Chapter 105Of Shadows and Shine

He didn't look threatening, in fact he looked quite relaxed and warm. But it may have been because I was happy. For once I wasn't curious to his identity. Okay, that wasn't true. I wanted to know who he was very much, but I felt it was improper to force my curiosity upon him. He had helped me greatly and I didn't want to offend him. Even if I was still insanely curious to his identity, I felt this was not the time.

"Hello Janus." I tried to smile kindly.

He smiled back, his mouth looking so familiar somehow. "Such a pity about your beautiful skin, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time."

I nodded sadly.

"But my question remains. What will you choose? Will you choose to go with him?"

It was a difficult question, one that had been in my mind for a while now. It was tempting, very tempting to be taken under his wing and be taught the things I couldn't learn on my own. But I didn't want to be without Khuna, Valerie and Kai. They were my friends now, my family. I wanted to go somewhere else, to have different experiences. And I wasn't too sure Afentis would be a good part in that.

Though I could always choose to go with him and leave him later, after telling him of course.

"I have a feeling of what I might choose, but why do you ask?" It bothered me slightly why he knew.

"I've been talking to him, he usually speaks openly to me. He told me what had happened to you. Mostly."

"Mostly?" I frowned.

"Well..." He sighed. "There are things he left out, like how you escaped, where you've been or what you're planning to do. Though sometimes I wonder how much he really knows."

I had to ask. "And you, where do you stand?"

He smiled, it was a nice smile. "In the shadows, protecting you four in any way I can."

Something was wrong. "And I'm supposed to believe that?" Why did he look so familiar and why didn't I know who he was...

"Some day I will tell you. You're very strong already, but still very young and unpredictable. I apologize, but I ask you to have faith in me for a bit longer."

What to do...

He hadn't hurt me and so far had, besides 'stay in the shadows', done nothing wrong. Yet there was something about him that irked me. As if I should know who and what he was. I breathed in deeply and suddenly smelled him, and noticed how much I knew the scent. I had smelled it many times before... So many times... If only I could place it. It just reminded me of my new home.

"I'm not sure if I'm right. I've got the feeling you're hiding something important but you haven't done me harm. I will give you the benefit of the doubt." I smiled.

He nodded. "Fair enough. Oh, and catch!" He threw something to me, it's silvery sheen distracting me as I managed to catch it.

It was a necklace. Not just any necklace, it was the necklace that belonged with the same set of my bracelet! It was white gold with a moonstone set in an elegant styled pendant. The lighting here wasn't clear enough, but the stone had the same coloring as the one in the bracelet and was quite intricate. Suggestions of something hidden deep beneath the surface called to me.

"Where did you find this?" I whispered softly.

"I'm sorry, I can't explain it now. You should go, he's waiting." He bowed in apology.

"Oh! You're right. See you around, Janus." I made my way toward the double doors leading out of the hotel. My hands put the necklace on me almost automatically, holding it in the light for my eyes to watch. It was beautiful. What was the significance of it all, which history tried to pursue me? So lost in thought I was that I almost missed the last thing he said then.

"We'll miss you, Amy."

It was only after I'd gone through the hotel doors did I realize what he had said. I looked behind me but he was no longer there. 'We'? I wondered what he meant with that. I was quite sure that Khuna, Valerie and Kai didn't really know him. Their reactions had been far from friendly or even knowledgeable. To them he was an outsider.

So what did he mean?

Pondering just that, I started walking to the little corner cafe where Afentis was waiting. A few deep breaths and a short hummed tune was enough to make my step light and happy again. The necklace felt nice on my neck. It wasn't too long or too tight, and it was the same beautiful design as the bracelet, both of which fitted me and my clothing perfectly. Feeling like a spoiled princess I walked onward.

I felt that I could take on the world.

The streets were damp but it wasn't raining. My gentle stride kept my long coat clean. I must have looked like an innocent angel with a happy, careless glow to her. I certainly noticed several older men watching me, but I didn't care. It was still early and I figured Afentis would patiently wait until I would arrive.

Finally, the Cafe. It was much more crowded than the last time I was there but it didn't matter. Afentis was sitting at a small table near the window, a woman trying to talk to him. He did nothing but respond politely with his warm voice and open smile. She appeared completely taken in with him. She nodded after he glanced at me and must have said something before she turned away again.

It surprised me that I didn't feel jealous and why I even considered that odd surprising thought.

He turned to me and smiled. I nodded knowingly and headed in.

Time to choose.