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When the Sacrifice returned, she told everyone that she had been taken against her will and spent the entire time figuring out a way to escape their sadistic imprisonment. The SDL were abusive and cruel political activists that Alessa wanted nothing to do with.
    “ Rumor has it that the y’ re pretty sly little devils ,” Camden added, throwing a bemused grin at Alessa ,“ but no worries, w e’ ll keep our little Lessie safe .” He emphasized the last part with a mock punch on Aless a’ s arm.
    Alessa rolled her eyes at Camden, the only retort that she could imagine that would not result in her embarrassment. In truth, his gentle banter irritated her beyond belief. Only Khi was allowed that much familiarity with her. And in the farthest reaches of her mind, in the places where she could pretend that things did n’ t exist, she was faintly aware of the quickening of her heartbeat when Camde n’ s skin had grazed across hers. He certainly made her uncomfortable. She remembered back to when Khi introduced them all. He obviously did n’ t trust at least one of the new guards. She was fairly sure she knew which it was.
    “ Well, I am going to go. I have things to do .” Alessa could n’ t understand why she was flustered, but she suddenly wanted to be as far away from Camden and his easy confidence as she could get.
    Alessa rose from the table. She nodded to the guards as they stood in deference. Then she turned quickly on her heels and began walking back towards the Manor. She heard footsteps behind her.
    “ Less, you okay ?” She let out a breath that she did not know that she was holding when she realized that Khi was behind her.
    “ Of course, why would n’ t I be ?” Alessa looked at Khi. He was perceptive, but certainly he could n’ t already tell that she was wary of the new guard. She was undoubtedly intrigued. The same way that one is intrigued by a Venus Fly Trap.
    “ You just got up and left in a hurry. I wanted to check on you .” Khi easily kept step with her fast pace. She slowed. She could talk to Khi. He would always be honest with her.
    “ What do you think of them ? ”
    “ Well, Alec is going to need some work, but h e’ ll be good one day .” He trailed off.
    “ And Camden ?” Alessa pressed him.
    “ H e’ s actually a really good guy, Less. I can tell you do n’ t like him, but I want you to know that you have no need to be worried about him. He has been vetted through the training program and knows his duty, okay ?” They had reached the Manor entrance. Khi had placed his hand on the door to open it and had stopped to look Alessa in the eye. His concern made her heart squeeze.
    “ I believe he can do his job, Khi. I just do n’ t know what that means for me. Something about him is off. I t’ s different. H e’ s different . ”
    “ Give him a shot, Less. Just learn about him .” He did n’ t know what he was asking. Certainly if he knew how Camden made her heart race with more than just mistrust he would n’ t ask such things of her.
    “ H e’ s here, right ?” Alessa was becoming uncomfortable and wanted to inject some humor in the conversation ,“ We will make the best of it. And I have no doubt that he can and will do wha t’ s asked of him adequately .” She smiled up at him.
    Khi looked as if he was going to continue, but sighed and opened the door for Alessa. She felt his eyes on her as she walked down the corridor, but she never turned to meet his eyes as she might usually have. She had too much on her mind. More specifically, a particular pair of piercing green eyes were filling every spare corner of her consciousness.
     
     
    Alessa wandered through the Manor aimlessly thinking more of Camde n’ s eyes and what Alec had said at lunch than where she was going. She stumbled to a stop when she heard harsh voices on the other side of a door. She realized quickly that she had wandered right into her parent s’ wing of the Manor and that their barely hushed