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Chapter 5

Birsha

A knock on my door breaks me out of my thoughts. Knowing it was probably Alexia, I merely waved my hand and the door opened. Alexia walks in with her soft cream-colored skin and long white hair slicked back down her backside. She is barely 5' 2" with a small waist and slight curves that suit her. Tonight she dressed in a blacked leather dress that fit her well. She is beautiful; and although most people are intimidated by her eyes, I find them intriguing. Alexia is a full-blooded phoenix, so her eyes portray that with the deep red irises that flare up when she's angry. She's a beauty to be reckoned with, that's for sure. She's powerful and knows her craft well. I've seen her do many things that most would find impossible. I'm lucky to have such a person on my team and even more so that she's my friend.

"I've spoken with Reginald. He relayed the information to Shi while I was on the line. She has accepted the assignment and agreed to the trial." Her voice held confidence and was straight forward as usual. I noticed she used Shikari's nickname, and I couldn't help the longing that rushed through my body. It's the same longing that I've been feeling everyday since we've been apart.

"Did you get a chance to speak with her as well?"

"Yes. After Reginald and I got off the phone, I contacted her directly to get her sizes and see if she would require any additional tools." I shouldn't be surprised really; Alexia's great at her job and is extremely thorough. Does she think of me? Did she ask about me? I wonder if it looks the same. Does she have the same smell of cinnamon and chocolate? Has her long legs gained more muscle or less? My mind is filled to the brim with questions as Alexia takes a seat across from me after making herself a drink.

"I can feel your internal frenzy master. She did not ask about you. She's alright and I have kept tabs on her as you requested throughout the years. I can tell you, she looks exactly the same."

"I thought we agreed you wouldn't read my mind when I let my wall down?" I raise my eyebrow at her as I cross my arms.

"It's not my fault your mind was screaming out. It was so damn loud you might as well have been shouting." She growls under her breath and I chuckle knowing she's right. When I think of Shikari, my mind goes array. She has, and always will be, my one weakness in every way. I miss her.

"We all miss her master. Still, what I said years before still holds true. If you want to protect her don't let anyone know what she means to you." Her firm voice left no room for argument; besides, I already know she's right.

An exhausted sigh leaves my lips. "Do we still have no leads as to who it was that tried to take her that night?"

Alexia looks up from her glass and as sadness sweeps across her face. She and I both remember that night extremely well. The night before I left her, Shikari was out for her normal run through the park next to the home we shared. Two demons and a man tried to take her while she ran, oblivious to the attempted kidnapping. Alexia and Xei, my commander, were on patrol keeping an eye out on her.

Xei is part Kobold and part shifter, which gives him the advantage of enhanced hearing. He can hear people whisper up to thirty miles away. He has said many times it's both a blessing and a curse, and I can only imagine. That night however, it was a blessing. He heard them talking of their plans to capture her and take her to their master. Alexia and Xei were able to kill the two demons, however the man got away before anyone could see his face. Shikari never knew anything even happened. She just ran her normal route oblivious to the danger she was in.

"We have no new updates. The person, or concealed, has never come to any of the other attempts against her again since that night." I can feel the anger coming off her at the memory that is lingering in her mind. Those demons weren't that strong and the two could have easily taken them out, but one had a blade dipped in poison. That night, we almost lost both Xei and Shikari.

"News will come eventually. We will find him, Alexia. He can't hide forever, eventually he will make a mistake. You still have people on her?" Ever since that night Shikari has never been alone. We have kept watch on her for her safety, as well as for my own piece of mind.

"Yes. It will just be added security with her being here in the club. I have a feeling she's going to need all the protection we can provide. I feel the wind shifting, trouble is coming Birsha." Her voice is somber, and I can't help but feel her unease. Her psychic abilities are not so strong as to see the future, but she can feel danger and change, so if Alexia is worried then we all should be. "There is a change in the air and it's thick. Something is coming soon. It's a dark time ahead and I feel you and Shikari will be the target. We need to keep her close."

"We will. Has Xei gathered the militia? I want to make sure this club is surrounded by our men when Shikari gets here. No mistakes."

"Xei has the men all prepared and the club surrounded already. They've been working over the plans and discussing strategies and possible outcomes this past week. The fact you've not noticed them speaks for itself."

"Very true, and you? Are you ready for Shikari's trial?" A knowing smirk graced my face, as she looked up at me with a cocked eyebrow and smiled her own devious grin.

"Yes, I am most certainly ready and very eagerly awaiting her arrival."

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