Such an interesting creature, she is. How is she not scared of me? She doesn’t look scared, doesn’t ask questions. Just blindly trusts that I’m not leading her to her death. I wonder if she was actually in my way by accident. But, there’s something about her.

Meechi whispered the spell word to turn on her second sight. It was no surprise that this girl's inner aura was being suffocated by a dark-blue ring, but, just below that, it was lined with a thin shimmering gold ring. I’ve never seen gold on a human before. Never seen gold on anything.

The blonde turned suddenly. A small gasp escaped her lips as she saw Meechi’s eyes, undoubtedly pulsing with a brighter blue glow. The emotionless mask got pulled quickly back into place. A shame, though. She looked stunning for the split second her face lit up. She still asked no questions though. Most people can’t resist asking about the eyes… unless they already know.

“Honna,” she said, trying to hide the fluster in her voice. “My name is Honna Dione.”

She released her second sight. “Nice to meetcha, Honna.” She took off her glove and held out a bare hand for Honna to shake. ”I’m called Meechi.” Honna’s movements stalled for half a second, then she gently grasped her hand.

As she slipped her hand into Honna’s, a tiny zap of energy sparked between them. Honna ripped her hand back and rubbed her fingers on her pants, casually, like she had just gotten a simple shock from static electricity.

They had just passed another stone wall from the forgotten village when she grabbed Honna’s arm and swung her around, shoving her against the wall, making sure to use her other hand to cushion Honna’s head from bouncing off the stone. Meechi leaned in close and studied Honna’s wide eyes. “So, what are you, Honna?”

Honna’s eyes grew even wider. “A female?” Her small whisper sounded amused at the question. “Though, I suspect you mean something else?”

Meechi slammed the wall beside her head. The stone pushed further out of place, but the layers of dirt caking the outside didn’t let it go far. Honna’s legs buckled and her body shivered, but she didn’t try to move away or fend her off. “Don’t play with me, Blondie,” she ground out through clenched teeth. “What kind of Fae are you? Humans don’t emit magic. Humans don’t have a golden lining around their auras. Humans can’t stand to be this close to me. You are not human! Who sent you?”

Honna’s face flushed as her emerald eyes dashed back and forth. She shook her head frantically. “As far as I have ever known, I am only human. Nothing else. Nothing—nothing special.” She carefully lifted a hand to Meechi’s face and smoothed her thumb across the skin just under her eyes. “I’m not special like you.” Honna’s eyes flickered up. “What happened to your cut? It’s completely healed.”

She ignored the question. Confusion coursed through Meechi’s mind.

How is she not freaked out by any of this? She’s not frantic or scared. How is she able to look me in the eyes, let alone touch me? There’s no possible way she’s human. But still, she doesn’t seem to be lying either.

Meechi pinched the bridge of her nose and pushed off the wall, away from Honna. “I’m sorry I scared ya. I had to see if you’d try to attack.” She gestured to the taser on the back of Honna’s hand. “You had full access and didn’t so much as twitch for it. So at least I can trust that you won’t attack when my back is turned.”

Not that she should be able to attack me. Most people would piss their pants even considering it.

“That wimpy thing couldn’t do much damage anyways.”

Honna shrugged. “As much as I’d like to take credit for being brave, I completely forgot it was even there.”

Meechi threw her hands in the air in exasperation. “Ya see?”

Honna tipped her head to the side, looking confused. “See what?”

“You didn’t have to say anything and I would’ve been none the wiser. You could’ve at least played it off that you were not tasing me out of the kindness of your heart or a way to gain my trust.” She took a step closer. Honna didn’t flinch away, even though she had just attacked her. “Why aren’t you afraid of me?”

“You didn’t have to hurt your hand to save my head a moment ago.” Honna’s rosy lips turned up in a confident grin and she took the slightest step closer, leaving barely an inch between them. “Why would I be afraid of someone who would do that for me?”

“I—I just…” Did I just stammer? What is even happening here? People don’t make me nervous, I make them nervous. I can’t let her affect me like this. Meechi leaned in a hair's breadth from her lips. “Maybe I just didn’t want to muss up that pretty blonde hair of yours.”

Honna pulled her head back, flustered. Meechi smiled proudly, like she’d just won an argument, and turned to walk along the dirt path again. Honna followed quietly. She knew it was cruel to tease her like that. The poor city girl had probably never been that close to another woman’s lips in her life. But, if she told people that Meechi, one of the Kalos’ most deadly assassins, had kept a human from getting hurt, she could lose her reputation and respect. And in that line of work, it could mean death.

Hopefully Stevano can convince her to sign on. I want more time with her, just figure out what she is. But I have to play it right.

She turned to look at Honna. Her cheeks were still blushing red and her eyes were turned to the ground, watching her feet as she walked, with a sad far-away look in them. Sad, not scared.

Meechi felt her heart pound in her chest. It’d been so long since anyone had looked sad around her.

It’s just the mystery of it. That’s all. By the time I get her figured out, I’m sure she’ll be gone. Just like all the others.