[Sadrain]

November 23rd, Chicago; Sewer #17.

His eyes burned her. Leila felt the weight of his gaze, as if it was physical touch. And it irked her even more, that it was not set on her, but the extension of her, her shadow, the thing most never paid any attention. It felt as if she, and all her secrets, were exposed before those watchful hazel eyes. As a creature of darkness, Leila despised to be pulled out in light, to be seen clearly. Just his presence loomed over her like a giant, just as he did when the barely five feet seven inches tall girl was looking Amante in the eye.

Leila's buttons were not that easy to push, but this man, lover boy as her inner voice mocked the meaning of his name, had special talent for it. Especially since she felt like she is missing something that was going on between the two men. Only thing that eased her mind was the darkness that grew deeper as they went further down into the sewers. Here, she was the Queen and no scum, even group of them, could defeat Her. If she wanted she could flick her finger, and they would die a horrible death. Yes, that was a reassuring thought. It even compensated for the dirty water that stained her shoes and the stench.

Elek felt how stiff the girl had become. Although something did not let him reach her mind, her own emotions were hitting against the barrier like caged birds trying to break free. It showed in her pace and posture, even more straight and graceful than before, but it felt rather natural. Something had set her into turmoil, and he could only imagine it was Amante. Had they met before? It felt as if Amante, too, was somehow affected by her presence.

An image slipped into his mind, he recognized it and mentally shivered. But again, he said nothing about it. He respected his comrades and his friends - even more. Elek knew that each of them had past, had secrets they wanted to forget them selves. Why tear up an old scar, maybe even half open wound? So, he focused on how to simply explain the evolving situation.

"In upworld, Leila is the best paid mercenary and assassin. She says she dislikes the meaningless hatred and wants to put an end to it, but I think she only cares for her own personal goals and how much someone pays her. And that's the thing. Someone has hired her to infiltrate into Rebellion and most likely eliminate its leaders. We need to know who it is, who of the Top is aware of us and how much they know." Elek paused, so he could carefully walk around some box.

"Leila has something that block my mindwaves so I can't read her mind or control her - but I will find a way around it, I am sure. For now, we are letting her only to second outpost in this passage, no further." The man let Amante take in all the information and think it over. He knew this sounded like a crazy plan and Elek was slightly anxious how Amante would react.

"But I need someone to keep an eye on her, every now and then at least, see where she is going, if she contacts someone from Surface. If you don't want to or can't do it, it's fine, though," Elek finally added, silence settling in between them, except for a quiet sound that made one think that the air it self was charged with some energy and humming.