. My mind was not operational at the time. Apparently she waited in the crowd near the training room, and instigated a false attack.

  When she pushed one of the believers, she tried to get past Corvus. He didn't appreciate that.

  The next morning, when I went out of my cell, supporting myself on the polished wooden frame of the door, crowd was already there. They stood in the far right of the corridor leading to the staircase. Five people wide, a few rows long, their heads crammed together - everybody wanted to see me.

  *Here's your 'Saint', a man who is going to go back home and leave you behind.*

  On my left was Vespera. Her right eye purple—Corvus had been thorough. But she wasn't deterred. She stood just beside the door, within arms reach, invading Silvanus's personal space.

  Literally.

  Her tail wrapped around his leg—he pretended not to see.

  Her hand on his chest—he "tried" to take it away.

  Her voice lowered, eyes locked on his.

  Clothes?

  She wasn't wearing much—some kind of wrapped cloth that left little to imagination. Her exotic, animalistic beauty turned into a weapon. Judging by Silvanus's wandering eyes, successful distraction.

  When I walked out, she calmly asked if she could talk to me. Like nothing happened. Her pupils were round and large. Focused.

  I smirked, "No."

  Tip of her puffy tail twitched, brushing Silvanus's armored leg.

  Her pale hand traveled across Silvanus's frozen chest. When it was about to reach his jaw, he gulped.

  Then—then she attacked.

  She tried to grab him by his throat, but he reacted quickly.

  All this turned out to be deception within deception, because her dark tail unwrapped from Silvanus's leg and shot to me alongside her other hand - fingers spread.

  Unfortunately for her, Silvanus was merciless.

  He literally threw her onto the opposite door, pushing the air out of her with abrupt gasp. The door hinges gave a painful groan from the impact. Vespera measured Silvanus with head low, frowned eyes, and something predatory in her look. Her eyes glanced to me, and her expression softened. She blinked like she was holding back tears.

  *Is she alright?*

  Instinct prompted me to rush toward her, to help her stand up—but I held myself back. Feet glued near the doorframe, a few meters away from her.

  *Wake up, Leonard. This is turning into another vulnerability.*

  Instead, I grabbed Silvanus's shoulder. Armor's tiny scales were sharp on edges but their surface polished. "For a moment I thought she got you," I said.

  "She..." he pondered still focused on Vespera but stealing glances around. "She definitely tried, but I expected it. Still, good lesson for me."

  Vespera stood up, with ears flat and slumped shoulders she walked away, defeated. Before she left, she gave me last glance. Sharp look didn't fit her body language.

  *Hmmm. Is this maybe a tactical retreat, Vespera? Interesting.*

  I gently bumped my fist into his back.

  "You could tone down your reaction," I said reproachfully.

  He turned to me, serious. "Idas told me what you whispered to him."

  *What I whispered? Hm. Ah, yes.*

  *Your only honor is to keep me alive, and my enemies dead.*

  "Had to eliminate the threat, Saint Leonard."

  Well, he had a point about the ruthlessness. I'd demanded it, after all.

  But he missed something else. "You stopped her—but she distracted you. If she'd been the traitor, Silvanus..."

  His confidence evaporated.

  "Ruthless and sharp. I need both."

  "Yes, Saint Leonard."

  "Let's go."

  ~ ? ? ~

  That evening was oddly quiet. Training went without a fuss, if that could be said about something that pushed my body past its limits. I guess Vespera licked her wounds, so to speak.

  When I woke up in the night, delirium hit hard. Total disconnect.

  Was I in my cell or back home? Figuring this out took me a while. Shadows stretched to me, showed me scenes from my past. Victoria's silhouette called me. But my body rejected my will and all I could do was to roll over the bed.

  Raising fever seemed to boil all the water inside me, filling my body with hot steam. Window creaked, chilly wind brushed my burning forehead.

  *Shouldn't have left the window open.*

  *Did I?*

  It was always windy where my parents lived, near the beach. We used to walk with our feet in the cold water—me, Vivi, and Veri. Focused, I tried to force myself to dream about them.

  But dreams intertwined with reality, restless itch inside my body prevented me from sleeping.

  "I'm here," Victoria said, and I couldn't believe my luck. Even if it was just a hallucination, it was still a blessing.

  I invited her to come over to my bed, which was wet from my sweat. Tried, but my hand faltered mid-wave. "Come," I whispered instead, pulling the gritty blanket higher.

  Cold hand rested on my forehead, not unpleasant—calming.

  "Jump in." My hand reached to her, pulling her—weakly.

  "You're feverish," she said with hesitation.

  "Victoria, don't make me wait," mustering all strength, I pulled her harder. "I missed you."

  *I wanted her. Even if she was not real.*

  I fought against the blanket trying to sit up, but the blanket won and I collapsed on my back.

  *I want her whole and I want her now, before I wake up. Before the dream twists into nightmare.*

  Finally, after what felt like eternity, she slipped in—under the moist blanket.

  Her chilly presence slowed down my heart.

  Relaxed my muscles.

  Fever eased.

  A deep breath I took felt refreshing and easy, so much different from before.

  "You smell funny," I chuckled, "like popcorn."

  My arms went around her and I pulled her closer.

  "I missed you so much, Vivi. You're so cold but I like it."

  A salty drop fell on my lips when she tucked me in. I tried to tell her not to cry, but words didn't come out—lump blocked them. Instead I wrapped her leg around me, with her help because my hand turned out to be too weak.

  She embraced me.

  My breath steadied, muscles I didn't realize were tensed relaxed. Steam in my head slowly evaporated. Thoughts stopped still.

  I fell asleep.

  Deep. Calm. Sleep.

  "I can be your Vivi, Leo."

  Words escaped my attention. I was already sleeping.

  ~ ? ? ~

  Morning was unexpected. Like when you watched TV all night and suddenly someone knocks on the door. Exactly what happened.

  Knock-knock.

  "C-come in?" Was unsure why I slept whole night, but results were a game-changer. No headache. No fever.

  Alright, fever was there, but manageable. I even stood up before Brutus entered. He glanced at the dangling window with surprise, but I was already closing it. Its screechy, creaking sound stopped abruptly with a muffled thud.

  Maybe the chilly wind was the key? Why haven't I thought about that?

  When I sat back on the mattress, my hand slipped over a single hair—short and black. Mine were blond and grey. Maybe this was from one of the maids?

  ~ ? ? ~

  Corridor near my cell was already filling with my stalkers. They were oddly quiet today, just a barely heard humming.

  *Itch is there, but I'm so much better. Better than yesterday—better than the entire week!*

  The fever hadn't broken completely, but I could think again. Walk without swaying.

  Silas stood behind the sparse crowd with Vespera before him. I stopped at the doorstep, my arms loose along my body. They were few meters away and despite the crowd's murmur I heard Silas clearly.

  "Two days, Vespera." Silas said firmly, but not unkind. "You had two days to get past Saint Leonard's guards." He raised two fingers in a 'V'. "There was no breach. Each attempt failed."

  Vespera's ears were flat against her skull, tail low, eyes on the floor. "Yes, Sir Silas. I... I failed."

  He gently placed his hand on her shoulder.

  "You tried," Silas said, softer now. "That took courage. But the challenge is over."

  Vespera bowed deeply. "Thank you for allowing me to try, Sir."

  I watched as Silas confidently walked away. Watched as Vespera straightened slowly.

  For just a moment—barely a heartbeat—her lips curved into the smallest smile.

  Then she noticed me watching, and the smile vanished. Her eyes met mine between the crowd of the believers. In near silence, held for one, two, three seconds.

  She bowed to me, the same deep bow as before, and quickly walked away after Silas. Steps light like feather. She reached the staircase in the far end of the corridor. One more stolen glance at me and she ran down the stairs and disappeared.

  *Huh.*

  Footsteps grew behind me. I kept looking at the stairs.

  *Wonder what that was about.*

  Evadne stopped beside me.

  "You look better today."

  I glanced at her. "Do I?"

  "Much better." Her eyes searched my face, looking for something. "Did something change?"

  "You needed that sleep, Leonard." Althea stated the fact.

  *The deep, calm sleep.*

  "I just slept better today."

  Evadne didn't look convinced, but nodded anyway. "Well. We don't have much time, we need to get to the Palace and back. Except if you want to skip today too?"